Water scarcity concerns on Bulgaria's Southern Black Sea coast as dam levels drop

The state of water supply in Bulgaria’s southern Black Sea coast is alarming due to shortage of water in the dams, the Ministry of Environment and Water has warned. The Ministry has issued instructions to the Ministry of Regional Development and the Water and Sewerage Holding company to take measures both to find alternative sources of water and to repair the water transmission network, which is losing large volumes. The Ministry of Environment and Water will also reduce the amount of water that can be used from the dams in November, mostly for irrigation.

The southern Black Sea coast is secured with water for another six months, according to the estimates of the district governor in Burgas.

"I have ordered the water and sewerage operator to inform me about the urgent measures and actions that should be taken. In addition, the Ministry of Environment and Water, which has control functions, should also strengthen their control over the unregulated water use," said Prof. Maria Neykova, District Governor of Burgas.

The Ministry of Environment and Water is limiting water consumption in the reservoirs with reduced volumes. Water supply issues on the southern Black Sea coast are expected as early as next year. Kamchia dam has a usable volume of 14%, Yasna Polyana dam has 16% of its total volume.

"I really have no idea what we are going to do, if we don't have clean drinking water. Everything we have invested in - our time, our money over the last thirty years may come to an abrupt end," said Zdravko Vassilev, a hotelier from Primorsko.

The Ministry of Environment has repeatedly warned the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works and the Water and Sewerage Holding to take measures and look for alternatives for water supply. Problems with the supply of drinking water are also expected in 2026 for the Ticha dam, from where Shumen and Targovishte are supplied.

"There should be a bit more responsible behaviour on the part of citizens - water should be used only for drinking and domestic purposes," said prof. Maria Neykova.

And while the dams for water supply are more than 60% full for the whole country, the available volumes for irrigation are less than 31%. The dam, the water of which is used for electricity generation are just over half full.