The Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) is undertaking a large-scale inspection of all regional water supply and sewerage (WSS) companies in the country. This decision comes against the background of increasing complaints from citizens and businesses regarding disrupted access to drinking water in various regions of Bulgaria.
The inspection will cover several key aspects of the WSS operators' activities. Firstly, EWRC experts will focus on the fulfillment of water quality indicators. This includes analysis of chemical composition, microbiological indicators, and other parameters that ensure the safety of drinking water for consumers.
Another important aspect of the inspection will be losses in the water supply network. It is known that in some regions of the country, losses reach up to 60-70% of the supplied water, which is significantly above the permissible norms and leads to inefficient use of water resources.
EWRC will pay special attention to the investments made by WSS companies. It will be checked whether the companies are implementing the investment programs outlined in their business plans for improving infrastructure and service quality.
An expert from EWRC commented to our agency:
The purpose of this large-scale inspection is to establish the real state of the WSS sector in the country and to identify areas that need urgent improvement measures
The inspection is expected to last several months, and its results will be publicly announced. Depending on the findings, EWRC may impose sanctions on companies that do not meet regulatory requirements or recommend specific measures to improve services.
This EWRC initiative comes at a time when the issue of access to quality drinking water is becoming increasingly relevant not only in Bulgaria but also on a global scale. Experts emphasize that improving WSS infrastructure and services is of critical importance for public health, economic development, and environmental protection.