The Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) has approved the requests of the water and sewerage companies for higher water prices. The increase, which comes into effect from New Year's Day, will apply to most populated areas in the country. The approved new prices are in leva, but they will be converted to euros at the official exchange rate after January 1, 2026.
The largest increase is for Kardzhali - by almost 14%, which will lead to a price of 5.19 BGN per cubic meter. For Sofia, which has the most consumers, the increase is significant - by as much as 12%, bringing the price of water to 4.12 BGN per cubic meter.
With an increase of 4.8%, water in Silistra becomes the most expensive in the country - 6.44 BGN per cubic meter. Razgrad follows, where from January 1, consumers will pay 6.33 BGN per cubic meter - 1.1% more than this year.
However, there will also be settlements in Bulgaria where the water and sewerage service will become cheaper next year. For example, in Shumen, the reduction is 1%, but despite this, the city remains with one of the most expensive water and sewerage services, priced at 5.96 BGN per cubic meter of water. Cheaper water will be paid in Yambol - there the reduction is almost 12%, at which it will cost 4.52 BGN per cubic meter.
In Vratsa, the price will be 5.48 BGN, the increase is 8.9%. In Veliko Tarnovo, the cubic meter will be 5.12 BGN, and the increase is 8.8%. In Gabrovo, they will pay 4.93 BGN, with the increase being 8.4%. In Varna, water will cost 5.92 BGN, or an increase of 6.6%. In Burgas, the price will be 5.28 BGN per cubic meter and an increase of 1.4%. In Plovdiv, the price will be 3.73 BGN per cubic meter, or an increase of 4%.