Bulgaria needs $8.32 bn to upgrade water, sewerage infrastructure

SOFIA: Water losses in the water supply and sewerage network in Bulgaria occurs mainly due to the outdated infrastructure, Irena Georgieva, Executive Director of Bulgarian Water and Sewerage Holding, told the Bulgarian News Agency, BTA.According to the latest data, more than Bulgarian Lev (BGN) 15 billion (US$8.32 bn/ AED30.55 bn) are required to upgrade the overall infrastructure to meet modern European standards, she added.Her comments were made on the occasion of Friday's World Water Day. She said the country has to the required measures to benefit from European funding.'I also urge the municipalities to get involved in the process of upgrading the water and sewerage infrastructure by applying for different funding,' Georgieva said.The renovation is unaffordable for the water utilities 'who operate the water and sewerage network through the service they provide', the official pointed out.They are commercial companies and any investment must be recovered through the price of water, Georgieva said.The World Water Day is observed on 22nd March every year. "Water for Peace" is the motto of this year's World Water Day.Source: Emirates News Agency