In 2005 the Bulgarian Parliament voted a new Water and Sewerage Regulation Law. It defined the price and quality regulation of water and sewerage services in the country and the responsibilities of the water utilities companies. The law also regulated the measures to diminish technical losses of water. According to the law, the water regulation has to be implemented by the energy regulator or thus was created a multi-utilities regulator – the State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (DKEVR). DKEVR is responsible for price and quality regulation, registration and licensing regime and balances interests of water companies and clients.
The water sector in Bulgaria will need substantial investments in the next 10-15 years in order to improve quality and diminish technical losses. Currently there is only one private operator, which is based in the capital city (Sofiyska Voda), but more concessionaires are expected in the next years in order to promote investments in new infrastructure.
Technology used in the sector is quite old and needs replacement. Most of the water and sewerage systems are built between 1945 and 1980 and are now operating beyond their lifetime. Not only the network, but the metering and billing systems of water companies need substantial improvement.
According to the Water and Sewerage Strategy from 2004, up to 2014 the following investments had to be planned and implemented:
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Reconstruction of 15,000 km of water supply networks;
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Construction of 6 water supply dams;
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Construction of 12 wastewater treatment plants and 40 water supply treatment plants for small settlements;
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Finishing of 12 wastewater treatment plants;
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Construction of 357 new wastewater treatment plants;
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Reconstruction of 40 wastewater treatment plants;
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Broadening and constructing sewerage networks in 418 settlements.
The water and sewerage companies are still waiting for a new sector law, which should regulate networks ownership and allow further promotion of private capital in this field.