World Bank to provide Bulgaria with water and sanitation strategy

Bulgaria has appointed the World Bank to advise the country on the implementation of its new water and sanitation strategy.

The strategy aims to enable affordable sustainable water supply and sanitation services to consumers.

The World Bank will strengthen the capacity of the State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission and will also support government compliance with EU urban wastewater regulations while avoiding excessive costs.

EU funds are financing 30% to 40% of the country’s total capital investments that aim to ensure the compliance and sustainability of water supply and sanitation services.

Minister of regional development Desislava Terzieva said that the Bulgarian Government is committed to achieving its Accession Treaty obligations with respect to urban water.

"Our water companies are essential in ensuring that we meet the obligations at the least cost to consumers. A strong and responsive regulator, which balances the legitimate interests of consumers and companies, is another essential building block. We look forward to World Bank support in both these areas," Terzieva said.

World Bank country manager for Bulgaria, Czech Republic and Slovakia Markus Repnik said: "Drawing on European and global experience, we can promote solutions in support of sustainable water supply and sanitation services that are affordable to consumers. This fits well with the World Bank’s vision of shared prosperity."

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Image: The agreement was signed by Minister of Regional Development Desislava Terzieva and World Bank country manager for Bulgaria, Czech Republic, and Slovakia Markus Repnik.