17.04.2024

Sustainable and effective water management in the conditions of climate reality

The international high-level conference "Intelligent consumption of water resources and Blue Diplomacy" brought together European and Bulgarian stakeholders, politicians, industry representatives, organized civil society and academia in Sofia today.

The event, organized by the Association of Industrial Capital in Bulgaria (AIKB) and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in partnership with Veolia Bulgaria, aimed to demonstrate the need for the EU Blue Deal and a strategy for the smart use of water resources in national level; to help connect with local stakeholders and identify avenues for 'knowledge transfer' and exchange of best practice; to emphasize the Bulgarian specifics in the sector.

The forum was opened by the chairman of AIKB's Board of Directors, Vasil Velev. In his speech, he emphasized that

Water scarcity, which is increasing in the face of climate change, has the potential for forced migration of over 1 billion people.”

Is sustainable and effective water management possible?

Achieving sustainable and efficient water management, along with the reduction of drought and water scarcity, is only possible with the application of an integrated approach in line with the new climate reality at the European and global level. This approach must be adapted to the national specificities of each country.

This was stated by the Acting Deputy Minister of Environment and Water Reneta Koleva.

She noted two European documents on climate risk assessment and management, human protection and prosperity. According to her, both documents indicate the increasing pressure on the water resource and the need for proactive action and management of risks arising from climate change.

Bulgaria shares these concerns, as it is located in a region vulnerable to climate change and an increasing frequency of extreme events such as droughts and floods. Issues related to water supply for drinking purposes, agricultural needs, as well as providing opportunities to use water from alternative sources for the economic sector and water ecosystems are particularly sensitive. In response to these challenges, our country is making efforts to reflect the impact of climate change and to foresee adaptation and mitigation measures in intelligent water management at the national level, including management of significant dam complexes, river basin management plans, flood risk management etc. Key to achieving the targets is ensuring adequate funding of the water sector, not only to strengthen efforts to achieve water sustainability, but also to ensure the implementation of existing and upcoming major European legislation, including the Drinking Water Directive, the Wastewater Treatment Directive waste water and the Priority Substances Directive. It is necessary to provide sufficient funds from European funds to assist the member states in the implementation and effective implementation of the requirements in terms of infrastructure development, methodical support and provision of additional expert capacity," said Deputy Minister Koleva.

A necessary increase in the salaries of those working in the water supply sector

The average pay levels of BGN 1300-1500 in the Water Supply and Sewerage (Water Supply and Sewerage) system obviously cannot be attractive. This was stated by the president of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CNSB), Plamen Dimitrov.

An increase in remuneration is urgently needed. Efforts to attract and retain staff include pay increases that have yet to materialize. The number of people working in the plumbing sector is decreasing, and the average age is 52," Dimitrov pointed out.

The president of KNSB also spoke about the needs of investments in the sector.

Access to quality drinking water and sanitation is a universal right, and in this regard, public institutions and all of us are obliged to ensure this right. Bulgaria is one of the countries that has serious coverage, but at the same time the losses in the networks are very large. More investments are needed in the sector," said Dimitrov.

Prevention policies

During the discussion, emphasis was placed on the need for countries to take the issue of water scarcity more seriously and to formulate specific prevention policies. Problems with water loss were also commented on.

Water is not a commodity, but someone has to pay for its delivery, purification, etc. A big problem with water companies is that they use pumps and energy-intensive appliances that increase the price of water. Accidents must be detected in time to avoid large losses of water," said construction engineer Mikhail Todorov.

We are increasingly aware of the cost of water globally, there are countries struggling to access quality and safe water. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of motivation among countries to work to improve the way we use water. Europe may be well ahead in this regard, but we have not yet reached our goals. Water is relevant to all activities of life on Earth," said Pietro Francesco De Lotto, President of the EESC's Advisory Committee on Industrial Change.