In the village of Gorna Studena near the Danube, retired agricultural expert Rumyana Tsoneva faces a daily dilemma: rationing water for basic needs as her taps run dry for hours. Her story mirrors a growing crisis in Bulgaria, where aging infrastructure, water theft, and climate change collide.
Decades-old pipes – some dating to pre-World War II eras – leak an estimated 60% of Bulgaria's water supply, according to local officials. Combined with rising temperatures reducing Danube tributary flows, residents like Tsoneva now face water rationing as early as June. "We fill cans when water comes, then choose between laundry or showers," the 69-year-old told KhabarAsia.
As the EU's poorest member state, Bulgaria struggles to modernize its water systems while addressing climate impacts. Experts warn that without urgent infrastructure upgrades and improved resource management, the crisis could spread to urban centers and impact agricultural production – a key economic sector.
The situation highlights broader challenges facing Eastern Europe's climate resilience, with implications for regional stability and EU policy coordination on environmental investments.
