The shower is now more expensive in more than half of Bulgaria, the local authorities surprised
Mutual recriminations and explanations of whose fault is the challenge of rising water prices in the water Burgas and local water supply services by 59% to an impressive BGN 4.39 per cubic meter from August 1.
Along with the debates about the seaside city, everyone remained unnoticed that from August 1 in Razgrad the price is even more drastic – BGN 5.30 against BGN 3.36, and the increase is 46 percent. IN Silistra the price rose from BGN 3,468 to BGN 5,035.
The reason for the promotion in Silistra is the need for the company to increase its income in order to be able to fulfill the planned industrial investments in the next 4 years and to achieve a higher quality of water and sanitation services. The investment program for the period amounts to BGN 8,624,000. On the second day with the high prices, it became clear that the municipal council in Silistra will appeal because they were set without their consent.
Another area has new prices from August 1 – Vratsa. Against the background of the other companies, the price increase here is more modest – from BGN 3.258 to BGN 3.74 per cubic meter.
During the new regulatory period 2022-2026, VK – Vratsa will implement an investment program with a total amount of BGN 12.5 million, of which BGN 8.7 million in public water supply systems and facilities. The planned investments are significantly larger than those pledged under the contract with the Vratsa Water Supply Association, which are BGN 4.6 million.
So far
higher prices are
voted by KEVR for
16 regional centers
Five companies have raised prices since the beginning of June. In Veliko Tarnovo consumers now pay BGN 3.46 instead of BGN 2.39 per cubic meter after the price has not changed for 18 months.
IN Pleven a cubic meter is now 4 BGN, compared to the previous price of 2.95 BGN. The smallest price increase – from 67 cents per cubic meter to 3.78 BGN – was confirmed for the water supply company in Montana. IN Gabrovo the price increase is only by 77 cents to BGN 3.39 per cubic meter, and in ruse the increase is 91 cents – and the price is BGN 3.85.
Four other companies – in Varna, Lovech, Stara Zagora and Targovishte, received approval for higher prices from July 1. In Varna cubic water is BGN 4.54, or BGN 1.29 more.
IN Lovech the increase in price was BGN 1.05 and the price reached BGN 4.20 Targovishte and the increase from the beginning of the minimum month is by BGN 1.21 to BGN 4.37. Stara Zagora they pay for the service at BGN 4.12 per cubic meter, which is BGN 1.12 more than the old price of BGN 3.
A day ago at a press conference in Noisy it became clear that KEVR returned the company’s business plan for revision. One of the remarks is that the water price proposal for household subscribers of BGN 4.61 per cubic meter is above the socially acceptable for 2022 and must be adjusted downwards. The water prices in Vidin, Yambol, Radomir and breznik.
Despite all the increases of the state, it is clear that the Water and Sewerage Department decided, and the principal in the person of the state water holding, the municipalities and the price regulator accepted,
that right now it is
the time to invest
tens of millions in
replacement of networks
And this is the main reason for the price increases, which range from 30 to 60%.
However, this is happening in a period of high inflation, pumped up by energy carriers. And the new water prices will increase it further, without, however, guaranteeing that water supply services will become significantly better, and losses will decrease from the mind-boggling 60% at the moment.
Since last year, water and sanitation companies have started to submit their business plans. They later asked to update them with the increased electricity prices, but KEVR was against it. Somehow, after a year of elections, administrations and shifts, the regulator began to accept their proposals.