Bulgaria is a land of water. It has an abundance of rain falling on open plains, next to forests and snowy peaks, while its main attractions for tourists are hot springs and the gorgeous shores of the Black Sea. And yet, water is a problem for many Bulgarians, with ageing infrastructure and leaking pipes often impeding their access to it.

In some areas, water deliveries by truck are a normal part of life, especially in the summer. For every litre of water pumped into the distribution system, more than half may be lost before it reaches the faucet. The most critical situation today is the treatment of wastewater, which is currently polluting the Danube, the Black Sea and the country’s groundwater.

Home to seven million people, Bulgaria is determined to improve supplies of this valuable natural resource to its residents. The JASPERS programme, a partnership between the EIB and the European Commission, helped Bulgaria to plan improvements to the water supply and wastewater programme for the entire country. This project is now well under way, and six new regional water projects were added in 2023.

From installing modern pipes to new wastewater treatment plants, these projects will reduce sewage pollution and save large amounts of water in Bulgaria by reducing leaks and making supply systems more efficient.

The amount of untreated wastewater will be dramatically reduced by improving collection and treatment systems throughout the country. The nationwide project preparation phase, largely carried out with Bulgarian consultancy companies, will help bring in the skills needed to prepare successful projects in the future.

JASPERS has been helping Bulgaria since 2007, assisting more than 90 water projects, including regional water supplies and wastewater treatment. A number of these assignments have supported the preparation of EIB loans, including a €500 million deal for projects in transport and the environment.