Bulgaria loses nearly half of its drinking water due to aging pipes
The European Union is facing a serious water supply problem, losing nearly a quarter of its treated water due to leaks in infrastructure. The situation varies significantly across member states, with Bulgaria ranking among the top countries for water resource losses.
Data shows that while countries like the Netherlands lose only 6% of their water, in Bulgaria this percentage reaches an alarming 45%. This means that almost half of the water treated for household and business needs leaks into the ground before reaching the end consumers.
The main reason for these large losses is the poor condition of the country's water transmission network. Many of the pipes are old, depreciated, and in urgent need of repair or replacement. The lack of investment in infrastructure modernization leads to serious economic and environmental losses for the state.
Globally, the problem of water access is becoming increasingly critical. Experts predict that global water demand will grow by 55% by 2050. In the context of climate change and more frequent droughts, the efficient management of water resources is becoming a priority for every European country.
Tackling leaks in Bulgaria is crucial for ensuring a stable water supply in the future. It is expected that the state will direct more effort and funds toward renovating the water supply network in order to reduce losses and ensure more efficient use of this valuable natural resource.