What is the response of the state authorities to these claims - Radio Bulgaria is looking for answers in an interview with Deputy Minister of Environment and Water Atanas Kostadinov. He presented alarming data - the large structurally determining water reservoirs in Bulgaria are the least filled in two decades, slightly less than last year 2024. But he emphasized strongly – this is not the reason for the water shortage.

"The truth is that the volumes to date in the complex and significant dams that are for these needs (drinking, irrigation, energy) are the lowest in 20 years. However, the question is in what condition we are. The total stored volume in them is about 4.5 billion cubic meters, which represents a little under 70% of their total capacity, although the trend is critical. This is 2-3% higher than the previous month and only about 3-4% less than the previous year. Yes, the trend of a critical lack of water resources continues, but I believe that we are in a situation where, with reasonable planning, we cannot expect a critical situation for drinking and domestic water supply," the minister nevertheless says reassuringly.

Kostadinov also gave an example with the Water Supply and Drainage company in Pleven, where the Ministry of Environment and Water allocated even more water than the company requested, which categorically shows that the reasons are technical, i.e. technical failure in the water supply system, not a lack of water. And he pointed out that huge water losses are seen not only in the water supply network.

"This year, being even drier than the previous one, is not much different from it. Large water losses can be caused at any moment due to the compromised, outdated - morally and physically, water supply network. There is another example that does not concern drinking and domestic water supply. Regarding irrigation water, we have data that shows in places over 90% water losses."

Deputy Minister Kostadinov promised: as far as the work of his department is concerned, a deja vu of the last dry year will not be allowed.

"The total volume of drinking water reservoirs is about 1.1 billion cubic meters. That is, yes, we are registering a drier year, at the same time we have a 72% filled capacity. And we are currently fully confident that the way we work, "this will not be the cause of a water crisis," the deputy head of the Ministry of Environment and Water reassured. He also added that there are no prospects for problems with water supply on the Southern Black Sea Coast at the height of the summer season, given that the water levels at Yasna Polyana water reservoir which mainly supplies the region are not bad.

The Ministry of Environment and Water is categorical - the claims that the population is being deprived of water at the expense of private hydroelectric power plants and other businesses are sheer speculation.

"According to the Water Act, there is a hierarchy in water management - first of all, water resources go for domestic and drinking needs, secondly - for irrigation, thirdly - for energy, and then for other purposes. And I can cite hydroelectric power plants that do not receive water for months because we fulfill the first two priorities. The issue of facilities that are built on the canals of irrigation systems or other systems is another matter. There, only when we satisfy the irrigation needs, water flows through these hydroelectric power plants. These are our priorities and it is rather speculation that we are depriving the population or farmers of water by releasing it for energy or private needs," Kostadinov says.