News

12 June 2023

The Ombudsman Diana Kovacheva sent letters to the chairperson of the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission Ivan Ivanov, Minister of Environment and Waters Yulian Popov and Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Andrey Tsekov, as well as to the manager of Sliven Water Supply and Sewerage Plamen Trifonov, Dipl. Eng., due to the more than 200 signals of Sliven residents complaining of frequent water shortage due to maintenance or emergency repairs.

The complaints come from the residents of a number of neighbourhoods: Balgarka neighbourhood, blocks nos. 12, 23, 32, and 33; Sinite kamani neighbourhood, blocks nos. 5, 10, 25, and 57; Republika neighbourhood, blocks nos. 4 and 40; Kolyo Ficheto neighbourhood, bl. 7; Klutsohor neighbourhood, Georgi Ikonomov, Stoyan Zaimov Streets; Komluka neighbourhood, Dimitar Pehlivanov-Dobrovich Str.; Novo selo neighbourhood, Gagovets, Bratya Kutevi, Dobri Dobrev, Dobri Voyvoda, Trifon Voyvoda, Ropotamo, Dobri Dimitrov, and Gagovets Streets; Twida gardens neighbourhood, Panayot Hitov Str. etc.

People complain that for more than two years now, at least twice weekly they do not have water. Repairs of the repairs continue, streets remain excavated. At the same time the hours when the water supply will be restored are not announced and no alternative water supply is ensured when the shortage continues for more than 12 hours.

“The last such case was on 8 June 2023 when water shortage in a large part of the city had been announced. The water supply was restored after more than 24 hours; however, no water carriers were provided in the meanwhile. No one answered the telephones at the Water and Sewerage Company thus residents could not receive any information when the water supply would be restored. Residents insist on quality service, compensations for the damage sustained, and sanctions for the Water and Sewerage Company”, the Ombudsman wrote.

Prof. Kovacheva points out to the chairperson of the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission that water prices should correspond to the quality of the service provided – something which apparently is not the case judging by the residents’ complaints. This is why she insists that the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission carries out an exceptional check in Sliven Water and Sewerage Company how the quality indicators set forth in the approved company business plan are met and how the repair works are being implemented.

The Ombudsman insists in her letters to the two ministers on an objective inspection of the implementation of project no. LG16M1OP002-1.016 “Construction of Water and Sewerage Infrastructure” financed by Operational Programme “Environment 2014-2020”, cofinanced by the European Union under the Cohesion Fund. The project envisages completion and rehabilitation of the water and sewerage infrastructure in the region of Sliven.

Diana Kovacheva further insists that public information be provided when the project is expected to be completed and how it will benefit the population on the territory of the region of Sliven.

“The citizens are right to be outraged and to insist on checks of the implementation of the water cycle project financed by European funding, and those responsible to be held accountable. They further insist on compensation for the damage sustained”, the Ombudsman points out.

Prof. Kovacheva asked Mr Plamen Trifonov to take action to improve the water and sewerage service and customary service, including ensuring clear notification of time and date of planned water shortages and provision of water carriers.