The Ministry of Environment and Water and the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works have signed an agreement for support of regional investment planning in the water and sewerage sector. The agreed amount is BGN 22.8 million and it is covered by Operational Program Environment 2014-2020 (OPE).
The project activities envisage the preparation of regional pre-investment surveys for water supply and sewerage services for the territories maintained by the water supply companies in Sofia, Veliko Tarnovo, Gabrovo, Pleven, Targovishte and Haskovo. The studies will contain technical and economic information for the preparation of EU funded investment proposals.
The material will include the data collection and analysis of the status and the development of strategic options for water supply and sewerage systems and facilities, as well as financial and economic analysis.
During the 2014-2020 programming period OPE finances water supply and sewerage projects by applying a regional approach e.g. one separate water supply and sewerage area - one plumbing operator - one project. This project is a continuation of the first procedure for support of the regional investment planning of the water supply and sewerage sector with the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works as a beneficiary.
Thus far, 12 consolidated operators are executing contracts for construction of water infrastructure with OPE funds. These are the water supply companies of Varna, Plovdiv, Smolyan, Stara Zagora, Kardzhali, Sliven, Yambol, Pernik, Vidin, Silistra, Ruse and Vratsa.