High-Level Policy Dialogue on EU Sanitation Policies and Practices in the 2008 International Year of Sanitation Brussels, 29th January 2008 Rural Development Programme in Bulgaria – opportunities for rural areas in the fields of water supply, waste water treatment Dr. Miroslava Georgieva, Rural Development Directorate, Rural Development Directorate, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Supply Bulgaria Bulgaria

General Overview of Problems of Water supply Sewage Water Supply Water supply system covers above 5000 settlements and 98.8% of the population Water supply system covers above 5000 settlements and 98.8% of the population Total length of the water-supply network is about km Total length of the water-supply network is about km The larger part of the network (88%) was built in the s The larger part of the network (88%) was built in the s Asbestos cement pipes account for 70% of the network and are in poor condition and need to be replaced. Asbestos cement pipes account for 70% of the network and are in poor condition and need to be replaced. Water shortages in some of the regions, leading to rationing of water. Water shortages in some of the regions, leading to rationing of water. The water quality in the country is good, except in specific regions, which are facing problems of a local character.

General Overview of Problems of Water supply Sewage (2) Sewage system Sewage system, including waste water treatment, is a serious problem for the environment as well as for human health. Sewage system, including waste water treatment, is a serious problem for the environment as well as for human health. The share of the population with access to sewage infrastructure is 69% while only 41% of the population have access to waste water treatment facilities. The share of the population with access to sewage infrastructure is 69% while only 41% of the population have access to waste water treatment facilities.

Specific problems of Water supply Sewage in rural areas The quality of technical infrastructure in rural areas differs by type and size of settlements The quality of technical infrastructure in rural areas differs by type and size of settlements A special problem is the high share of rural population living in small settlements. A special problem is the high share of rural population living in small settlements. There are 3850 settlements with a population below 2000 people and in this settlements reside nearly half of the rural population There are 3850 settlements with a population below 2000 people and in this settlements reside nearly half of the rural population In very small settlements below 500 residents live about 15% of the rural population In very small settlements below 500 residents live about 15% of the rural population The underdevelopment of the sewage system is a significant problem in rural areas and particularly in villages (only 2.1% of villages have sewage system) The underdevelopment of the sewage system is a significant problem in rural areas and particularly in villages (only 2.1% of villages have sewage system)

Commitments Bulgaria will have to comply with the requirements of Council Directive 91/271/EEC on urban waste water treatment: by December 31, 2010 for all agglomerations with a population equivalent (PE) above by 31 December 2014 for agglomerations with PE between and This requires extension, reconstruction and modernization, as well as construction of new sewerage systems including UWWTPs in the settlements

Rural Areas in Bulgaria 231 municipalities out of total of % of total country territory; 42% of total population;

Rural Areas Needs Rural Municipalities put priority to water and sewage infrastructure in their strategies for the period Rural Municipalities put priority to water and sewage infrastructure in their strategies for the period Their strategies include: Their strategies include: 580 projects for rehabilitation of water supply – 255 MEUR and 580 projects for rehabilitation of water supply – 255 MEUR and 550 projects for sewage systems – 635 MEUR 550 projects for sewage systems – 635 MEUR

Funds Allocated to Funds Allocated to Water and Sewage and Waste Water Treatment OP Environment – 1284 MERO, 71% of total OP OP Environment – 1284 MERO, 71% of total OP Rural Development –about 300 MEURO – 30% of Axis 3 budget Rural Development –about 300 MEURO – 30% of Axis 3 budget

OP Environment 2007 – 2013 The following types of activities will be supported : The following types of activities will be supported : (1) the construction / reconstruction / modernization of wastewater treatment plants including the introduction of tertiary treatment, where necessary, for settlements with more than PE, (2) construction/extension/reconstruction/ of sewage networks within the same settlements. (2) construction/extension/reconstruction/ of sewage networks within the same settlements. (3) the construction/reconstruction/modernization of wastewater treatment plants, where necessary, for of settlements with PE between 2000 and and (4) construction/extension/reconstruction/ of sewage networks within the same settlements. (5) the construction/reconstruction/modernization of wastewater treatment plants, where necessary, for settlements with PE below 2000 located within urban agglomeration areas (6) construction/extension/reconstruction/ of sewage networks within the same settlements. (6) construction/extension/reconstruction/ of sewage networks within the same settlements.

Rural Development Programme Under third axis RDP will support following activities in the field of water supply, waste water treatment and waste management: Under third axis RDP will support following activities in the field of water supply, waste water treatment and waste management: Construction/reconstruction/rehabilitation of the water supply system and related facilities; Construction/reconstruction/rehabilitation of the water supply system and related facilities; Construction/reconstruction/rehabilitation of the sewage system and related facilities, including waste water treatment plants; Construction/reconstruction/rehabilitation of the sewage system and related facilities, including waste water treatment plants; These actions will be supported within the settlements with population below p. e. in the 231 rural municipalities.