Residents of the quaint village of Brestovitsa in Plovdiv find themselves in the throes of an ongoing water crisis, as muddy water contaminated with manganese continues to flow from their taps, sparking frustration and health concerns among the community.
Despite years of efforts to address the issue, the situation remains dire, prompting villagers to stage yet another round of protests to demand swift action from authorities.
Lubomir Tomov, the organizer of the protest, lamented the enduring ordeal faced by the villagers, emphasizing the toll it has taken on their health and daily lives.
“There’s no solution; we’re dealing with it the same way as four years ago – with a lot of nerves, fetching water from wherever going to hospitals, and buying medicine. When the water isn’t fit for drinking, health problems arise,” Tomov expressed during an interview on bTV.
In response to mounting pressure from the community, authorities have outlined measures to alleviate the crisis. Yordan Chemishev, the chief engineer of VIK-Plovdiv, revealed recent developments aimed at improving the water supply situation.
He mentioned the discovery of new wells and collaborative efforts with the Rodopi Municipality to tackle the challenges faced by Brestovitsa residents.
“We are collaborating with the Rodopi Municipality, and there are newly discovered wells. Our manager has signed the loan agreement for the construction of one of the sections that will bring water to the Brestovitsa network,” Chemishev explained.
Pavel Mihailov, the mayor of Rodopi Municipality, provided additional insight into the proposed solutions, outlining plans for the construction of an 8 km supply water pipeline and a 27 km internal water transmission network.
However, financing remains a significant obstacle, with estimated costs ranging between BGN 7 and 8 million for the water supply pipes and a total project value of BGN 25 million.
Despite assurances from authorities, villagers remain skeptical and determined to push for tangible results.
Frustration levels have reached a boiling point, with residents gathering for warning actions and signaling their readiness to escalate protests, including the possibility of blocking roads in the district if necessary.
As the standoff between residents and authorities intensifies, the plight of Brestovitsa serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of access to clean and safe drinking water.
With health and well-being hanging in the balance, the pressure is on for swift and decisive action to resolve the water crisis plaguing this picturesque village.
This article was created using automation and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members