Velingrad, often dubbed the “spa capital” of Bulgaria, is currently grappling with severe water shortages, which have now entered their fifth consecutive day.
The disruption is due to planned repair work carried out by the National Electric Company (NEC), leaving thousands of residents in the town’s “Kamenitsa” neighborhood without reliable access to water.
The water supply issues began on Monday and have persisted despite assurances that the repairs, which are part of an ongoing two-week project, would not exceed the expected timeline.
Many residents have expressed frustration over the water shortage, with numerous complaints about the lack of adherence to the water supply schedule, which was meant to provide water in the mornings from 6 to 10 am and in the evenings from 6 to 10 pm.
Radko Ganev, a local resident, voiced his concerns about the inconvenience caused by the disruption, noting that even after a full day of work, he returned home only to find that there was still no water.
“It’s been five days now, and they still can’t get it right,” Ganev said. “We need water to live, and it’s just not happening.”
Hristo, another resident, was equally exasperated, describing the situation as dire, especially for the elderly and families with young children.
“They got out of their hands to carry tubes,” he said, referring to the difficulty of accessing water for basic needs. Some residents have resorted to fetching water from public taps, an effort that has been particularly taxing for the elderly.
Ivan Marinov, another local, questioned how the vulnerable members of the community—those least able to carry heavy containers—were expected to cope.
“How are the old people going to carry this water home?” he said, emphasizing the increasing difficulty of the situation as the shortage continues.
An elderly woman shared her experience, stating that while the water supply was promised to be available between 6 and 10 am and again from 6 to 10 pm, she was unable to access any water during the scheduled times. “I checked at 7 am, and there was no water,” she explained. “The same thing happened last night.”
In response to the public outcry, Velingrad’s mayor, Kostadin Koev, clarified that the municipality is not responsible for the ongoing repair work.
He explained that the National Electric Company (NEC) was handling the repairs, which were first formally communicated to the local authorities in early October. However, the NEC maintains that they had informed the public of the repairs as far back as January.
Mayor Koev pointed out the limitations of local authorities in addressing such issues, noting that the lack of a functioning national government has hampered the ability of municipalities to effectively respond to the water shortage crisis. “Without a functioning national government, we are powerless to address these issues,” he stated.
As Velingrad residents continue to face severe water disruptions, the uncertainty surrounding the timeline of the repairs has left the community frustrated and increasingly anxious about the continuing challenges they must endure.
With no clear solution in sight, many are left questioning when their access to water will be restored and how long they will have to rely on alternative, often inadequate, sources.