In brief
Following a series of water‑quality tests that revealed chromium concentrations near 90 µg l⁻¹—almost twice the 50 µg l⁻¹ limit—Kozloduy’s authorities declared a temporary state of disaster. The Vratsa Regional Administration announced a 30‑day extension, reduced water tariffs by 15 %, and commenced inspections of public venues while seeking a long‑term alternative water source.
After a severe drought deteriorated the central water supply in the Danube‑side town of Kozloduy, the Vratsa Regional Administration extended a partial state of disaster for up to 30 days. The extension, approved by the regional response team chaired by Governor Rosen Mihaylov, follows laboratory tests that found chromium concentrations of roughly 90 µg l⁻¹—roughly twice the acceptable limit of 50 µg l⁻¹—for the town’s water mains and service reservoirs.
The chromium‑contamination story began in late October when residents were cautioned against using tap water. Chromium, a heavy metal commonly used in industrial processes, can leach into surface waters when infrastructure overflows or when reservoirs are left exposed during drought. Although the recent tests show a decline from the initial peaks, the Vuarta Regional Health Inspectorate still reports deviations from statutory water‑quality indicators, prompting the emergency declaration.
Vratsa Water and Sewerage Company announced the temporary 15 % reduction in water service tariffs for the residents of Kozloduy, effective from October 1. This price cut aims to mitigate the financial burden on households while the water quality returns to safe levels. It also signals the local government’s commitment to keep essential services affordable during an emergency.
The municipality has set up 13 distribution points across the town and continues to provide bottled water to childcare facilities. The State Reserve was also brought into consideration as a possible source for additional bottled water supplies. In parallel, the Vratsa Regional Directorate for Food Safety and the Regional Health Inspectorate are conducting joint inspections of pubs, restaurants and cafés. Early findings have not uncovered any violations of drinking‑water standards in these venues.
To tackle the root cause, the Vratsa Water and Sewerage Company plans to clean the shaft wells that feed the town’s water system. In addition to the emergency measures, the regional response team has drafted a proposal to source water from an alternative supply line, a long‑term solution that would reduce Kozloduy’s reliance on the affected shaft wells.
A key challenge for the authorities lies in balancing swift public‑health protection with the economic and logistical feasibility of sourcing new water. While the immediate crisis is being managed through bottle deliveries and price mitigations, the long‑term plan will require significant investment in infrastructure upgrades and potentially the construction of a dedicated pipeline.
As the Vratsa Regional Administration prepares to monitor water samples over the next 30 days, residents and local businesses await the final ruling of the response team. The short‑term extension is a precautionary move to safeguard the community while authorities work toward creating a resilient, chromium‑free water supply for Kozloduy.
