Bulgaria’s Looming Water Crisis: How Leaky Pipes and Climate Change Threaten Villages

In the small Bulgarian village of Gorna Studena, near the Danube River, Rumyana Tsoneva faces a daily struggle familiar to many in her community. Turning on the tap in her yard often yields nothing but disappointment – a dry, echoing silence.

The Impact of Leaky Infrastructure

“Every other drop is lost before reaching the tap,” explains Emil Gachev, a researcher at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. This stark reality highlights the core issue: Bulgaria’s aging and deteriorating water infrastructure. Leaky pipes, a pervasive problem across the country, are exacerbating the water shortage brought on by climate change.

Climate Change Worsens the Situation

Warmer temperatures and changing weather patterns contribute to the dwindling water supply. Droughts are becoming more frequent and severe, putting further strain on the already fragile system. The combination of outdated infrastructure and climate change creates a perfect storm, threatening the livelihoods and well-being of Bulgarians like Rumyana.