Bulgaria Begins Reconstruction of Sofia Water Purification Station

Bulgaria's Minister of Environment and Waters, Nona Karadzhova, says the EC accusations that Sofia is treating its waste in inadequate facilities are unfounded. Photo by BGNES

Bulgaria's Minister of Environment and Waters, Nona Karadzhova and Sofia's Mayor Yordanka Fandakova, broke ground Tuesday of the reconstruction of the water purification station near Kubratovo.

The station's renovations will cost about EUR 30 M, funded by the EU ISPA program.

During the ceremony Karadzhova reiterated she deems the accusations of the European Commission that Sofia is treating its waste in inadequate facilities unfounded, adding Bulgaria had sent one more request to the Commission to reexamine its position on the issue with Sofia's waste. The EC is yet to respond to Bulgaria's explanations and requests, Karadzhova says.

The Minister pointed Bulgaria will be legally represented at an eventual trial at European Court of Justice and voiced hopes for a fair rule.

On Sunday, the EC confirmed it will pursue court action against Bulgaria for failing to properly implement EU waste law, more than two years after it launched an infringement procedure on the issue.

In addition, the Environment Minister informed the EC will allow ISPA extension for just a few projects in Bulgaria, with contracts signed dafter 2004, but the cabinet still does not have official information on the matter.

Several months ago Bulgaria requested a 2011 extension of ISPA over delays in the projects which had a 2010 deadline. If the EC fails to fulfill the request, the country will need to fund them with own resources. Karadzhova explained intense talks are being held with contractors in order to avoid even further delays.

The Mayor of Sofia, on her part, pointed out that on January 8, Bulgaria Supreme Administrative Court had ruled the complex permit of the second stage of the Suhodol landfill legal, meaning the dumpsite can and will be used until the construction of Sofia's waste treatment plant.

The dumpsite was reopened at the beginning of December 2007 after the environment ministry backed the controversial option to prevent a looming garbage crisis in the capital. Suhodol residents have protested numerous times against the landfill over health hazards.

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