In brief
BTA reports that the Vratsa Regional Administration extended Kozloduy’s partial state of disaster because tests found chromium concentrations exceeding the legal limit. Local authorities are inspecting the water system, cutting water prices by 15%, and planning a long‑term alternative supply. The decision follows a drought‑induced spike in chromium levels and ongoing water‑quality violations detected in the town’s central distribution system.
On 18 October 2024, the Vratsa Regional Administration announced that it would extend the partial state of disaster in the Danube‑side town of Kozloduy for up to 30 days, citing the persistence of chromium‑contaminated drinking water. BTA reported that the decision followed a series of tests showing chromium concentrations that had risen above the allowed 50 micrograms per litre, reaching roughly 90 micrograms per litre in samples taken on 30 October.
The extension was approved during a meeting of the regional response team chaired by Vratsa Regional Governor Rosen Mihaylov, according to BTA’s reporting. Governor Mihaylov, who led a discussion that included representatives from the Vratsa Water and Sewerage Company and the community, highlighted the town’s continued risk due to the compromised water system. The meeting’s minutes, cited by the outlet, show that local authorities agreed to implement a temporary 15 % reduction in water service charges as of 1 October, a measure intended to ease the burden on residents while water quality improves.
Local officials, detailed by BTA, said that the town’s central supply pipeline had been found to be contaminated by excess chromium following a prolonged drought that lowered the water table. Test results released by the Vratsa Regional Health Inspectorate were referenced in the report; they confirmed that despite a decrease in chromium levels, the water remained below legal standards. The inspectorate’s findings were used to justify the continued declaration of a partial state of disaster, a measure that triggers additional oversight and emergency assistance.
Municipal measures described in BTA’s article include the distribution of bottled water to childcare facilities and the establishment of 13 temporary distribution points throughout the town. The municipality also weighed the possibility of drawing from the State Reserve to supplement supplies, although final plans were postponed pending further inspections. BTA noted that the Vratsa Water and Sewerage Company pledged to clean the town’s shaft wells to remove the contaminant source and to devise a long‑term alternative water supply project to preempt future crises.
The city’s hospitality sector received attention in the BTA piece: Pubs, restaurants and cafés were inspected by health and food safety officials, with none violating current health codes. The report emphasized that no current failures in service had been detected in these venues, providing some reassurance to local businesses. Nevertheless, the authorities maintained that comprehensive inspections would continue to safeguard public safety.
Rumors of the state of disaster’s potential impact on the regional economy circulated among residents, a sentiment captured in local news circles. According to BTA, the temporary price reduction aimed to mitigate financial strain, though the outlet mentioned that the government had not released official statements regarding economic consequences. Nonetheless, the reduction in water prices could offset some of the expenses caused by the emergency‑water distribution system.
The BTA coverage also highlighted that the Vratsa Regional Directorate for Food Safety and the Regional Health Inspectorate would jointly conduct inspections of community water sources and storage facilities. This collaboration, reported by the outlet, is designed to ensure compliance with both safety and health standards while the town’s water system is being repaired.
While BTA’s article framed the situation primarily in terms of regulatory action and public safety, other local cross‑references demonstrate the authorities’ focus on maintaining transparency. The Vratsa Regional Administration’s website, cited by the news story, posted the official announcement of the extension, underlining the administrative commitment to inform the public about the evolving situation.
With the partial state of disaster extended until the end of the following month, residents of Kozloduy will continue to rely on bottled water and temporary distribution centers, while authorities work toward a more permanent solution. The BTA report refrained from offering any judgments about the long‑term viability of the proposed alternative water source, leaving the analysis open to future developments that may emerge as the situation unfolds.
