Sewage networks are scheduled to cover the whole territory of the capital Sofia by 2020 at the earliest, since nearly one third of its citizens currently do not use the equipment.

This is envisaged by the long-term plan for the development of the ailing water sector, drawn up by Sofia municipality.

Data shows that a total of 20 towns and villages with more than 10,000 citizens across the country are lacking sewage treatment plants, including the Black Sea resorts of Ahtopol, Chernomorets, Balchik and Sozopol.

Twenty years after the collapse of the communist regime Bulgaria's water sector remains one of the least reformed systems in the country.

Except for Sofia municipal water supply, which has been granted on concession to a foreign investor, all other units in the sector are either owned by the state or the municipalities.

The company in Sofia however has been harshly criticized for shortage of investments in the upgrade and maintenance of the system.

The cash-strapped country can not afford to upgrade and maintain all units in the system – from the dam to the end users – and they have been left to the mercy of time and vandalism.

Summer drought, lagging dam construction, leaks and failures in old pipes bring about water rationing for hundreds of thousands of Bulgarians every summer.

Obsolete water and sewage networks made of asbestos cement are another problem as they cause huge leaks and hurt the quality of the water.

An average 60 percent of water pumped in the pipes never reaches consumers, while in some regions losses account for up to 90 percent, experts say.

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