The cost of water in Sofia is three times higher than in Athens and Madrid

Thursday, Jan 22, 2026

Mediapool

Residents complain about poor water quality and high prices despite investments, feeling they pay for air.

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[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]

Residents in Omurtag, Pleven, Shumen, Breznik, Sliven, and villages in Sofia region complain about water restrictions and poor water quality while prices remain high, leading some to feel they are “paying for air.” These areas have been under water restrictions seasonally or year-round for years. Although the annual cost of water changes, the service quality has not visibly improved despite hundreds of millions invested in pipelines and sewage systems.

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