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18 Bulgarian Districts Offer Dangerous Drinking Water

18 out of Bulgaria's 28 districts have substandard drinking water, according to an analysis of the country's water resources requested by the Ministry of Environment and Water.

Under EU legislation, the supply of water from contaminated sources should be banned.

Since Bulgaria's accession to the EU in 2007, bans have been issued for four drinking water sources (Merichleri, Tatarevo and Poibrene), according to data of the Health Ministry.

Water quality is worst in the southern district of Pazardzhik, where the 5% norm for deviations from the standard recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) has been exceeded over two-fold, according to reports of mass-circulation 24 Hours daily.

Water pollution has also increased in the districts of Kyustendil and Plovdiv, which previously reported no problems.

Some rural areas have even registered manganese contamination and contamination with carcinogenic compounds of chromium, arsenic and lead.

The situation is worst in the north-western district of Pleven, where 14 villages report heavy metal contamination.

The analysis also mentions aluminium, pesticides and benzene as contaminants in isolated cases.

The experts also warn about substantial nitrate contamination, with norms being exceeded two-to-five-fold.

This type of contamination is characteristic of agricultural districts using shallow drinking water sources.

The most serious problems are in the districts of Yambol, Shumen, Ruse and Veliko Tarnovo, which need to find alternative sources because there is no way to remove nitrates from the water.

Microbiological contamination has been registered in 11 districts.

As a result of poor disinfection, 357 smaller water-supply systems have been found to contain e.coli bacteria, which are strongly toxic and their presence is an indicator of a faecal contamination.

Tests in 65 zones have yielded enterococci bacteria.

A total of 82 underground sources of drinking water in Bulgaria are problematic, the majority of them located in the region of the Danube basin.

In this area, serious contaminations with nitrates, ammonium and phosphates have been registered near Sofia, Dobrudzha, Ruse, Silistra, and the Pleven region.

Similar results have been registered in the Black Sea regions of Varna, Nesebar and Burgas and in the basins of almost all Black Sea rivers.

bulgaria is in its 6th year of being a member of the eu, its shocking that such an important necessity such as water is not safe
bulgaria is not playing the game .........is it.

I totally agree with you Starlite they do not seem to do a lot of things with regards to the EU situation but water as you say is a most serious one they should have dealt with. :Good post:Starlite

It still never fails to amaze me that folks thought and still think important things here would change magically once it joined the EU
sorry but ...

theres loads of countrys where the tap water isnt drinkable,

The tap water is just awful, even to brush you teeth with - we have always used the spring water from the fountains the water is fantastic normally I hate drinking water, even mineral water but I do not seem to have any problem with the fountain water. I hope that is ok

We drink the tap water here, but now I'm not so sure!
I've ordered a water test kit from amazon, and also one to test our well water. We give it to our animals.
Fingers crossed!

At last we have the results!

Water test kits purchased from Amazon (UK) at approx £20 each incl post/pack.

It is an American product, made by Silver Lake Research Corporation, California, hence EPA references. Each kit came with all that was required for one test only


Test ...........................Tap water.........Well water...................EPA maximum contaminent level

Lead...........................Negative...........Negative.....................<
15 ppm
Pesticide (atrizine)..........Negative...........Negative.....................<
3 ppb
Pesticide (simazine).........Negative...........Negative.....................<
4 ppb
Copper........................Not included.......Negative....................<
1.3 ppm
Iron............................Not included.......Negative....................<
0.3 ppm
Total Nitrate/Nitrite..........5 ppm..............10 ppm......................<
10 ppm
Nitrite...........................0....................0............................<
1 ppm
pH..............................8.5..................8.5...........................6.5 to 8.5
Total Hardness................250 ppm ...........250 ppm.................. <
50 ppm
Total Chlorine.................Negative...........Negative....................<
4ppm
Bacteria........................Negative...........Positive.....................None


Comments on testing and results

1. In general the tests were fairly easy to conduct, however several of the results involved comparison with a colour chart. The nitrate and nitrate/nitrite test result was a bit difficult read but two of us, after some debate, agreed the result that has been recorded.
2. The water hardness of 250 ppm is much greater than the 50 ppm EPA guideline, and given the effect of tap water on our kettle, this was expected. London water supplied for the Lee Valley Reservoir(s) has a hardness of 275 ppm, which helps put it into perspective.
3. It is not surprising that Nitrates were found, as the presence of Nitrates has been highlighted in the Bulgarian local press, and in some areas reported to exceed the allowable. Possible sources of Nitrates are and all of these present around most Bulgarian villages.
a. Nitrogen based fertilizers.
b. Septic systems or leaking sewage lines.
c. Manure storage areas.
d. Fertilizer or manure applied to agricultural fields.
e. Compost piles.
4. The well water nitrate level is just on the allowable limit, but presence of bacteria is a possible problem
5. Only two types of pesticide tested for, which are the most common in the USA. Whether or not they are applicable in Bulgaria remains to be found out. Presumably there are other type of pesticide that could find their way into the watercourses and ultimately the ground water.
6. Slightly surprised about how alkaline the water is…could it be linked to the hardness?…will need to find out
7. Notwithstanding the results, our animals (hens, geese, sheep, donkey and goat) have been drinking water from the well for the past 18 months with no ill affect.
8. The well water test kit covered all elements the tap water kit had plus a test for copper and iron, so if the costs are the same suggest purchasing the well test kit and use for the tap water.

Conclusion

The tap water appears to be safe to drink, however the amount of Nitrates could vary in time and not always be below the 10 ppm requirement.
The well water would need to be boiled before drinking OR treated see [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] for some guidance, but the thought of chucking laundry bleach into the well does not appeal.
To obtain meaningful results, more tests would be required and at £20 per time we are unlikely to undertake many more!!! Will look round for a test that just checks for nitrates (and for the well bacteria)


NOTE : This is one test only taken in one place. These results will not apply anywhere else so do not rely on these for the quality of your water.