MOST OF BULGARIA’S SEASIDE RESORTS NOW HAVE PURIFYING STATIONS

Almost all settlements at Bulgaria’s seaside coast already have purifying stations, the press office of the Ministry of Tourism said following a meeting between the caretaker minister of tourism Stela Baltova and of environment Irina Kostova on 24th of February.

350 million BGN were invested in improving the purity of the Black Sea during the first programming period of Operational Programme "Environment". 8 wastewater treatment plants have been modernized and more than 230 km sewerage network has been built. "These facilities are under constant monitoring to ensure normal functioning in the next summer season," Minister Kostova said.

For the time being, only Ahtopol and Sinemorets resorts remain without purifying stations but possibilities are sought to finance projects for them.

The reconstruction and expansion of the purifying station at Golden Sands is financed by EU funds. The contractor has already been selected and the construction works will start.

Primosrsko – Kiten purifying station will also be expanded and modernized and a new one will be developed in Aitos. It will purify the wastewater which now pollutes Aitoska river and hence the Black Sea.

Construction of sewage pumping station and reconstruction of the drains is envisaged for "St. St. Konstantin and Elena" resort. The new treatment facility of Nessebar, which has a capacity of 221,944 inhabitants, will fully assume the wastewater from all the arera from Aheloi to Elenite.

The workload of Sozopol purifying station will be increased as it will purify the wastewater of Ravadinovo as well.

The tourism business community insists on building and marking of more eco trails in the country. The Ministry of Tourism supports the idea, minister Baltova noted. Ministry of environment and water also welcomed the initiative. For this purpose projects can be funded by the enterprise for management of the activities on environmental Protection.

The two ministers also agreed to work together to solve the problem with the ban on the construction of septic tanks in the huts of protected areas. The reason is that the ban enters into force with the new EU directive. Bulgarian Tourist Union, which owns most huts in Bulgaria is worried by the lack of other infrastructure for the needs of huts.