Minister rejects water fee, backs probes
Regional Development Minister Ivan Ivanov urged lawmakers to reject water meter access fees from pending legislation while visiting Bolyarovo on Friday. The government submitted the bill to meet European Union requirements for Recovery and Sustainability Plan funding after years of preparation under multiple administrations. Ivanov said he never supported the proposed charges and asked parliament to remove poorly conceived provisions causing public controversy.
The minister hopes deputies will create revised legislation balancing citizen interests with municipal and utility operator needs. Officials modeled the access fee concept after electricity grid maintenance charges, but failed to establish compensation mechanisms for service interruptions or quality problems. Parliament must approve water supply legislation to avoid European Commission penalties under recovery plan conditions.
Ivanov confirmed construction inspectors documented illegal building violations at the Elenite resort following his site inspection. Affected parties have 14 days to contest findings before demolition orders take effect, with court appeal options. Property owners should pursue damages from developers who constructed or permitted structures within the Drashtela River channel that contributed to flooding.
The minister noted that all Elenite infrastructure remains private property without legal authority for state demolition activities. Authorities provided emergency water supplies and victim assistance after the disaster that killed four people. Casualties would have multiplied if flooding had occurred while tourists occupied the resort area.
