Saving Water – A Vital Step for Europe and Bulgaria’s Water Resources
- sulevaivelina
- Jun 5
- 2 min read
Did you know that more efficient water use in industry, agriculture, and other key sectors can significantly improve the sustainability of water resources across the European Union? That’s one of the main messages from the European Environment Agency (EEA).
Why is saving water in key economic sectors so important?
Water is a priceless resource increasingly under pressure from climate change, growing consumption, and pollution. Although Bulgaria has abundant water resources, managing them efficiently is critical for our future. Droughts are becoming more frequent and intense, and pressure on water supplies is rising.
Where can we save the most?
According to the EEA, substantial savings are possible in multiple sectors:
Agriculture: This is one of the largest water consumers. In Bulgaria, irrigation is a critical issue and has even sparked protests. Introducing modern irrigation systems (such as drip irrigation), optimizing farming practices, and switching to more resilient crops are essential steps to address shortages and protect yields. Investments here can lead to major savings and secure water even in tough years.
Energy Production: Power plants, especially those using thermal processes, consume large volumes of water for cooling. Upgrading to more efficient systems, using closed water cycles, and switching to less water-intensive technologies are key to reducing the water footprint of the energy sector.
Industry: Many manufacturing processes are water-intensive. Investing in water recycling and reuse technologies, as well as optimizing production cycles, is crucial.
Tourism: Hotels and tourism-related businesses can contribute by managing water use more efficiently—especially in pools, gardens, and common facilities.
What are the benefits? Saving water isn’t just an environmental concern—it’s an economic necessity. Benefits include:
Cost reduction: Less water use means lower bills for water and energy (used in pumping and treatment).
Increased resilience: It helps ensure water availability during droughts and secures clean water for future generations. For farmers, this means better crop yields and less dependence on unpredictable water supplies.
Healthier ecosystems: Extracting less water from natural sources allows rivers and lakes to maintain biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Better reputation: Companies and sectors that demonstrate responsible water stewardship build public trust.
While the EEA provides valuable analysis and recommendations—and now there’s an EU-wide Water Resilience Strategy—it's essential that this information reaches everyone. The current situation with irrigation in Bulgaria is a vivid example of how urgent action has become.
Let’s work together for a more sustainable future for our water resources. Governments, businesses, and citizens each have a vital role in conserving and protecting water.
More information about the EU strategy can be found on the https://commission.europa.eu/topics/environment/water-resilience-strategy_en?prefLang=bgEuropean Commission website.
Water quality data (after 2020)
Parameter / Pollutant | Danube Basin (2020+) | Black SEa (2020+) | Notable trends/issues | Source |
Heavy Metals (Cd, Pb, As etc.) | Cd up to 0.14 μg/L in water; low levels in sediments | Low levels in sediments (e.g. Cd: 0.01–0.05 μg/g) | The Danube Delta filters pollutants; Cd remains a concern | |
Nutrients (N, P) | Strong correlation with flow; ongoing reduction | Coastal eutrophication impact | Loads are decreasing but still a priority | |
PFAS (incl. PFOS) | 9.3–29.6 ng/L; PFOS >0.65 ng/L at all sites | 4.9 kg/day discharged into Black Sea | PFOS exceeds standards; urban/industrial sources |
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