Bulgarians suspect graft in water crisis

SOFIA, Bulgaria — Residents of a Bulgarian city experiencing a severe water shortage for months gathered in front of the government headquarters Saturday demanding urgent measures to address what they described as a looming humanitarian crisis.

Protesters voiced suspicions that bribery and incompetence were behind the water shortage in the industrial city of Pernik. They warned that the reservoir at Studena Dam, the city’s only water source, would be empty in two weeks.

The water crisis in Pernik, which is 20 miles west of Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital, peaked in November when authorities imposed water rationing as supplies from the nearby dam ran low.

Earlier this month, Bulgaria’s environment minister was detained and could face up to eight years in jail if found guilty of allowing water to go to industrial facilities despite knowing that it would jeopardize drinking water for nearly 100,000 people.

Struggling Pernik residents have been protesting the water shortage for weeks.

Their anger has been fueled by the mayor’s decision to cancel a big international dance festival for the first time in six decades because of the water crisis. The festival attracts thousands of visitors to Pernik every year and is a major source of revenue for many residents.

The political opposition in Bulgaria’s parliament last week filed a motion accusing the government of being responsible for the water crisis.