The Minister of Environment and Water Manol Genov approved a list of mineral water deposits - exclusive state property, which can be provided free of charge to municipalities for management and use in 2026.

The Ministry of Environment and Water may provide 10 mineral water deposits and 4 separate sections of deposits for management to the relevant municipalities for a period until 2036.

The list of deposits approved for free provision in 2026 can be found on the Ministry's website at:

https://www.moew.government.bg/bg/vodi/mineralni-vodi/spisuci-po-133-na-pzr-na-zid-na-zv-i-resheniya/

The provision of mineral waters specified in the list is carried out upon a written application by the mayor of the relevant municipality following a decision by the Municipal Council. The deadline for submitting written applications is January 31, 2026.

The Minister of Environment and Water shall, within 14 days of submitting the application, issue a decision granting the mineral water deposit or the section of the deposit to the respective municipality. The decision shall be published on the website of the Ministry of Environment and Water.

Before issuing permits, the mayor shall be obliged to commission the determination of the exploitation resources of the mineral waters in the section of the groundwater body and the technically possible flow rate of the water intake facilities.

The fees for water intake from mineral water deposits and sections of the deposits, after their provision for management and use to the respective municipality, shall be determined by a tariff adopted by the Municipal Council and shall be transferred to the municipality's account.

More information can be found at:

https://www.moew.government.bg/bg/vodi/aktualno-novini/