Abstract:
The article reviews the current legislation on the management and use of the water sector in Bulgaria, including groundwater. An overview of the European and Bulgarian water legislation is made, outlining the main problems and challenges related to the use and protection of groundwater. To regulate water management and use in Bulgaria, it is necessary to develop a new conceptual-regulatory framework to overcome interinstitutional division and competition and to synchronize laws, regulations and strategic documents. It is necessary to provide conditions for real implementation of the policy for the basin management and the polluter pays principle through an adequately functioning regulatory framework that will establish a state mechanism for water management and protection in the country.