LAPSE:2023.2212
Published Article
LAPSE:2023.2212
The Readiness of the Water Utilities in Bulgaria for Transition toward a Circular Economy
February 21, 2023
Urban water systems are still in their infancy regarding the transition toward a circular economy, despite the sporadic successful examples worldwide. This paper was aimed at analyzing the preparedness of four water utilities in Bulgaria for the implementation of circular economy principles and solutions. These utilities provide water supply and sewerage services to about 30% of the population in Bulgaria. SWOT analysis was used as a core tool. Publicly available data such as nonrevenue water, pressure management, energy demand, network digitalization, and sludge utilization were used to explore the internal factors. The external environment was considered through the legislative and socioeconomic framework, climate change, etc. Finally, the credibility of the conclusions was verified in workshops with the water utilities. The key positive outcomes were that the external factors favor the shift to circular systems, while the major weakness, i.e., the aged infrastructure, is actually a good opportunity for the implementation of modern and circular solutions. The efficient collaboration of water utilities with other actors is a precondition for the development of a sustainable market for “circular” products.
Record ID
Keywords
circular economy, sewerage systems, SWOT analysis, water supply systems, water utilities
Subject
Suggested Citation
Dimova G, Dimitrova S, Kostova I, Lazarova S, Ribarova I, Stoyanov D, Tonev R, Tsanov E, Valchev D. The Readiness of the Water Utilities in Bulgaria for Transition toward a Circular Economy. (2023). LAPSE:2023.2212
Author Affiliations
Dimova G: Water Supply, Sewerage, Water and Wastewater Treatment Department, University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG), Hristo Smirnenski, No 1 Hristo Smirnenski blvd, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
Dimitrova S: Water Supply, Sewerage, Water and Wastewater Treatment Department, University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG), Hristo Smirnenski, No 1 Hristo Smirnenski blvd, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
Kostova I: Water Supply, Sewerage, Water and Wastewater Treatment Department, University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG), Hristo Smirnenski, No 1 Hristo Smirnenski blvd, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
Lazarova S: Water Supply, Sewerage, Water and Wastewater Treatment Department, University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG), Hristo Smirnenski, No 1 Hristo Smirnenski blvd, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
Ribarova I: Water Supply, Sewerage, Water and Wastewater Treatment Department, University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG), Hristo Smirnenski, No 1 Hristo Smirnenski blvd, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
Stoyanov D: Water Supply, Sewerage, Water and Wastewater Treatment Department, University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG), Hristo Smirnenski, No 1 Hristo Smirnenski blvd, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
Tonev R: Water Supply, Sewerage, Water and Wastewater Treatment Department, University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG), Hristo Smirnenski, No 1 Hristo Smirnenski blvd, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria [ORCID]
Tsanov E: Water Supply, Sewerage, Water and Wastewater Treatment Department, University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG), Hristo Smirnenski, No 1 Hristo Smirnenski blvd, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
Valchev D: Water Supply, Sewerage, Water and Wastewater Treatment Department, University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG), Hristo Smirnenski, No 1 Hristo Smirnenski blvd, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria [ORCID]
Dimitrova S: Water Supply, Sewerage, Water and Wastewater Treatment Department, University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG), Hristo Smirnenski, No 1 Hristo Smirnenski blvd, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
Kostova I: Water Supply, Sewerage, Water and Wastewater Treatment Department, University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG), Hristo Smirnenski, No 1 Hristo Smirnenski blvd, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
Lazarova S: Water Supply, Sewerage, Water and Wastewater Treatment Department, University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG), Hristo Smirnenski, No 1 Hristo Smirnenski blvd, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
Ribarova I: Water Supply, Sewerage, Water and Wastewater Treatment Department, University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG), Hristo Smirnenski, No 1 Hristo Smirnenski blvd, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
Stoyanov D: Water Supply, Sewerage, Water and Wastewater Treatment Department, University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG), Hristo Smirnenski, No 1 Hristo Smirnenski blvd, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
Tonev R: Water Supply, Sewerage, Water and Wastewater Treatment Department, University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG), Hristo Smirnenski, No 1 Hristo Smirnenski blvd, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria [ORCID]
Tsanov E: Water Supply, Sewerage, Water and Wastewater Treatment Department, University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG), Hristo Smirnenski, No 1 Hristo Smirnenski blvd, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
Valchev D: Water Supply, Sewerage, Water and Wastewater Treatment Department, University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG), Hristo Smirnenski, No 1 Hristo Smirnenski blvd, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria [ORCID]
Journal Name
Processes
Volume
10
Issue
6
First Page
1156
Year
2022
Publication Date
2022-06-09
Published Version
ISSN
2227-9717
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Original Submission
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PII: pr10061156, Publication Type: Journal Article
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LAPSE:2023.2212
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doi:10.3390/pr10061156
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Feb 21, 2023
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