NEW METHODS AND COMPUTER NEW METHODS AND COMPUTER MODELS FOR PROTECTION OF MODELS FOR PROTECTION OF
THERMOMINERAL WATERS, THERMOMINERAL WATERS, ACCORDING TO THE RESPECTIVE ACCORDING TO THE RESPECTIVE
LEGISLATION IN BULGARIALEGISLATION IN BULGARIA
EElka lka N.Pentcheva, N.Pentcheva, Aleksey D.BenderevAleksey D.Benderev
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, SofiaBulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia
Bulgarian territory is very rich in Bulgarian territory is very rich in thermal waters thermal waters (more than 1000 (more than 1000 sources and boreholes)sources and boreholes) of of temperature in the range of 20temperature in the range of 20ooCC--100100ooC.C. About 72% of the total About 72% of the total discovered flow rate has temperature discovered flow rate has temperature up to 52up to 52ooC.C.
INTRODUCTION
1. Moesian plate (stratified reservoirs) 2. Sredna gora, incl.Balkan zone(secondary stratified reservoirs, fractured reservoirs) 3. Rila-Rhodopes massif(predominantly fractured reservoirs) 4. Major wells and groups of wellsdiscovering stratified reservoirs in a plate region.
The data basis for recent resource The data basis for recent resource reassessment is taken from about 160 reassessment is taken from about 160 hydrothermal fields located all over the hydrothermal fields located all over the country, which 102 are statecountry, which 102 are state--owned.owned. The The total dynamic flow rate of sub thermal and total dynamic flow rate of sub thermal and thermal waters run up to 4600 l/sthermal waters run up to 4600 l/s, , of which of which 3000 l/s is the flow rate of the revealed 3000 l/s is the flow rate of the revealed thermal waters of T>25thermal waters of T>25°°C.C. About 43% of the About 43% of the total flow rate are waters of temperature total flow rate are waters of temperature between 40between 40ooCC--6060ooC.C.
Established Established chemical water content (TDS)chemical water content (TDS)varies respectively, in: varies respectively, in: -- Southern Bulgaria Southern Bulgaria -- from 0.1g/l up to 1.0 g/l from 0.1g/l up to 1.0 g/l (only for a few sites it is between 1 g/l to 15g/l) (only for a few sites it is between 1 g/l to 15g/l) -- Northern Bulgaria Northern Bulgaria -- from 0.1g/l up to (100g/l from 0.1g/l up to (100g/l --150g/l).150g/l).About 70% of the thermal waters are slightly About 70% of the thermal waters are slightly mineralized (<1g/l) with fluoride concentration mineralized (<1g/l) with fluoride concentration ranging from 0.1 to 25mg/l, variousranging from 0.1 to 25mg/l, various metasilicicmetasilicicacid concentrations (up to 230mg/l) and of acid concentrations (up to 230mg/l) and of mostly high alkalinity. mostly high alkalinity.
In comparison to most of the European In comparison to most of the European mineral waters, the Bulgarian ones have a lot mineral waters, the Bulgarian ones have a lot of advantages:of advantages: low TDSlow TDS (close to the optimal (close to the optimal one typical for potable water), one typical for potable water), a remarkable a remarkable richness and variety ofrichness and variety of oligoelementsoligoelements andandmicrocompoundsmicrocompounds, high purity level (especially , high purity level (especially in terms of anthropological pollution, in terms of anthropological pollution, microbiological purity and interesting scale of microbiological purity and interesting scale of water types.water types.
State-of-art
During ancient times thermal waters had been During ancient times thermal waters had been utilised mainly for healing, disease prevention, utilised mainly for healing, disease prevention, washing and bathing. But as early as Roman times washing and bathing. But as early as Roman times waters were used on a large scale for under floor waters were used on a large scale for under floor heating in Public baths (heating in Public baths (hypocaustshypocausts).).Currently thermal water application is mainly in Currently thermal water application is mainly in balneology, space heating and domestic hot water balneology, space heating and domestic hot water supply, greenhouses, swimming pools, bottling of supply, greenhouses, swimming pools, bottling of potable water, aquaculture (potable water, aquaculture (microalgaemicroalgae) and ) and extraction of chemical derivatives.extraction of chemical derivatives.
A number of large spa resorts had A number of large spa resorts had developed in places of old Thracian or developed in places of old Thracian or Roman residential areas on the territory of Roman residential areas on the territory of the country.the country. Bulgarian spa resorts Bulgarian spa resorts nowadays (66 official registered) offer nowadays (66 official registered) offer accommodation in 3 to 5 stars hotels and a accommodation in 3 to 5 stars hotels and a built up structure of health centers built up structure of health centers controlled by the Ministry of Health.controlled by the Ministry of Health.Experienced specialists working in spas Experienced specialists working in spas offer treatment of a wide range of diseasesoffer treatment of a wide range of diseases. .
Currently operating health centers using Currently operating health centers using thermal water sources (statethermal water sources (state--owned and owned and municipal) amount to about 60.municipal) amount to about 60. Mineral Mineral baths and swimming pools are common in baths and swimming pools are common in them. Thermal waters in most of the spas them. Thermal waters in most of the spas also flow out of taps. also flow out of taps. This allows a freeThis allows a free--ofof--charge and massive water use for drinking charge and massive water use for drinking and disease prevention.and disease prevention. Geothermal energy Geothermal energy is currently used for space heating of is currently used for space heating of buildings only in 12 spas as in 4 of them airbuildings only in 12 spas as in 4 of them air--conditioning is providing in addition.conditioning is providing in addition.
The number of bottling companies has increased The number of bottling companies has increased during the last 10 years from 3 stateduring the last 10 years from 3 state--owned (before owned (before 1990) to 41 private enterprises nowadays.1990) to 41 private enterprises nowadays. Their Their production meets mainly the demand of the local production meets mainly the demand of the local market. market. Several major reasons for high development Several major reasons for high development rate of bottling exist due to the: rate of bottling exist due to the: -- predominant predominant thermal waters of low TDS (<1 g/l);thermal waters of low TDS (<1 g/l);-- and big variety and big variety of water chemical content that provides opportunity of water chemical content that provides opportunity for bottling of potable water as well as of mineral for bottling of potable water as well as of mineral water for drinking in prescribed doses.water for drinking in prescribed doses. This activity is This activity is very profitable also because the water cost is low very profitable also because the water cost is low and amounts to 2.5 USD/mand amounts to 2.5 USD/m33..
I. New methods and computer modelsI. New methods and computer modelsIn the aim of mastering the protection and the risk In the aim of mastering the protection and the risk assessment ofassessment of thermomineralthermomineral waters in the regions, waters in the regions, endangered by industrial and mining activitiesendangered by industrial and mining activities(organized at the best Bulgarian resort area in the (organized at the best Bulgarian resort area in the frames of the Former COMECOM), frames of the Former COMECOM), we accorded we accorded very important attention during the last 5 years to very important attention during the last 5 years to the creation of original models and tools for the the creation of original models and tools for the prevention of our hydrothermal systemsprevention of our hydrothermal systems (the (the weakest point of the Bulgarianweakest point of the Bulgarian termalisttermalist policy!). policy!).
Results and discussion
With the financial support of NATOWith the financial support of NATO SfP ProgrammeSfP Programme, , in collaboration with BRGM (France) in collaboration with BRGM (France) our team our team created a GIS integration model for the risk created a GIS integration model for the risk assessment and the most important a coupledassessment and the most important a coupledhydrochemicalhydrochemical –– hydrodynamicalhydrodynamical model for model for prediction studying and control of the eventual metal prediction studying and control of the eventual metal and arsenic contamination ofand arsenic contamination of thermomineralthermomineralsystems.systems. We worked in a metal polluted zone (200 We worked in a metal polluted zone (200 kmkm22) of the) of the PlovdivPlovdiv region.region. A powerful database A powerful database system is created, containing all the data, related to system is created, containing all the data, related to the different compartments of the environment the different compartments of the environment :waters, soils, sediments, vegetables, wastes, etc. :waters, soils, sediments, vegetables, wastes, etc.
MP
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May,2001
October,2001
January,2002
May,2002
July,2002
0
0,05
0,1
0,15
0,2
0,25
0,3C
onte
nt. m
g/l
Pb
1.26 0.69
1.54
1.361.51
Pb seasonal monitoring (waters)Pb seasonal monitoring (waters)
Mineralogical composition of soils and distribution of clay minerals
Distribution of heavy metal concentration in sediment profiles
0.001
0.01
0.1
1
10
100
1000
ppm
Rizinumleaves -
R
Veinsfrom
rizinumleaves -
R
Walnuts -N1
Walnuts-N2
AsCd
PbZn
Walnut kernels MPL As, Cd=0.05; Pb=0.1
0.001
0.01
0.1
1
10
ppm
Milk, Kuklen Milk,Krumovo
Milk,Jagodovo
Pb, MPL=0.02 Cd, MPL=0.01Zn, MPL=5.0 As, MPL=0.05
0.01
0.1
1
10
100
ppm
Cabbageleaves -
CB
Carrots -CR1
Carrotleaves -
CR1
Carrots -CR2
Carrotsleaves -
CR2
AsCd
PbZn
Carrots&Cabbage MPL As=0.2; Cd=0.1; Pb=0.1; Zn=50.0
Mai
ze c
orn
s - M
1
Cor
nsta
lks
- M
1
Silk
of m
aize
- M
1
Cor
nsta
lks,
insi
dele
avas
- M
2
Co
rnst
alks
, ou
tsid
ele
aves
- M
2
Co
rnst
alks
- M
3
AsCd
PbZn
0.01
0.1
1
10
100
1000
ppmMPL Cd =0.1; Pb=0.2
Pollutant concentrations in vegetable and milk samplesPollutant concentrations in vegetable and milk samples
Gas exhalation and Gas exhalation and physicophysico--chemical chemical parameters of the waste dumpparameters of the waste dump
The data: The data: •• physical geographic, physical geographic, •• geological, geological, •• geochemical, geochemical, •• hydrogeological, hydrogeological, •• hydrochemicalhydrochemicalare analyzed and integrated into modern are analyzed and integrated into modern GIS tool. GIS tool.
1.Quaternary unconsolidated deposits 2.Neozoic intrusive rocks 3.Neozoicvolcanic and volcano-sediment rocks 4.Neozoic sediment rocks 5.Mesozoic intrusive rocks 6.Mesozoic volcanic and volcano-sediment rocks 7.Mesozoic sediment rocks 8.Mesozoic metamorphic rocks 9.Paleozoic intrusive rocks 10.Paleozoic volcanic and volcano-sediment rocks 11.Paleozoic sediment rocks 12.Paleozoic metamorphic rocks 13. Prepaleozoic metamorphic rocks 14. Faults 15. Assumed faults 16. Line of overthrust
Jobin Yvon ULTIMA 2 High Resolution ICPJobin Yvon ULTIMA 2 High Resolution ICP--AESAES
Scans over the spectral region around Scans over the spectral region around the analysis line of Pb.the analysis line of Pb.
0
2
4
6
8
1 0
1 2
mge
q/l
N a C a M g C l S O 4 H C O 3+ C O 3
Macrocomposition of the mineral waters, juxtaposed to the geological situation
-16
-14
-12
-10
-8
-6
-4
-2
0
July
,200
1
Oct
.,200
1
Jan.
,200
2
May
,200
2
July
,200
2
Oct
.-Nov
.,200
2
Dec
.,200
2
Jan.
,200
3
Feb.
,200
3
Mar
t,200
3
Apr
il,20
03
May
,200
3
June
,200
3
July
,200
3
Aug
ust,2
003
Sept
embe
r,200
3
Wat
er le
vel,
m
Monioring Borehole 5 - KCM Monioring Borehole 7 - KCM
Monioring Borehole 8 - KCM
Groundwater level fluctuations in some Groundwater level fluctuations in some monitoring pointsmonitoring points
Monthly pollutant changesMonthly pollutant changes
Oct.- Nov.,2002
January,2003
March,2003
May,2003
July,2003
September,20030,001
0,01
0,1
1
10
As Cd CuFe Mn PbZn
Con
tent
s, m
g/l
MP7
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#S
#S
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#S #S
#S
#S
#S
#S
#S
#S
#S
#S
#S
#S
#S
#S
#S
#S
#S
Plovdiv
KCM
Belastitza
Brestnik
Cuclen
Crumovo
Yagodovo
r.Maritza
r.Chepel arska
MP4
MP5MP6
MP7MP8
MP9
MP10MP13MP14
MP15
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MP17MP18
MP19
MP20
MP22
MP24
MP25
MP26
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MP28
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MP30
MP21
Asenovgrad
Catunitza
N
Concentration of Pb in ground waters,mg/l0 - 0.003#S
0.003 - 0.006#S0.006 - 0.012#S0.012 - 0.1#S0.1 - 0.2#S0.2 - 0.3#SEcological limit - 0.003
Limit of pollution - 0.2
Concentration of Pb in soils, mg/kg0 - 300
300 - 600
600 - 900
900 - 1200
1200 - 1500
1500 - 1800
1800 - 3600
3600 - 4700
No data
LEGEND
0 2 Kilometers
#S#S
#S
#S#S
#S
#S #S
#S
#S
#S
#S
#S
#S
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#S
#S
#S
#S
#S
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#S
#S
Plovdiv
KCM
Belastitza
Brestnik
Cuclen
Crumovo
Yagodovo
r.Maritza
r.Chepelarsk a
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Asenovgrad
Catunitza
N
0 2 Kilometers
Concentration of Zn in ground waters,mg/l0 - 0.003#S
0.003 - 0.006#S0.006 - 0.012#S0.012 - 0.1#S0.1 - 0.2#0.2 - 0.3#SEcological limit - 0.003
Limit of pollution - 0.2
LEGEND
GIS integrated maps of the GIS integrated maps of the PbPb and Zn and Zn contaminationcontamination
Pb Zn
#S#S
#S
#S#S
#S#S
#S #S
#S
#S
#S
#S
#S
#S
#S
#S
#S
#S
#S
#S
#S
#S
#S
Plovdiv
KCM
Belastitza
Brestnik
Cuclen
Crumovo
Yagodovo
r.Maritza
r.Chepela rsk a
MP4
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MP9
MP10MP13MP14
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MP16
MP17MP18
MP19
MP20
MP22
MP24
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MP26
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MP21
Asenovgrad
Catunitza
N
0 2 Kilometers
Concentration of Cd in ground waters,mg/l0 - 0.001#S0.001 - 0.003#S0.003 - 0.005#S0.005 - 0.1#S0.1 - 0.3#SEcological limit - 0.001
Limit of pollution - 0.005
Concentration of Cd in soils, mg/kg0 - 5
5 - 10
10 - 15
15 - 20
20 - 38
38 - 56
56 - 74
74 - 80
No data
LEGEND
#S#S
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Plovdiv
KCM
Belastitza
Brestnik
Cuclen
Crumovo
Yagodovo
r.Maritza
r.Chepela rsk a
MP4
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MP10MP13MP14
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Asenovgrad
CatunitzaN
0 2 Kilometers
Concentration of As in ground waters,mg/l0 - 0.005#S0.005 - 0.01#S0.01 - 0.03#S0.03 - 0.05#S0.05 - 0.1#SEcological limit - 0.01
Limit of pollution - 0.03
LEGEND
GIS integrated maps of the GIS integrated maps of the CdCd and As contaminationand As contamination
Cd As
The GIS offers a graphic use easily manipulated and The GIS offers a graphic use easily manipulated and provides a possibility to interactively update the database, provides a possibility to interactively update the database, to analyse different data set and for risk assessment.to analyse different data set and for risk assessment.
ProblemFormulation
Analysis
RiskCharacterization
Economic, Poli-Scienceand social Analysis
Planningand
Scoping
(AssessorManagerDialogue)
Decision
Stakeh
older
Imput
New Management Needs
Risk Assessment
Experimental modeling ofExperimental modeling of interphaseinterphaseprocesses processes ””water water –– geochemical geochemical environmentenvironment”” and determination of the and determination of the migration ability and the chemical speciation migration ability and the chemical speciation of metal (+As) pollutants in these systems of metal (+As) pollutants in these systems are accomplished.are accomplished.
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MgCl2 eluate vs. soil content Water eluate vs. soil content Soil content
WaterWater --Soil interaction model Soil interaction model –– CdCd lixiviation lixiviation
Water Water ––waste interaction modelwaste interaction model
Cd and Cu speciation in waters and in experimental Cd and Cu speciation in waters and in experimental model water model water eluateseluates
Speciation ofSpeciation of ZnZn in water phasein water phase
Possibilities for existence ofPossibilities for existence of
geochemicalgeochemical barriers and barriers and
sources of secondary metal sources of secondary metal
pollution are proved. pollution are proved.
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
82a
88
84a
85a
Soil's major components SiO2TiO2Al2O3Fe2O3MnOMgOCaONa2OK2Olost 105Clost 1050C
18 40 42
17 56 27
10 36 54
36 46 18
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
88
82a
84a
85a
Soil's lithology
ClaySiltSand
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
82a
84a
85a
88
minerals in the surface soil layersCa-MmKaoliniteChloriteK-micaQuartzK-feldsparAlbiteAnorthiteCalciteDolomiteothersorg. materia
Pb adsorption curves by the 4 pollutant addition (Cpollutants=10e-4moles)
initial CPb=15.236
mg/l
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70Time [hours]
Pb
[mg/
l]
82a8885а84a
Cd adsorption curves by the 4 pollutant addition (Cpollutants=10e-4moles)
initial CCd=11.874
mg/l
0
1
2
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70Time [hours]
Cd
[mg/
l]
82a 8885а 84a
As adsorption curves by the 4 pollutant addition (Cpollutants=10e-4moles)
initial CAs=7.349
mg/l
0
1
2
3
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5
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70Time [hours]
As
[mg/
l]
82a 8885а 84a
The original coupledThe original coupled hydrogeochemicalhydrogeochemicalandand hydrodinamicalhydrodinamical computer modelcomputer model is is developed developed for prediction, studying and for prediction, studying and control of the evolution of possible control of the evolution of possible pollution, with the aim of limiting harmful pollution, with the aim of limiting harmful effect oneffect on thermomineralthermomineral waters. waters.
The GIS based risk management and The GIS based risk management and decision making specific tool was decision making specific tool was developed for Internet Explorer and is developed for Internet Explorer and is ready to be used.ready to be used. The models The models produced can be applied successfully produced can be applied successfully in other regions and in different in other regions and in different countries.countries.
Water table
Vertical cross section
Plovdiv
Azenovgrad
Soil surface
KCM Unsaturatedzone
Mass flux of pollutant starting from the soil surface and moving towards the water table
Chepelarska RiverMaritza River
Modelling strategyModelling strategy
Scenario#1 : non reactive tracer Scenario#1 : non reactive tracer input: during all the simulationinput: during all the simulation
Scenario #2 : non reactive tracer Scenario #2 : non reactive tracer input: only during the first 2 years of input: only during the first 2 years of simulationsimulation
Scenario #3 : polluted rainwater Scenario #3 : polluted rainwater input during all the simulation input during all the simulation
Scenario # 4 : polluted rainwater Scenario # 4 : polluted rainwater input from 0 to 2 years. Non polluted input from 0 to 2 years. Non polluted rainwater input from 2 to 6 yearsrainwater input from 2 to 6 years
Example of a risk management map showing zinc Example of a risk management map showing zinc concentrations in groundwater (the risk management zone is concentrations in groundwater (the risk management zone is delineated for a concentration in zinc higher than 3 mg/l = delineated for a concentration in zinc higher than 3 mg/l = European guideline for a sensitive use of water)European guideline for a sensitive use of water)
Example of the toolbox display related to the Example of the toolbox display related to the different components of a risk assessment.different components of a risk assessment.
The last 10 years it has been a time of The last 10 years it has been a time of testing and completing the new testing and completing the new legislation concerning thermal waters legislation concerning thermal waters and geothermal energy use, of and geothermal energy use, of orientation toward market economy orientation toward market economy and of harmonization with EC country and of harmonization with EC country legislation. legislation.
II. Bulgarian hydrothermal system legislation
The discussed and adopted laws, The discussed and adopted laws, ordinances and rules defined the ordinances and rules defined the basic principles of study, prospect basic principles of study, prospect ion use and protection of the ion use and protection of the national curative resources national curative resources ––Bulgarian precious health richness:Bulgarian precious health richness:thermomineralthermomineral waters curativewaters curativepelloidspelloids, sea resources, climatic , sea resources, climatic resources, etcresources, etc..
According to the According to the Water Law (1999, completed Water Law (1999, completed and actualized in 2005)and actualized in 2005) thermal waters are thermal waters are owned by the State or by the Municipalities. owned by the State or by the Municipalities. Ministry of Environment and Waters (MOEW) Ministry of Environment and Waters (MOEW) approves the exploitable thermal water approves the exploitable thermal water resources and hydrothermal energy and sets resources and hydrothermal energy and sets up the wellhead protection zones of all up the wellhead protection zones of all reservoirs (statereservoirs (state--owned and municipal). owned and municipal). Ministry of Health controls mineral Ministry of Health controls mineral composition and general state of all water composition and general state of all water andand peloidpeloid sources.sources.
StateState--owned thermal waters are administered owned thermal waters are administered by the Council of Ministers according to the by the Council of Ministers according to the Concession Law (1995)Concession Law (1995) through concession through concession regime and by the MOEW regime and by the MOEW –– according to the according to the Water Law (1995) through permission regime. Water Law (1995) through permission regime. The Municipalities carry out the management The Municipalities carry out the management of local thermal waters according to the of local thermal waters according to the Municipality Property Law (1996).Municipality Property Law (1996).
Until 1990 the geothermal systems were Until 1990 the geothermal systems were entirely financed by the state. Thermal waters entirely financed by the state. Thermal waters as a product of the bowels of the Earth are as a product of the bowels of the Earth are under the jurisdiction of the Constitution and under the jurisdiction of the Constitution and the Water Law. the Water Law. The following laws govern the The following laws govern the use of geothermal waters:use of geothermal waters: Law on Waters, Law on Waters, Law on Concession, Energy and Energy Law on Concession, Energy and Energy Efficiency Law, Law on Territorial Structure Efficiency Law, Law on Territorial Structure and Municipality Property Law.and Municipality Property Law.
The The Law on WatersLaw on Waters states that the sole right states that the sole right for the use of waters is owned fully by the for the use of waters is owned fully by the State and may be delivered via concession State and may be delivered via concession only for mineral waters when the use is for only for mineral waters when the use is for bottling, energy generation and extraction of bottling, energy generation and extraction of chemical elements and derivatives.chemical elements and derivatives.Permits issued by the Minister of Environment Permits issued by the Minister of Environment and Water are required for stateand Water are required for state--owned owned thermal waters used for treatment, thermal waters used for treatment, rehabilitation and prevention, swimming rehabilitation and prevention, swimming pools, thermal water supply for domestic, pools, thermal water supply for domestic, technical and industrial aims.technical and industrial aims.
The other principal normative The other principal normative documents could be united in 3 documents could be united in 3 basic groups, in dependence of basic groups, in dependence of their target and scope:their target and scope:
1.1.–– Documents of the organization of the Documents of the organization of the territories, related to territories, related to thermomineralthermomineral
waters use:waters use:•• Law for protected territories Law for protected territories –– 19981998•• Law for regional development Law for regional development –– 20042004•• Law for protection of the environment Law for protection of the environment –– 19951995•• Ordinance for the resort resources Ordinance for the resort resources –– 19871987•• Ordinance for hygienic requirements for health Ordinance for hygienic requirements for health protection of the settlement environment protection of the settlement environment –– 19921992•• Decision of the Ministry Council for defining of the Decision of the Ministry Council for defining of the settlement of resort formations with national settlement of resort formations with national importance importance –– 20032003
2. – Documents of organization and government of resort activities:
••Law for the health Law for the health –– 20042004••Law for tourism Law for tourism –– 20022002••Rules for the activities of National tourist Rules for the activities of National tourist organisations organisations –– 2002, 20042002, 2004
3. 3. –– Documents for the research protection Documents for the research protection and use of and use of thermomineralthermomineral waters and waters and
curative curative pelloidspelloids::•• Rules of application of the laws of concessions Rules of application of the laws of concessions –– 19951995•• Rules for the activities of the Regional inspections of the Rules for the activities of the Regional inspections of the environments and waters environments and waters –– 20042004•• Ordinance for research, use and protections of Ordinance for research, use and protections of underground waters underground waters –– 20002000•• Ordinance for approval of the exploitation resources of Ordinance for approval of the exploitation resources of the underground waters the underground waters –– 19991999•• Ordinance for requirements concerning the bottling of Ordinance for requirements concerning the bottling of mineral waters for drinking use mineral waters for drinking use –– 2004 2004 •• Ordinance for the conditions and the order for research, Ordinance for the conditions and the order for research, design, approval, and exploitation of sanitary design, approval, and exploitation of sanitary –– protected protected zones around the zones around the thermomineralthermomineral water sources, use for water sources, use for treatment, prophylactics, drinking and hygienic needs treatment, prophylactics, drinking and hygienic needs --20002000
Major current barriers for Major current barriers for hydrogeothermalhydrogeothermaldevelopment in the country are:development in the country are:
·· -- Lack of administrative and practical expertise in Lack of administrative and practical expertise in hydrogeothermalhydrogeothermal development under the new social development under the new social and economic conditions in Eastern Europe after and economic conditions in Eastern Europe after 1990; 1990; ·· -- It is allowed non observance of the It is allowed non observance of the requirements and the norms by the documents requirements and the norms by the documents application, especially in the case of protection and application, especially in the case of protection and use of the natural curative resources. This is use of the natural curative resources. This is particularly valid in respect to the curative particularly valid in respect to the curative pelloidspelloids, , because of existing omissions in normative because of existing omissions in normative documents;documents;
-- The procedure for obtaining a concession for The procedure for obtaining a concession for water use is very complicated and time consuming. water use is very complicated and time consuming. In some cases, the investors have to finance In some cases, the investors have to finance complex preliminary geological andcomplex preliminary geological andhydrogeologicalhydrogeological study without having guarantee for study without having guarantee for gaining the concession after completing the gaining the concession after completing the procedure;procedure;
-- Local taxes and fees are important but very Local taxes and fees are important but very insufficient source of funds for the Municipalities insufficient source of funds for the Municipalities budgets. The Municipalities are also not allowed to budgets. The Municipalities are also not allowed to influence on the size of these taxes;influence on the size of these taxes;
•• Existing Existing thermalistthermalist associations:associations:““Balneology and spa Balneology and spa centerscenters”” and and ““BalneotourismBalneotourism””, Regional groups of , Regional groups of private spa proprietorsprivate spa proprietors•• National health system does not pay for spa National health system does not pay for spa treatment! Only for invalids Itreatment! Only for invalids I--st st group expenses for group expenses for accommodation, 3 kinds of treatments and traveling (1 accommodation, 3 kinds of treatments and traveling (1 time in 3 months) are refunded, but from the side of time in 3 months) are refunded, but from the side of the National Insurance Institute! the National Insurance Institute! •• Some rich private societies are covering the Some rich private societies are covering the treatment and travel expenses of their own employees. treatment and travel expenses of their own employees.
Cooperative research project on Cooperative research project on ““National health systems and spa National health systems and spa
treatments in Europetreatments in Europe””
•• Sickness founds and friendly societies existed in Sickness founds and friendly societies existed in Bulgaria, but they are destroyed by theBulgaria, but they are destroyed by the totalitaristtotalitaristgovernment. government.
•• National and regional register ofNational and regional register of thermomineralthermomineralresources and spa are not existing. It is very resources and spa are not existing. It is very important to create Bulgarian business important to create Bulgarian business organizations, contacting with European ones. organizations, contacting with European ones. And to create and impose directives from the side And to create and impose directives from the side of the European organisms of the European organisms –– to oblige the to oblige the Bulgarian spa systems to operate at the European Bulgarian spa systems to operate at the European level.level.
