Published Online:March 2025
Product Name:The IUP Journal of Supply Chain Management
Product Type:Article
Product Code:IJSCM020325
DOI:10.71329/IUPJSCM/2025.22.1.18-34
Author Name:Hrabin Bachev
Availability:YES
Subject/Domain:Management
Download Format:PDF
Pages:18-34
This paper analyzes the evolution and challenges of agricultural inclusion in sustainable wastewater management in Bulgaria. It is based on incorporating the interdisciplinary New Institutional Economics methodology, official data, and numerous in-depth interviews with representatives of the wastewater treatment plants, responsible authorities, farmers participating and not involved in sludge utilization, and other related agents. The study found that there has been a significant modernization of the formal institutional environment (rules, regulations, standards, agencies) and incentive structure for agricultural sludge production, transportation, and utilization in recent years. Nevertheless, the potential for the inclusion of agriculture in water treatment plants’ sludge utilization has not been entirely used and the policy target in the area effectively reached. The main impediments for the latter are the significant transition and compliance costs for related agents, inadequate public information, training, and support, environmental and health risks, opposition of landowners, businesses, eco-groups, and residents, and uncertain directions of policy development.
There has been a continual improvement in the water quality standards in the European Union (EU) and around the globe. Since the accession of Bulgaria to the EU in 2007, there has been an enormous modernization of the system of water management in the country. Sustainable management of wastewater requires purification according to the EU