Sveti Vlas beach swimming banned due to water pollution

Swimming has been banned at the 'Istok' beach in Sveti Vlas following reports of severe seawater contamination. Testing by the Burgas Regional Health Inspection (RZI) revealed levels of Escherichia coli and enterococci bacteria between four and ten times above the permissible limits.

The contamination is linked to a technical failure at a private wastewater treatment plant in the Elenite resort area. Officials report that a burst pipe has caused sewage to leak, with the facility currently operating in emergency mode.

Local authorities, including Burgas Regional Governor Diko Dikov, are working to address the accident. There are ongoing discussions regarding the legal ownership and capacity of the treatment plant, which officials noted is struggling to handle the increased volume of residents and tourists. The ban will remain in effect until two consecutive water samples, taken 48 hours apart, confirm that bacterial levels have returned to safe standards.