# Bulgarian environmental enforcement and inspections

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bulgarian-environmental-enforcement-and-inspections
> Updated: 2026-10-23T09:57:17.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Bulgarian Regional Inspectorates of Environment and Water (RIOSV) have conducted extensive enforcement actions and investigations regarding pollution and waste management.

In September, inspectorates carried out over 2,000 inspections across more than 1,800 sites. These actions resulted in approximately 468,038 euros in fines and property sanctions, with an additional 335,102 euros issued for exceeding air and water pollution limits. Enforcement activities included cleaning 32 illegal waste sites, sealing a facility involved in the illegal use of chemical substances, and investigating reports of white formations on beaches.

Subsequent inspections were triggered by citizen reports of odors and air quality issues. In Dimitrovgrad, sulfur dioxide concentrations were recorded at up to 2.09 times the hourly norm, which authorities attributed to emissions from the Maritsa 3 thermal power plant and specific meteorological conditions. In Ruse, emergency checks in the Eastern Industrial Zone investigated reports of petroleum odors and smoke, though monitoring stations did not record any exceedances of pollutant norms during those investigations.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-23: Environmental inspections conducted in Ruse and Dimitrovgrad

Bulgarian environmental inspectors investigated air pollution in Dimitrovgrad and odor complaints in Ruse, finding sulfur dioxide spikes in Dimitrovgrad linked to a thermal power plant.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/environmental-inspections-conducted-in-ruse-and-dimitrovgrad

### 2026-10-19: Bulgaria environmental inspectorates issue over 800,000 euros in fines and sanctions

Bulgarian environmental inspectorates issued over 468,000 euros in fines and 335,000 euros in pollution sanctions during September following 2,092 inspections.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgaria-environmental-inspectorates-issue-over-800000-euros-in-fines-and-sanctions

---
Cite as: Bulgarian environmental enforcement and inspections. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bulgarian-environmental-enforcement-and-inspections
