Meeting with Plumbing Institution Botevgrad

Meeting with Plumbing Institution Botevgrad

Transcript: Interview script translation Margarita: Hello, we are representatives of the project "Clean Water - Source of Life" and we are in the Water Supply and Sewerage Institution to ask questions to our representative, who is Mrs. Pamela Mihaylova, organizer of the collection of water supply and sewerage, hello. Margarita: Good afternoon. We are representatives of the project “Clean water – spring for life”, and today we are visiting the Plumbing Institution V&K to interview their representative, Mrs. Pamela Mihaylova, Collection Organizer at V&K. Good afternoon. Pamela: Hello. Pamela: Good afternoon. Vanessa: Our first question to you is - What are the main sources of drinking water? Vanessa: Our first question is: What are the main sources of drinking water? Pamela: The main sources of drinking water are surface water. These are rivers, lakes and dams, as well as groundwater. These are the main water sources. Pamela: The main sources of drinking water are surface waters, meaning rivers, lakes, and dams — as well as groundwater. These are the primary sources of water supply. Vanessa: What are the main water pollutants around us? Vanessa: What are the main pollutants of the water around us? Pamela: The main pollutants of the water around us are wastewater, which is a major source of drinking water pollution. Unfortunately, the diverse human activity in recent centuries, so to speak, leaves its unfavorable imprint on our environment. In the modern world, every household throws away many more hazardous materials such as adhesives, oils, plastic, medicines and other hazardous types of waste. Industrial pollution is related to the activities of all industrial enterprises that pollute our waters. An example of direct industrial pollution is the generation of garbage in wastewater, which is discharged unregulated into surface water sources and is not properly treated, therefore these waters are not treated. Indirect water pollution from industrial activities is related to air pollution, with these chemicals entering the rains, oxidizing them. Many of the construction waste also ends up in the waters and thus they become polluted. Agricultural runoff of farms, which are rich in fertilizers and pesticides, also get into the water and thus chemical pollution occurs. Water pollution and plastic waste is a very big environmental problem that we all have to deal with in some way and not to throw this plastic waste indiscriminately into the water bodies because they pollute it and this water then reaches us in this way. Pamela: The main pollutant of water around us is wastewater, which is the primary source of drinking water contamination. Unfortunately, over the past centuries, various human activities have left a negative impact on the environment. In the modern world, every household disposes of many more hazardous materials, such as adhesives, oils, plastics, medicine, and other dangerous types of waste materials. Industrial pollution is linked to the activities of all industrial enterprises that contaminate our waters. An example of direct industrial pollution is the generation of wastewater, which is often illegally discharged into surface water sources without proper treatment, and therefore the water is not purified. Indirect pollution from industrial activities is associated with air pollution — chemicals are released into the atmosphere, enter the rain, and cause acidification. Many types of construction waste also end up in the water, leading to contamination. Agricultural runoff from farms rich in fertilizers and pesticides also enter the water, resulting in chemical pollution. Water pollution caused by plastic waste is another major environmental issue that we all must address. We should avoid indiscriminately disposing of plastic waste into water bodies, as it contaminates them and, eventually, this polluted water reaches us again. Vanessa: Are there enough water resources in our area - is it possible that one day we will run out of water? Vanessa: Are there sufficient water resources in our region — is it possible that one day we might run out of water? Pamela: There is no such danger to be left without water, because we have a lot of water sources, and the Bebres dam has 15 million cubic meters of water, as we use many other water sources and drilling water. We are not in danger of running out of water. Pamela: There is no such risk of running out of water, as we have numerous water sources. The Bebresh Dam alone holds 15 million cubic meters of water, and we also use many other water sources and borehole water. Therefore, there is no danger of a water shortage. Margarita: Great. How can people help reduce pollution – are there things we often do on a daily basis that harm water without a second thought? Margarita: Excellent. In what ways can people help reduce pollution? Are there things we do in our daily lives that harm the water without us realizing? Pamela: The easiest way and the most difficult to achieve approach is by starting to save water. This is the first thing we all need to start doing, because it is a global problem all over the world. One of the small changes that each of us can make in our personal lives, leading to a huge change that we all strive for is recycling. Proper waste sorting and recycling helps reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in the water, as well as all the bodies of water we use for water supply. Pamela: The easiest, yet seemingly most difficult approach to achieve is to begin conserving water. This is the first measure that all of us must adopt, as it is a global issue affecting the entire world. One of the small changes each of us can make in our personal lives—leading to the significant transformation we all strive for—is recycling. Proper sorting and recycling of waste will help reduce the amount of plastic that enters our water sources, as well as all bodies of water used for water supply. Margarita: Are water quality samples taken and how often? Margarita: Are tests carried out to monitor water quality, and how often? Pamela: Samples are made monthly, taking from all water sources in the area, as well as all city fountains. This water is tested and the water quality control is very high. This is monitored monthly. Pamela: Yes, tests are carried out monthly. Samples are taken from all water sources in the region, as well as from public taps throughout the town. The water is analyzed, and the level of quality control is very high. These tests are conducted on a monthly basis. Margarita: Great, thank you. That was from us. Margarita: Wonderful, thank you very much. That concludes our interview.