Bulgaria’s parliament has instructed the government to set up a National Water Board within two weeks to coordinate the work of various institutions in tackling the country’s water crisis and preventing future shortages.

During the discussions, it was revealed that over half a million Bulgarians suffer from chronic drinking water shortages or receive water of poor quality, according to BNR reporter Daniel Inkov.

The board will comprise representatives from the Ministries of Environment and Water, Regional Development and Public Works, Finance, Energy, and Agriculture and Food. The National Association of Municipalities in Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Development Bank will also support its work.

The proposal to establish the board was submitted by lawmakers from GERB-SDS, the Bulgarian Socialist Party–United Left, There Is Such a People, and DPS–New Beginning.