Poor wastewater facilities lead to 'ugliest city status' for Bucharest

Poor wastewater provisions and concerns over drinking water quality have led to Bucharest being labelled the "ugliest city" in Europe.

A poll conducted by VerticalNews.com has suggested that the Romanian capital is the least appealing to visitors from across the whole continent.

The lack of sewerage facilities and unsatisfactory levels of nitrate found in the drinking water have contributed towards the unwanted accolade.

Tourismreview.com reports that statistics compiled by Mercer have highlighted Bucharest's plight, as the city was ranked 84th in a list of places people wanted to visit in 2001.

However, by 2009, the conurbation had fallen to 108th position in the capital city standings - only kept off the bottom by Sofia.

Air monitoring tests taken last year also indicated that Bucharest has witnessed a rise in pollution.

Last week, the Day reported that a Green Party leader warned that ineffective or absent wastewater treatment in Ukraine could lead to an outbreak of cholera.

Posted by Claire Manning