Despite ongoing issues with water supply along the Montenegrin coast that disrupt nearly every summer tourist season, local water supply companies have not formally requested an increase in the minimum water supply from the Regional Water Supply Company this year. Problems persist with delivering the mandated amount of water, exacerbated by reduced yields from the Bolje sestra water source due to illegal gravel extraction.

This information was conveyed to “Vijesti” by the Regional Water Supply Company, led by Krsto Radović.

They noted that numerous meetings with local water utilities had occurred, expressing significant interest in increasing contracted minimum quantities, yet no official amendments to contracts have been finalized.

“The water shortages experienced by the Montenegrin coast last year, and the Regional Water Supply System’s unprecedented inability to meet demands, along with the lack of preventative measures, were primary factors in the dismissal of the previous management. Throughout, the regional water supply system has consistently provided more water than the contracted minimums, particularly in summer, delivering upwards of 50 percent more to various local systems,” they explained.

Since the system’s inauguration in 2010 until August 2024, the regional water supply company claimed to have met all requests for additional water supplies. However, for the first time, the Bolje sestra spring’s reduced yield and minor technical issues hindered their ability to fulfill these requests.

“This situation has resulted in minor water supply challenges for coastal municipalities but underscores the urgent need for measures to enhance the regional water supply system’s capacity to acquire additional drinking water,” they stated.

The state-owned company is currently working on installing a drinking water purification plant originally meant to be completed before the last summer season, which would provide an additional 100 to 115 liters per second.

“These amounts should meet all supplementary water demands during the summer, barring unforeseen circumstances like major failures in local supply systems or possible declines in water quality from local sources,” they added.

Last tourist season, one reason for the delivery challenges from this company was the decline in water source yields, primarily due to illegal gravel extraction from the Morača riverbed.

In response to inquiries about the current situation and present yield, they reported that analyses funded by the Regional Water Supply Company over the past decade, performed by leading experts from Montenegro, the region, and the EU, have established a direct link between illegal gravel extraction and the declining yield of the Bolje sestra spring.

“This is a factual situation, despite attempts by certain groups to downplay the ramifications of illegal gravel extraction, and the absence of timely action from state authorities prior to 2023. Current yields mirror those of the past two years, confirming that the trend of decreased output ceased after authorities took action against illegal gravel exploitation,” they asserted.

They acknowledged that some relevant institutions previously failed to act promptly or meet expectations regarding environmental protection, but expressed optimism for a new chapter dedicated to combating environmental crime.

The Bureau for Operational Coordination, led by Deputy Prime Minister Aleksa Bečić, has reportedly made fighting environmental crimes one of its key priorities.

“He has announced the creation of a special operational group within the security sector aimed at systematically addressing environmental crime, a significant challenge of contemporary society,” they highlighted.

To bolster the protection of the Bolje sestra spring and surrounding sanitary zones, the Regional Water Supply Company plans to implement a video surveillance system in collaboration with the security sector and relevant institutions.

This initiative is part of a comprehensive strategy to enhance the safety and preservation of the spring, complemented by new measures that foresee around-the-clock protection for all three sanitary protection zones.

As reported by “Vijesti” last October, the Ministry of Finance allocated 577,000 euros to the Regional Water Supply Company in August for a temporary water purification plant, aimed at preventing water shortages.

The funds are intended for acquiring and installing two purification plants to lessen the effects of the Bolje sestra system source yield decline, each possessing a capacity of 100 liters per second. Official documents from the Government’s website indicate instructions for the Regional Waterworks to continue activities regarding the urgent measure of building a temporary weir in the Morača riverbed.

Although this project is designed to provide additional water and alleviate shortages along the Montenegrin coast, the facility has yet to be installed or operationalized.

The company under Radović confirmed that in mid-2023, the Government provided part of the needed funds for this investment to secure additional drinking water for 2024.

“However, due to various obstructions from former management, continuing even now through certain media, this investment has not progressed. Following the replacement of prior management in December 2024, urgent action has commenced regarding the Government’s directives for procuring and installing a purification plant with a capacity of 100 liters per second,” they communicated to “Vijesti.”

Measures are being undertaken to ensure effective implementation of the investment, though delayed by a year. Equipment acquisition is in progress, with expectations for the plant to commence test operations by early July.

Water Supply Infrastructure Enhanced in Bar

Although the Regional Water Supply Company provided the maximum feasible water supply to the Bar municipality last year, it was still insufficient for the city’s peak tourist season demand.

“The hydrological conditions, which can be particularly unfavorable, affect the available water from both local and regional systems, contributing to supply challenges, especially in suburban areas where many facilities were built without proper documentation,” reported the Bar local water supply and sewerage company (ViK).

When asked about preparations for potential water supply issues this season, ViK stated that maintenance of the water supply network was continuous, including repairs to main pipelines from hinterland springs to the city, as well as from local springs Kajnak and Zaljevo. Reconstruction of water manholes was also undertaken to address network losses.

“Since the end of last summer’s season, critical sections of the water supply network where breakdowns frequently occurred have been under reconstruction in preparation for the tourist season, particularly in the Sutomore and Čanj resorts,” they explained.

New water pumps have been secured through public procurement processes and subsequently installed for servicing elevated settlements, alongside replacement of malfunctioning electrical components in pumping stations.

“A pump has also been procured for the Mandarići settlement, which draws from the Sustaš spring, while location details are still being finalized. Pumps at other hinterland springs—Velje oko and Orahovo polje—and the Sutomore pumping station have also undergone refurbishment,” they concluded.

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