Kaštel Sućurac residents blame tunnel construction for drying water sources

Residents of Kaštel Sućurac are reporting that local springs, streams, and wells are drying up, a phenomenon they attribute to construction work on the Kozjak Tunnel by the state-owned company Hrvatske ceste.

Local activists and residents, including Luka Jurlin, claim that the water levels in the Sućurac-Bucavica stream and the Vrilo stream have dropped significantly, threatening local agriculture. They allege that the environmental impact study was inadequate and failed to account for the southern side of the tunnel, citing the discovery of a cavern during construction as evidence of oversight. Residents are considering legal action, claiming violations of Natura 2000 regulations.

Hrvatske ceste director Ivica Budimir has denied these allegations, stating that the construction site is approximately five kilometers away from the affected streams and that there is no evidence linking the tunnel work to the water shortage. The company maintains that the current water levels are due to drought, though local activists dispute this, noting that rainfall has been above average and nearby streams remain flowing.