Lake Štikada waste dump threatens drinking water supply in Gračac, Croatia

Around 3,500 tonnes of car tires and plastic waste have accumulated for more than a decade beside the artificial Lake Štikada near the town of Gračac. The lake supplies drinking water to the municipality, and many residents now avoid tap water out of fear of contamination.

Mayor Ivan Miletić of the neighboring Lovinac municipality warned that the dump poses a potential ecological disaster, especially in summer fire conditions. The Environmental Protection Fund has taken over the remediation project, but officials say no start date for cleanup has been set. Preparatory work is underway to develop a detailed remediation plan, including cost estimates.

Local authorities are mowing grass around the site to lower fire risk, while activists such as Gordana Cuissot Labus criticize the lack of decisive action by institutions. The lake is directly linked to the Zrmanja River via a reversible hydro‑electric plant, raising concerns that any contamination could affect downstream water sources, a point emphasized by representatives from the nearby town of Most.