Montenegro wastewater infrastructure faces funding gaps and new construction

Montenegro is facing challenges and progress regarding its wastewater infrastructure. In Nikšić, the wastewater treatment plant at Kapino Polje is not operating at full capacity. Due to a lack of financial resources, repairs on the first pre-treatment line—which includes coarse and fine sieves—have not been completed. Nikšić Waterworks reported that the facility has faced operational issues since its inception, exacerbated by the fact that the original construction company has ceased operations, making continuous professional maintenance and support difficult to secure.

In contrast, construction of a new wastewater treatment plant in Botun, near Podgorica, is underway. The project is currently between 30% and 60% complete, with construction expected to finish by May 2027 and the facility becoming operational in 2028. The project, executed by the Turkish company KUZU, is considered a critical step for Montenegro to meet environmental standards required for EU accession negotiations. Currently, Podgorica lacks a treatment plant, resulting in the discharge of untreated sewage.