Sarajevo water shortages blamed on mismanagement and infrastructure failure

The environmental association Eko Akcija has criticized the management of the Sarajevo water utility, KJKP Vodovod i kanalizacija, regarding ongoing water reductions in the city. The association claims that these shortages are not caused by drought, but rather by the poor state of the water supply network and political mismanagement.

According to Eko Akcija, the utility has consumed nearly the entire European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) loan intended for network renewal between 2019 and 2024. While the project aimed to reduce water losses by 10-15%, the association reports that water losses in the Sarajevo system actually increased by 7 million cubic meters in 2024 compared to 2019. This volume represents more than a quarter of the total annual water consumption for Sarajevo's residents and businesses.

Furthermore, the association noted that as of late 2024, the utility had over 1,700 recorded unrepaired malfunctions. Eko Akcija attributed the current crisis to political appointments within the public enterprise, specifically naming current director Adnan Šerak and his predecessors as being linked to the NIP political party.