Gospić illegal waste dump contaminates groundwater, prompting calls for remediation

The Croatian anti‑corruption office USKOK released expert reports confirming illegal waste dumping at Bilajska 50 in Gospić, Lika. The investigations, spanning over 350 pages, identified hazardous waste, elevated levels of metals such as copper, zinc, lead and antimony, and the presence of PFAS "forever chemicals" in groundwater downstream of the site. One piezometer recorded PFAS concentrations of 200.5 ng/L, more than double the 100 ng/L limit used for drinking‑water standards.

Local activists from the initiative “Gospić je naš dom” and the political party Most have demanded immediate remediation, independent testing of groundwater, publication of all documents, and criminal prosecution of all responsible parties, invoking the "polluter pays" principle. Business owner Josip Šincek, named in the case, argued that the water is not acutely polluted, citing expert statements that most indicators remain within regulatory limits. The civil group also called for resignations of officials who downplayed the urgency and for permanent monitoring of soil and water.

The reports highlight migration pathways for contaminants through fissures in the karst terrain, raising concerns about broader environmental and public‑health impacts beyond the immediate site.