Water management and pollution crises reported in Kosovo and Bosnia

Residents in Goraždevac and surrounding villages are facing severe environmental and quality-of-life issues due to the pollution of the Pećka Bistrica river and a lack of sewage infrastructure. Local reports indicate that the absence of a sewage network has led to a reliance on septic tanks and the discharge of untreated wastewater. A survey conducted by Radio Goraždevac found that 100% of respondents noted a deterioration in the river's condition over the past year, with many reporting unpleasant odors, fish deaths, and concerns regarding the contamination of agricultural land and household wells.

This situation reflects a broader systemic issue in Kosovo, where a Ministry of Environment report stated that only approximately 10% of wastewater is treated, while 90% is discharged into watercourses without treatment. Additionally, noise from wastewater treatment plants has been reported as a disturbance to local residents.

In Sarajevo, the public utility company Vodovod i kanalizacija (ViK) has suspended water supplies to parts of the Rakovica neighborhood due to excessive consumption. The company reported that water demand in the area has reached 16.6 liters per second, significantly exceeding the maximum supply capacity of 9 liters per second through the Bjeluše pumping station. ViK has urged citizens to practice water conservation to prevent further system instability and potential total supply shutdowns.