Water supply crises reported in Herceg Novi and Sarajevo

Water supply crises are affecting multiple regions in the Balkans, leading to political tension and public outcry. In Herceg Novi, Montenegro, opposition members are demanding an extraordinary session of the municipal assembly to address the lack of a strategic plan for year-round water regulation. The city recently endured ten days of strict water restrictions due to repairs on the Plat-Trebišnjica hydrotunnel, a situation exacerbated by climate change and drought. Local political factions have traded accusations regarding the competence of water utility management.

Simultaneously, in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, residents in parts of the Stari Grad municipality, specifically the Bostarići area, have been without water for over five days. The local community in Širokača reports that the shortage is compounded by long-standing sewage network failures that threaten public safety and traffic. These issues occur amidst broader water level warnings for the Sarajevo Canton, as utility providers report critically low levels in key water sources.