Balkans water supply disruptions due to pipe repairs

In mid‑July 2026, water utilities in Sarajevo, Bosnia‑Herzegovina, and Niš, Serbia, began scheduled maintenance on their distribution networks. Repairs on Sarajevo’s main pipeline from the Mojmilo reservoir and extensive work at over 20 sites in Niš led to reduced pressure or complete cut‑offs for several neighborhoods, with service expected to return each afternoon and full restoration by 21 July.

A week later, similar infrastructure projects were underway in Belgrade, Serbia, where reconstruction of water mains across multiple districts prompted warnings of temporary interruptions. In Vogošća, Bosnia‑Herzegovina, a private‑investor‑led removal of overhead hot‑water pipes sparked local complaints over alleged illegal activity, though the project’s director asserted it followed standard procedures and would not affect the heating season. The situation reflects a broader pattern of scheduled water‑system upgrades across the region, causing short‑term supply disruptions and, in some cases, community resistance.