[REVISION HISTORY]

Banjaluka water infrastructure instability

Updated 4 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-31 14:33 UTC → 2026-09-02 07:05 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The water supply infrastructure in Banjaluka is facing critical risks due to aging equipment and network overloads. Officials from Vodovod Banjaluka have warned that the city could face total water outages if the 50-year-old pumps at the Vrbas water intake fail. Procurement for replacement pumps is expected to take between eight months and a year. In addition to pump concerns, the city is experiencing frequent pipe bursts and water leaks, particularly during the summer months when increased consumption puts additional pressure on the system. Radovan Majkić, acting director of Vodovod Banjaluka, noted that the aging material of the pipes is a primary cause of these failures, as the infrastructure reaches the end of its optimal 50-year lifespan. Vodovod Banja Luka has warned of heavy loads on its water factory and well system. Key equipment is operating under extreme stress, which could jeopardize the supply for Banjaluka, surrounding Kozara villages, and parts of Laktaši and Čelinac. Specifically, four pumps at the water intake are running continuously without scheduled rest periods, and an aging transformer station is operating at maximum capacity. Any single pump failure or malfunction at the Novoselija drinking water pumping station could lead to significant reductions in water supply. As of late August 2026, localized shortages have materialized. Residents in the Rekavice 2 suburban settlement—specifically Lakići, Blagojevići, and Bojanići—have ~~reportedly~~ been without water for ten days following a pipeline malfunction that required turning off a main valve. Residents ~~claim they have received~~ report that no ~~concrete timeline for repairs,~~ repairs have been completed, raising health concerns due to high temperatures.

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