# Waste management and contamination crises in Croatia

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/waste-management-and-contamination-crises-in-croatia
> Updated: 2026-08-31T07:31:08.000Z. Sources: 28. Developments: 2.

Environmental crises involving hazardous waste management have emerged in Croatia. In Gospić, the illegal dumping of approximately 37,000 tons of waste containing ecotoxic materials and PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ has prompted the Croatian government to propose introducing ecocide as a criminal offense. Remediation efforts are underway through the Fund for Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency.

In Zagreb, political warnings have been issued regarding approximately 33,000 tons of hazardous industrial waste located in three lakes at Savica. This site is situated close to the Petruševec water pumping station, which serves roughly 150,000 residents. Reports indicate soil contamination and elevated metal levels in groundwater, with concerns raised regarding the lack of recent environmental monitoring and remediation programs.

Local political leaders, specifically the Zagreb HDZ, have characterized the situation at the Savica lakes as an ‘eco-bomb’. Party leader Ivan Matijević noted that chemical analyses dating back to 2006 have confirmed the presence of hazardous industrial waste. Investigations have documented increased concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in control boreholes and elevated metal levels in groundwater. The HDZ has accused Mayor Tomislav Tomašević and the Možemo! party of inaction, alleging they have been aware of the issue since 2021 but have failed to implement a remediation program or report the site to the Environmental Protection Fund as a priority. Additionally, the Jakuševec landfill has been identified as a potential source of groundwater contamination for the Petruševec station.

## Claims

- The waste is located near the Petruševec water pumping station, which supplies water to about 150,000 Zagreb residents. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- Chemical analyses confirmed the presence of hazardous waste in 2006. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- Soil contamination has been documented, with increased concentrations of PAHs in control boreholes. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- The Zagreb HDZ warns that the city is threatened by an 'eco-bomb' due to hazardous waste. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević is accused of inaction regarding the waste issue for five years. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- Approximately 33,000 tons of hazardous industrial waste are located in three lakes at Savica. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- The current city administration has stopped the monitoring of the area. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- The Jakuševec landfill was identified in 2023 as a source of groundwater contamination for the Petruševec station. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The city administration failed to report the Savica site to the Environmental Protection Fund as a priority location for remediation. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-31: Zagreb HDZ warns of 'eco-bomb' near city water supply

Zagreb HDZ warns of an 'eco-bomb' in Savica, where 33,000 tons of hazardous waste sit near a water station supplying 150,000 residents, accusing Mayor Tomašević of five years of inaction.

14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zagreb-hdz-warns-of-hazardous-waste-near-city-water-supply

### 2026-08-26: Croatia and Montenegro face environmental crises over waste management

Croatia faces a major crisis over illegal waste dumping in Gospić, prompting plans to criminalize ecocide. Meanwhile, Montenegro's Green Home criticizes ineffective plastic waste regulations.

19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gospi-waste-remediation-ce-za-r-and-tabak-grupa-submit-bids

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Cite as: Waste management and contamination crises in Croatia. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/waste-management-and-contamination-crises-in-croatia