[REVISION HISTORY]

Water quality monitoring in Lika-Senj County

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What changed

2026-10-14 11:49 UTC → 2026-10-29 16:47 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Water quality ~~concerns~~ monitoring in Lika-Senj County

In August 2026, the Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ) reported that while most water samples in Lika-Senj County complied with regulations, one private facility showed elevated lead levels due to internal plumbing. By September 2026, health warnings were issued for Gospić, Otočac, Senj, Perušić, and Karlobag due to microbiological contamination in private wells, springs, and cisterns. Laboratory tests identified Escherichia coli, coliform bacteria, and intestinal enterococci. Authorities advised against using this untreated water for drinking, food preparation, personal hygiene, or irrigating edible crops. Concurrently, an investigation for USKOK identified PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in waste and groundwater near an illegal landfill in Gospić, though the public supply was deemed safe. In October 2026, HZJZ confirmed the continued safety of the public water supply in Lika-Senj County and on the islands of Pag and Rab. As of mid-October, 171 total samples analyzed since August 11 showed no PFAS concentrations above the limit of determination. While recent testing between September 23 and October 1 identified elevated concentrations of iron, manganese, and aluminum, HZJZ attributed these mineral deviations and increased turbidity to unfavorable hydrological conditions, such as prolonged lack of rainfall and low water levels, rather than the Gospić landfill. On October 2, the water supplier, Ličke vode, issued a notice stating that the Gospić water supply system is once again health-compliant and safe for drinking. Although raw water from sources like Mrđenovac, Hrmotine, and Tonkovića Vrilo showed expected microbiological deviations, authorities emphasized that these sources undergo treatment and disinfection to ensure water is safe at the point of consumption. By late October, HZJZ reported that enhanced monitoring continued, with 231 total samples processed since August 11. Testing conducted between October 12 and 15 confirmed that no PFAS compounds were detected above the limit of determination.

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