Concerns about the water supply in Podgorica, Montenegro, have resurfaced following a ban on its use during the heavy rainfall in early January 2024. Although recent analyses confirm that the city’s tap water meets health standards, the situation has raised significant questions regarding the safety of the Mareza water source.
Aleksandar Nišavić, the director of the Public Water Supply and Sewage Company, stated that the water distributed in Podgorica is rigorously monitored. “The water is regularly tested and fulfills all health criteria for drinking water,” he explained. The monitoring process includes continuous physical-chemical and microbiological analyses conducted in the company’s laboratory.
He emphasized that self-monitoring is performed in accordance with national legislation, assessing potential contamination risks. This is complemented by oversight from the Institute of Public Health of Montenegro, which is responsible for ensuring public health standards are met.
Maintenance and Infrastructure Challenges
On the subject of the maintenance of the water sources, Nišavić assured that inspections occur daily, adhering to hygiene and sanitation protocols. “At the Mareza facility, there is a designated person responsible for the hygienic maintenance of all structures, including the water intakes,” he noted.
Despite these assurances, he acknowledged that some sections of the water supply network are outdated, but efforts for modernization are underway. “The replacement of pipes is gradual, and the new ones meet all current standards and comply with EU directives regarding materials coming into contact with drinking water,” he added.
The heavy rainfall in early January caused temporary contamination of the drinking water supply, leading to advisories against its use in several areas, including Mareza and parts of the city center. Residents were urged to boil water or use safe alternatives, particularly vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Canal Maintenance as a Systemic Issue
While the water supply company asserts that the water is currently safe, the local government warns that the Mareza canal poses a serious risk to the water source due to decades of neglect. Boris Spalević, the deputy mayor of Podgorica, pointed out that the canal’s blockage during the recent rains resulted in the overflow of the Tresanica River, threatening agricultural land, infrastructure, and most critically, the Mareza water source.
“Cleaning and regular maintenance of the canal are legal obligations and crucial for public health protection,” Spalević stated. He criticized the lack of systematic cleaning over the years, attributing the current state of disrepair to the negligence of past administrations.
In response to ongoing concerns, preliminary cleaning efforts began last year, addressing approximately 300 meters of the canal’s total length of 8,500 meters. This initiative will continue in 2024, with plans to complete the entire section by 2026. Additionally, stricter controls on water permits are set to be implemented to prevent illegal actions and dumping that jeopardize the canal and the water source.
“We do not shy away from responsibility. We found a canal that had not been maintained for decades, but we are the first to initiate its systematic cleaning. This work will be completed,” Spalević assured. He warned that any further delays could pose a direct threat to Podgorica’s water supply, emphasizing that the city administration will not tolerate such practices in the future.
