Water shortages in Serbia: Mismanagement, not scarcity, at the heart of the crisis

Zoran Stevanovic, a retired hydrogeology professor, believes the issue lies not in the availability of water but in water management policies and infrastructure investments. "There is enough water," Stevanović told N1, adding that the focus should be on preserving resources and preventing pollution.

Gornji Milanovac, for instance, has declared a state of emergency due to what local utilities describe as a "drastically low water inflow." In Topola, two of three water sources have dried up, while the third is at critical levels. The situation is dire across the country, with similar emergencies in Majdanpek, Mionica, and other areas.

Sjenica faces water shortages that are impacting both people and livestock, prompting the Serbian Army to step in to prevent animals from dying of thirst. Despite these alarming developments, Stevanovic insists there's no immediate danger of Serbia running out of water, even in the face of ongoing droughts and climate change. "There’s no reason to panic," he says, predicting that Serbia will have sufficient water resources until the end of this century.

The real challenge, according to Stevanovic, will be safeguarding water quality amid pollution threats. "Our rivers, especially canals and reservoirs, face significant quality pressures due to untreated industrial and municipal wastewater," he explains, highlighting the need for better waste management and environmental policies.

Moreover, Stevanovic criticized Serbia's water infrastructure, pointing out that up to 55% of produced water is lost or stolen due to inadequate systems. He argues that investment in underground water sources, which are more stable and cost-effective, is crucial for long-term sustainability. However, the professor notes that the country has not developed new underground water sources in the past 20 years, a missed opportunity to address uneven access to water.

In conclusion, Stevanovic urged the government to focus on regional water management systems that rely on underground sources, which could take 10 to 15 years to fully implement. He warned that continuing to prioritize surface water sources, despite their lower quality and higher costs, could exacerbate future water challenges in Serbia.