Until recently, the dilapidated network was one of the biggest challenges for Trebinje, especially during the dry summer months when certain settlements remained without water for days due to the obsolescence of the system. Today, the picture is completely different. Through an infrastructure project worth 5.6 million euro, realized with the support of the European Union, the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the City of Trebinje, purification systems have been renovated and a modern network has been built, guaranteeing reliability for all citizens.
“This project is extremely important for Trebinje and local communities in the region. The city is expanding and it is necessary to realize infrastructure projects in the water supply sector so that our fellow citizens have better quality service. The City of Trebinje did participate in the realization, but without the support of donors, it would be questionable when we could finish such a significant undertaking ourselves,” points out Mirko Ćurić, the mayor of Trebinje. He adds that the city has started the realization of a new phase of the project, and that they will continue to apply for funds in order to ensure a healthier environment and the safety of the population, which they also encourage other local communities to do.
Within the first phase of the WATSAN program, the focus was on modernization and the reduction of losses, and thus purification systems were renovated and a new reservoir was built. Đorđe Mijanović, director of JP “Vodovod” Trebinje, emphasizes that previously frequent water outages that could last for days have been reduced to a minimum: “By revitalizing the 45-year-old purifier and building new subsystems on the left and right banks, we have created a basis for further development. We stabilized the pressure and significantly reduced breakdowns, which is key for sustainable resource management, increasing the efficiency and reliability of the entire system.”
The biggest change is visible in the settlements that depended on water tankers for decades. Ranko Grkovac, a resident of the Hrupjela settlement, recalls what it looked like before: “Before the construction of the new reservoir, fire tankers were constantly circulating here. Today, we don’t think about that anymore. Life has become easier and safer, and we are overjoyed.”
Improving access to safe drinking water and modern wastewater treatment remains one of the key priorities of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Through support programs, the EU helps more than 50 local communities across BiH to build efficient infrastructure, protect precious water resources, and ensure a healthier environment for future generations.