Kunovac: Activate water purifier at Smiljevići landfill, families along Lepenički stream at risk

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Federal Parliament representative Amra Kunovac has requested the Federal Ministry of Tourism and Environment to activate the water purifier at the Sarajevo landfill Smiljevići. Kunovac pointed out that water from the landfill flows without treatment into the Lepenički stream, next to which dozens of families live, and which flows into the Bosna River.

"That purifier was operational for only three months in 2011. Every day we hear that the number of sick people living along the Lepenički stream is increasing. While the problem is constantly being shifted from one to another, I believe that the Federal Ministry of Tourism and Environment should seriously address this issue," states the initiative of representative Kunovac, which she submitted at yesterday's session of the Federal Parliament.

CIN recently reported that more than 32 million marks have been invested in the development of the Smiljevići landfill over two decades, but the control of potentially toxic substances remains minimal. Part of the equipment is destroyed or deteriorating because it is not used properly. Authorities shift blame onto each other and say that much more money is needed to improve conditions at the landfill. Meanwhile, at least five children from houses near the landfill have fallen ill with cancer, allergies and other diseases. Two girls, primary school students, have died.