Drought leads to reductions and low groundwater levels

(Patria) - The dry summer has led to more frequent water supply interruptions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The trend of extremely unfavorable hydrological conditions has continued in a year that also saw the warmest spring on record. Groundwater levels are alarmingly low and pose a threat to the water resource, which is crucial for life.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is normally abundant in resources, is currently facing a water deficit. The critical situation due to lack of rainfall has caused a decrease in groundwater and surface water levels. Record high temperatures combined with a lack of precipitation have caused continental drought, which we knew was coming, but as usual, everything is left to the last minute. Thus, we now have continuous works across the country.

“Unfortunately, that is the state of the weather conditions. For a good part of the summer, we managed to maintain the stability of the system and the water level at the source, which at one point reached a critical level. We have normal operation at 25 meters, and our water level dropped to just above three meters. The level at which the automation shuts down the system is three meters, and that is why we have reduced pressure to a minimum during the night, where some parts of the city have no water, and certain parts have it under low pressure,” states Adnan Šerak, Executive Director of KJKP ViK KS.

Due to the record heat that has affected Bosnia and Herzegovina, unfavorable hydrometeorological conditions have arisen, negatively impacting the climatological suitability of our country's situation. Experts do not expect an improvement in the current situation in the coming period.

"Regarding the drought that has hit Bosnia and Herzegovina, its roots go back to 2023. The absence of precipitation during the warmest year since the beginning of measurements – as we assessed 2023 – led us into a winter that was almost snowless and with temperatures never recorded for that season. In the spring, precipitation was not sufficient to improve the situation,” points out Bakir Krajinović, meteorologist at FHMZ.

“We entered this year in a very difficult hydrological situation. However, what was done in previous years in the municipality of Tešanj – new water quantities from new wells and all the activities undertaken by the utility company – has allowed us to control the water supply so far, although it has been difficult since the beginning of August,” says Hasan Handžić, Director of JP Rad Tešanj.

Nevertheless, according to forecasts, we can expect precipitation in the coming period, which will not mitigate the damage caused by the drought. Rain should not lull ViK and its workers into a false sense of security, and this problem needs to be urgently resolved. Citizens are outraged by the reductions:

“It’s inconvenient for everyone. Force majeure, probably, and possibly a bit of carelessness.”
“It has never happened before that there has been no water for 60 days.”
“The biggest problem for me is that I have training until 10, so I can't shower afterwards.”

The drought has also caused significant damage to cereals, fruits, and vegetables. The shortage itself also implies higher prices.