Belgrade Residents Without Water for 15 Days Amidst Utility Dispute

Residents of Zvezdara, Belgrade, are facing a prolonged water outage lasting up to 16 days, stemming from reconstruction work on the local water supply network. The situation has escalated, with residents reporting that the water utility company, JKP Beogradski vodovod i kanalizacija, has dismissed their concerns.

The initial work on Ulica učitelja Miloša Jankovića began in June, causing intermittent disruptions. However, a planned replacement of water pipes on July 31 led to a complete loss of water for residents in buildings numbered 5 and 7. While building number 3 briefly had water restored with low pressure, higher floors remain without service.

Residents have encountered a frustrating lack of accountability. The water utility company directs them to the contractor, MPP Jedinstvo a.d. Sevojno, while the contractor claims their work is finished. An attorney representing the residents stated that the utility company is legally responsible for issues caused by their contractors but has refused to intervene. Attempts to involve the City Housing authority have also been unsuccessful, as they require a building manager to report emergencies, a process residents argue is not legally mandated for such issues.

"For us, this problem is over, we have nothing to do with it," a resident quoted the water utility's service center as saying before they hung up. The attorney has sent a formal notice of a lawsuit, but no response has been received from any party. The situation leaves residents without essential services and facing a bureaucratic stalemate.

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For us, this problem is over, we have nothing to do with it.