Croatian Counties Underfund Water Checks, Leaving 45% of Inspections Uncompleted

Drinking water quality control in Croatia is significantly lagging, with counties failing to secure adequate funding for essential checks. As a result, only 55% of the planned water quality inspections have been carried out, raising serious concerns about public health.

The law mandates that entities managing public water supply systems must regularly test the raw, untreated water at its source, known as water from the springs or boreholes. These tests are crucial for identifying potential contaminants before water is processed and distributed to consumers. The failure to conduct these necessary checks means that potential risks to the water supply may go undetected.

The lack of funding from the counties directly impacts the ability of water supply companies to perform their duties. This situation not only jeopardizes the quality of drinking water but also highlights potential systemic issues in regional governance and resource allocation for essential public services. The shortfall in inspections suggests a broader problem in prioritizing and funding public health infrastructure.