Croatian PM Assures Lika's Drinking Water Safe Amid Hazardous Waste Scandal

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković has stated that the case of illegal hazardous waste disposal in the Lika region is being addressed on criminal, environmental remediation, and political levels. He assured the public that, based on measurements from the Croatian Institute of Public Health, the drinking water in Lika is not endangered.

Plenković made these remarks following a meeting of the narrow cabinet and parliamentary majority representatives, convened to discuss the illegal dumping of large quantities of hazardous waste at multiple locations in Lika, including Gospić, Štikada, and Lički Osik. He emphasized the need to expedite remediation efforts and identify those responsible.

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drinking water in Lika is not threatened

Representatives from the Environmental Protection Fund and Krunoslav Capak from the Croatian Institute of Public Health attended the meeting. Capak confirmed that there is no danger to Lika's water supply and pledged regular public updates on water quality. The investigation, initiated last year by the USKOK anti-corruption office against Josip and Monika Šincek and others, has since expanded to new locations and additional individuals.

Responding to questions about how such a large volume of waste, approximately 37,000 tons, could be transported unnoticed and whether corruption was involved, Plenković stated that the investigation would reveal all details. He noted that the State Attorney's Office and USKOK are handling the criminal proceedings, covering the past five to six years, and declined to provide further details due to the ongoing investigation. The Environmental Protection Fund is responsible for remediation, coordinated by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition. Plenković also accused the opposition of exploiting the situation for political gain and spreading misinformation and panic among Lika residents.

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all will be determined during the investigation