Homes Flooded in Vrapče, Residents Outraged: 'Our Water System is From 1959, Pipe Burst Three Times in Six Months!'

Residents in the Vrapče neighborhood of Zagreb are living in a state of constant anxiety due to recurring floods caused by a burst water main. The problem centers on a 100-meter stretch of Dominika Mandić Street, where a water pipe dating back to 1959 has ruptured three times in the past six months alone. Each incident unleashes a powerful torrent of water that rapidly flows downhill, inundating homes, yards, and basements, leaving behind significant material damage.

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It all depends on where the pipe bursts and which houses the water affects.

Ivana Jezidžić, a resident whose property has been affected all three times, described the devastating cycle. The first burst occurred in November, followed by another on Christmas, and the most recent on Monday, July 20th. The pressure pipes, which have not been renovated in over two decades, release water that flows rapidly, carrying debris and causing extensive damage. "It all depends on where the pipe bursts and which houses the water affects," Jezidžić explained, noting that her yard was hit each time.

Her yard suffered damage visible even today from the first incident. The second time, water filled her basement with about 40 centimeters of mud. The latest flood again inundated her yard and garage, with tiles in the garden beginning to detach and the garage filled with mud. After each pipe burst, residents also endure prolonged water supply interruptions; on Tuesday, they were without water for 15 hours, from morning until evening.

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We are afraid to leave home, especially during vacations. We constantly wonder what we will find when we return.

The most distressing aspect for residents is the uncertainty. "We are afraid to leave home, especially during vacations. We constantly wonder what we will find when we return," said Jezidžić. She questioned what measures residents could possibly take to protect their homes, stating, "By the time the firefighters arrive and shut off the water, the damage has already occurred. You can only stand and watch; you can do nothing. Should we all keep sandbags in front of our houses and wait for the next pipe burst? That is not a solution," she stated angrily.

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By the time the firefighters arrive and shut off the water, the damage has already occurred. You can only stand and watch; you can do nothing. Should we all keep sandbags in front of our houses and wait for the next pipe burst? That is not a solution.

Her neighbor, also named Ivana, who lives on Dominika Mandić Street, showed the flood marks from Christmas. In all three instances, water entered her living space and interior, causing immense damage. "The water reached a height of about two meters. It was terrifying to see. The water collected in the manhole and then overflowed towards the doors. Imagine having that high in front of your house," she recalled, adding that the water level was alarmingly high.

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The water reached a height of about two meters. It was terrifying to see. The water collected in the manhole and then overflowed towards the doors. Imagine having that high in front of your house.