Ralja Residents Without Water 'From 6 PM to Who Knows When': How Water Arrives - Barrels Are Filled

In Ralja, a town near Belgrade, the summer heat brings not just high temperatures but also a familiar struggle for water. Residents like Emilija Grujić describe a frustrating reality where taps often run dry or dispense discolored water. "When there's a restriction, there's no water at all, but when it comes, it's yellowish-brown," Grujić told N1.

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When there's a restriction, there's no water at all, but when it comes, it's yellowish-brown.

The water supply issues are not new, occurring every summer with "regular restrictions" that easily extend from "6 p.m. to who knows when," disrupting daily life. Grujić explains that even weekend residents, who rely on being able to shower and prepare for work, find it impossible to function. "We can't function here," she said, noting the shift from a weekend-only settlement to one with year-round residents who are equally affected.

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We can't function here.

While the local public utility, JKP "Sopot," claims planned restrictions are due to "exceptionally high water consumption," residents like Grujić question this explanation. She points out the absence of large-scale water users such as swimming pools or significant agricultural operations that would justify such demand. The utility's website mentions planned restrictions, but residents report being unable to reach the company for information, leaving them in the dark about the duration of the outages.

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Regular restrictions. Every year.

With a heatwave predicted, the uncertainty of water supply is a constant worry. Grujić expressed concern about the possibility of further outages in the coming days. The situation highlights a recurring problem where the water supply system proves inefficient, prompting some to consider returning to wells as a more reliable source, despite paying for a service that consistently fails.

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As soon as water arrives, we immediately fill barrels, whatever we have.