Let’s be responsible in water management – protecting water springs in Kakanj municipality

Kakanj municipality is situated on the river Bosna and is one of the most densely populated and industrially developed municipalities in BiH. 90% of industrial activity is concentrated along Bosna, with industry and households contributing equally towards water pollution.

Besides industrial pollution, other problems regarding water springs protection in this part of BiH are: i) vulnerability of underground/drinking water – from waste water and agricultural activities; ii) large number of illegal waste disposal sites; iii) uncontrolled deforestation; iv) uncontrolled use of pesticides and fertilizers; v) construction of objects without sewage system in water supply areas. There are also problems regarding Kakanj’s coal mine disposal sites, abandoned coal pits and, particularly, a large number of illegal coal pits. Finally, there is no systematic monitoring of the quality of air, water, soil etc.

Current water laws in BiH state that areas containing water springs which can be used for water supply must be protected from pollution and other influences which might affect the quality and quantity of such springs. However, in Kakanj the protection measures have only been introduced for the springs that provide water to urban areas of the municipality. The remaining 20 springs are not covered by these measures and get attention from relevant municipal inspection services only when there is danger of pollution. Prevention measures have also not been planned.

These are the key reasons why NGO Alternative Kakanj, an ETNAR sub-grantee, started a project Let’s be responsible in water management. The main aim of the project is to improve protection of water springs which are used, or will be used, for public water supply.

The idea is to support and promote participation of all social groups in planning and protecting water springs by increasing their knowledge of protection measures. In this way active support from local populations and key stakeholders will be ensured. The project will support the initiative to make official commitments to create the plan for drinking water protection at local level. This involves setting the time frame and budget for the protection plan, including expert studies and financing sources. Upon completion of the project the participants will have adequate knowledge and will be able to coordinate monitoring of implementation of water protection measures.

To identify actors that need to be involved, and to gather detailed information, in order to have a clear picture of the current situation and requirements regarding protection of water springs, in the preparatory phase of the campaign, 11 rural local communities in Kakanj municipality were visited. Information on legal framework and possibility of rural water supply management has also been gathered and analyzed. Information thus gathered have subsequently been incorporated into educational materials.

Introductory meetings in 13 local communities were held with representatives of local communities’ councils and beneficiaries of rural water supply systems, including a meeting with representatives of the municipal Planning and Construction Bureau and local government (Department of Economy – Inspections and Ecology sectors). The key problem is the legalization of water supply systems, as it is not possible to put a water supply system under protection if it has not been previously legalized. Further, municipal inspectors have no authority over water supply systems that have not been legalized, which leaves them open to abuse by legal and physical persons.

During thes introductory meetings, a network of participants interested in the realisation of this project has been established and its members exchange information regularly and provide support by reporting the situation on the ground and analysing laws and strategic documents related to water.

A one-day workshop titled „Advocacy for responsible management of rural water supply systems“ has been held on April 3rd, with 13 participants. The workshop provided information on legalization and management of rural water supply systems. In addition, 4 half-day workshops for local population, business sector, local NGOs (beneficiaries of rural water supply systems) were also held, with 71 participants in total.

Work has also started on draft decision to make the plan for the protection of water springs. This activity is conducted by the project team and representatives of local governments, the municipal Planning and Construction Bureau and beneficiaries (7 persons). The decision needs to contain the statement of intention to create an expert elaborate and plan for protection of available springs as well as to define financing models. The elaborate will define the zones of sanitary protection and measures that need to be implemented, including necessary repairs at the springs. This will be the first phase of implementation of the decision. Only then will it be possible to plan costs of establishing a water spring protection systems and incorporate them in the protection plan.

To raise public awareness about the need to protect water springs and to get public support for the campaign objectives, a media campaign has also been launched, including the creation of 2000 copies of campaign flyers and 500 copies of informative-educational brochures, preparation of public announcements, media conferences,  2 radio sessions, etc.

After the completion of the project, NGO Alternative Kakanj plans to get actively involved in the process of creation of plans for protection of water springs and rural water supply systems and to monitor implementation of these plans. It will be a special challenge to address the need to install adequate sewage systems, which has been identified as priority in numerous communities throughout BiH. This is even more important for Kakanj due to the fact that it lies above coal mining areas and in the wake of recent landslides that have affected this area.

The campaign is realised with support from EU funded IPA CSF project Advocacy NGOs networks for sustainable use of energy and natural resources in the Western Balkans and Turkey – ETNAR IPA-CSF-2012/306-573.