Croatia ranks no.1 in Europe for drinking water supplies per capita

Croatia ranks first in Europe

ZAGREB, 23 March (Hina) – This year, World Water Day, which is observed on 22 March, is dedicated groundwater, which Croatia treats as its special asset.

Over 90% of water used for water supply systems in Croatia comes from groundwater, according to a press release issued by the Economy and Sustainable Development Ministry on Tuesday when World Water Day was celebrated under the slogan “Making the Invisible Visible”.

Croatia’s renewable underground resources are estimated at some 22.43 billion cubic metres per year. Also, the quality of groundwater in the country is high. According to this data, Croatia ranks 5th in Europe in terms of total groundwater reserves.

When it comes to quantity, Croatia ranks first in Europe in terms of drinking water supplies per capita with 29,200 cubic metres of water per capita. 

The ministry also notes that under the 2014-2020 Competitiveness and Cohesion Programme, a greenlight has been given to a total of 60 projects concerning the improvement of wastewater and water management system in Croatia.

Their total value is HRK 25.8 billion, and admissible costs are put at HRK 20.5 billion, of which HRK 14.4 billion is covered by grants from the EU funds.

The completion of those 60 projects will enable 575,000 Croatians to get access to safe drinking water from the public water supply system, and approximately 2.5 million inhabitants will be provided with the improved wastewater and water purification systems.

As many as 1,700 kilometres of water supply networks and also 4,100 kilometres of public drainage systems will be constructed or upgraded.

Croatia has 25 billion cubic metres of surface water supply. Of that 23 percent refers to sources, streams and rivers springing and pouring into on Croatian territory.

All natural and artificial streams in Croatia are some 32,000 kilometres long on the aggregate.

(€1 = HRK 7.564472)