Why the water from Žrnovnica is among the best in Europe
- by croatiaweek
- in News
For nearly a century, the Žrnovnica Bay in Croatia’s Primorje-Gorski Kotar County has been supplying high-quality drinking water to Crikvenica, Novi Vinodolski, and the Vinodol municipality.
The source has never dried up, and recent studies confirm that there will be enough water for the region in the coming decades.
The water from Žrnovnica is considered one of the finest in Europe. It is natural spring water of exceptional quality, with more than two cubic metres per second flowing into the bay, HRT reports.
Even during dry periods, 600 litres per second remain available, ensuring a steady supply for the approximately 30,000 households in the area.
This also covers the needs of the thriving tourism industry, which sees the number of consumers rise to over 100,000 during peak season.
Given its importance, it is no surprise that the first Žrnovnica water supply system was built nearly 100 years ago. Today, the network stretches 400 kilometres and continues to expand. The bay benefits from two separate water basins, a global rarity recognised by UNESCO.
One basin originates from the Gorski Kotar region, where underground water is naturally filtered through rocks, enriching it with calcium and magnesium.
According to Ante Maretić, head of the Žrnovnica Crikvenica Vinodol water laboratory, this ensures a high-quality supply. On the other side, the second basin comes from the Velebit mountain range in Lika.
This karst water travels through rock formations, gathering beneficial minerals and maintaining a high oxygen content, explains laboratory technician Lovro Baričević.
Despite their proximity, the two water sources do not naturally mix due to the strong geological fault lines. However, since 1964, they have been connected through a tunnel, ensuring a consistent blend in the collection basin.
The water temperature remains stable at around 10°C year-round, with a constant 8-8.5°C at the source—an ideal condition for maintaining freshness and purity.
Žrnovnica water is naturally soft, has low turbidity, and meets all safety standards. As director Igor Uremović emphasises, it has always been safe to drink without the need for boiling, making it a truly exceptional water source for the region.
