Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Highlights
According to the Dayton Accords, Bosnia and Herzegovina comprises two autonomous entities: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Srpska. The federation consists of ten cantons, each of which is a governmental entity with a high degree of autonomy. Bosnia and Herzegovina is at the moment a country in transition, is politically and administratively decentralized, and faces complex economic and social constraints. In addition, it is confronted by very specific environmental problems caused by the war that are not present in the other transition countries. Water supply, distribution and sewerage management in Bosnia and Herzegovina is the responsibility of more than 100 water utilities that are usually organized as public companies owned by municipalities or cantons.
Experience and Lessons
- Contributions to Water Knowledge Fair 2006
- Water for Srebrenica Project
Overview of Water Resources
Country Water Profile
Water Resources
Waters in BIH hydrographically belong to the Black Sea Basin (3,9 million ha or 75,7% of total BIH surface area) and to the Adriatic Sea Basin (1,2 million ha or 24,3%) although the precise lines of separation between these two basins have not yet been determined in certain areas because of the hydrological complex nature of the karst. The Sava river is a recipient of water streams from northern part of BIH, which belong to the Black Sea Basin, while the Neretva river is the only direct tributary of the Adriatic Basin.
The river basins of the Black and Adriatic seas supply Bosnia and Herzegovina with most of its fresh water. The country receives some 1000 mm of precipitation annually.
There are about 30 water reservoirs in Bosnia and Herzegovina primarily on the Neretva and Trebisnjica basin, and the Drin. Most are designed for hydropower and all are important for flood control, drinking water and irrigation. Ninety percent of drinking water comes from groundwater resources.
Raw wastewater generated by 90 percent of the population is discharged directly into the nearest water bodies. Uncontrolled deforestation and erosion of soil and mountain streams have resulted in eutrophication of surface waters as well as the creation of alluvia and sludge that increase the risk of flooding and water pollution. There is no information on non-point source pollution.
Water in Bosnia and Herzegovina's Economy
Bosnia and Herzegovina has considerable water resources with important economic potential. The country is also rich in mineral and thermal waters, which can serve as the basis for eco- and health tourism.
Water Management
Although official data for the region indicate relatively high coverage of water services -- up to 90 percent -- the reliability and quality has deteriorated alarmingly in the past decade. Coverage in urban areas is generally higher than in rural areas, but intermittent service is common. Moreover, inadequate functioning of water treatment plants and badly deteriorated distribution networks have made drinking water unsafe in many urban centres, leading to a rise in water-borne diseases such as typhoid and diarrhea. Rural water supply services are largely in a state of total disrepair.
Under the Law on Water of 1998, two Public Companies of Watershed areas, one for the River Sava and the other for the Adriatic Sea, are delegated water management responsibilities. A Commission for coordination of water management issues between the two entities was established in 1998. Amongst other duties, the Water Commission deals with international water management projects, cooperation with Croatia and Serbia and Montenegro on water-related issues, as well as with the harmonization of the two entities' water quality monitoring and flood protection.
As described above, the new Water Law reorganizes management of the water sector including establishment of inter-entity river basin agencies. Another significant obstacle to the water sector has been the absence of a state- (federal) level body responsible for environment and water. There is no state-level organization responsible for overall management and coordination of water and the environment.
Transboundary and International Water Issues
Flood management, water pollution control and water quality monitoring are all important water resource management challenges in Bosnia and Herzegovina and all require transboundary approaches. The institutions and organizational structure of Bosnia and Herzegovina's water resource sector are different from its neighbours. Effective ties internationally may have been hindered by internal policy disputes regarding water management caused by two different water laws and water protection approaches. The new water laws in each entity, harmonized, and the application of a river-basin approach to water resource management is expected to improve the internal problems with water resource management. The proposed state-level body (the Committee on Sustainable Development) dealing with water hopefully will provide one means for Bosnia and Herzegovina to participate in transnational water initiatives, like the Danube Basin Commission.
Fact and Figures
- Total Available Renewable Water Resources [1] -- 38 km2/yr (24,457 L/day/cap)
- Renewed as:
- - Surface water produced internally -- not available
- - Groundwater recharge -- not avialable
- - Incoming waters -- not available
Used by man -- 1.52 km3/yr (4%)
Rainfall -- 1000 mm/year
- Water Usage [2] -- 1.52 km3/yr (100%)
- By Sector:
- - Agriculture -- 0.91 km3/yr (60%)
- - Industry -- 0.15 km3/yr (10%)
- - Domestic -- 0.46 km3/yr (30%)
- Population [3] without Safe Access to..
.. an improved water source (2004) [4] -- 125,520 (3%)
- - Average in Urban Areas -- 1 %
- - Average in Rural Areas -- 4 %
.. improved sanitation (2004) -- 209,200 (5%)
- - Average in Urban Areas -- 1%
- - Average in Rural Areas -- 8%
Projects
UNDP-Projects
National:
Ongoing
Regional:
Transfer of environmentally sound technology in Bosnia and Herzegovina Danube river basin
Proposal / seeking donor
Others
SDC - River Basin Management in Bihac und Prijedor, Bosnia
On-Going
Reports
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Human Development Report 2003
MDG Update Report for Bosnia and Herzegovina
Environmental Performance Review Chapter 7 Management of Water Resources
Water Resources Management in South Eastern Europe, The World Bank (2003)
Assessment of the Management of Shared Lake Basins in Southeastern Europe
Water Strategy: Regional Approach for Southeastern Europe (2001)
Resources and Links
Contacts
- CoP-Members
- Contacts
External Links
Earth Trends country profile for Bosnia and Herzegovina
Republika Srpska’s page for Directorate for water
Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry
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