Bosnia and Herzegovina, although a small country in the Balkans, is among the richest countries in Europe when it comes to the availability of drinking water.
According to data from the World Bank and the United Nations, BiH has around 9,500 cubic meters of drinking water per capita per year, making it one of the 20 countries in the world with the largest amounts of available fresh water per capita.
About 60 percent of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s territory is located in the Sava River basin, while the remaining 40 percent belongs to the Adriatic basin, which provides a variety of sources, including surface and groundwater.
Among the most significant natural springs are the Spring of Bosna, the Spring of Buna and the springs of the Sana River. More than 90 percent of the population has access to safe drinking water in accordance with domestic and international standards.
Untapped potential and strategic challenges
Although BiH has significant water resources, the country is still not using this natural potential in a strategic way. The lack of a unified water strategy at the state level, outdated and poor infrastructure, especially in rural areas, pose major challenges to effective water management.
In addition, insufficient promotion of bottled water exports and the development of the so-called “blue economy” and low awareness among the population about the importance of preserving water resources further complicate the situation.
Ecological problems and threats of the future
Pollution of waterways with industrial and municipal waste, uncontrolled construction of mini hydroelectric power plants, and climate change pose serious threats to the water resources of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
These factors can lead to reduced availability of clean water and changes in natural flows, which is particularly concerning in the global context of the increasingly pronounced water crisis.
At a time when the world is facing serious problems with the availability of drinking water, Bosnia and Herzegovina has a unique opportunity to use its natural resources. While many developed countries are investing billions in desalination technologies and water imports, BiH has waters that need to be strategically protected and used.
The question remains whether this opportunity will be seized or whether natural resources will become a missed opportunity for the country, Forbes reports.
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