Ceremonial opening of works on the construction of a drinking water conditioning device at the source of the Jadro River

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Andrej Plenković, the Minister of Environmental Protection and Green Transition, Marija Vučković, and the General Director of Hrvatske vode, Zoran Đuroković, today officially opened the start of works on the construction of a drinking water conditioning device at the source of the Jadro River. The construction of this device will increase the safety, stability and quality of drinking water supply for more than 250,000 permanent users, residents of the wider Split area.

The event was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia and Minister of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure Oleg Butković, Minister of Regional Development and European Union Funds Nataša Mikuš Žigman, Minister of Tourism and Sports Tonči Glavina, Minister of Science, Education and Youth Radovan Fuchs, Members of the Croatian Parliament Danica Baričević and Ante Sanader, Prefect of Split-Dalmatia County Blaženko Boban, Mayor of Split Tomislav Šuta, Mayor of Solin Dalibor Ninčević, Director of Vodovod i kanalizacije d.o.o. Split Miroslav Delić, as well as numerous representatives of institutions and stakeholders involved in the implementation of the project.

The reason for the construction of the device is the occasional increase in water turbidity at the source of the Jadro River after heavy rainfall. The new system will ensure a permanent reduction in turbidity and a stable and healthy supply of drinking water in accordance with applicable regulations.

The General Director of Hrvatske vode, Zoran Đuroković, pointed out that the Split-Dalmatia County leads in Croatia in terms of the level of investment in the water and utility sector, adding that as many as 1,100 kilometers of new water supply pipelines have been built in the County.

Minister of Environmental Protection and Green Transition Marija Vučković pointed out that 13 agglomerations aimed at improving safe water supply have been implemented or are being implemented in Dalmatia so far, while preparations are underway for an additional 14 agglomerations for which around 900 million euros will be allocated.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković highlighted the Government's strong support for the development projects of Split and the Split-Dalmatia County, emphasizing that funds from the

National Recovery and Resilience Plan have enabled significant investments in water management. He pointed out that in the last ten years, 5.2 billion euros have been invested in water management projects, of which more than 2.2 billion euros in Dalmatia, including the project for a water conditioning device at the source of the Jadro River, which will improve the quality of life of citizens in the long term.

The works began in 2025 according to the design and construction model, and the planned completion of construction works is expected in 2027, followed by a 12-month trial run. The system is expected to be handed over in 2028. The project is financed by a combination of European Union grants from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) and a loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), with the participation of the local water service provider and Croatian Waters.

Croatian Waters plays a key role in financing, coordinating and implementing this project, confirming its strategic importance in the development and modernization of the public water supply system in Croatia. The implementation of the project will ensure long-term safety, higher quality of drinking water and reliable water supply for the population of the entire region, which represents a significant step forward in the protection of public health and sustainable management of water resources.

 

Source: Croatian Waters / Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition