According to the World Bank and the United Nations, BiH has about 9,500 cubic meters of drinking water per capita per year, which makes it one of 20 countries in the world with the largest amounts of 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 belong to the Adriatic basin, which provides various sources, including surface and groundwater.
Among the most significant natural resources, the spring of Bosnia, the spring of the buna and the sources of the River Sana. More than 90 percent of the population has access to safe drinking water in accordance with domestic and international standards.
Unused potential and strategic challenges
Although BiH has significant water resources, the country still does not use this natural potential in a strategic way. The lack of a single water level at the state level, obsolete and poor infrastructure, especially in rural areas, are major challenges for effective water management.
In addition, insufficient promotion of bottled water and development of the so-called “Blue Economies” and the lowwill of the population about the importance of preserving water resources are further difficult for the situation.
Environmental problems and threats of the future
Pollution of watercourses industrial and municipal waste, uncontrollable construction of mini hydroelectric power plants and climate change represent serious threats of the water resources of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
These factors can lead to a reduction in clean water and change in natural flows, which is especially worrying in the global context of increasingly pronounced water crises.
At the time that the world is facing serious drinking water availability problems, Bosnia and Herzegovina has a unique opportunity to use its natural resources. While many developed countries invest one billions in desalination and water import technologies, BiH has water that needs to be strategically protected and used.
The question remains whether this opportunity to be used or natural resources will become a missed chance for the country, transmits forbes.
