In Srebrenica, water is no longer an issue that is taken for granted. Citizens live with restrictions for days. Buckets, canisters and bottles have once again become part of everyday life. While the Municipal Corporation is trying to keep the system functioning and connecting other sources, citizens are looking for what should be basic – to have water when they need it.
The problem has been going on for decades
The problem of water supply in Srebrenica is not new. Citizens have been facing restrictions for decades. The existing system cannot even satisfy the population, which is decreasing year by year.
“What would happen if Srebrenica had the number of inhabitants it had before the war – there would be no water at all. The network must be inspected, it seems that there are large losses. According to the information I have, 80% of the water is lost,” says Enver Mustafić.
What should be a basic right and the minimum of a normal life, is not taken for granted for the people of Srebrenica. Restrictions are adjusted daily.
“We manage as we know how, as we have to and as we know how. I believe that the authorities should have done something to solve this problem. It is not right that in the 21st century we do not have water, that we have to pour it into buckets”, says Emina Ademović.
While waiting for a permanent and systemic solution, the problem that remains is how to provide enough water for basic life needs in the meantime.
“We manage somehow, we buy some kind of canisters. I think that advertisements have been put out to solve it, but it is very slow,” adds Mustafić.
The municipality cannot do it alone, they hope for help from entity governments
The Municipality of Srebrenica states that they are already solving the problem with their own funds, but they also admit what the citizens have known for a long time – the local community alone does not have enough money to solve the decades-old problem. The assistance of the entity government in the RS has been announced, and the support of the FBiH Government is also expected.
“We have been working for a year on training the water supply system in accordance with our financial capabilities. This year, we received support from the Government of the RS in the amount of one and a half million marks, so I hope that we will be able to solve this urgent part of the rehabilitation by next year. We allocated half a million from our funds in order to start solving the water supply. We also have certain promises from the Government of the Federation of BiH that they will provide support, because the issue of water supply is something that troubles all our citizens, regardless of political, religious or any other commitment”, said Srebrenica mayor Miloš Vučić.
Citizens do not ask for privilege. They are looking for basic living conditions. They want to be able to turn on the faucet and expect water to flow out of it. And that’s why the question remains – will Srebrenica and its citizens be left to fend for themselves again, or will all levels of government finally recognize the seriousness of the problem and help resolve the long-standing agony?, Federalna writes.
