Water Restriction in Istria Effective Today

A first-degree water restriction is in effect in Istria since midnight, which includes a ban on the use of drinking water for washing vehicles, streets, squares, and public areas, as well as private and public green spaces, showering at beaches and swimming areas, with the exception of markets and fish markets.

The restriction was decided at a meeting of Istrian County Prefect Boris Miletić with water supply directors due to extremely unfavorable hydrological conditions and poor yield of water sources in the water supply system of Istria County.

– This measure was adopted because the hydrological situation in the Istria area has not been favorable for some time, and significant precipitation is not expected in the next month. The measures were taken due to extremely unfavorable hydrological conditions. It was necessary to implement these measures to ensure a sufficient amount of drinking water in the upcoming period – said the head of the Civil Protection Headquarters Dino Kozlevac.

He added that this measure should be sufficient for Istria to ‘normally carry out this tourist season’ considering that there are currently more than 240,000 tourists in the Istria area.

– The measure will be in effect until revoked or until conditions for favorable hydrological circumstances are met, which, unfortunately, according to meteorologists’ forecasts, are not in sight so soon – Kozlevac stated and urged all citizens of Istria and tourists to conserve drinking water in the upcoming period to avoid being forced to implement even more restrictive measures.

Furthermore, the enforcement of the reduction measures will be monitored by municipal inspectors who will report any observed violations to the State Inspectorate, and the State Inspectorate will partially or completely disconnect violators from the water supply system as long as the reduction measures are in effect.