Bridge: PFAS in groundwater near Lič, urgent remediation demanded
The Bridge party warns that findings of 'forever chemicals' in groundwater have confirmed their long-standing warnings about the environmental danger of the illegal landfill in Lika.
The Bridge party warns that findings of 'forever chemicals' in groundwater have confirmed their long-standing warnings about the environmental danger of the illegal landfill in Lika.
The Bridge party reacted sharply today to the published results of the environmental expert assessment in Gospić, conducted by USKOK, which indicate serious pollution. They particularly highlight the fact that the presence of PFAS compounds, the so-called "forever chemicals," has been confirmed in groundwater downstream from the illegal waste landfill.
"This means exactly what Bridge warned about has happened: PFAS is no longer just a matter of waste dumped on the surface of the earth, but a matter of groundwater, the karst system, water safety, and human health. Lika is the water heart of Croatia. What is buried in the soil of Lika does not stay in Lika," said Bridge MP Zvonimir Troskot.
On August 6, 2026, USKOK published an extensive expert assessment spanning over 350 pages. It states that significant quantities of mixed technogenic waste, including waste classified as hazardous and ecotoxic, were found at the Gospić site. Analyses confirmed extremely elevated concentrations of harmful substances such as copper, zinc, lead, and antimony, and the research results confirm soil contamination and the spread of impact beyond the landfill itself.
Bridge has emphasized from the beginning that this is not just a local municipal issue but a matter of national security. "When we warned that it was only a matter of time before PFAS and other hazardous substances from illegal landfills reached groundwater, they tried to mock us, downplay the issue, and accuse us of scoring political points," the party stated.
Bridge raises the question of who was actually scoring cheap political points and demands accountability for those who, they claim, knew about the dangerous findings for two and a half years and failed to protect citizens. They remind that the first private PFAS testing was initiated by Dr. Vrkljan Radošević, whose warnings were ignored. They also point out that as early as 2024, the competent authorities had findings from the Teaching Institute of Public Health "Dr. Andrija Štampar," which, even without PFAS analysis, indicated an extremely dangerous state of the waste.
"Today, the question must be asked: who is now scoring cheap political points? Those who warned of the danger or those who knew about the findings for two and a half years, reassured the public, and failed to protect the water, soil, and citizens?" Bridge said.
The party announced on August 1, 2026, that it would file criminal complaints against all actors in the chain of this environmental crime. They now demand the expansion of the investigation to the entire chain of responsibility, including examining the role of numerous entities mentioned in USKOK's documentation. Among them are Tipos Resurs, Gajeta, Zabok General Hospital and Croatian Veterans Hospital, CE-ZA-R Recycling Center, 3 K.F., Komunalije Hrgović, Komunalac Gospić, Recycle Plastic from Italy, Kemis-Termoclean, Phoenix Metali, and others.
Bridge insists on urgent remediation of the landfill, but not a "cosmetic" one or temporary solutions. They demand the removal of hazardous waste according to the strictest standards, into leak-proof containers, with full control and traceability. They also demand independent testing of groundwater, springs, soil, and air, public disclosure of all findings and documents, and the application of the "polluter pays" principle.
"Specifically, we demand an investigation into the responsibility of individuals associated with the organization, transport, storage, and disposal of waste, as well as responsible persons in supervisory bodies, the State Inspectorate, the Ministry of Environment, the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund, and local and regional self-government at the city and county levels. If the Minister, county and city authorities, the Fund, and other competent bodies knew about the findings as early as 2024 and gave the public incomplete, selective, or reassuring information, then their responsibility must also be subject to criminal investigation," Bridge concluded.
