Due to a prolonged dry spell and extremely high temperatures, Vodne usluge Bjelovar and Vinkovački vodovod urge residents to use water rationally and announce temporary measures to avoid restrictions.
The prolonged drought and high temperatures gripping Croatia are taking an increasing toll on water supply systems. Utility companies across the country are facing declining water resource yields and rising consumption, prompting urgent appeals to citizens on Wednesday, August 6, 2026, to use water rationally.
The situation is particularly concerning in the Daruvar area, where Vodne usluge Bjelovar issued a public statement warning of a significant drop in water levels at source sites. Meanwhile, Vinkovački vodovod i kanalizacija (VVK) announced a reduction in pressure during nighttime hours to preserve system stability.
According to information from Radio Daruvar, as reported by Bjelovar Info, the prolonged dry spell has led to a decrease in the yield of water resources at the sources supplying the water supply system. The town of Daruvar and the municipalities of Dežanovac, Sirač, and Končanica are supplied from the surface water intakes of Pakra, Sloboština, and Bijela, and due to aging infrastructure, water losses in the pipeline have long been a concern.
Vodne usluge Bjelovar appeals to all consumers to limit consumption strictly to personal needs and hygiene, and to temporarily halt all non-essential activities. This includes watering lawns, gardens, and green areas, washing cars, yards, terraces, and facades, as well as filling pools and other recreational water features. "Users of the public water supply are urged to use water rationally to avoid the introduction of stricter restrictions and supply interruptions," the statement reads.
The situation in the east of the country is no better. Due to extremely increased water consumption, Vinkovački vodovod i kanalizacija d.o.o. (VVK) is facing supply issues. To refill water reservoirs during the night and ensure sufficient water for daytime activities, VVK staff are reducing pressure in the water network between 12:00 AM and 5:00 AM.
VVK warns that some users on higher floors of buildings may experience difficult water supply or complete loss of water during that nighttime period. "VVK staff make great efforts daily to ensure the normal functioning of the system, and we ask users for their understanding," VVK stated, as reported by Novosti.hr.
Although they are aware that activities such as watering and vehicle washing are common under normal conditions, both utility companies emphasize that the current situation requires responsible behavior from all users. The goal is to maintain a stable water supply system and ensure sufficient quantities of drinking water for basic living needs until the high temperatures and drought subside.
Water supply staff are continuously monitoring the situation on the ground, and the public will be promptly informed of any changes and potential new measures.
