1,500 People in Posedarje Left High and Dry, Mayor Accuses Vodovod Zadar
While residents fume over broken promises and ignored calls, the mayor and the director of Vodovod present diametrically opposed versions of the causes behind the water cuts.
While residents fume over broken promises and ignored calls, the mayor and the director of Vodovod present diametrically opposed versions of the causes behind the water cuts.
Residents of Podgradina, part of Posedarje, and Slivnica endured nearly 96 hours without a supply of drinking water. The outage, which began on Saturday, August 1, 2026, and lasted until Tuesday, August 4, enraged the local population and sparked a bitter conflict between the mayor of Posedarje municipality and the director of Vodovod Zadar.
In total, around 1,500 people were left without water, and according to residents, no one was notified in advance, nor was adequate assistance in the form of water tankers provided. "They didn't even tell us it would be cut off! They didn't send us any tankers! They just shut the valve and left us high and dry," said an angry Ivan from Podgradina, who over four days tried unsuccessfully to reach Vodovod as many as 200 times.
"I called Vodovod in Zadar two hundred times. Two hundred times over those four days. And I couldn't get through to anyone. No one answered my calls!"
The only water tanker arrived on Tuesday, the day the supply was finally restored after 16 hours.
Ivica Klanac, the independent mayor of Posedarje municipality, makes no secret of his anger. "I was really furious," he told Slobodna Dalmacija. He explains that this scenario repeats year after year. After speaking with the director of Vodovod Zadar, Tomislav Matek, his conclusion is clear: "The problem isn't the drop in the Zrmanja river level, but the drop in pressure in the pipes. They shut off our water, or rather reduce the pressure, so that Zadar can have enough water."
Klanac emphasizes that the damage to local tourism is already done and irreparable. "Some left, others left low ratings and negative reviews for their hosts. That damage won't be undone just because the water is back." He also points out the absurdity of a situation where water conservation is demanded while infrastructure needs watering. "Don't water it and you'll cause major damage, and a new lawn costs 250,000 euros," he said, referring to Vodovod's appeal not to water sports fields.
As a permanent solution, the mayor proposes an urgent reconstruction of the water supply network, where losses are estimated at as much as 70 percent, and the construction of a new pipeline from the Zrmanja to Zadar.
Director Tomislav Matek offers a completely different picture. He rejects claims of deliberate cuts and explains that it was an appeal for conservation due to objective circumstances. "These aren't cuts, but an appeal to be mindful of water consumption given the objective circumstances," Matek said, adding that the system has since stabilized.
He cites enormous consumption during the tourist season and a technical failure at the Jezerce pumping station as the key causes of the problem. "We temporarily shut down the pumping station, which is why there were supply restrictions," he explained, noting that this station is crucial for the western part of the county, including Vir, Vrsi, and Privlaka. Once the chlorination issue was resolved, the supply was normalized.
When asked why no tankers were sent, Matek admitted logistical limitations: "We don't have water tankers. We have a few tractor trailers with a capacity of two to three cubic meters, but that's not enough for situations like this." He announced the imminent procurement of a water tanker for emergencies.
The director particularly highlighted that a huge part of the problem lies in the daily, massive theft of water that no one can prevent. "We've tried everything, even hired private detectives, but without much success," he lamented. He also criticized the Firefighting Act, which, in his words, favors thieves. "That law stipulates that every 300 meters outside a settlement, the water system must have a hydrant. That's a huge cost, with very little benefit for firefighters... But it suits thieves just fine."
While the authorities and the utility company argue, the residents of Posedarje are left with a bitter taste and hope that they won't be left high and dry again without any warning.
