Water levels of the Danube, Drava, and Sava hit historic lows, while hydroelectric plants report a drop in production. Croatian Waters and HEP say supply is not yet threatened, but some parts of the country are already introducing conservation measures.
A prolonged drought and lack of significant rainfall have brought Croatian rivers to record-low water levels, already impacting water supply and electricity production. The Danube at Batina has fallen to -144 centimeters, surpassing the minimum recorded back in 1909, and a historic low was also measured on the Drava, where the previous record of -172 centimeters was exceeded with a drop to -192 centimeters. On the Sava, the water level has fallen to -298 centimeters.
Due to poor hydrological and meteorological conditions on the Sava River, during the night of August 6, 2026, the Krško Nuclear Power Plant will gradually reduce reactor power to 80 percent. This is a pre-planned procedure that ensures the average daily temperature of the Sava does not exceed 28°C, and the daily temperature increase does not exceed three degrees on average. Since its overhaul in November 2025, the plant has operated continuously for 280 days, and the last time it ran at reduced power was in 2003 due to the Sava's temperature and flow. If the situation worsens, power will be further reduced.
Despite the challenges, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković assures the public that the electricity supply is not in question. "There is no doubt that Croatia will have enough electricity," Plenković said on Tuesday, adding that "there is no threat" regarding the Krško plant. Croatian Waters and HEP are coordinating the use of available water to preserve the biological minimum in rivers, and the drought is already affecting hydroelectric plants, especially on the Drava, where production is lower due to reduced inflows.
The General Director of Croatian Waters, Zoran Đuroković, described the situation as serious. "The situation is quite serious. This is now a prolonged low-water period," Đuroković said for HRT, warning that a quick recovery cannot be expected. No recovery in water levels is forecast for the next five to seven days. The situation is particularly sensitive on the coast, islands, and the karst area, where the prolonged rainless period has reduced the yield of springs and wellfields. "There, inflows are already very reduced, so capacities are being reduced," Đuroković said.
In some places, a drop in pressure in the network has been recorded, but water supply remains reliable. Restrictions are being introduced, and the use of water for irrigation, filling pools, and similar non-essential purposes is being limited, but the basic needs of citizens are not yet threatened. Croatian Waters has intensified monitoring and sent water guard services to the field, with special attention focused on smaller watercourses. "Any inflow of pollution into these streams can cause ecological incidents," Đuroković warned, calling on cities, utility companies, and businesses to carefully treat wastewater.
Continental Croatia is currently in a more favorable position thanks to groundwater and large river systems. "There will be no shortages on the mainland. The situation is quite good," Đuroković said. Zagreb's Water Supply and Sewerage (ViO) reports that water pumping is proceeding without difficulties. "In the City of Zagreb, water pumping is proceeding smoothly, and there are currently no indications of disruptions in water supply," ViO stated, adding that they continuously invest in new networks and maintenance of existing infrastructure and implement an action plan to reduce water losses, which last year amounted to 55 percent.
In Lika, the situation is fairly stable, although the yield of some springs has decreased, especially around Brinje. In Istria, the Butoniga reservoir is key and is currently sufficiently filled, so major reductions are not expected there. However, Istarski vodovod i odvodnja Buzet has warned consumers in Vižinada, Kaštelir-Labinci, Višnjan, Tinjan, and parts of Poreč and Kanfanar to immediately reduce watering of green areas and washing of yards. If consumption is not reduced, the first stage of restrictions could be introduced. From Vodovod Pula-Labin, which supplies the Pula and Labin areas and part of central Istria, they report that water supply is normal and that restrictions are not currently planned.
