17. Protecting and Improving Water Quality in Vojvodina

Ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement of the European Union by the European Parliament have encouraged Serbia to be more proactive in achieving the remaining claims in this process. In the area of water management Serbia recognized the most demanding investment directives which are to be implemented. Numerous studies show that the major problem of Serbia is the way to ensure adequate water management. Problems related to water management are more obvious in everyday life. The Province of Vojvodina is in worse situation considering assessment that 40% of population drinks poor quality water which contains some toxic substance (like arsenic). The author presents the results of the research of implemented water quality in Vojvodina, which is related to the city of Novi Sad, and in other parts of the Province. Analysis results confirmed a legitimate concern for the quality of drinking water, excessive pumping of underground water and a small percentage of pollutants which have wastewater treatment systems, insufficient development of the sewerage network in the settlements and so on. In some towns, water supply problems have a long history due to lack of financial resources to solve them. In the light of the global economic crisis, we could not expect significant improvement in the nearest future. The aim of the paper is to show that unless there are urgent changes in the legislative framework of Serbia, at the time when all indicators of social development are rather problematic, expectation of any improvement in the nearest future represent a big issue. Vojvodina and Serbia have also numerous “hot spots” which need more help from international community in implementing positive practices and the provision of financial resources. Only an integral approach will ensure that Serbia does not continue endangering water resources and public health that may in certain circumstances constitute a threat to neighboring countries.