Montenegro must urgently modernize its water supply and sanitation system in order to ensure the basic conditions necessary for children's health and education, UNICEF representatives stated at the Montenegro Water Conference held in Bečići.
The conference was organized by the Water Supply and Sewerage Association of Montenegro (UVCG) and the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro (UOMM), with the support of the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development and international partners, including UNICEF and the World Bank.
Speaking at the joint session dedicated to international perspectives on the water services sector, dr. Senad Begić from UNICEF warned that access to safe water and adequate sanitation services is not merely a technical issue, but also a matter of human rights and development. "Without safe water and sanitation, there can be no quality healthcare or dignified education," Begić emphasized, stressing that water and hygiene must form the foundation of every system that cares for people, especially children.
According to UNICEF data, healthcare institutions, particularly those in rural areas, continue to face serious challenges related to sanitation, waste management, and hygiene maintenance, directly endangering both patients and healthcare workers. A similar situation exists in the education system: an analysis conducted in 242 schools revealed significant disparities between urban and rural areas, with many schools lacking adequate toilet facilities and regular access to water. UNICEF warns that children cannot learn in conditions that compromise their health and dignity, and that girls, children with disabilities, and Roma communities are particularly affected.
Montenegro has made progress over the past 15 years—today, 85 percent of the population has access to safely managed drinking water, while 57 percent use safely managed sanitation services. However, these indicators still lag behind the European average. "Progress has been made, but it is not enough. We still have schools without water and hospitals without adequate sanitary conditions. These are problems that directly affect the health of children and communities," Begić stated.
UNICEF is calling for stronger cooperation among the healthcare, education, utility services, and local government sectors in order to improve access to water and hygiene in institutions. According to Begić, the key lies in systematic planning, the application of the methodology for identifying bottlenecks in the areas of water, sanitation, and hygiene (the WASH BAT methodology), and the development of a national action plan that would define priorities and investments.
The representative of the World Bank Rajmunt Mejr (Raimund Mair) recalled that Montenegro's water sector has been operating on the brink of sustainability for quite some time. Only one-third of wastewater is safely treated, while water losses in the distribution network are among the highest in the region. In addition, tariffs are among the lowest, preventing utility companies from covering the costs of maintenance and investment. Of the 24 public operators, as many as seven operated at a loss last year, while the sector's total deficit amounted to approximately four million euros.
"The water sector must become more efficient and more equitable. Losses are too high, and investments are too low. There is a need to strengthen institutions, the legislative framework, and financial mechanisms," Mair emphasized. He also announced a new World Bank project, the *Montenegro Water Services and Climate Resilience Project*, which will include the modernization of infrastructure, strengthening resilience to climate change, and support for reforms in the water services sector.
Representatives of UNICEF and the World Bank agreed that Montenegro must view water services as a development priority rather than merely a public utility activity. Water, they emphasized, must be treated as a public good and as an investment in human capital, public health, and the future of children.
Aleksandar Nišavić, the Executive Director of "Water Supply and Sewerage" Podgorica presented the results of the "Utility of the Future" project, which the company implemented under a World Bank programme. The objective of the project activities was to analyse the company's operations from both financial and organisational perspectives and to prepare an action plan aimed at improving its overall performance. The activity was carried out by the company's employees, with expert support and through a targeted self-assessment methodology developed by the World Bank.
"Sustainable and inclusive water services are the foundation of a healthy society. It is an investment that yields multiple returns—through better health, education, tourism, and the resilience of communities," it was concluded at the session in Budva, which was moderated by Nataša Bakić, a member of the Committee for Public Utility Services and the Environment of the Union of Municipalities, representing the Municipality of Nikšić.
