The path towards sustainable water services is challenging, which is why the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro and the Association of Water Utilities of Montenegro developed the Guidelines for Cooperation between Local Self-Government Units and Regulated Utility Service Providers, as highlighted during the presentation of this document held in Podgorica and organized by the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro and the Regional Capacity Development Network for Water Supply and Sanitation Services (RCDN+).
The Secretary General of the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro (UOMM) Mišela Manojlović she recalled that negative trends, particularly the restrictive provisions of the Law on Utility Services, amendments to which have been initiated by the Union of Municipalities, the Branch Collective Agreement for Housing and Utility Services, the obligation to equalize water service prices for households and businesses, and the reluctance of local governments to approve price increases determined in accordance with the law, are significantly jeopardizing the operations of all water service providers in Montenegro.
“We should recall that the current Law provides a mechanism for establishing a balance between water service prices and the protection of vulnerable groups through subsidies, and that the Union of Municipalities has provided its members with a Model Decision on Subsidies, which will help them adapt it to their own capacities,” Manojlović emphasized. She also recalled that, although the Law on Utility Services allows water service provision to be entrusted to the private sector, municipalities have opted to establish their own water supply and sewerage companies, thereby protecting local residents and businesses from market risks primarily driven by profit-making. “This approach has proven to be strategically sound, particularly in these challenging times when inflation is reducing the quality of life of our citizens, while concerns about additional pressure on household budgets resulting from the legally imposed obligation to increase water service prices are entirely justified,” Manojlović stressed.
“The key mechanism for ensuring high-quality water services is effective communication between the founders and their companies, based on clearly established rules, procedures and responsibilities. The Union of Municipalities and the Association of Water Utilities of Montenegro developed this document in order to establish clear communication channels and support decision-makers in managing processes relevant to the quality of water services in a lawful and sustainable manner,” Manojlović stated.
“Achieving sustainable water services is not merely a technical or infrastructure issue – it is a matter of our future. Every drop of water we save today means greater security for generations to come,” emphasized Nenad Vitomirović, State Secretary at the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development. He recalled that Montenegro is a country rich in water resources, but that, despite this, it faces serious challenges in the distribution, maintenance and protection of these resources.
“Uneven water distribution, namely unequal access to water resources, climate change, losses in water supply networks and inadequate investment in infrastructure threaten the long-term sustainability of our water resources,” Vitomirović warned. He added that the Ministry has recognized the importance of these issues and is committed to improving the water supply system through research and analysis, enhancement of the legal framework, infrastructure modernization, sustainable use of resources, regional cooperation and international support, as well as raising public awareness.
“Nevertheless, there is still much work ahead of us. We must make decisions that will ensure that our water resources remain clean, accessible and sustainable. This requires responsible policies, smart investments and greater awareness among all citizens,” Vitomirović concluded.
And that this requires joint efforts was also emphasized by Milan Bulatović, President of the Management Board of the Association of Water Utilities of Montenegro.
“We all have a role to play – both central and local authorities, which are responsible for creating all the necessary conditions for the sustainability of water utility companies and for ensuring high-quality water supply and wastewater treatment services at the lowest possible cost. In this way, water utilities can be enabled to perform an activity that is an indispensable prerequisite for the everyday life of citizens and the functioning of the economy,” Bulatović stated. According to him, these Guidelines, together with a new, applicable Law on Utility Services that will apply equally to everyone, can pave the way for dialogue among all stakeholders in the water supply sector.
“Connecting all relevant institutions through the exchange of information, practices and experiences, as well as the implementation of regulations and new legal frameworks, will help improve the overall environment for the provision of public water supply and municipal wastewater management services,” Bulatović emphasized.
The process of providing water services to citizens and businesses is dynamic and constantly evolving. The Guidelines address this process through ten thematic areas that provide examples of legally compliant practices, with the aim of enhancing mutual understanding and support by establishing two-way communication channels.
As an example of good cooperation, during the panel held as part of the presentation, Dragan Papić from Komunalno i vodovod d.o.o. Žabljak, Vule Macanović, Secretary of the Secretariat for Utility and Housing Affairs of the Municipality of Pljevlja, and Mladen Jaćimović, Executive Director of Vodovod d.o.o. Pljevlja, presented concrete steps that municipalities and water utility companies can take to improve water services, as well as the challenges they may face along the way.
