INTERVIEW: DIRECTOR OF KJKP “VODOVOD I KANALIZACIJA” NEZIR HADZIC
Interviewed by Ines Sandzaktarevic
SARAJEVO, July 24 (ONASA) – Director of KJKP “Vodovod i kanalizacija” (VIK) Nezir Hadzic in an interview for the Agency ONASA speaks, among other things, about the long-standing problem of water rationing in the Sarajevo Canton (KS), a project of the EBRD, and the reorganization of the company and debt to the Elektroprivreda, as well as the state of the water at the spring of Bosna which is not drinking because again was found coliform bacteria …
ONASA: Long-standing problem of the Sarajevo Canton is the reduction of water which in the last period is more and more present among consumers. Until when will the reduction be carried out?
HADZIC: It is difficult to answer this question given that the problems in VIK are recognized and on the dynamics of solving the very problems depends on the period of reduction or elimination of them totally. However, I can say that the problem are the old worn out water network, illegal connections and theft of water, as well as unplanned construction of buildings that are not accompanied by adequate infrastructure water supply and sewage. In recent years, specifically the last 15 years, there were no significant investments in water supply system. General neglect has led us to this situation we have today. However, in the end I am optimistic considering that it has begun with the reconstruction of the water supply network in all municipalities in KS. I expect more significant improvements in terms of reducing water leakages due to deterioration of pipelines, and thus reducing the period of reduction.
ONASA: To what stage has been reached in the project “Sarajevo without reduction of water”?
HADZIC: The project Sarajevo without reduction involves solving problems of water supply of KS with water. The project is divided into several phases that work simultaneously to improve the very service delivery of water to our customers. It is necessary to reconstruct the end of the old and worn-out water supply network, as well as rigorously punish consumers who illegally use the infrastructure of water supply.
ONASA: By appointing to the Director-General, you said that you found extremely difficult situation. The complete pipeline system, Hydro, electro – energy equipment and vehicles were old. Have in the meantime occurred change and is it true that in Sarajevo there are still asbestos, carcinogenic pipes, and even wood ones from Turkish times?
HADZIC: It is true that the situation in the company was very bad when I took office. It is also today, but you can see the improvements to our consumers, and in contact with local authorities, the Government of KS and line ministry. As for the asbestos pipes we still have them in the system and 1,200 kilometers of water supply network, and AC pipes are approximately 100 kilometers. Replacing has started so we through this year’s reconstruction projects included in the municipality of Vogosca, a length of 700 meters in villages of Rosulje and Krivoglavci. It is important to emphasize that this material of the pipe discuss is cancerous only if it comes into contact with the respiratory tract, ie, a high risk have workers on maintenance of the pipeline, while the particles of asbestos if get into the digestive tract do not have any consequences. I do not approve of the course this fact and I will do everything that all these pipes are replaced as soon as possible.
ONASA: Is it completed the project in coordination with the Government of Sarajevo Canton about the reconstruction of the pipeline in the municipalities of Stari Grad and Centar?
HADZIC: You are witnessing that these days, on 18 July 2016, started construction works on the said project. Deadline for the completion of works is 90 days. It is a distribution pipeline that feeds the narrowest center of Sarajevo in which we have the most pronounced reduction in water during night. The length of the pipeline is 2000 meters from Skenderija to City Hall.
ONASA: The project of EBRD was supposed to strengthen the company with hydro mechanical equipment with an average age of about 60 years. Is this “reconstruction” over?
HADZIC: EBRD loan is not yet operational, there are procedures and rules of the EBRD, which must be met in order for funds to be operational and that could be spent on the reconstruction of the entire water supply system. We from our own resources, which until now was unthinkable, or of the means of payment of our services allocated 400,000 BAM for the purchase of new pump units for PS Alipasin most and in this segment of the water supply system we make changes and reconstruction.
He notes that in the company all has run out – supply network, generators for pumps, power equipment, machinery and natural workforce with an average age of 48 years. All this entirely needs be renewed simultaneously. And we all know that for all the above mentioned activities of reconstruction we need significant financial resources. I must be optimistic that we will go faster, and when this project is completed the results will be quickly visible.
ONASA: The big problem for the company is a big debt to the Elektroprivreda.
HADZIC: Monthly invoice for consumed electricity is 850,000 BAM. In addition to this invoice, due to irregular payments, it has led to the emergence of the total debt, which is now returned in equal monthly installments, as the EP has signed with us an agreement on reprogramming, so that despite all the problems we somehow manage to regularly settle it.
According to EP total monthly invoice amounts to about one million BAM, which KJKP VIK Sarajevo pays each month.
ONASA: You said that you want to be more productive and more organized and faster to respond to requests that come before you. How do you plan to execute the reorganization of the company?
HADZIC: Systematization of jobs and the reorganization is underway. I hope that everything will be completed by the end of August 2016. This means that all human resources are used appropriately, and that their productivity at work is 100 percentage. Also, in the offices where we have employees who are not used, will be transferred to the operational part of the company where they can give a lot more than it is now. We already have such examples where employees on their own seek to be adequately exploited and want to help solve the problem of water supply in KS.
ONASA: Is it still in force long ago imposed fact that Sarajevo drinks the best water in the region due to the fact that the river Bosna at its spring is not for drink?
HADZIC: This is a question that has always been on the agenda. With responsibility I claim that Sarajevo has the highest quality drinking water in the region. At the very springs this water does not have to be chlorinated because it has very good quality. Due to the length of the pipelines and the age of the system for preventive reasons we chlorinate water in small quantities. Sarajevo is 90 percent powered by the absorbent wells from the springs of the Sarajevo field – Bacevo. At the spring of Bosna (Bosna River Spring), water is not potable due to the presence of coliform bacteria.
For the occurrence of these bacteria can be many reasons, but mostly because faulty sewage system or animals that live in the river basin. The first cause is excluded because the sewage system was reconstructed in 2008 from Babin do (Bjelasnica) – Hadzici and in the past has been re-tested and everything is fine and there is no visible efflux.
The appearance of the water at the spring is unsafe is normal for this type of spring, and after the treatment it can be used for drinking, that is, distributed according to our customers. (end)