Almost 1.8 million people in the world drink contaminated water and more than 660 million do not have safe access to water close to their home. By 2030 the global demand for water is estimated to rise by 50%. That requires a new approach to water management, said Dobrovic.
"Water resources should start to be managed in line with principles of the circular economy. That means efficient management of water resources starting at their source, efficient water consumption, as well as efficient management of wastewater to process it in such a way so that it can be used in agriculture, industry or for street washing," Dobrovic told Hina.
The main topic of this year's World Water Day is wastewater and raising awareness of the importance of its treatment. Wastewater that is not processed ends up in the environment and pollutes it. If processed, it can be reused for various purposes.
Dobrovic said that by 2020 Croatia would have at its disposal slightly more than one billion euros in EU funds for the construction of public water supply and sewerage systems. So far, contracts have been signed for grants in the amount of 93.5 million euros. Another major project, worth 84.03 million euros is being reviewed and the preparation of some 30 other projects is nearing completion and they are expected to be approved in the course of this year, said the minister.
Croatia will mark this year's World Water Day at a ceremony in the eastern town of Vukovar, where two major water management projects worth HRK 378 million are being implemented.
(EUR 1 = HRK 7.40)