Due to intensive urban and demographic development, Podgorica will lack water for public water supply from the existing water supply system, which is why it is necessary to provide additional quantities from new wells. New wells are possible at four locations - in Tološka šuma (the part where the trim track is), Sadine, in Rogami below the current motorway interchange and at the Krnjevine locations in Zagorič (the part between the Morača and the settlement behind the cemetery), but they need to be protected from further construction so that sanitary protection zones can be formed.
This was stated in the Preliminary Hydrogeological Study on Potential Locations of New Water Supply Sources in the Podgorica Area, which was published two days ago by the client, the Ministry of Public Works. The study was conducted by “Geoprojekt” from Podgorica.
For detailed research, the deadline is 90 days.
The study states that detailed hydrogeological surveys need to be conducted for all four of these locations, in order to examine the yield, the possibility of use and the establishment of sanitary protection zones. The Ministry previously announced a tender for the procurement of these detailed hydrogeological surveys on April 23, with a deadline for submission of bids on May 11, requesting that the results be submitted within 90 days of contracting.
This study was commissioned at the request of Podgorica's "Vodovod", which conditioned its consent to the connection of the planned settlement on Velje Brdo on the completion of detailed geological surveys of the Mareza zone and the exploration of new springs that would replenish the city system with water needed for 44 thousand residents on Velje Brdo. A preliminary study of the impact of the future settlement of Velje Brdo on the Maraza spring showed that before any works and design of the settlement, detailed geological surveys of the Mareza and Velje Brdo zones should be carried out, which the Ministry ordered and for which bids are submitted by May 11.
The Preliminary Hydrogeological Study itself on potential locations of new springs does not cite Velje Brdo as the reason for their search, but rather "the intensive urban, demographic and economic development of Podgorica", and that "taking into account projections of future consumption, climate change and the need to increase the safety and reliability of the system, it is necessary to provide additional quantities of water for water supply to users".
"The Ćemovsko polje and Zagorič springs, which draw groundwater from compacted aquifers, have been operating within the Podgorica water supply system for several years. In their work so far, these springs have shown certain advantages over the Mareza karst spring. These advantages are primarily reflected in the stability of the quantitative and qualitative regime of groundwater. Unlike Mareza, these springs do not experience increased turbidity, and there are also no seasonal oscillations in either water quality or quantity," the study states.
Locations found by analyzing satellite imagery
They estimate that it is possible to form additional water supply sources in the wider Podgorica area, while the limiting factor is the possibility of forming sanitary protection zones due to intensive urbanization.
"The analysis of satellite images identified four locations that are not affected by urbanization and where it is considered that detailed hydrogeological research is justified from a hydrogeological perspective. These are: the undeveloped area of Sadina, the area of Vladište on the right bank of the Morača between Smokovac and Duklja, the area of Krnjevina on the left bank of the Morača south of Vladište, and the area of the Šumica forest park south of Block 5 and northeast of the Technical Faculties," the study states.
The study states that in these locations the water is located beneath a deep layer of clay and is protected from surface pollutants, and that protected zone systems could be established.
Restrict construction in Sadine
The authors of the study point out that Sadina represents the largest unurbanized area in the wider Podgorica area, and that the problems are that the land is entirely private and that the areas where the wells would be located should be protected from construction. They expect that quality water could be found at a depth of about 50 meters.
According to current plans, a densely populated residential area for 23 thousand residents is planned in the Sadin area, but such a DUP was withdrawn after revision.
"Wells for the purpose of watering green areas were constructed north of Sadin, in the park near the Croatian Embassy, in the yard of the "Radojica Perović" Elementary School, in the Bemax Park, as well as in the park north of Bulevar Mihaila Lalića. The approximate depths of these wells are about 50 meters. The depths to the water level are about 20 meters. It is assumed that in this zone the thickness of the aquifer is over 30 m, which is favorable from the aspect of groundwater exploitation, given the very good filtration characteristics of fluvio-glacial sediments," the study stated.
They indicate that the southeastern area of Sadin is particularly interesting for research because it is located about 700 meters from the first houses in a northerly direction.
They remind that according to the current regulations, the first sanitary protection zone covers an area ten meters from the water intake, which must be fenced off with a strict ban on entry and under physical protection. The second protection zone, with construction restrictions, would be 50 meters from the fence of the first zone, and the third is defined "as the part of the basin from which the polluter can reach the source."
Wouldn't the highway interfere with the well in Rogami?
The second location for a possible future water source is Vladišta, in Rogami, along the right bank of the Morača River, downstream from the Smokovac interchange on the highway. They expect that wells up to 50 meters deep should be dug here as well, referring also to geotechnical surveys for the Bar - Boljari highway, Smokovac - Mateševo section, and the conducted exploratory boreholes for the bridge over the Morača River in the toll plaza area (about 600 m upstream from the Vladišta location).
Problems with the implementation of this source would be that the land is privately owned and it is far from the existing city water supply network.
"This part of the aquifer is primarily recharged at the hydrological minimum by surface waters of the Morača River, which sink upstream of Smokovac, but reappear in the area of the location in question. The conditions for groundwater protection and the possibility of forming sanitary protection zones are favorable," the study states.
The residents of this settlement who opposed the construction of the interchange alleged that stormwater from the highway is being discharged into the absorption wells near the Morača bridge, which pollutes their wells in Rogami because they are fed with water from the Morača. The study does not address the possibility of pollution due to the discharge of stormwater from the highway into the Morača upstream of the location of this possible new source.
The third location is Krnjevine in Zagorič, along the left bank of the Morača River, upstream from the railway bridge at Duklja. It is said to have similar characteristics to the previous one in Rogami, that the conditions for forming a protective zone are favorable, and that the only problem is that it is privately owned.
How to fit wells into the Tološka Forest?
The fourth location for the city spring is a part of the Tološka Forest where there is a jogging track, between Block Five and the technical faculties, and in the study it is called Šumica Park.
The sediment thickness is estimated at 50 meters, as at Sadin. They indicate that the first protection zone would be ten meters from the well and that it would be prohibited from entry and fenced off, while the jogging track and recreation area could remain in the second protection zone of 50 meters, but without the construction of facilities.
"In the case of Šumica, it is advantageous that all settlements to the north have a connection to the sewage system, even individual buildings north of Dalmatinska Street in Tološi up to the intersection with Vlada Ćetkovića Street. Also, there is no uncontrolled waste disposal, no roads without stormwater drainage systems and no industrial facilities," the study states.
They point out that within the second protection zone there are certain restrictions listed in the Regulation, but park areas included in this zone could be used for recreation without hindrance.
"When these assumed zones are placed in the Šumica area, one gets the impression that zones I and II of sanitary protection could be formed without hindrance. If the width of the park is 250 meters, the wells should be positioned 60 meters from the southern border and 190 meters from the northern border of the park.
See more:
Download the app and follow the news
FOLLOW US ON
