Representatives of the European Union (EU) and the German Development Bank (KfW) warned local and state authorities a few days ago, at a meeting on June 5, about the risks if the implementation of the collector project in Botun does not begin as soon as possible.
The new Podgorica government faced the threat of paying over 100 million in damages if it did not implement the new collector project. And it entered into implementation without checking whether there was corruption in the work that officially began in 2017, as well as the opposition of the residents of Botun who did not want this facility on their territory.
Mayor of Podgorica Saša Mujović za Center for Investigative Journalism (CIN-CG) says that at the aforementioned meeting he proposed a change in location and explained in detail that the newly proposed collector position is within the Aluminum Plant (KAP) factory, and as such is suitable for installation and equipment procurement.
"According to them, changing the location requires new time and additional investigations. The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Finance Novica Vuković who will prepare a report and inform the Government of all the details. According to Vuković, the change of location leads us to a situation where our path to EU accession will be blocked, i.e. we cannot close Chapter 27 within the defined time. We await the Government's position,” Mujović told CIN-CG.
Vodovod Podgorica is in charge of the technical implementation of this project, whose estimated value, as the company told us, is 75 million euros.
Aleksandar Nišavić, the executive director of Vodovod Podgorica, tells CIN-CG that in accordance with the planned dynamics of the contract for the performance of works, the procurement and testing of process and technological elements of the system in the manufacturer's production facilities is being carried out by the client, supervision and contractor.
"In the previous period, equipment in the amount of 6,5 million was delivered and invoiced by the contractor. The equipment in question for the purification system will be temporarily stored at the Zetatrans location, Ćemovsko polje in Podgorica until the construction application is submitted."
So, for the plant, the installation of which is disputed and it is uncertain whether it will be installed in Botun, 6,5 million euros have already been spent on equipment alone. There are also other expenses in the millions that have been paid for this project.
Nišavić specifies that 31,5 million euros have been spent on the new collector so far.
"The remaining amount will be spent on further implementation and activities under the contract for the construction of the system at the planned location and the expansion of the sewage network in phases 2 and 3, for which public calls for proposals and contract awards are certain to be issued in the coming period," explains Nišavić.
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) for Podgorica are one of the conditions for closing the negotiating Chapter 27 - Environmental Protection and Climate Change.
CHOOSING OUTDATED TECHNOLOGY
In addition to the above problems, experts CIN-CG spoke with say that the main problem with this project is outdated technology, which envisages the construction of an incinerator, which would further endanger the health of locals in an environment already poisoned by KAP.
"There is a real risk of air pollution related to the proposed incinerator," the professor tells CIN-CG. Cedo Maksimović, who teaches water and ecological systems at Imperial College London.
He states that since Montenegro does not have a fully functional WWTP, the possibility of now implementing what is the most advanced, financially most rational, multipurpose in the world, which can easily adapt to seasonal changes, as well as future needs for water recycling, should be considered. He hopes that the opportunity to implement much more modern, advanced and cheaper solutions for individual parts of the technological purification process has not been missed.
The engineer believes that the opportunity was missed. Vesko Kazic, a resident of Botun:
"It's a bad and corrupt project. That technology is very dangerous. What's worse, the study predicts that the collector will be closed in 2045. So, it will only work for 17 years," says Kažić.
The Environmental Impact Assessment Study for the WWTP in Podgorica, prepared by the Capital City and published in September 2024, states that in addition to the wastewater treatment plant (WTP), sewage sludge treatment plant, and common technical facilities, the construction of a sewage sludge incineration plant is also planned.
Locals, in addition to the proposed location, are vehemently opposed to the use of sewage sludge incineration technology in any municipality in Montenegro.
In PSKM, sludge incineration will take place in the presence of a chimney, which brings a high possibility of spreading harmful substances.
"This is where all the sludge from all over Montenegro will be burned, because there is no adequate incinerator in our country. We are talking about carcinogenic nanoparticles, the purification system for which is extremely expensive, and the authorities have not even considered purchasing it," points out local resident Vesko Kažić.
Montenegro has not yet adopted a sewage sludge management plan.
Kažić believes that it is crucial to invest in modern and safe technological solutions that are able to transform wastewater and waste sludge into a resource for agriculture, rather than a threat to the health of citizens and the environment.
And the president of the Ozone Environmental Movement, Aleksandar Perovic, tells CIN-CG that "we should keep in mind that technological solutions are continuously advancing and that the question is rightly raised whether we are borrowing for outdated technologies, especially from the aspect of the impact of climate change."
The European goal of “no waste by 2040” sets an ambitious framework in which waste should be reduced to the minimum and resources recycled and reused. The priority is not to produce energy from waste, but to transition to a circular economy that saves raw materials and reduces pollution.
The United Nations 2030 Agenda, which has also been adopted by the EU, encourages a transition to a circular economy with clear goals for pollution reduction, resource recovery and clean energy production. In this context, sludge incineration is seen as an intermediate technology that should be replaced over time by more sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions.
LEGITIMATE RIGHT TO PROTEST AGAINST THE INCINERATOR
The residents of Botun have every right to protest and question the technology offered, he tells CIN-CG. Nijaz Varevac-SahovicThis engineer owns shares in several companies in Germany that deal with environmental projects and the production of alternative energy from renewable sources. He has 46 years of experience in the environmental sector, working on new technological discoveries in numerous institutes and research centers.
Šahanović points out that there are alternative and safer solutions, such as carbonization.
“As for the sludge, there are no more incineration plants; instead, the sludge is processed on site. We call it carbonization. This way we destroy the unpleasant odor on site and the whole process is environmentally friendly.”
He reports that sludge processed in this way can be used to produce high-quality agricultural fertilizer.
In contrast, incineration requires advanced filters, continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMS) and hazardous ash management.
"The fact is that the WWTP has outdated technology built into it, the essence of which is an incinerator that emits carcinogenic nanoparticles. They are practically impossible to control, which will inevitably lead to serious illnesses, such as cancer and other serious respiratory diseases," warns Kažić.
Engineer Nijaz Varevac-Šahović also expresses similar doubts:
"New technological solutions are 100 percent feasible and can be implemented in a short time. As for the price, it all depends on the quantity, but in any case you will get the most modern technology that will be cheaper than the old one. The city will make a small profit, but also the highest quality solution in the long run," says the engineer, adding that "unfortunately, in some Balkan countries, newer technologies are not used, but older generations that we in the European Union have long since abolished."
He says that KfW from Frankfurt, where he has lived for 48 years, offers and finances outdated technology.
"Old technology costs more than new. I suspect there is corruption here, as well as on the collector that was built in Budva," says Varevac-Šahović.
The Budva collector, although officially opened in 2014, has been plagued by a series of controversies, including allegations of corruption, technical shortcomings and financial disputes. The investor, the German-Austrian concern WTE/EVN, abandoned the plant before it was fully completed, which led to additional complications. The case is further complicated by ongoing international arbitrations relating to disputes between the Municipality of Budva and the German investor. The competent authorities are also working to resolve remaining technical issues to ensure the functionality and sustainability of the plant...
READY TO DEFEND BOTUN WITH THEIR LIVES
The story of the new collector in Podgorica began more than a decade ago during the mandate Miomir Mugoša, with constant opposition from the residents of Botuni, on whose territory the new facility is planned. Now it has reached a dead end, so the Mayor of Podgorica, Saša Mujović, announced on May 29 during a session of the Capital City Board that, if the construction of the WWTP does not start soon, we will face at least 117 million euros in compensation.
When asked about the aforementioned economic risks, KfW Bank told CIN-CG that inquiries related to the terms of the loan agreement are specific and confidential, and that the contracting parties cannot share them with the public.
“We are aware of the concerns of a number of local residents regarding the location... However, the project, which is ready for implementation, has already undergone comprehensive research, design and contracting to build a modern, safe facility that does not pose a threat to nearby communities, but on the contrary, provides crucial protection for public health and the environment,” the European Union (EU) Delegation to Montenegro told CIN-CG.
Bitter experience from the past, pollution from KAP and never-rehabilitated red mud pools, leads the residents of Botun to remain skeptical of promises that the new collector will not pollute the environment.
"We will not allow that. We have repeatedly said that we are ready to defend Botun with our lives," a local resident told CIN-CG. Cedo Vukcevic.
The Delegation of the European Union explains that this is the largest environmental project supported by the EU in Montenegro - the EU has provided 33 million euros in grants for the new sewage system and facility, with additional support through a loan from the KfW bank.
The Delegation told CIN-CG that "every day of delay means more pollution flowing into the Morača River and Lake Skadar, worsening environmental damage and public health risks. The relevant authorities must act quickly to resolve the remaining issues and ensure a cleaner, healthier future for the citizens of Podgorica, Zeta, and Montenegro."
ECOLOGICAL DISASTER
The new plant should replace the outdated one currently located in the most populated area of the Capital City and which treats wastewater for a maximum of 55.000 people, which represents only a quarter of Podgorica's population.
"Untreated water is currently being discharged directly into the Morača River, causing serious environmental damage extending to Lake Skadar and the Adriatic Sea, while also impacting agricultural production," the Delegation points out.
The construction of a new WWTP is necessary, because the existing system in the Capital is 46 years old. The capacity of the existing plant is three times smaller than the current needs of Podgorica, whose population has increased many times since the old collector was installed. This results in partially treated, but also untreated wastewater flowing directly into the Morača River, and then through it into Lake Skadar. There are 90.309 connections to the city water supply system in the territory of Podgorica, while there are only 58.718 connections to the fecal sewage system. The rest are septic tanks and their impact on the quality of groundwater and surface water is great.
According to the report Testing the quality of surface water in Montenegro for 2022, near the outlet of the city collector in Podgorica, there are as many as 100 fecal coliform bacteria in 21.250 milliliters of water. Coliform bacteria are a group of microorganisms that are naturally found in the intestines of humans and animals, but also in soil and water. The most famous among them is Escherichia coli. Their presence in water is used as an indicator of fecal pollution, or the presence of wastewater.
According to European directives, such findings indicate extreme pollution, characteristic of untreated, open sewage discharge, which increases the risk of bacterial infections in the population.
In addition to fecal coliforms, increased presence of BOD5 (biological oxygen demand), orthophosphates and nitrates was also measured - especially near and downstream of the Cijevna mouth.
Elevated BOD5 means that microorganisms are consuming large amounts of oxygen to break down organic matter present in the water. The result of this process is a decrease in oxygen concentration, making it impossible for fish and other aquatic species to survive.
Orthophosphates and nitrates are nutrients that encourage excessive algae growth. After the algae die, their decomposition further depletes the oxygen in the water, which can lead to the creation of “dead zones” – areas devoid of oxygen where almost no living species can survive.
Ecologist Aleksandar Perović believes that the events around Botun are the best proof of the lack of project preparation with the support of citizens, who already live near ecological black spots such as the former KAP and hazardous waste landfills. It is especially important not to forget the responsibility of political entities for whom the WWTP was "the last straw", says Perović.
"The central sewage sludge treatment plant must be the subject of a transparent public discussion based on socio-economic analyses, sustainability studies, risk assessments...", Perović told CIN-CG.
FUNERAL ASSOCIATION
CIN-CG journalists found over 150 sheep peacefully grazing on land contaminated with various poisons at the site planned for the future collector in Botun, at the foot of the red mud basin.
The residents of this Zeta village, located right next to KAP, have been fighting for a healthier environment for more than two decades, pointing out the enormous pollution that comes from the former factory. Unlike in the previous period, they now have the support of the newly formed Zeta Municipality.
The residents of Botun have a bitter experience with red mud pools. One of the pools has an impermeable bottom, while the other lacks protective insulation, resulting in constant poisoning of the soil and groundwater beyond the prescribed limits, with heavy metals and carcinogenic particles.
Experts determined two decades ago that red mud pools are the direct cause of increased concentrations of nickel, chromium, arsenic and aluminum - in values that are up to 100 percent above the permissible limits. The unequivocal, and as it is stated, mathematically precise conclusion of the expert report is that the soil and water are poisoned. These findings also coincide with a long-standing report by the Center for Ecotoxicological Research (CETI), which was listed by the then director Ana Mišurović, which also states that life in the settlements around KAP has no prospects.
One pool of red mud, which we visited, looks like a red lake. At its foot are about twenty evicted houses. The destroyed buildings testify to the consequences of years of environmental neglect. The locals call this part of the village “Vukovar”, alluding to the Croatian city destroyed during the war in the 90s.
In the immediate vicinity of the pool, next to the livestock farm, agricultural production is carried out undisturbed - greenhouses are visibly distributed throughout the properties.
"The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management (MAWM) does not have a single registered agricultural producer at the aforementioned location," the MAWM stated when asked by CIN-CG whether they control products from this location.
There have been no fundamental analyses and assessments by state authorities regarding the ecological facts in Botun in recent years. In an interview with CIN-CG, residents of Botun said that in 1992, eight people died in the village of Botun. Due to the economic crisis, some families did not have enough funds to bury their loved ones. At that time, the community of Botun residents founded the local “Association for Funerals”. The association was formed so that all residents jointly bear the costs of the funeral of each deceased. The costs are divided evenly, and each member of the association contributes four euros.
According to the Association's data, Since 1992, 257 people have died in the village, almost a quarter of the total. They claim that this is an extremely high mortality rate. The association points out that a large number of deaths were linked to pollution, as the majority of residents died of lung diseases, mainly cancer. CIN-CG was unable to obtain official confirmation of these data from institutions, as the state has not dealt with these statistics, nor has it conducted research on the possible consequences of the presence of the red mud pool and other KAP facilities on the health of the population.
Just as there is no thought given to what the now outdated technology of collectors and incinerators would mean for the health of people in this area.
Promises and delays
The implementation of the new collector project in Podgorica, which has been called the project of the century due to its importance, began when Mayor Miomir Mugoša was in power. During the time of Mayor Slavoljub Stijepović, in 2017, a loan agreement was signed with the German Bank for Reconstruction and Development and a donation of 10 million was received from the European Union. In early 2020, the then director of the Water Supply and Sewerage Company Filip Makrid and the director of the Bemax company Veselin Kovačević signed a contract for the construction of a primary collector within the framework of the wastewater treatment system. After signing the contract, Mayor Ivan Vuković reminded that this is the project of the century for the Capital, the project to build a wastewater treatment system, with an estimated value of over 50 million euros.
After two years, in June 2022, Vuković re-signed the Contract for the construction of the wastewater treatment plant system. In addition to Vuković, the 3.500-page document was initialed by the then executive director of the Water and Sewerage Company Filip Makrid, and the contractors, the director of the Turkish company Kuzu Group Mehmet Emre Bastopku and a member of the board of directors of the Turkish company Alkatraš, Bauram Albauark. The two Turkish companies, which won the contract to build the plant in the 2022 tender, submitted the final draft of the main project, the construction of which was supposed to take three years.
After signing, the contractor was required to prepare the main design. The revised version was completed in the third quarter of 2024, thus creating the conditions for the start of work.
However, although the Study states that the construction of the project is scheduled to last from December 29, 12 to May 2024, 1, the works have not yet started.
According to the technical documentation, the actual implementation of the works will take 853 days. This means that if the works start in June 2025, completion would be planned for 2028.
According to projections, the collector would have a lifespan of only 17 years, because it is estimated that by 2045 the system will no longer meet the necessary capacities and technical requirements.
The Environmental Protection Agency told CIN-CG that the environmental impact assessment process for the project is underway with the Commission for the Evaluation of Environmental Impact Assessment Studies.
"While the procedure itself is ongoing, we are unable to provide you with the requested information due to the objectivity and independence of the work of the commission itself. Upon completion of the environmental impact assessment procedure, all supporting documentation, including the documentation mentioned in your questions, will be transparently available for public inspection," the Agency says.
The Agency's decision is not expected before September.
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