ZAGREB, 20 May 2022 - The Croatian Red Cross on Friday said that 1,036 wells had been remediated so far in the quake-hit Banovina, and more than 2,500 had submitted a request for their well to be repaired, having been left without potable and technical water.
Although a year and a half has passed since the strong earthquakes, the Croatian Red Cross said that the residents of Banovina still faced water shortage problems, especially in rural areas, where people depend on well water.
In that area, most wells are in a bad condition due to many years without maintenance and major damage after the earthquake, and the earthquake also led to contamination of groundwater so well water does not meet health standards.
Unfortunately, it is not enough to clean a well once, but we have to do it several times to improve its capacity and the quality of water because sludge keeps returning due to frequent tremors, said Robert Markt, Executive President of the Croatian Red Cross.
He added that this was one of the reasons why the process had been taking so long and did not go as fast as people would like it to.
He pointed out that the team of the Croatian Red Cross had so far rehabilitated 1,036 wells.
Wells' rehabilitation, he stressed, is a complex and risky job, especially in an area where earthquakes still occur.
The Croatian Red Cross said that thanks to support from The Coca-Cola Foundation, which had donated more than HRK 700,000, significant funds had been invested over the past year in the purchase of equipment for good rehabilitation, as well as for training.
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