The Makiš Water Source – a Source of Drinking Water for Belgrade

The Makiš Water Source – a Source of Drinking Water for Belgrade

In a large city such as Belgrade, there are numerous environmental hazards caused primarily by human activity. Since the high school is located near one of the most important water sources for drinking water supply, I considered it very important to educate students about where the water source is located, its significance, and the threats it faces. 

The water source itself is located in the alluvial zone of the Sava River. The largest area extends over several dozen square kilometers and includes parts of Čukarica, New Belgrade, Surčin, and the Sava riverbanks, as well as limestone masses in the inner city zone, from the Terazije ridge to Višnjica, and southward to Topčider Hill and Železnik. Water is extracted from 99 wells with horizontal drainage and 50 drilled wells in the zone of the Sava River and the Sava Lake.

The Strategic Plan from 1950 envisaged complete protection of this water source without any construction; however, the first violation occurred with the construction of the Ranzirna stanica. Although numerous studies have shown that the Makiš water source is important to protect because it is sufficient to supply a large part of Belgrade with water, the protected area has nevertheless been significantly reduced.

In 1986, three protection zones were established:

Zone I of protection (strict protection zone) – includes the immediate area around wells, pumping stations, and facilities. This is a fenced area under constant supervision, where everything is prohibited except water supply operations and facility maintenance. There is no housing, traffic, industry, or agriculture, as the goal is to prevent direct and immediate pollution.

Zone II of protection (inner protection zone) – includes a wider area around the wells through which groundwater reaches the source relatively quickly. Industrial facilities, fuel and chemical storage, waste landfills, and intensive agriculture (pesticides, artificial fertilizers) are prohibited. Allowed activities include controlled operations under special conditions and strictly supervised infrastructure. The goal is to prevent rapid chemical and microbiological pollution.

Zone III of protection (outer protection zone) – includes the largest area covering parts of Čukarica, New Belgrade, Surčin, and the Sava riverbanks. Permitted activities include housing, traffic, and economic activities, with mandatory measures such as sewage systems (without septic tanks), control of wastewater discharge, and restrictions on the use of hazardous substances. The goal is long-term protection of groundwater quality and reduction of diffuse pollution.

However, human activities and the constant need for urban expansion seriously endanger the preservation of this water source:

• Illegal and inadequate sewage systems (THE BIGGEST PROBLEM)
• Fuels, oils, and chemicals (high risk – small quantities cause great damage)
• Industrial activities and landfills
• Agriculture (moderate but chronic risk)
• Urbanization and concretization (indirect but serious problem)
• Accidents (rare but the most dangerous)
• Illegal dumps

 

 

Sources:

IZGRADNJA 69 (2015) 5–6, 241–246, “Reconsideration of the Boundaries of Protection Zones of Belgrade Water Sources,” Dr. Nada Čanak, urban planner, Summary

https://www.zdravlje.org.rs/ekoatlas/09a.htm

Tanja T. Radović, Presence of Traces of Pharmaceuticals and Pesticides in River Sediments and Water and Their Sorption on Aquifer Material

https://djordjebobic.com/2020/12/25/makisko-polje/

• Zlatanović-Tomašević, Urbanization and Protection of Natural Resources

Author: Danka Jovanović

Email: dankajovanovic75@gmail.com