Water in Lika-Senj County safe for consumption, HZJZ testing shows

Lika-Senj (Photo credit: Roberta F./CC BY-SA 3.0)

13 August 2026 – Water samples collected across Lika-Senj County have met all prescribed standards, with no detectable levels of PFAS compounds found in the latest testing, the Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ) said on Thursday.

Sampling was carried out on Tuesday, 11 August, with three samples taken from raw water sources and three from points where water is used for human consumption.

Laboratory analysis found that all six samples complied with the maximum permitted concentrations set under Croatia’s regulations on parameters, analytical methods and monitoring of water intended for human consumption.

HZJZ said concentrations of all analysed PFAS compounds, as well as their combined total, were below the quantification limit of 0.0015 micrograms per litre for individual compounds.

The results are consistent with previous analyses routinely conducted at water sources and across the public water supply network, the institute said.

Additional chemical and microbiological analyses are still under way. HZJZ said the remaining results would be published once the testing, which requires additional time, has been completed.

The institute will continue monitoring the situation and said it would inform the public promptly of further findings.

The latest testing comes amid concern over environmental contamination linked to an illegal waste site in Gospić, where large quantities of industrial waste have raised questions about potential pollution of soil and groundwater.

Previous findings connected to the site indicated the presence of PFAS in groundwater, alongside elevated concentrations of several heavy metals. The issue has prompted increased public attention and calls for authorities to address the site and assess possible environmental risks.

The latest water testing is therefore part of wider monitoring of water quality in the area. The HZJZ results released so far found no detectable PFAS in the six samples tested, while further chemical and microbiological analyses remain pending.