Major €77 million water project completed on Hvar

One of the largest infrastructure projects ever carried out on the island of Hvar has officially been completed, marking a major step forward in the modernisation of water supply and wastewater systems across the island.

The closing conference for the project, titled “Construction of Water Utility Infrastructure for the Jelsa-Vrboska and Stari Grad Agglomerations”, was held at Tvrdalj Castle in Stari Grad.

The €77 million project focused on upgrading water supply and drainage infrastructure in the settlements of Stari Grad, Jelsa and Vrboska, while also aiming to protect the island’s natural resources and marine environment.

Works included the construction of wastewater systems, the reconstruction of the water supply network, and the building of two wastewater treatment plants together with access roads and submarine outfalls.

More than 120 kilometres of water and sewerage infrastructure were constructed or reconstructed as part of the project, along with 11 pumping stations.

The new system will provide connections for more than 4,500 residents and is expected to deliver long-term benefits through improved water supply, reduced water losses, environmentally responsible wastewater treatment, and enhanced protection of the sea and soil.

Officials also highlighted the project’s importance for the local economy, particularly the tourism sector, which plays a central role on Hvar.

The project was initially commissioned by Hvarski vodovod d.o.o. Jelsa and is now being implemented through Branch Hvar within Vodovod i odvodnja Brača i Hvara as part of unified service area number 36.

Among those attending the conference were Stari Grad Mayor Vinko Vranjican, Croatian Parliament representative Danica Baričević, Minister of Environmental Protection and Green Transition Marija Vučković, and Hrvatske vode Director General Zoran Đureković.

Zoran Đuroković

Speakers stressed the significance of the investment for the local community, environmental protection and the sustainable development of Hvar.

Luka Bunčuga, director of the Hvar branch of Vodovod i odvodnja Brača i Hvara, said the project had required years of demanding work and coordination.

He noted that behind the figures stood years of work on difficult terrain, during busy summer seasons and under challenging conditions, while paying tribute to employees involved in delivering the project over the past five years.

Danica Baričević highlighted continued investment in Croatia’s islands, noting that more than €4 billion has been invested in Croatian islands over the past decade.

Danica Baričević

Minister Marija Vučković said the project faced a number of challenges during implementation, including work on protected cultural heritage sites, demanding geotechnical conditions, archaeological discoveries and rising construction material costs.

She added that a special public call aimed specifically at island communities had been introduced to support investments of this kind and ensure the continued development of island infrastructure.

Marija Vučković

Despite the obstacles encountered during construction, the project was completed successfully and is expected to strengthen conditions for the sustainable development of Hvar while improving communal infrastructure for both residents and visitors.