23/09/2022

After the letter from the Association ‘Za Drinking Fountains’ to the relevant authorities, construction works on the underground container near the artesian well at the corner of Dubrovačka and Zorana Radmilovića streets have been halted (VIDEO)

These days, residents of Dubrovačka and Zorana Radmilovića streets in Zaječar were, to say the least, surprised when they saw that in the immediate vicinity of the fountain at the intersection of these streets, an excavation was being made for underground containers. Members of the Association “Za Drinking Fountains” were also surprised by the decision of the city services, but they urgently reacted because such a waste disposal facility in the future could indeed lead to the pollution of the artesian water that has been flowing here for nearly a century.

Therefore, the reaction was prompt. Although the city services chose this location by applying the regulation stating that containers can be placed at a distance of 3 to 5 meters from water sources, Boban Pogarčić from the Association “Za Drinking Fountains” and the chairman of the Working Group for the Implementation of the Agreement for the Preservation, Legalization, Revitalization, and Protection of Artesian Fountains reminded that Article 6 of that Agreement prohibits any activity in the immediate vicinity of the wells that could damage, endanger, or pollute public artesian wells. Therefore, a letter was sent to the relevant authorities to halt the construction works:

The response from the Association “Za Drinking Fountains” and the Working Group for the Implementation of the Agreement for the Preservation, Legalization, Revitalization, and Protection of Artesian Fountains has yielded results, as confirmed by the Department of Municipal Police and Inspection Affairs. Everything will be restored to its original state, and an alternative location for the containers will be found:

Timely action has prevented the possibility of future pollution of one of the 30 or so springs in Zaječar that still have water and are now treated by the City of Zaječar as a natural asset of exceptional importance. The goal of the Association “Za Drinking Fountains” is to brand Zaječar’s artesian wells and make them part of the city’s tourist offering. The artesian well at the corner of Dubrovačka and Zorana Radmilovića streets is also planned to be reconstructed and revitalized soon, with its immediate surroundings being arranged to continue serving as a gathering place and utilizing artesian water.

Source: Zamedia

This media content was produced within the project “Environmental response to mining expansion in Timočka Krajina” funded by the European Union, and implemented by the Association “Za Drinking Fountains”, the Association of Young Researchers Bor, Civic Library “Europe” Bor and Children’s Center Zaječar. The media content is entirely responsibility of these associations and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.