Prompted by the recent media releases on social networks and other allegations related to the use of water of the Pliva river, water regime management as well as the activities in the river bed, we deem it necessary to state the relevant facts and clarify the subject-matter competence in the issues concerned, all with the aim of providing correct and true information to the public.

The Public Company ˮELEKTROPRIVREDA HRVATSKE ZAJEDNICE HERCEG BOSNEˮ joint-stock company Mostar uses water of the Pliva river for the HPP Jajce I facility, exclusively within the limits and in the manner prescribed by the valid water permit issued by the competent body, namely the Sava River Basin Agency. This also includes the management of the level of the Great Pliva Lake within the permitted limits, under the conditions laid down in the water permit.

In accordance with those conditions, the HPP Jajce I continuously ensures a minimum flow of 3 m³/s, except in exceptional circumstances when, on request of competent institutions, associations or contractors and with the prior written consent of the Sava River Basin Agency, a temporary derogation is granted. This scheme is not recent, it rather represents a well-established practice that has been applied since 1957 and the commissioning of the HPP Jajce I.

We especially emphasize that the prescribed flow is regularly monitored and measured at the relevant measuring points, while in discharge facilities, due to the loss of water in the river bed upstream of the waterfall, a larger amount of water is discharged in order to ensure a minimum flow at the measurement point.

The ecologically acceptable flow rate of 3 m³/s was established on the basis of expert studies carried out in the 1950s, when it was experimentally confirmed that such a regime, along with other necessary conditions, enables the tufa formation process and the preservation of the visual characteristics of the watercourse.

Regarding the operations in the bed of the Pliva river, it is necessary to emphasize that the Public Company ˮELEKTROPRIVREDA HRVATSKE ZAJEDNICE HERCEG BOSNEˮ joint-stock company Mostar does not project, approve nor carries out operations on the river bed, except as part of regular maintenance of the facilities it manages or possible participation in financing of individual operations based on special decisions and arrangements. Competence for interventions in the river bed, as well as their approval and supervision, belongs to the competent water management and other public bodies, in accordance with the law.

Therefore, the connection of the Public Company ˮELEKTROPRIVREDA HRVATSKE ZAJEDNICE HERCEG BOSNEˮ joint-stock company Mostar with the operations and interventions that are not within the competence of this public company, is not based on facts nor on the applicable legal framework. Similarly, presenting incomplete or untrue information which misleads the public and causes or may cause damage to reputation of the Public Company ˮELEKTROPRIVREDA HRVATSKE ZAJEDNICE HERCEG BOSNEˮ joint-stock company Mostar cannot be considered socially responsible behaviour and may incur liability in accordance with applicable regulation.

At the same time, the Public Company ˮELEKTROPRIVREDA HRVATSKE ZAJEDNICE HERCEG BOSNEˮ joint-stock company Mostar continuously contributes to the local community through obligations established by law and decisions of competent institutions, including significant financial allocations in favour of the Municipality of Jajce, depending on power generation of HPP Jajce I and HPP Jajce II.

According to the available expert analysis and indicators from the field, the inadequate management of waste water, illegal and unplanned construction along the coasts, as well as other operations that have a direct impact on the status of watercourse and protected areas stand out as the important challenges for the long-term preservation of the Pliva river. We believe that these issues deserve full attention of the public and the competent institutions.

The Public Company ˮELEKTROPRIVREDA HRVATSKE ZAJEDNICE HERCEG BOSNEˮ joint-stock company Mostar remains committed to the legal, responsible and transparent management of water resources, with full respect for the applicable regulation and appreciation of the importance of the Pliva river for the local community and the natural heritage.