The Association " Waterworks of the Republic of Srpska " was established on July 7, 2001, with a clear vision – to connect, empower, and improve the work of public water supply companies in the Republika Srpska. Although its headquarters were originally in Bijeljina, they were later moved to Banja Luka, and since 2007 they have been permanently located in East Sarajevo. As a non-governmental, non-profit, and voluntary membership organization, the Association operates within the Chamber of Commerce of Republika Srpska and brings together water supply companies with the aim of jointly developing and representing the interests of the water services sector.
The core mission of the Association is to improve the operations of water supply companies through cooperation, exchange of experiences, education, joint projects, and strengthening the capacities of its members.
The strategic goals of the Association clearly reflect this mission and are focused on the long-term strengthening of the water supply sector in Republika Srpska:
- Representing the interests of water supply companies and creating a more favorable environment for the improvement of public utility companies’ operations in Republika Srpska;
- Continuously strengthening the Association as a platform for the exchange of best practices, experiences, knowledge, and transfer of standards in the field of water supply services;
- Promoting the efficiency and sustainability of communal services as key to local development, environmental protection, and preservation of natural resources (water);
- Positioning the Association as an important partner whose activities can influence changing consumer attitudes toward public utility companies and the importance of water;
- Strategic partnership with consumer associations and the broader public to change the negative perception of utility companies and promote key principles of sustainable operations: “polluter pays,” full cost recovery, service accessibility, ecological efficiency, and equal conditions for service provision;
- Continuous growth and expansion of the Association’s membership.
An important milestone in the Association’s work was its participation in numerous international projects. We have been a member of IAWD since 2023, and are part of the D-LeaP Committee Council.
Since 2013, the Association has been actively involved in the Danube Water Program (DWP), which brings together key European and international partners such as IAWD, GIZ, the World Bank, SDC, and others. Through this program, the Association and its members engage in important topics such as benchmarking, asset management, energy efficiency, and reduction of non-revenue water (NRW).
One of the most significant achievements was the development of the Association’s Business Plan for the period 2017–2021, funded by IAWD. This document became the strategic foundation of operations, and through its implementation, the Association was recognized as a reliable partner in the region. As a result, the World Bank entrusted the Association with the implementation of a benchmarking project for water supply companies in Republika Srpska. This project, involving several companies, was conducted via the DCM platform and included training, data collection and analysis, and comparative reporting, all aimed at improving the efficiency and sustainability of the sector.
The importance of the benchmarking process was further highlighted through the organization of panel discussions and workshops, where concrete results were presented, the current situation analyzed, and opportunities for progress identified. Through this process, the Association demonstrated its ability to professionally and independently manage projects of international significance.
Additionally, the Association was active in the GoalWash project, in cooperation with UNDP, which aimed to develop a regulatory framework for determining the prices of water supply and sewage services in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This pilot project, carried out in Teslić, involved members in numerous regional workshops, and its results were evaluated as highly useful. Based on that, the project was extended and additionally funded.
The Association also participates in activities of the RCDN network (Regional Capacity Development Network), which aims to strengthen the capacities of water service providers in the region. Through this partnership with GIZ, IAWD, the Aquasan Network, and NALAS, the Association further empowers trainers from its ranks and contributes to the regional development of the sector.
A strong focus of the Association is also on reducing non-revenue water (NRW), asset management, improving energy efficiency, and educating young professionals. Several times, the Association has hosted or co-organized regional conferences and workshops, bringing together representatives of ministries, international organizations, local communities, and experts from the water sector. A particularly notable event is the traditional International Conference "Water Supply and Sewerage Systems Jahorina," organized by the Association since 2001, which represents a key annual event for experience exchange, networking, and joint sector improvement.
Today, the role of the Association "Vodovodi Republike Srpske" goes beyond entity borders and serves as an example of how strong foundations for a sustainable communal services sector can be built through cooperation, vision, and professionalism. Its strength lies not in numbers, but in dedication to the common good, service quality, and continuous learning. For these reasons, the Association continues to grow, expand its membership, and build partnerships that contribute to a better future for the water supply sector.
The project "Support to the Program of Reforms of Communal Water Services in RS BiH and Promotion of the Application of the Tariff Methodology" aims to familiarize water supply companies with the water services sector reform, its significance, and the application of tariff methodology. The Association has provided a significant number of trainers who will continue to support water supply companies in applying tariff methodology and developing water service pricing. The basic goal of the project is to prepare water supply companies for the reform and its implementation.
The Association " Waterworks of the Republic of Srpska " recognizes the importance of the Just Add Water campaign as an opportunity to raise awareness about the significance of water supply and sustainable water services management. Through support of this campaign, we want to contribute to strengthening regional cooperation and promote the role of public water supply companies in ensuring accessible and safe water for all citizens. We believe that by working together, we can contribute to greater recognition of challenges and solutions in the water sector.
