Institute
Dear visitors, welcome to the official website of the Josip Juraj Strossmayer Water Institute.
Water, as a source of life, holds immeasurable value and is essential for the survival of us all. Throughout history, it has enabled the rise of great civilisations. At the same time, many of them ultimately perished—primarily due to the irrational use of water resources.
Many of you have experienced firsthand (or heard from others) the unique sensation of returning home from one of the world’s great capitals and drinking fresh tap water without any concern for your health. Croatia is among the few countries that enjoys that privilege, as confirmed by Eurostat, which ranks us first among European Union countries in terms of per capita reserves of high-quality water.
The National Water Management Strategy of 2008 recognised the importance of establishing a scientific and professional institution dedicated to water management. This vision was realised on the eve of Christmas Eve in 2021, when the Government of the Republic of Croatia, with the strong support of Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, founded our Institute.
Since then, we have been committed to a shared goal: ensuring that future generations inherit clean and accessible water resources. Our work focuses on scientific research, monitoring, innovation, and expert support, all aimed at improving the management of this invaluable resource.
Our website provides information about the projects, research, and initiatives we are undertaking. Our mission is to protect and preserve Croatia’s water resources, so your suggestions, advice, and feedback are invaluable in this endeavour.
I often recall the words of W.H. Auden: “Thousands have lived without love, not one without water.” May this thought always remind us of the immense value of our waters.
Together, we can and must become better guardians of this priceless treasure. Thank you for your visit and support.