Kotor is known for its rich history and stunningly preserved medieval architecture. Among the many unique features of the city is the Karampana Fountain. You must see if you are a water specialist and doing tourism :D.

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The Karampana Fountain in Kotor, dating back to the late 17th or early 18th century, is a fine example of Baroque craftsmanship, with its intricate wrought-iron fence created by the town’s blacksmiths. Initially, it served as a manual pump drawing water from an underground well. But when in 1917 the Austrians provided the water from one spring in Grbalj by means of newly waterworks and iron pipes, the function of the pump Karampana stopped. While its practical use diminished, it remains a symbol of social gatherings, inspiring the Karampana magazine, which humorously critiques public life and has been published since 1926.

Another highlight would be the Yugoslavia’s Secret Naval Tunnels located along the coastlines of Kotor. These bases, designed to shelter military vessels from aerial and naval threats, include camouflaged moorings with features such as rock-like structures to disguise entrances during the Cold War. The tunnels, part of Yugoslavia’s naval strategy from the 1950s, were used for surprise attacks. Although the Yugoslav Navy dissolved in 1992, these historical sites are preserved and offer insight into past military strategies. The Bay of Kotor, with its deep waters and natural protection from ocean waves, provided an ideal setting for secret military tunnels built during the Cold War. These tunnels, once designed for strategic naval purposes, now stand as a reminder of past security measures and an example how the water can be used as a military weapon. The tunnel is 100 meters long and around 10 meters deep and it is a dead end. The entrance is covered with fake rocks so that it will be invisible to the satellite and spy planes.

Next would be a very interesting social practice. In Kotor, the tradition of “Trstenica” involved several practical actions by local residents to maintain and clean the city’s water channels and fountains, which were crucial for both public health and the beauty of the city. The residents would gather periodically to remove debris, silt, and plant growth from the water channels to ensure smooth flow and prevent blockages. This would help maintain the city’s water supply and ensure that fountains remained functional and clear.

Tools like simple wooden rakes, shovels, and brushes were often used in this process. Residents would also clean the stone basins of fountains, scrubbing them to prevent algae and dirt from accumulating. Since Kotor’s water system was interconnected with its urban infrastructure, this cleaning process was not just about aesthetics but also about preventing contamination of drinking water and maintaining the flow of water into homes.

The collective effort of the community in maintaining these systems fostered a sense of shared responsibility and pride in Kotor’s water resources. This tradition, sustained over generations, ensured that Kotor’s historic fountains and water channels were preserved as vital parts of the city’s heritage and daily life.

Tourism plays a significant role in both Tivat and Kotor, contributing to their local economies. However, the rapid growth of tourism has placed immense pressure on the water and wastewater infrastructure of both cities. During peak tourist seasons, the populations of these cities swell dramatically, with Kotor seeing a 50% increase in population due to tourism, adding about 10,900 people during the summer months. This surge in visitors leads to heightened demand for water and an increased burden on wastewater systems.

The Montenegrin government estimates that tourism will account for 20% of the national GDP by 2025, up from 15% today. The Montenegrin coast sees millions of overnight stays each year, far exceeding the cities’ infrastructure capacity, especially in peak months.

In 2028, it is projected that the combined sewage flow from Kotor and Tivat will reach 75,600 m³/day during the summer. The current wastewater treatment plant serving Kotor and Tivat has a capacity of 15,000 cubic meters per day, with a design for a population equivalent of 72,500 people. This system was constructed to handle peak loads during the summer tourism season and was completed in 2016. Without sufficient wastewater treatment infrastructure, this poses severe environmental risks, particularly to the Boka Kotorska Bay.

Kotor’s wastewater infrastructure is particularly strained, with 70% of its sewerage network in a poor state of repair. The existing sewerage system, which connects to the regional transmission main for discharge at the Trate sea outfall, was designed to serve both Kotor and Tivat. However, it regularly collapses and suffers from the infiltration of saline groundwater during the summer months, resulting in the contamination of drinking water and reduced bathing water quality at many of Kotor’s popular beaches.

In Tivat, the situation is similar, with only 30% of the population connected to the sewerage system,  the remaining population typically relies on alternative sanitation solutions. These can include individual septic tanks, cesspits, or other on-site wastewater treatment systems. Septic tanks are commonly used in areas without centralized sewerage systems, and they require regular maintenance, including periodic emptying to prevent overflow and contamination.  Municipal authorities often manage or regulate septic tank maintenance to ensure environmental standards are met, particularly in areas where wastewater can pose a risk to public health and nearby ecosystems. In some cases, municipalities may directly operate the services or contract them out to licensed private companies responsible for the safe transport and disposal of septic waste. These companies typically offer scheduled emptying and emergency services. The coordination between public agencies and private contractors helps maintain sanitation standards and prevent illegal dumping or improper handling of waste, which can be a concern in areas with low sewerage coverage​

The city’s rapid growth, driven by tourism and luxury developments like Porto Montenegro, has outpaced the development of its wastewater infrastructure. Plans for a joint wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) for both Tivat and Kotor, with a capacity of 90,000 inhabitant equivalents, are in place but not yet operational. Without this plant, the environmental risks posed by untreated wastewater are significant.

The Montenegrin government has recognized the critical need to improve the water and wastewater infrastructure in its coastal cities, particularly in tourist-heavy areas like Tivat and Kotor. The joint WWTP planned for the two cities is expected to treat the wastewater of both permanent residents and tourists, with a total capacity of 90,000 IE. This facility will play a crucial role in protecting the delicate ecosystem of Boka Kotorska Bay, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In terms of water supply, Montenegro’s coastal municipalities rely on the Regional Water Supply System (RWSS), which delivers 1.1 m³/s of water to the coastal area. However, water losses in the system remain high, ranging from 30% to 75%, due to aging infrastructure. Despite the high connection rates for water supply in Tivat (95%) and Kotor (90%), the system still faces inefficiencies, particularly during the summer months when tourism drives up demand. The goal is to reduce water consumption to 180 liters per person per day by 2028, down from over 200 liters in 2010.

Both cities are investing in modernizing their water systems to address these issues. Tivat’s innovative use of desalination technology on the Island of Flowers serves as an example of how sustainable water management practices can be implemented even in resource-constrained environments. However, the challenges posed by tourism growth remain significant, requiring continued investment in infrastructure and conservation.