Event highlights
WHO/Europe and the WHO Country Office in Montenegro, in collaboration with national partners, conducted a specialized training workshop on strengthening the resilience of drinking-water supplies through risk-based management in Bar, Montenegro from 16–18 June 2026. It was supported by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Risk Assessment of Pathogens in Food and Water, hosted by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Netherlands (Kingdom of the).
Montenegro is increasingly facing the dual pressures of climate change intensifying and altering weather patterns. With rising temperatures, more frequent droughts and intense precipitation, the resilience of drinking-water supplies is frequently challenged. These climatic stressors not only impact drinking-water quantity and quality but can also overwhelm drainage and sanitation systems, significantly increasing risks to public health.
The event brought together 25 practitioners from water utilities, environmental and public health authorities and key ministries to advance the adoption of risk-based management principles for drinking water.
Participants explored the systematic water safety planning (WSP) approach as promoted by the WHO Guidelines for drinking-water quality and the Protocol on Water and Health. Through a combination of technical presentations, real-world case examples brought by water utilities from Ireland and Portugal and interactive group exercises, participants developed a clearer understanding of how to implement WSP locally. Using the WSP approach, the participants addressed risks associated with climate change in Montenegro. A further critical theme was the inextricable link between resilient sanitation and safe drinking water. Discussions highlighted how safe sanitation is vital to protecting safe water.
This workshop was a significant step forward in Montenegro’s commitment to building a more robust, climate-resilient water sector, ensuring safe and reliable drinking water for all. By engaging with the risk-based WSP approach, the workshop helped align national practices with the requirements of the recast European Union (EU) Drinking Water Directive, supporting Montenegro’s broader goals for EU accession and public health protection.
In the coming months, the WHO collaborating centre and WHO/Europe will provide technical assistance to 2 participating water utilities for the development of their first water safety plan.