In the Grude local community, Grude Municipality, there is Otok settlement where there are a large number of wells. In the time of heavy rainfall, the Otok settlement is partially separated from the rest of Grude, which is why it got its name.
According to the stories of older locals, the wells were dug after the Second World War around 1948. The depths of the wells vary from 7 meters to the deepest 12 meters. Since they were not maintained, most of them are damaged and unprotected and there was a constant danger of someone injuring themselves.
Most of the water from the well is used for irrigation, and from a few wells water is still used daily or occasionally for drinking. For this reason, but also for the protection of wells, Grude local community was given the opportunity to implement the project “Renovation and protection of wells” within which wells were renovated, water analysis was done, cleaned inside and out and covers for protection were installed.
Also, the local community organized and held a presentation for locals on water protection and the importance of preserving existing water sources. The aim was to point out the importance of each source of water, but also to show how people used to live in the area in harmony with nature, which is still necessary today.
The result of this project is 17 renovated wells, water analysis from four wells was done in order to determine the condition and quality of water, each well was cleaned, and a safety cover was installed on eight of them. Also, wells are located and a nameplate is placed on each.
The total value of the project “Renovation and protection of wells” of the Grude local community is 8,704.00 BAM, of which the amount of the sub-grant is 6,235.00 BAM, the contribution of the Grude Municipality and the local community is 2,044.00 BAM, and the volunteer contribution is 425.00 BAM.
In the Grude local community and the Otok settlement, this project is recognized as an activity of interest to the whole community, for the preservation of water, and safe and healthy environment. Upon completion of the project, residents were guided by the goal of the project, engaged in additional activities and embarked on the reconstruction of the remaining wells that were not included in the project.
The leadership of the local community states that this project pointed out to all residents and the whole community the importance of preserving wells as a heritage, but also preserving nature and water as the most important resource of the community.
By strengthening the capacity of local communities and involving community actors in solving local problems, we encourage joint work on local development and promote positive examples of social engagement in communities.
The project “Renovation and protection of wells” of the Grude local community was realized within the project “Local Works – Together for local development” implemented by the Center for Civic Cooperation from Livno and the Association of Citizens “Grahovo” from Bosansko Grahovo with the support of the US Agency for International Development – USAID.
