Hrvatske Vode director general Jadranko Husaric expressed satisfaction with the fact that Croatia was among the countries on the very top of the global scale when it comes to the quality and quantity of that natural resource of the 21st century. which he added was not for sale.

According to a UNSECO research from 2003, Croatia is ranked 5th in Europe and 42nd in the world.

Husaric said that according to the water management strategy until 2038, Croatia should invest over HRK 50 billion in the water management sector.

"When it comes to the drainage system, we are lagging behind water supply and 44 percent of Croatia's population is on the sewage system, while only 23 percent of waste waters is being purified," Husaric said, adding that a total of HRK 23 billion needs to be invested in the water purification system by 2023.

Some 80 percent of Croatia's population is on the public water supply system, he said, adding that some HRK 13 billion needed to be invested to have 95 percent of the population on the water supply system by 2023. Husaric said that the losses in the water supply sector were big, 45 percent on the average, so this sector requires big investments as well. Husaric also said that some HRK 10 billion needed to be invested in the flood protection system by 2038.

Husaric also stressed that Croatia, as an EU candidate, has access to the IPA programme with some EUR 47.7 million in nonreturnable EU funds allocated for water infrastructure projects.

"Once Croatia joins the bloc, it will gain access to the money in cohesion and structural funds. According to a draft financial package for Croatia, nonreturnable funds for water management for 2012 and 2013 amount to some EUR 330 million," Husaric said.

World Water Day is being marked this year under the slogan "Water for Cities: Responding to the Urban Challenge".