Zrenjanin, Serbia – 15 October 2026 – The Zrenjanin Water Treatment Plant (WTP), first public-private partnership (PPP) in the water supply sector in the Republic of Serbia, delivered by Metito Utilities, marks one year since the ban on drinking tap water in Zrenjanin was officially lifted. Operating since May 2025, the plant has supplied approximately 9.6 million m3 of drinking water to date, serving more than 70,000 residents daily.

Every member of the plant’s operations team was recruited from the Zrenjanin area. Over the past year, the team has built the expertise to run the full treatment process – online instruments measure key water parameters at each stage of treatment, the control room follows them in real time, and regular laboratory analyses are carried out at the plant. Water quality is monitored daily by the Institute of Public Health Zrenjanin.

“Over the past year, the Zrenjanin WTP has delivered what this partnership was designed for: a reliable drinking water supply for the city, operated by a local team that has built the expertise to run it for the long term. The project shows how private investment and advanced engineering tailored to local conditions can address municipal water challenges in Zrenjanin and across the country, and we remain committed to that for the full term of the partnership.’’ said Branislav Zec, Country Manager of Metito Utilities, Serbia.

‘’The availability of drinking water from Zrenjanin’s public supply over the past year is an important public health milestone for our city after more than two decades. Our Institute will continue its daily monitoring to protect the health of the people of Zrenjanin,” said Predrag Rudan, Director of the Institute of Public Health Zrenjanin.

In February 2026, Metito Utilities launched Behind the Tap, an open house programme that gives residents the opportunity to visit the plant and see the water treatment facility first-hand. The programme has since expanded to universities and technical institutions in the region.

The project received the City of Zrenjanin Award in 2025 for its contribution to the local community and was shortlisted for Water Project of the Year at the Global Water Awards 2026.