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Veovača Flotation Lake
Above remediation value Note. This is a preliminary assessment. The general conclusion of the report is that the location requires further detailed analysis. The data shown is not a final risk determination.
Media tested
Summary
Flotation tailings lake in the Vareš municipality. Preliminary testing of water and sediment found markedly elevated lead, zinc, cadmium, copper and arsenic in sediment, and elevated selenium in surface water. The municipality could not confirm that the lake is fully unused. The general conclusion of the report is that the location requires further detailed analysis.
Assessment findings
Findings of concern
- The sediment in the tailings lake is heavily contaminated with lead, zinc, cadmium and copper, at levels well beyond those indicating that cleanup is needed.
- Elevated arsenic was also found in the sediment.
- Elevated selenium was found in the lake's surface water.
- The lake lies very close to the Mala Rijeka river.
Positive findings
- Cadmium and chromium in the lake's surface water were within limits.
- Oil- and combustion-related pollutants in the sediment were within limits.
- The site is fenced and access-controlled.
Photo gallery
The project results have been submitted to the competent institutions as a basis for improving regulation and for strategic planning of further activities.
Legal basis
- Decision on the characterization of surface and groundwater, reference conditions and parameters for water status assessment and water monitoring (Official Gazette of FBiH No. 01/14)
- Rulebook on limit and remediation values of polluting, harmful and hazardous substances in soil (Official Gazette of RS No. 82/21)
Due to the absence of reference values for soil and sediment in the Federation of BiH, the Republika Srpska rulebook is applied as a reference framework to ensure methodological consistency between the entities.