Municipality: Bitola, Southwestern North Macedonia
Settlements: 65
Population: 85, 164
Altitude: 650m (town of Bitola)
© Municipality of Bitola
Bitola Municipality covers a vast territory of nearly 800 km², the majority of which is rural. With villages spread across diverse landscapes and altitude levels, ensuring equitable access to safe and reliable drinking water is both a major responsibility and challenge for the local authority.
Water supply infrastructure affects residents as well as local economic activities, agriculture, and the resilience of rural communities.
Water supply challenges in Bitola
Bitola faces long-standing structural challenges in its water supply systems, particularly in rural areas. Many village networks are outdated or were initially developed without adequate technical standards. As a result, water losses remain high, with non-revenue water reaching around 51%, significantly reducing system efficiency.
In several settlements, low water pressure, especially in higher altitude areas, affects daily access to water, while insufficient storage capacity constrains the system’s ability to respond to periods of peak demand.
In some cases, protective zones around water sources are not yet clearly defined, which can pose challenges for ensuring consistent water quality monitoring.
These challenges are becoming more acute with climate change. Hotter and prolonged dry periods increase consumption and place additional stress on already fragile infrastructure, highlighting the urgent need for modernisation and better system management.
Bitola as part of the WATERVILL project
Bitolat reflects the reality of many Mediterranean rural territories: large areas, dispersed settlements and water supply systems that no longer meet current needs.
The municipality is active in combating these challenges and has already integrated water-related priorities into key strategic documents, including its Local Environmental Action Plan and Local Economic Development Strategy.
Through its participation in the project, Bitola brings valuable experience in managing complex rural water systems and a strong commitment to improving access to clean drinking water, particularly for smaller and more remote communities.
What the project will bring locally
Within the project, Bitola will test innovative solutions aimed at improving the management of rural water supply systems. The focus is on modernising existing infrastructure, reducing water losses, and strengthening the municipality’s capacity to monitor and manage water resources more efficiently.
New tools will support real-time monitoring of water networks, enabling quicker detection of leaks, better pressure management, and more informed decision-making. These improvements will help optimise water use, reduce operational costs, and enhance service reliability for residents.
The project will also contribute to improved water governance by supporting regulatory enforcement, asset management strategies and community engagement. By combining technical upgrades with long-term planning, Bitola will be better equipped to address climate-related risks and ensure the sustainability of its water supply systems.
PHOTO GALLERY
1/ Wastewater collection system from households and tourist facilities (village of Trnovo)
2/ Construction of a water supply network
3/ Water supply network Bitola
4/ Water supply network Bursa
© Municipality of Bitola
