Summer in mountainous regions is no longer what it used to be. Heatwaves start earlier, rains are increasingly rare, and springs that were once permanent now dry up as early as June. For many livestock farmers, securing enough drinking water for their animals has become a matter of survival.
In alpine and other high-altitude areas with poor infrastructure, farmers often rely on natural springs, streams or seasonal fountains. When these dry up, the health of animals, farm productivity and even the survival of entire farms are at risk.
“I have 40 sheep and 5 cows. Each animal drinks up to 50 liters per day during a heatwave. That’s over 2,000 liters a day – and we no longer have a well or stream,” says Miloš from the Priboj area.
🔧 Solutions exist – but aren’t easy
Farmers are increasingly turning to water tanks, mobile troughs, rain collectors, and some invest in solar pumps and reservoirs. The problem is that these solutions require investment – and most farms lack the funds, especially in a bad season.
That’s why government and local community support is crucial, through:
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emergency measures during extreme droughts
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subsidies for rainwater collection and storage systems
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incentives for innovative water supply solutions
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better management of shared mountain water sources
🌿 Sustainability begins with a drop of water
This is not only a technical problem – it’s also ecological and social. Mountain farms preserve landscapes, biodiversity and the cultural identity of alpine regions. Without water, livestock disappears – and with it, the people.
Every drop counts. Not just for cows, but for the survival of the whole mountain.
