Clean Water and Sanitation

Various work processes, such as the oil production process (upstream), oil refining process (downstream), petrochemical and other processes in the Company require the use of water resources. Water is used in different manners: In the production and technological (steam production processes, cooling systems), for fire protection, tank cooling and water tightness testing, drinking water bottling, as well as for washing of vehicles and equipment, watering and sanitation needs.

For the needs of production, the Company uses water from least sensitive water resources – surface waters (83%), out of which 82.5% is withdrawn from the Danube and the Danube-Tisa-Danube Canal. In addition to watercourses, the affected water is from public waterworks (6.3%) and wells (10.4%). The Danube and the Danube-Tisa-Danube canal are high-flow water bodies, so the company’s withdrawal does not affect their potential, as it accounts for less than 5% of their average yearly flow.

NIS gives high priority to wastewater treatment, especially considering that 89% of wastewater is discharged to waterways, mostly in the Danube river. By treating wastewater to the quality required by the legal regulations, the Company protects the public sewage systems and final recipients. Wastewaters in the Company is divided into: process wastewater, atmospheric, and sanitary wastewater. All wastewater undergoes appropriate treatment in accordance with the water permit, water conditions and other binding documents (IPPC permit, environmental impact assessment study) and only treated wastewater is discharged to the final recipient (regardless of the type of recipient).

Oil-contaminated wastewater resulting from process activities at the company, and oil-contaminated rainwater could pose a real risk for the recipient bodies (waterway, public sewer system, lagoons, and waste pits) and, consequently, every year, the Company installs new and replaces/reconstructs the existing separators, as assessed to be necessary.

The water treatment technology and the choice of plant depend on the type and concentration of contaminants, wastewater volumes, rate of generation, and release, and the intended recipient. Wastewater treatment in the company is carried out at water treatment plants, separators and clarifiers, and biological purifiers – of which there are currently 425, while last year there were 417 of them, and this data speaks in favour of the Company’s commitment to continuously investing in wastewater treatment plants, aware of their importance.

The Pančevo Oil Refinery consumes the largest amount of water for its own needs and also generates the most wastewater. Process wastewater after pre-treatment of wastewater in the API separator (removal of oily and suspended matter) from the Pančevo Oil Refinery is sent to “HIP-Petrohemija” for further treatment. The quality of technological wastewater shipped from the Pančevo Oil Refinery to “HIP-Petrohemija” must be in accordance with the Instructions on the Reception of Wastewater NIS, “Refining Block”, Pančevo Oil Refinery, to “HIP-Petrohemija” Pančevo.

In order to check the quality of treated wastewater and the efficiency of the treatment process in accordance with applicable legal regulations, regular monitoring of all emitters, including groundwater, is carried out, thereby controlling the impact of the work activities of the NIS company on groundwater and soil. We also monitor the technical condition of the treatment facilities, in terms of functionality and containment, transparently report accidents, maintain all necessary licenses and pay all fees and taxes.

One of our main goals in terms of water use is to minimize the share of fresh water we use. The Pančevo Oil Refinery continues to save about 20 percent of the fresh water it uses, which was achieved through condensate recovery, i.e. water recirculation (in 2024, the saving effect is 23%).

The impact of industrial operations on water bodies is one of the significant topics. NIS cooperates with the competent authorities responsible for water management, as well as with other local and national institutions. Data on the quality of wastewater discharged after treatment are submitted to the local and national registry of pollution sources on a regular basis.

Danube River During 2024, there were no accidents or spills of pollutants in NIS Company that would have impacted surface or groundwater bodies.

Additional detailed information regarding the water management process at NIS is given within individual GRI indicators: 303-1, 303-2, 303-3, 303-4 and 303-5.