The Food and Veterinary Agency (FVA) has ordered a temporary ban on the use of water from Gostivar’s water supply network for drinking. The measure was taken due to well-founded suspicions that the water may be contaminated and unsafe for consumption.
Meanwhile, more than 1,200 residents have sought medical treatment at Gostivar General Hospital, reporting complaints of abdominal pain and vomiting.
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An extraordinary inspection found that a pump had been installed without authorization and illegally on the main water pipeline, directly sending water from the Vardar River into the city’s supply system.
“Following a notification received from the Public Prosecutor of the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office in Gostivar to conduct an extraordinary inspection at the water treatment station in the village of Vrutok, Municipality of Gostivar, aimed at verifying the safety and quality of drinking water in this supply system, and following citizens’ complaints submitted to the Prosecutor’s Office and a report by the Gostivar Interior Ministry office concerning the safety and quality of the water, FVA inspection services, together with representatives of the Ministry of Environment, the Public Prosecutor’s Office and Interior Ministry forensic technicians, conducted an extraordinary inspection last night. Specialists from the Institute of Public Health, who were present during the inspection, took water samples for laboratory analysis to determine its safety. To prevent a greater risk to the population of this region, the FVA imposed a temporary ban on the use of water for drinking until laboratory results confirming its safety are received,” the FVA said in a statement.
According to the “Dr. Ferid Murad” General Hospital in Gostivar, cases with similar symptoms have emerged over the past 3–4 days. The health institution said it has increased staffing in the departments facing the largest influx of patients.
“Regarding the epidemic that has spread in Gostivar over these past 3–4 days, we have a large number of patients who have received medical assistance at our institution. For this reason, we have reinforced medical staff in the departments with the highest number of patients. Most patients present with the same symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, fever, weakness, etc. The largest number of patients with these symptoms are in the Infectious Diseases, Pediatrics and Emergency departments.”
“During these days, around 1,000–1,200 patients with these symptoms have presented at the ‘Dr. Ferid Murad’ General Hospital in Gostivar. All patients have received medical assistance and appropriate treatment,” the hospital said in a statement.
The Tetovo Department of Internal Affairs said there are suspicions that the public utility company “Water Supply,” in cooperation with the Municipality of Gostivar, had installed three pumps in a wastewater channel. Through them, water was allegedly injected into the main pipeline supplying the city.
It is suspected that the action was carried out to increase pressure in the network because of a shortage of drinking water, directly endangering the health of Gostivar residents.
The case was also reported to the Tetovo Department of Internal Affairs. Following the actions taken, it was assessed that the possible cause may have been the introduction of contaminated water into the city’s water supply system from the pumping point in the village of Vrutok, with the aim of increasing pressure in the network.
“On 16.07.2026, at around 18:20, inspectors from the External Office for Criminal Affairs in Gostivar, acting on instructions from the Public Prosecutor of the Gostivar Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office, took urgent measures and carried out field activities in the village of Vrutok due to suspicions of contamination of the water supplying the city of Gostivar,” the Tetovo Department of Internal Affairs said in a statement.
The Tetovo Department of Internal Affairs said investigations are continuing to fully clarify the case, due to suspicions of the criminal offence of “Contamination of Drinking Water,” provided for and punishable under Article 219 of the Criminal Code.
The Public Health Centre in Gostivar said analyses to determine water quality are still ongoing.
