Millanov: Water from Gostivar’s water supply system remains banned for drinking and food preparation

The director of the Food and Veterinary Agency (FVA), Oliver Millanov, said today that the ban on using water from Gostivar’s water supply system for drinking and food preparation will remain in force until laboratory analyses prove that it is safe. He stressed that the situation is being closely monitored and that the necessary legal measures are being taken to fully clarify the case, identify and eliminate the causes that led to the situation and endangered citizens’ health. According to him, every part of the procedure will be investigated.

At a press conference held at the government building, Millanov announced that inspection services were continuing their checks today at food operators in the Gostivar region. He explained that the emergency measures and intensified monitoring aim to accurately determine the source, degree and extent of the contamination, as well as to secure new and relevant laboratory results. All further actions regarding the case will be decided on the basis of these results.

Millanov said that the FVA is paying particular attention to monitoring the quality of drinking water in the Municipality of Gostivar. After receiving initial information about a possible risk to public health, the Agency’s inspection services carried out an extraordinary inspection of the water supply system in the village of Vrutok, Municipality of Gostivar. The action followed a notification from the public prosecutor at the Gostivar Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office and a report by the Gostivar Interior Ministry concerning a possible threat to the safety of drinking water in Gostivar’s water supply system.

In accordance with its legal powers and established protocols, the inspection was conducted on July 16, late in the evening. Representatives of the Ministry of Environment, the Gostivar Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Interior Ministry’s criminalistics department also took part.

During the inspection, according to the director, it was discovered that pumps had been illegally installed without authorization on the main pipeline of the water supply network, through which water from the Vardar River was being injected directly into the system.

To determine whether the water was safe, experts from the Institute of Public Health collected four samples for laboratory analysis. The samples were taken from the reservoir, the water source, surface water and a public tap at a mosque.

Millanov announced that the FVA immediately imposed a temporary ban on the use of drinking water in order to prevent a greater risk to residents of the region. During the previous day, the activities expanded significantly, and inspectors from the Food and Veterinary Agency collected additional samples throughout the water supply system. The inspections included public institutions, kindergartens, catering establishments and other entities that use this water for drinking or food preparation.

He warned that, within its legal powers, the Agency would take all necessary measures against any entity where shortcomings or non-compliance with legally prescribed obligations are identified.

The director called on citizens, until the final laboratory results are received and the situation is fully normalized, to consistently follow the recommendations of the competent health institutions and local authorities regarding the use of drinking water.

Millanov added that the FVA is responsible for collecting official water samples, while their analysis is carried out by the Institute of Public Health. This institution must officially submit the results to the Food and Veterinary Agency.