Residents complain about the smell and taste of water in Tetovo, authorities say it is safe

Tap water in Tetovo has once again been accompanied by an unpleasant smell and taste, although authorities say it is safe to consume and meets the required standards.

The “Sharri” Public Services Company said that the results of laboratory analyses conducted so far had confirmed the accuracy of the samples collected.

According to the authorities, this change usually occurs during the autumn. After heavy rainfall, leaves and other plant material from the Šar Mountains decompose, while some organic compounds end up in water sources.

Water quality is also regularly monitored by the Center for Public Health in Tetovo, which collects samples twice a day, from Monday to Friday.

Dr. Ilija Iljoski, a specialist in hygiene and health ecology, says this is a phenomenon that recurs every autumn.

He explains that bacteriological analyses have found the water to be compliant, while only minor deviations have been identified in the physical and chemical parameters, linked to the change in smell and taste.

The latest samples, collected today, will produce results on Monday, as the laboratory analysis process requires several days.

The cause is linked to the water supply system, which was built around ten years ago and is supplied by the Shkumbin River, near the Leshnicë site in the Šar Mountains. As it is an open system, during October and November, especially after torrential rains, fallen leaves and vegetation may enter it.

The water is then treated at the filtration station near the village of Lisec, but the process cannot completely remove the characteristic smell and taste.

Authorities explain that the mere presence of an unpleasant odor is not an indication that the water is unsafe. Its safety is determined through the results of laboratory analyses./Telegrafi/