Water in Gostivar has been declared safe for drinking after nearly a month of restrictions, the Main Crisis Management Headquarters announced. New test results confirmed that the water is microbiologically and bacteriologically safe, allowing residents to resume using it for drinking.
“The crisis in Gostivar is ending. I hope there will be more responsible management in the future, because what happened in the water supply system was unacceptable. The Public Prosecutor’s Office and the courts will determine whether anyone bears responsibility”, said Stojanche Angelov, director of the Protection and Rescue Directorate and head of the crisis headquarters.
After the press conference, Angelov and the other members of the crisis headquarters visited a public fountain in Gostivar where they all had a glass of water from it, as a gesture of proof that the water is safe for consumption once again. PM Hristijan Mickoski welcomed the announcement.
“Within less than four weeks, the water supply system in Gostivar was completely cleaned and restored. The Government did everything possible to normalize the situation. The Public Prosecutor’s Office and Interior Ministry are investigating why previous warnings about poor water quality were ignored, and the investigation should continue until everyone with responsibility is identified and held accountable”, he said.
In meantime, SDSM accused authorities of prematurely declaring Gostivar’s water safe after a month-long contamination crisis that affected thousands of residents.
“Citizens have the right to know which institution tested the water, what the results were, who signed the report and who guarantees its safety. For people’s health, there must be an expert analysis, a document, a signature and accountability”, they said from SDSM.