The water in Gostivar was not drinkable back in 2018 and 2019, according to reports from an accredited laboratory commissioned by the Public Enterprise Komunalets Gostivar.
Some of the reports, which Infomax had access to, show the presence of Escherichia coli and other bacteria in the water. The conclusion of the reports is clear: "the tested sample does not meet the criteria for the required parameter in accordance with the Regulation on the special requirements for the safety of natural mineral water, spring water and other packaged water (Official Gazette No. 184/18, Annex 8)."
Infomax sources from the Institute of Public Health confirm that the IPH, as well as the Ministry of Health under the then leadership of Minister Venko Filipche, were informed of the results of these reports.
We have also submitted official questions to the Institute of Public Health, PE Komunalets Gostivar, and the Ministry of Health regarding how these institutions reacted, considering that they knew about these results, but we have not received a response to this point.
The same bacteria found in the water in Gostivar in July of this year are also present in reports from 2018 and 2019.
Based on the official statement of the Prosecutor's Office, water analyses in Gostivar showed the presence of coliform bacteria and an increased number of aerobic mesophilic bacteria. These findings indicate microbiological contamination of the water and a possible risk to public health.
Coliform bacteria are a group of microorganisms that are naturally found in soil and on plants, but many of them also live in the intestines of humans and warm-blooded animals.
According to the current drinking water quality standards, their presence should be zero (0 cfu/100 ml). Any detected amount is a warning that contaminated water, which may be surface or related to fecal contamination, may have entered the water supply system, which requires additional checks and measures.
"In the open channel from which the pumps drew water, 2.419,6 cfu/100 ml of coliform bacteria were measured, indicating very high microbiological contamination of that water."
"In the captured part of the source, 39 cfu/100 ml were measured, although according to the standards the value should be 0 cfu/100 ml. This result indicates that microbiological contamination was also present in part of the system from which the population is supplied," the official statement from the Prosecutor's Office states.
Aerobic mesophilic bacteria are not one specific bacterium, but a group of microorganisms that grow in the presence of oxygen and multiply best at temperatures between 20 and 45 °C.
Their increased number in water is most often used as an indicator of general microbiological and organic pollution, as well as impaired hygienic conditions in the water supply system.
The mere presence of coliform bacteria does not mean that they are all pathogenic, but it is a strong indicator that other dangerous microorganisms may be present in the water. Consuming microbiologically contaminated water can lead to gastrointestinal infections, and symptoms most often include severe cramps and abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, elevated body temperature, dehydration, especially in children, the elderly and people with chronic diseases.
The director of the public enterprise "Komunalec" from Gostivar, Artana Asani (Arta Asani), and two managers were sentenced to 30 days in custody in Skopje's Shutka prison. They are suspected of serious crimes against the environment and nature for installing pumps that mixed untreated water with drinking water in Gostivar.
