Skopje, 7 August 2026 (MIA) - The situation with the water supply in Gostivar is gradually stabilizing. The number of bacteria has significantly decreased, but the water is still not suitable for drinking and the ban on using it for drinking and cooking remains in place. It can be used as technical water. The Food and Veterinary Agency is the institution that will determine when the water is safe for consumption, said Protection and Rescue Directorate Director Stojanche Angelov, who also heads the government-established crisis HQ. Angelov said the water will most likely be approved for drinking next week if the results remain at the current level.

Regarding the presence of bacteria from stagnant water in the water supply system, Angelov said in an interview with Kanal 5 TV that a misunderstanding had arisen among the public because the amount of bacteria was very low. However, it still makes the water unsuitable for drinking, although it does not pose a danger to citizens when used as technical water. On the other hand, Angelov said the situation has significantly improved as a result of prolonged hyperchlorination. However, once several consecutive tests over a period of at least three days confirm the absence of bacteria and establish that the water is microbiologically safe, the excess chlorine intentionally added to eliminate the bacteria must be reduced to normal levels. Only then will the Food and Veterinary Agency determine whether the water is suitable for drinking.

At the same time, Angelov said, citizens will face the main problem – the insufficient amount of water in the Gostivar water supply system.

“This is where the problem starts. There is not enough water in the water supply system, which is why several employees of the Water Supply Company unfortunately placed those pipes in open water to supply the city water network,” said the director of the Protection and Rescue Directorate, adding that an investigation should be conducted into why the Gostivar water supply system has not been reconstructed so far.

He said he was more than certain that someone would face criminal responsibility, as there are individuals who have been detained and are in custody.

“I believe that the Public Prosecutor’s Office will file the appropriate criminal charges, so there will almost certainly be both accountability and criminal liability. Such behaviour by the local authorities is unacceptable, although the current mayor has been in office for a relatively short time. Nevertheless, this is a position from which something can be changed,” Angelov said.
Angelov said the number of wildfires this summer is nearly the same as in the previous two years, but stressed that the response has been much faster and more effective.

He said the government had introduced legislative changes and made better use of available resources, noting that, for the first time in many years, all three Air Tractors and their pilots were ready at the start of the fire season in early June. Together with local firefighters, they play a key role in preventing fires from spreading and developing into major wildfires.

Photo: screenshot