Food and Veterinary Agency bans drinking from the natural spring in Bashino Selo
The ban follows analyses from the Center for Public Health Veles; three consecutive compliant analyses are required before reuse is permitted.
The Food and Veterinary Agency (FVA) has banned the use of water from the natural spring in Bashino Selo for drinking. Numerous families from Veles also collect water from the spring.
"Due to an identified irregularity, the water must not be used for drinking until the ban is lifted by the competent authority. We urge citizens to strictly comply with the issued ban," the local government announced.
A sign notifying about the ban has been placed at the spring, and the municipality said the public will be informed after receiving official confirmation that the water is safe to use.
Tests by the Center for Public Health Veles
The Center for Public Health Veles published the results of the analysis of the sample taken from the spring on July 24. The report states: "The tested water sample does not comply with legal and professional regulations for bacteriological analysis due to an increased total bacterial count per milliliter. Considering that this is a natural spring with variable water quality, it cannot be regarded as a reliable and safe source for supplying the population. It is necessary to carry out remediation of the facility and its surroundings and to establish regular disinfection of the water so that it can be used as drinking water."
Of the four water samples taken from the spring in the center of Bashino Selo this year, three were compliant: on January 2, April 27 and June 9, while the most recent sample showed that the water is non-compliant.
For the water to be allowed again for drinking, it must be declared health-safe in three consecutive analyses. Last year the spring was tested eight times, with three instances of non-compliant results, which experts say indicates variable quality and does not make the spring a recommended source for continuous supply.
Photo: SDK.MK)
