Ohrid villages Elshani and Velestovo urged to use bottled water after fecal contamination found

Residents of the Ohrid villages Elshani and Velestovo have been told to rely on bottled water for the time being after laboratory tests revealed fecal contamination in the local water supply. The Center for Public Health – Ohrid reported the findings and authorities have issued a ban on using the affected water for drinking and cooking.

According to the Center for Public Health – Ohrid, contamination typically occurs when sewage from nearby septic pits or farm facilities seeps into springs and distribution networks. New tests are already scheduled for tomorrow, while experts insist that systematic and regular chlorination is the primary long‑term remedy.

Local infrastructure and a wider problem

So far, there have been no registered complaints from residents about health problems linked to the contamination. Still, health officials warn that the situation poses a clear risk until disinfection is assured.

Authorities stress this is part of a chronic weakness in rural areas: in the Ohrid region, 90 percent of village water systems are managed by local community groups that lack sufficient resources to perform regular disinfection.

The Municipality of Ohrid has ordered local communities to place visible warnings at all public taps. At the same time, Mayor Kiril Pecakov says the incident is isolated and that the city waterworks remain fully safe.

Health authorities appeal to residents and visitors: do not drink water from local springs in Elshani and Velestovo until conditions for complete and permanent disinfection are secured.

Photo: press material from the event