Gjorgjievski: Rashche water is safe; landfill is not on Skopje territory
Mayor says the dump mentioned in public reports is about 30 km from the Rashche source and that daily tests show drinking water is safe.
Skopje Mayor Orce Gjorgjievski denied that a nearby landfill threatens the city’s water supply, saying the dump linked in public reports to the Rashche spring lies about 30 kilometres from the source and is not on Skopje city territory. He reiterated that drinking water for the capital is both microbiologically and chemically safe.
Mayor gives details on monitoring and testing
Gjorgjievski responded after SDSM warned of an emerging illegal dump near the Rashche source and asked authorities for an urgent intervention, saying the situation could pose a risk to the spring that supplies Skopje.
“In recent times, in public and on social networks information has been spread about a surface landfill which is being linked to the 'Rashche' spring, and thereby unnecessary fear and panic is created among citizens regarding the safety of drinking water. Therefore, I want to first state the facts. The landfill in question is not located within the territory of the City of Skopje and is approximately 30 kilometres away from the 'Rashche' sources. It has existed for 30 years,” Gjorgjievski said, adding that any landfill that poses an environmental problem should be cleared regardless of jurisdiction.
The mayor said that, although the issue is not the city’s direct responsibility, the Public Enterprise 'Vodovod i Kanalizacija' – Skopje has been tasked to act within its competences, and the City of Skopje will provide full support for removing the site.
“Results from daily analyses of the water show that it is microbiologically and chemically correct and safe to drink. Every day additional samples are taken from 36 to 40 different locations across the water supply system, which are thoroughly examined in the laboratories of the Public Enterprise 'Vodovod i Kanalizacija' – Skopje. The 'Rashche' spring is under constant, 24-hour surveillance and protection. It is an area that is highly protected with video surveillance, as well as physical security of a large area around the spring. Therefore, to the citizens I want to say, be calm,” he said.
Gjorgjievski also emphasized he would never stay silent if there were any health risk to Skopje residents, but warned he would not allow untruths, speculation and the spread of panic to undermine trust where facts, analyses and results show the opposite.
Photo: Орце Ѓорѓиевски / Фејсбук
