Urgent warning for tourists: Tap water use banned in Siviri, Halkidiki

Greek health authorities have issued an urgent warning and banned the use of tap water in the resort town of Siviri on Halkidiki after laboratory analyses detected microbiological contamination.

The notice states that tap water must not be used for drinking, preparing food, washing fruit and vegetables, or brushing teeth, because it does not meet the health standards for safe use.

Disinfection and further testing

Local teams immediately began disinfecting the water network and increasing chlorination of the system after the contamination was discovered. New samples will be taken for laboratory testing in the coming days, and the ban will remain in effect until analyses confirm the water is again safe to use.

As a temporary measure, residents, hospitality businesses and tourists are advised to use bottled water; if bottled water is not available, water must be boiled for a sufficient time before consumption or use in food preparation.

Siviri is one of the most popular resorts on the first peninsula of Halkidiki and each summer hosts thousands of tourists, including a large number of visitors from North Macedonia. For that reason, authorities urge everyone currently in the area to follow official notices and avoid using mains water for consumption.

Although there have been no reports so far of people suffering health effects linked to the contamination, experts warn that using microbiologically contaminated water can cause stomach infections and other health problems, especially among children, older people and those with weakened immune systems. Officials say the public will be informed as soon as test results show the water is safe and the ban is lifted.

Photo: press material from the event