Struga imposes night water restrictions as Shum and Belichkite springs' output falls
Shum now supplies 130–150 l/s, Belichkite about 30 l/s; nightly limits run 23:00–06:00 and further cuts are possible.
Struga has introduced nightly water supply restrictions after the output of the Shum and Belichkite springs declined, the municipality’s water utility said, as dry hydrological conditions persist.
Reduced flow from springs forces temporary limits
Current measurements show the Shum spring supplying between 130 and 150 litres per second, while the Belichkite springs provide roughly 30 litres per second. The utility reports that daily deliveries now amount to about 6,000 cubic metres — the maximum volume it can distribute under present conditions.
Jovancho Mechkaroski, director of Public Enterprise Vodovod Struga, warned that lower spring yields are already affecting households in higher buildings and more remote rural areas where water pressure falls at times.
“At the moment, from 23:00 to 06:00 we have certain restrictions. If this trend continues, we do not rule out introducing additional restrictions,” Mechkaroski said.
Teams from the utility are conducting daily repairs, chasing illegal connections and trying to reduce losses while managing the available volume. The company is also reviewing options for alternative sources, but Mechkaroski stressed those would require major funding, technical capacity and involvement from state-level institutions.
Problems with water supply in Struga have lasted for years and residents continue to report irregular delivery and low pressure. In February this year extremely high turbidity — measured at 28.56 NTU against an allowable 1.5 NTU — forced a ban on using the water for drinking in the town and nearby settlements.
Photo: SDK.MK)
