Tetovo tap water has unpleasant smell and taste, authorities say it is safe to drink

Residents of Tetovo again report an unpleasant taste and smell in tap water as the autumn season arrives, a recurring phenomenon in the city that raises questions about whether the water is safe to drink.

The Public Utility Company "Shar" (PUC Shar), which operates Tetovo's water network, says the water is chemically and bacteriologically safe for consumption. The latest laboratory checks carried out by the Public Health Center in Tetovo also confirm the water meets drinking-water standards.

PUC Shar explains seasonal cause

In a statement, PUC Shar said: "According to laboratory analyses and the regular monitoring of water quality by the Public Health Centre Tetovo, the documented results confirm that the analysed water samples meet the prescribed criteria for drinking water. In the autumn period, especially after rainfall and the falling of leaves on Shar Mountain, a characteristic smell of vegetation may occasionally appear. This may be related to organic matter released during the decomposition of plant material that reaches the water sources. The occurrence of such an odour does not necessarily indicate a deterioration in water quality. The safety of drinking water is determined by laboratory analyses, and not only by smell or taste. According to the attached control results, the analysed water meets the conditions for drinking."

The utility emphasized that sensory changes—smell or taste—are not a substitute for laboratory testing, and urged residents to rely on official test results rather than on impressions formed by odour alone.

Authorities say they will continue regular sampling and monitoring while advising the public that the current analyses do not show chemical or bacteriological contamination that would make the water unsafe for drinking.

Photo: SDK.MK)