Gostivar water safety: IZJ orders staff competence checks and technical upgrades

Following an epidemic in Gostivar caused by intestinal infectious diseases linked to the city's water supply, the Institute of Public Health (IZJ) has issued a series of corrective measures to the public utility company, Komunalec.

One primary requirement is for Komunalec to verify the professional competence and training of staff working at critical points within the water supply and distribution system. The IZJ emphasized that personnel managing water facilities and networks must undergo continuous training to identify and prevent risks to water quality. Additionally, staff working in the first protection zone are required to undergo regular health and hygiene examinations.

Technical recommendations include improving chlorine control throughout the network, implementing an automated monitoring and alarm system, and conducting regular flushing of network sections. The IZJ specified that residual free chlorine in the distribution network should be maintained within a range of 0.2–0.5 mg/L to ensure microbiological safety. These measures aim to enhance the security of the Gostivar water supply system and prevent future public health crises.