Odolena Voda reservoir water contaminated with lead

Drinking water supplied by the Odolena Voda reservoir is currently unfit for consumption or cooking due to lead concentrations exceeding legal limits. Recent testing by Středočeské vodárny revealed that two out of twelve samples contained lead levels of 29.5 and 24.4 micrograms per liter, significantly higher than the hygienic limit of 10 micrograms per liter.

The contamination affects more than 20,000 residents across several municipalities, including Hoštice, Husinec, Klíčany, Klecany, Máslovice, Odolena Voda, Postřižín, Řež, Sedlec, Větrušice, Vodochody, and Zdiby. While health officials state that accidental consumption is unlikely to cause serious health issues for healthy individuals, they advise caution for vulnerable groups such as infants and pregnant women.

Středočeské vodárny are implementing measures to clean the water and have increased monitoring frequency. Alternative water supplies via tankers are being provided to priority locations like schools, nurseries, and medical facilities. Residents in areas without tanker access are advised to use bottled water until hygienists confirm the water is safe through repeated testing.