White foam in Vardar River within limits; final analysis due Aug 4

Vardar River white foam water quality DIŽS final report

On 24 July 2026 a white waste foam was reported on the Vardar River at its confluence with the Lepenc River near Skopje. The State Environmental Inspectorate (DIŽS) immediately coordinated emergency field inspections and laboratory tests, and inspected industrial facilities in the area. No legal violations were found and the facilities were operating in accordance with their environmental permits.

Public Enterprise Water and Sewerage – Skopje collected water samples from the disputed site. A preliminary report dated 29 July showed that the physical‑chemical parameters of the samples were below the permitted discharge limits for surface waters. At the request of DIŽS, additional samples were sent to an accredited laboratory for further analysis. The Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning said the final report will be delivered on 4 August 2026 and the public will be informed transparently. Skopje mayor Orce Gjorgievski confirmed the incident and the coordinated response.

Entities

JP Water and Sewerage – Skopje · Lepenc River · Lepenec River · Mayor Orce Gjorgievski · Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning · Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning (North Macedonia) · Public Enterprise Water and Sewerage Skopje · Public Enterprise Water and Sewerage – Skopje · State Environment Inspectorate (DIJS) · State Environmental Inspectorate (DIŽS) · State Inspection for Environment · Vardar River

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 11 SOURCES] Additional water samples were sent to an accredited laboratory for further analysis. zoom.mk · racin.mk · opserver.mk · skopje1.mk · zhurnal.mk · +6 more
[● 11 SOURCES] White waste foam was observed in the Vardar River at the confluence with the Lepenc River on 24 July 2026. zoom.mk · racin.mk · opserver.mk · skopje1.mk · zhurnal.mk · +6 more
[● 11 SOURCES] Inspections of industrial facilities in the zone found no legal violations. zoom.mk · racin.mk · opserver.mk · skopje1.mk · zhurnal.mk · +6 more
[● 11 SOURCES] The Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning will inform the public transparently after the final report is released. zoom.mk · racin.mk · opserver.mk · skopje1.mk · zhurnal.mk · +6 more
[● 11 SOURCES] The State Environmental Inspectorate (DIŽS) launched emergency field and laboratory inspections after the foam was reported. zoom.mk · racin.mk · opserver.mk · skopje1.mk · zhurnal.mk · +6 more
[● 11 SOURCES] Water samples taken by Public Enterprise Water and Sewerage – Skopje were analyzed and a preliminary report dated 29 July 2026 showed physical‑chemical parameters below the allowed discharge limits. zoom.mk · racin.mk · opserver.mk · skopje1.mk · zhurnal.mk · +6 more
[● 11 SOURCES] The final water‑quality report is scheduled to be delivered on 4 August 2026. zoom.mk · racin.mk · opserver.mk · skopje1.mk · zhurnal.mk · +6 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] Skopje mayor Orce Gjorgievski confirmed the foam incident and the coordinated response. libertas.mk