Skopje, 7 October 2024 (MIA) -- The Food and Veterinary Agency has issued a drinking water ban for Gostivar residents after labs found Friday manganese levels in the residential tap water above the FVA water safety guidance levels, the FVA said. The water ban is still in place while more testing is being done.

The local public water utility was ordered to inform Gostivar residents about the tap water ban and supply them with safe drinking water, which it promptly did, according to the FVA.

The FVA, the Public Health Institute, and the Gostivar Center for Public Health inspectors took four samples from four different sites on Saturday to determine the manganese levels again. The test results are still pending, the FVA said.

Drinking water with high levels of manganese can cause brain problems, including a permanent neurological disorder known as manganism, according to the US Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. mr/