Many municipalities feel the consequences of the terrorist attack in the north

After the damage that the terrorist attack left in the Ibër-Lepenci canal, citizens of the municipalities of the region of Mitrovica and a part of the region of Pristina have been left without drinking water. Well, experts in the water sector say that the hydrosystem of Ibër-Lepenci is vital for the well-being of citizens

The attack on the water channel of Ibër-Lepenci has left without drinking water residents of several municipalities that are supplied by the lake of Ujman.

After the explosion, the citizens of North Mitrovica were supplied with drinking water through trucks placed in several locations by the Kosovo Energy Corporation.

The Regional Water Company in Mitrovica has announced that it is working on a long-term solution to the problem. 

And, the citizens said that they were forced to buy water cans.

"The water has never arrived, but the tankers have." They are flying with tankers and we are filling them. There is no drinking water", said Birsana Ademi, a citizen from Mitrovica. "Last night we had some cans at home, then my brother went and bought some because of the children."

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Businesses have also felt the consequences of the water stoppage.

"Since the evening we have a problem with water and we are also having a problem with business as we are not able to clean the dishes", said Premtim Kajtazi, who has a gastronomy business. 

The hydro system of Ibër-Lepenci supplies water to a part of the municipality of Pristina, Fushë-Kosova, Obiliq, Drenas, Mitrovica, Vushtrri and Skenderaj. 

Baton Begolli, an expert in the water sector, says that Iber-Lepenci, whose canal was hit with explosives, constitutes critical infrastructure for the state.

"The Ibër-Lepenci hydrosystem, including the Ujman dam and the Ibër-Lepenci canal (although it practically only falls in Ibër today, because the Lepenci part has not yet been started), is the most vital object for the social, economic, political well-being of Kosovo and is vital for the provision of drinking water for municipalities. But not only for drinking water, but this canal is also strategic for providing water for cooling KEK's boilers... now with this intervention we have water", said Begolli. "Shkabaj remains a challenge because there is not enough water now, so we have to make alternative solutions from Badovci and Batllava for Pristina, from the wells of Hashanve for Obiliq and the wells of Kroni and Vragoli for Fushë-Kosova".

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The Ministry of Health has announced that the water passing through the Ibër-Lepenci canal is undrinkable, after being damaged by the terrorist attack.

"According to the first analyses, carried out on the untreated water, the water passing through the Ibër-Lepenci canal is not clean for drinking at the moment, while in addition to the microbiological and bacteriological analyses, IKSHPK/QRSHP Mitrovica will also analyze parameters others related to the presence of metals in the water", the Ministry's announcement states.

In it, it was announced that IKSHPK is collaborating with KRU "Mitrovica" and KRU "Prishtina" to monitor the water from the Ibër-Lepenci canal and that they will carry out all the necessary analyzes to ensure that the water, before being allowed for drinking, meets the allowed parameters.

"The Ministry of Health and IKSHPK assure the citizens that all the necessary measures are being taken so that the water used in the areas affected by the consequences of the explosion meets the permitted standards", the announcement continues.

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After the damage caused by the explosion with explosives, there were also water reductions in Drenas, Fushë-Kosovo and Obiliq. According to the Regional Water Company "Prishtina", these municipalities had a water stop for five hours on Saturday. 

While KEK's water supply was adjusted a few hours after the explosion, after the intervention of institutions, engineers and workers of public enterprises.