Chromium in tap water: Kozloduy residents told not to drink or cook with it
Tests found up to 97 micrograms of chromium per liter against a limit of 50. Health authorities restricted tap water to household use, and the utility is cutting its price by 15%.
Symbolic image · Photo: Vislupus / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
The Regional Health Inspectorate in Vratsa has banned the use of mains water in Kozloduy for drinking and cooking because of elevated chromium levels. According to an order by its director, Dr. Chavdar Manov, lab samples showed between 81 and 97 micrograms of chromium per liter, against a permitted 50 micrograms. The water may be used only for household and hygiene needs, and families with babies and young children are advised to bathe them in mineral water. The restrictions will be lifted once two consecutive samples meet the standard.
Water utility ViK Vratsa attributes the contamination to prolonged drought and reduced water volumes. Its manager, Angel Prestoyski, dismissed rumors that the water is radioactive or comes from the nuclear power plant, saying the sources are kilometers away from the facility. The main goal, he said, is to keep the town from having to ration water. While the restrictions are in place, residents will pay 15% less for their water.
Vratsa regional governor Rosen Mihaylov said the priority is supplying about 2,000 people in kindergartens, schools and nurseries where food is prepared. A regional coordination headquarters has been set up, and water trucks and distribution points are being considered. Pediatrician Dr. Biser Todorov warned that boiling does not remove chromium. According to a BNT report, there is no panic and no rush on bottled water in shops.