Sliven recommended not to use the water for drinking in six villages of Kotel municipality.

The Regional Health Inspectorate (RHI) in Sliven has advised residents of six settlements in Kotel Municipality to temporarily refrain from using tap water for drinking and cooking. Laboratory tests identified microbiological indicators that do not meet the regulatory requirements for drinking water quality.

The irregularities were found in the villages of Ticha, Ostra Mogila, Orlovo, Topuzovo, Filaretovo and Malko Selo. RHI Sliven has issued instructions to Vi K – Sliven Ltd. to implement mandatory hygiene and anti-epidemic measures and restore the quality of the drinking water supply. The water utility company has been ordered to take immediate emergency measures to return water quality to normal standards.

A discrepancy in microbiological indicators was found in relation to the requirements of the Ordinance on the Quality of Water Intended for Drinking and Domestic Purposes. The consumption restriction will remain in effect until control samples confirm that all indicators are fully safe, at which point local residents will be explicitly informed. Health officials stated that the public will be promptly notified once water quality has been restored and verified through control sampling and laboratory testing.

The deterioration in drinking water quality comes just days after heavy rainfall at the beginning of June caused severe flooding in the region and led to the overflow of the Cherna River. The village of Ticha was the hardest hit by the disaster, with dozens of homes flooded and extensive material damage reported.