Institute of Public Health Vojvodina confirmed that the drinking water originated from PUK "Vodovod i Kanalizacija" in Novi Sad the presence of roundworms or nematodes, noting that they do not have a direct impact on health, and that there is no reason for panic among consumers.
The institute determined the presence of nematodes in a controlled sample of drinking water taken on August 20 from the reservoir of the water factory of PUC "Vodovod i kanalizacija" Novi Sad.
The biological analysis of drinking water was carried out after a previously established suspicion, it was announced on the website of the Institute, as reported by Danas.
Based on the established presence of nematodes in drinking water originating from PUK "Vodovod i Kanalizacija" Novi Sad, along with the results so far of preserved microbiological, virological, physical and chemical integrity of drinking water, the experts of the Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina estimate that there is no reason for panic among consumers and that all analysis results are submitted to all competent institutions in the most optimal period.
"Until now, no increased number of people suffering from intestinal infectious diseases has been determined in the City of Novi Sad, and the Institute for Public Health of Vojvodina will implement increased epidemiological surveillance in order to ensure a high level of protection of people's lives and health," the statement added.
Technical problems
They explain that nematodes can be found in purified drinking water as a result of technical problems that can arise from the source to the reservoir.
"They do not have a direct impact on health, but their presence in larger numbers, which is not the case in this sample, can cause a change in the appearance, smell and taste of the water, when it is not recommended for drinking," they note.
The manufacturer and all competent institutions were informed about the results of the analysis, and the implementation of technical-technological measures was recommended, and additional microbiological and physical-chemical analyzes are underway. The complete results will be published in the most optimal time, they say.
They announce further regular checks of drinking water from the Novi Sad water supply network at 18 measuring points along the entire distribution network of PUK "Vodovod i kanalizacija".
The last completed health control results of drinking water from the reservoirs of PUC "Vodovod i kanalizacija" Novi Sad and their distribution networks for August 18 indicate microbiological correctness.
POKS requested the dismissal of the director
Previously, the Movement for the Renewal of the Kingdom of Serbia (POKS) requested the resignation of Uroš Lončar, director of the Novi Sad PUC "Vodovod i Kanalizacija", and an emergency session of the City Assembly due to the fact that nematodes were found in drinking water, citing that they are harmful to health.
POKS referred to the alleged correspondence of the managers of PUK "Vodovod i Kanalizacija", and that company denied this information.
Nematodes are among the least studied animals
Professor of the Faculty of Biology in Belgrade Željko Tomanović explains that nematodes are a group of invertebrate animals that are related to insects.
"More than 30.000 species are known worldwide, but they are considered the least studied animals and the real number of species is many times greater than the number of species known so far." Among them, there are many species that parasitize humans, animals, cultivated and uncultivated plants," says Tomanović.
He points out that there are known situations where water pipes are occasionally contaminated with nematodes, and when this is determined, the authorities implement appropriate measures.
"I really don't know if nematodes or some similar animals were found in the Novi Sad water supply and if they are species that can be pathogenic for humans. That is certainly a question for the authorities. I note that the identification of nematodes is extremely complex, but I assume that the appropriate services in the water supply have experience in what species can potentially contaminate the water and what to do next. In earlier years, we had situations where the species Gordius aquaticus was found in some water pipes, which can be about 20 cm long and belongs to a related group of nematodes - Nematomorpha. "Although this animal seems quite disturbing, it is an indicator of good water quality and can only be found in clean water, although it should certainly not be in the water supply network," emphasizes Professor Tomanović.
Source: Today
