Criminal charges filed over alleged false water quality claims for Serbia's Vlasina River

An informal citizens' group, "Bitka za Vlasinu" (Battle for Vlasina), has filed criminal charges against officials at the Public Health Institute (ZZJZ) Leskovac and the Municipality of Vlasotince. The group alleges that falsified analysis results regarding the water quality of the Vlasina River at the municipal bathing site have misled the public.

According to "Bitka za Vlasinu," this manipulation of water analysis results occurs annually to facilitate the "Vlasina Fest." They assert that the Vlasina River is consistently contaminated with fecal bacteria. Laboratory reports from July, posted on the Vlasotince Municipality website, reportedly show high levels of these bacteria. However, Ivana Mitić, an employee at ZZJZ Leskovac, allegedly declared the water as "excellent" despite these findings.

“

Analyzing a sample from July 15, according to current Serbian laws, the Institute found over 240,000 bacteria, classified the water in the 4th grade of pollution, and clearly prohibited swimming.

The group's statement highlights a discrepancy: a July 15 analysis, adhering to Serbian laws, identified over 240,000 bacteria, classifying the water as Grade 4 pollution and prohibiting swimming. Yet, just eight days later, on July 23, with the same bacteria count, Dr. Mitić allegedly disregarded domestic laws. Instead, she reportedly applied a European directive (2006/7/EC) that does not assess this type of bacteria, declaring the water "excellent" and safe for swimming.

"Bitka za Vlasinu" points out that the sources of pollution, which they claim have existed for years, remain unaddressed. Potential sources include untreated sewage discharges and other contaminants along the Vlasina River. The group is urging the prosecutor's office to investigate potential irregularities by responsible institutions and to order the installation of "no swimming" signs if the water is found to be unsafe.

“

But, only eight days later, on July 23, with completely the same water with the same number of bacteria, Doctor Ivana Mitić, 'forgets' domestic laws, and in her expert opinion and report writes an untruth that Serbian laws are not clear and arbitrarily applies the European Directive (2006/7/EC) which does not evaluate this type of bacteria at all... The doctor declares the water 'excellent', and suddenly the water is completely safe for swimming, although the number of bacteria is the same in both results.