Central Bohemia: Water Contains Three Times the Legal Lead Limit — Drinking and Cooking Banned

Residents of twelve municipalities in the Central Bohemian Region have been banned from drinking tap water or using it for cooking due to elevated lead levels. According to Středočeské vodovody a kanalizace (SVAS), the water utility operator, the legal limit of 10 micrograms per litre was exceeded threefold.

The restriction affects Hoštice, Klíčany, Postřižín, Vetruzice, Husinec, Máslovice, Řež, Vodochody, Klecany, Odolena Voda, Sedlec and Zdiby. Comprehensive testing began after the network repeatedly showed lead concentrations that, while still within legal limits, were not zero. Samples taken on Thursday, 24 September, revealed levels exceeding the legal threshold at some locations.

The network operator alerted residents in the affected areas via SMS. The water must not be used for drinking, boiling or preparing any food, though it can still be safely used for personal hygiene, flushing toilets and other sanitary purposes. According to SVAS, given lead's low acute toxicity, accidental consumption of the water does not pose an immediate health risk.

Schools and Hospitals First

Given the scale of the affected area, SVAS says it is technically impossible to provide alternative water supplies to all residents. Priority will therefore be given to delivering drinking water to schools, kindergartens and healthcare facilities.

"We have taken new samples and will provide updated information on Friday morning. At this point, we cannot say how long the restriction will last. We will keep consumers informed as the situation develops," said SVAS spokesperson Andrea Rabasová. She was unable to give a precise answer when asked how long residents in the affected areas had already been exposed to substandard water.

External Contamination Source Suspected

The network operator believes the lead entered the system from an external source and has already taken steps to stop the contamination, while continuing intensive inspections of the water network. The cause of the metal's presence in the water has not yet been determined.

Further test results will be published on the SVAS website and shared with public health officials and local municipalities. Residents can contact the customer service line at 840 121 121 or by email at [email protected].

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz