Lab tests have confirmed that drinking water in Gostivar (a town of roughly 80,000 people in western North Macedonia, about 65 kilometres from the capital Skopje) was contaminated with faecal matter, including high concentrations of coliform bacteria and E. coli. Prosecutors say utility managers likely caused the contamination last month by connecting additional pumps that drew water from an unsafe surface-level source in an apparent attempt to boost supply, and three officials — including the head of the public water company — have been detained on charges of serious environmental crimes. The outbreak has overwhelmed local health services, with new cases still arriving at a rate of 200 to 300 per day, tap water remaining undrinkable, and residents relying on water trucks while authorities warn the ban on tap water could remain in place for some time.