Institute confirms presence of roundworms in Novi Sad water supply

However, the Institute said there is no increase in cases of intestinal infections and that such water should not be used for drinking only if nematodes are present in “large numbers.” This follows the public utility company Water Supply and Sewerage rejecting claims of water contamination.

“Nematodes can appear in treated drinking water due to technical issues from the source to the reservoir. They don't pose a direct health risk, but if they are present in large quantities - though this is not the case with the current sample - they can affect the water's appearance, smell, and taste, which is when it is not recommended for drinking,” said the Vojvodina Institute.

The Movement for the Restoration of the Kingdom of Serbia (POKS) on Tuesday called for the resignation of the director of the Novi Sad public utility company Water Supply and Sewerage, and demanded an urgent city assembly meeting over the discovery of roundworms in the drinking water.

In response, Water Supply and Sewerage dismissed these claims and announced plans to take legal action against those “spreading false information and causing public distress.”

The Institute stressed that, based on their analysis, which confirms the microbiological, virological, physical, and chemical safety of the water, “there is no cause for public concern.”