Nearly 2,000 households were left without drinkable water after two wells in the municipality of Serres in Macedonia, northern Greece, were tested high in uranium.
The measurements took place following an EU directive and a Health Ministry circular.
Authorities imposed a ban to nearly 2,000 households in five villages and settlements in Serres Municipality. The ban forbids the use of running water for drinking or cooking as of Thursday, May 22, 2025, “until further notice,” news website in.gr reported.
At a press conference on Thursday, Mayor Varvara Mitliaga, also chair of the local public water and sewage company (DEYA Serron), said that the city had begun testing all water wells following a Health Ministry circular issued on April 9.
Serres was one of the first to comply nationally, she noted, adding that once the high uranium levels were found the public health directorate, the ministry, and regional agencies were all notified.
The two water wells – Batania and Morava – provide water to a small segment of the 47,100 households in the city of Serres, DEYA General Manager Nikos Safarikas said, adding that citizens were also notified of actions being taken.
Seven areas in the city are affected by the ban, state-run news agency . amna.gr reported.
KTG can recall that uranium was found also in two regions of Central Macedonia in 2019 and in 2018. Back then authorities said that the high levels of radioactive substance found in the area were due to the presence of magnetite substrate. “The granite in the area emits radiation, causing serious problems to the quality of water,” they added.
