Is it safe to drink tap water in Tbilisi?

Is tap water safe to drink after the deadly flood hit Tbilisi on June 13?

The answer to this question will only be known after water tests are carried out in accredited laboratories.

However the National Food Agency says it is safe to drink tap water in Tbilisi but locals must let it stand for 2-3 minutes in a container before consuming.

The Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture is currently analysing the water quality of 48 samples gathered from in various areas of Tbilisi, including the disaster areas.

One part of the testing has already been completed – results showed water samples taken from Tskneti St, Chabua Amirejibi (New Road) Highway, Kostava St and Tskhneti Highway are safe to drink and comply with the safety requirements of drinking water.

Samples were also taken from Svanidze St, Ateni St, Gabashvili St, Gedevanishvili St, Dolidze St, Kareli St, Likhauri St, Chikovani St, Meliton St and Andria Balanchivadze St. The results of these tests are still unknown. These results will be released publically gradually in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Georgian Water and Power Company is carrying out double chlorination of water for prophylactic purposes – this process is permitted in terms of technical requirements approved by the Government.

The Company will install a temporary, miniature purification device that will prevent sewage from entering Vere River. The existing sewage pipeline was damaged by the flood and led to the river being contaminated.

Reconstruction of the damaged roads and repair of the sewage system will take 30 days.

The original sewage collector will be fully restored once the cleanup efforts are completed, said officials.