JKP Vodovod Bitola Director Andrej Ginov refuted claims that Bitola’s water supply is at risk, demanding an apology from SDSM councilor Mirjana Zaharievska Ralevska for spreading misinformation. Ginov assured the public that the water supply of Bitola is secure and will not be compromised.

Ginov addressed concerns about JKP Vodovod Bitola’s financial status, clarifying that while the company projects a loss of approximately 61 million denars for 2024 (with revenues of 284 million denars against expenses of 346 million denars), the situation is manageable. He explained that revenues from water charges amount to 262 million denars, with an additional 22 million denars from other sources. However, expenses for electricity (43 million denars), raw water from “Strezhevo” due to last summer’s drought (50 million denars), and employee salaries (148 million denars) total over 280 million denars, exceeding the total income when VAT is included.

Ginov pointed out that despite a high bill collection rate of 95%, income barely covers expenses for these three essential items.

Furthermore, Ginov highlighted operational changes within JKP Vodovod. In 2021, the company had 227 employees with a salary cost of 107 million denars. In 2024, the number of employees has been reduced to 205, yet the salary cost has increased to 148 million denars, a difference of 41 million denars.

Ginov also criticized a past investment made in 2021, where “Vodovod” spent over 60 million denars on an unnecessary “new administrative building”, which he stated is the current loss of JKP Vodovod Bitola.