Uranium Detected in Drinking Water in Sideron, Greece

The news in Greek

1. ανησυχώ
   έχω φόβο ή αγωνία για κάτι ↩︎
2. πόσιμος
   κατάλληλο για πόση, μπορεί να πιωθεί ↩︎
3. επίπεδο  (n.)
   το μέγεθος ή βαθμός σε μια κλίμακα μέτρησης ↩︎
4. ουράνιο  (n.)
   ένα ραδιενεργό χημικό στοιχείο με σύμβολο U ↩︎
5. απαγορεύω
   αποφασίζω ότι κάτι δεν είναι επιτρεπτό ↩︎
6. κατάσταση  (f.)
   η συγκεκριμένη κατάσταση σε έναν συγκεκριμένο χρόνο ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: What have the local authorities in Sideron banned the water from being used for?

Question 2: What is the current situation in the area according to the summary?

Vocabulary

Greek	English
ανησυχώ	worry
πόσιμος	drinkable
επίπεδο  (n.)	level
ουράνιο  (n.)	uranium
απαγορεύω	forbid
κατάσταση  (f.)	condition

Read the full story

Authorities in Greece have been put on high alert following the discovery of elevated uranium levels in the drinking water of the village of Chorteró in the Sideron region. According to recent test results, the uranium concentrations exceed the acceptable safety limits established for potable water.

The detection was made in a water borehole supplying water to 334 providers in the area. In response, the local government in Sintiki issued a directive prohibiting the consumption of water for drinking and cooking purposes. However, the water can still be used for other non-consumptive activities. Steps are being taken by the municipal water utility, D.E.Y.A. Sintikis, to undertake corrective measures aimed at resolving the situation promptly.

Days prior, several municipal communities including Serres, Lefkona, and Christos had been declared in a state of emergency due to similar findings of increased uranium levels. This announcement was made by Greece’s Civil Protection Secretary-General, Nikolaos Papaefstathiou, following a formal request from the Mayor of Serres, Varvara Mitlianga.

This declaration is designed to empower the Serres municipality and related agencies with emergency resources and funding tools. This support is critical for assisting impacted residents and businesses, while also facilitating the swift remediation of the water quality issue. The emergency status is expected to remain in effect until at least June 26, 2025.

In a written statement, Mayor Mitlianga emphasized her administration’s commitment to the health and safety of the community, asserting, “The declaration of these areas as in a State of Emergency for Civil Protection is an important step that will allow us to act swiftly and effectively, maximizing all available resources to address the water quality problem.” She expressed gratitude towards the Civil Protection Secretary-General for his rapid action and reassured residents that all necessary measures will be taken to protect public health and restore normalcy at the earliest opportunity.

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