The latest analysis of water samples taken in the eastern Croatian city of Slavonski Brod gave reason for optimism, although the ban on using the water for drinking and cooking remains in force, Environment Minister, Tomislav Ćorić, said on Tuesday.

Residents of Slavonski Brod and nearby municipalities were left without drinking water on Saturday, due to pollution of the local water supply with hydrocarbons. On Monday morning construction work began to connect Slavonski Brod water system to the well in the nearby village of Sikirevci, which is expected to be completed within the next two weeks.

Water samples have been taken for daily analysis since the incident, and increased levels of hydrocarbons were detected in only one sample, taken on Sunday, April 1. The following day, the level of hydrocarbons was within regulations in all samples.

Minister Ćorić and Health Minister, Milan Kujundžić, held a news conference on the incident on Tuesday.

Kujundžić said hydrocarbons were found only in one sample, and added that there was no health risk. He said that hazardous substances, such as benzene, were not found in any of the samples.

Ćorić said that the carbon filter at the Jelas water well had not been replaced since 2001, even though it should have been done in 2010. Asked by reporters who was responsible for failing to replace the filters, he replied that the water well was the responsibility of the Slavonski Brod city authorities.

He added that this environmental incident was being investigated by the police in cooperation with the State Prosecutor’s Office and that denied allegations that his ministry tried to cover it up.

Ćorić said that it would take about 15 days to connect Slavonski Brod to the water well at Sikirevci, which would then supply the city with clean water.