Group Members: Esved Ameti, Besart Grabanica, Endrit Saracini, Dren Kajdomcaj

Water pollution by solid waste

Water Quality Of The Morava e Binçes River

This is an article which talks about the effect of water waste (sewage) on the quality of Morava e Binçes River. Within this article you can find a lot of information about how the quality of water changed through months, and who were the strongest indicators that changed water quality. The article explains that the reason that the river goes near a lot of urban areas has become kind of “sewage collector” and according to the tables inside the article this is the biggest problem and indicator of the water quality. Furthermore, the long term of uncontrolled water sewage has made the water polluted. Therefore this is becoming a very huge concern because if this trend continues, the water will not be potable. Another concern is that, the poor water quality will also lead to different diseases even by swimming. 

Arbneshi T., Zuzaku I., Beqa L., and Rugova M. Water Quality Of The Morava E Binçes River. Rep. Prishtinë: University of Prishtina, Faculty of Natural Science, Department of Chemistry. 
Retrieved from :<http://http://balwois.com/balwois/administration/full_paper/ffp-637.pdf>.

Water Security for Central Kosovo

This article was written by the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning. The topic of this article is the water security for central Kosovo, which is also the title of the article. It is about the water supply in Kosovo and all different issues related to water in Kosovo. One of these issues is also the water pollution. We used this article to point out how polluted water in Kosovo is and what atomic and molecular components pollute it.

Baudry, F. Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, (2011). Water security for central kosovo.         
Retrieved from website: http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTKOSOVO/Resources/Report_SCE_WSCK.pdf

Ground water pollution in Mitrovica and surroundings

This report talks about the condition of the waters in Mitrovica. Almost half of the natural resources in Kosovo, approximately 49.7%, are situated in Mitrovica. This makes the matter of water pollution in Mitrovica very important to Kosovo. In this report it is explained that water is mainly polluted by the urban areas. This happens because rivers flow in the urban areas which are used for home purposes. In addition, in these areas there is industrial activity going on, which uses water as a source for dumping their waste. This report also contains data on the level of filthiness that is prevalent in these waters, by providing numerical data. This can be used to show to what degree water is pollute in Kosovo 

Behrami, S., Bajraktari, F., & Nazmi, Z. Kosovo Environment Protecting Agency, (2008). Ground water pollution in mitrovica and surroundings. Retrieved on October 22, fromwebsite:http://balwois.com/balwois/administration/full_paper/ffp-1084.pdf

Strengthening capacities in kosovo to address environmental hot spots

This is an article written by Bektashi. It is part of the program “Water Balkans Environment Program”. It deals with the environmental issues pertaining Europe. In our paper we included this article in order to point out to the polluters that “attack” the waters in Mitrovica.

Bektashi, A. Water Balkans Environmental Program, (2012). Strengthening capacities in kosovo to address environmental hot spots. Retrieved from:
                http://westernbalkansenvironment.net/documents/hotspot_presentation_on_monitoring_kosovo.pdf

ESTIMATION OF ENDANGERMENT OF SURFACE AND GROUND  WATERS OF THE  IBAR’S MIDDLE RIVER BASIN  AS A RESULT OF  RMHK „ TREPCA“ ACTIVITY

“Primary sources of pollution are surface mines, ground exploitatory mines, flotation, separation, flotational and separational gangues, deposits of coal, ashes, ore etc. Not all of quoted sources of pollution are active, but disregarding the statement whether they are active or not, they pollute surface and ground waters only by their existence. The pollution is physical as well as chemical, by which wider environment is polluted causing that some substances are registered even at higher points, sometimes at even one hundred chilometres from the source of pollution.”

Blagoje, N., & Gordana, M. (2006). Estimation of endangerment of surface and ground waters of the        ibar’s middle river basin as a result of rmhk „ trepca“ activity. Manuscript submitted for           publication, Mining and Geology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Retrieved from  http://www.rgf.bg.ac.rs/Publikacije/PodzemniRadovi/Broj15/Engleski/9radE.pdf

Geochemical assessment of soils in Roma Mahalla, Mitrovica, Kosovo

This article was written by Paul Brewer, Mark Macking, and Graham Bird. This is an article from the Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, from the University of Wales. It is mainly about the difficulties that the Roma community experience in Mitrovica, due to the polluted ambient. It talks about the soil, air, and water pollution. It was useful to our article to provide an example of an article that claims that the drinking water is not as polluted as expected.

Brewer, P., Macklin, M., & Graham, B. (2010).Geochemical assessment of soils in roma mahalla, mitrovica, kosovo: implications for the proposed resettlement of families presently living in the osterode  and cesmin lug camps. Manuscript submitted for publication, Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Aberystwyth, Wales. Retrieved from         http://www.parliament.uk/deposits/depositedpapers/2010/DEP2010-0688.pdf

What is Solid Waste

In this article issued by the U.S. Department of Environmental Conservation, the definition of solid waste is given, as well as many examples are provided of what counts as a solid waste. In doing the research about river pollution with solid waste, it is crucial to know what constitutes solid waste, in order to accurately describe the condition of a river, and not leave out any part that counts as a pollutant.

Department of Environmental Conservation, (2012). What is solid waste. Retrieved from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation website: http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/8732.html

Water Pollution of the River Iber with Heavy Metals from the Landfill Located in the Village Kelmend of Mitrovica

The information from this source were helpful because they provided us with some data about the heavy metals that pollute the river. It also explains the source of the pollution, and how even though the source is inactive, its past activity is today’s concern. It was written by Kadriju, Pula-Beqiri, Kelmendi, Hoxha, and Zeqiri.

“As a consequence of the existence and functioning units of departments “Trepça” in the past, environmental situation in Mitrovica and surrounding area is of concern, although these units of this plant since 2000 are not in function, the consequences of their presence are still present.”

Kadriju, S., Hoxha, B., Pula-Beqiri, L., Zeqiri, L., & Kelmendi, M. (2011, April).  Water Pollution of the River Iber with Heavy Metals from the Landfill Located in the Village Kelmend of Mitrovica. Retrieved   from:www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=13&ved=0CG8QFjAM&url=http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/69591645/water-pollution-river-ib-r-heavy-metals-from-landfill-located-village-kelmend-mitrovica&ei=bD-eUPuZFKj14QTY94HYCQ&usg=AFQjCNEoXTOx3ayFQoXen0X9Z-kTBpxV-Q&cad=rja

Shtimjanka river becomes a garbage disposal

The municipality of Shtimja in partnership with the Local Government Administration Ministry in 2012 has build the river of Shtimjaka for 200 thousand euros, but in a very short time, the river has become a garbage disposal because of the lack of maintenance. Throughout the article, Shtimja residents share their concerns about this occurrence. On the other side, Rrahman Jakupi, the deputy of Shtimja municipality says for the magazine that they will soon contract a company to do the maintenance. He hopes that nobody is disposing wastewater in the river but he doesn’t exclude the possibility. He says that if somebody is doing it, its  Inspectoriat Departament responsibility to enforce the law.

Koha Ditore (2012, October 9) Lumi Shtimnjanka shnderrohet ne deponi pleshtash. Retrieved October, 15, 2012 from
<http://www.koha.net/?page=1,31,118450>     

Kosovo State of Environment Report

This government publication identifies the major sources of drinking and water used for irrigation and similar purposes. It also identifies the sources of pollution, as well as pressing issues and concerns about the quality of the water, in order to make a clear picture of where Kosovo is now in respect to its water management, as well as what are the roads to be taken if it is to better its standards.

Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, (2003).Kosovo state of environment report. Retrieved October 17, 2012, from Government of Kosovowebsite:http://enrin.grida.no/htmls/kosovo/Kosovo_SOE_part1.pdf

The State of Water in Kosovo

In this article published from the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning of Kosovo, we can see the quality, the level of water in Kosovo, or the state of water in general. However, what I think is worth to mention is the effect of water in people's health. According to this article in 2009, 41,039 cases of infection from water were reported.

Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning (2010). The State of Water in Kosovo. Agjensioni  për Mbrojtjen e Mjedisit të Kosovës .
Retrieved October 19, 2012, fromhttp://www.ammk-rks.net/repository/docs/raporti_ujerave_2010-angl.pdf

Kosovo-Country Environmental AnalysisCost Assessment of Environmental Degradation, Institutional Review, and Public Environmental Expenditure Review

This article is a publication from the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, which devises and environmental action plan for Kosovo, and which will be implemented during the period of 2011-2015, working with all legal entities and stakeholders in the Republic of Kosovo. In this report, many sources of pollution of water resources are identified, and ideas are proposed for a better and more efficient usage of such resources, and the development of more sustainable use of them.

Ministry for Environment and Spatial Planning, (2011).Kosovo country environmental analysis cost assessment of environmental degradation, institutional review, and public environmental expenditurereview.Retrieved October 26, 2012, from Government of Kosovo website: http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTKOSOVO/Resources/KosovoCEA.pdf

Infrastructure Programme – Water Supply and Wastewater Disposal, Kosovo

“The object of this evaluation is the GTZ water supply and wastewater disposal project in

Kosovo. The project aims at enhancing the operational efficiency of Peja and Prizren’s

regional water companies. Beyond that, it intends to promote greater awareness concerning

rationale water use, reduce technical water losses, improve wastewater disposal and hence

to protect natural resources and improve living conditions of the Kosovar population.“

Montangero, A., & Begolli, B. (2008). Infrastructure programme – water supply and wastewater disposal, kosovo . Retrieved October 23, 2012, from: http://www.giz.de/de/SID-FEF54824-D57F7543/downloads/gtz2008-en-kosovo-water-final-evaluation.pdf

Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution in Ibër River Sediment, Kosova

 The Iber river in northern Kosovo has been suspected to contain traces of heavy metal in its sediments, which has come from different sources. In this article, there are results of chemical analysis of the samples collected from different sites of the Iber river, and are analyzed and assessed by the competent individuals working in the University of Prishtina, Department of Chemistry. Since heavy metals are toxic to human body, it is interesting to find out what are the levels of these metals in the Iber river, and is the water from it safe for consumption. 

Rexhepi, F., Rugova, A., & Arbneshi, T. (2010).Assessment of heavy metal pollution in ibër river sediment, kosova. Ohrid: BALWOIS. Retrieved October 19, 2012, from
http://balwois.com/balwois/administration/full_paper/ffp-1681.pdf

Lead contamination in Mitrovicë/Mitrovica affecting the Roma community

"The lead contamination of the displaced Roma in northern Mitrovica/Mitrovicë camps is one of thebiggest medical crises in the region. Since 1999, the displaced persons living in these camps, for whom nosustainable solution in terms of return to their place of origin or alternative relocation has been found,have been exposed to lead contamination."

OSCE, (2009). Lead contamination in Mitrovicë/Mitrovica affecting the Roma community.Retrieved from website: http://www.osce.org/kosovo/36234

Case study on lead and heavy metal contamination in Mitrovica, Kosovo

“In addition to the tragedies caused by ethnic violence in the region, the inhabitants of Mitrovica have been and still are subject to severe environmental pollution from the abandoned factories and uncontained waste bearing high concentrations of lead, cadmium, zinc and other contaminants. In particular Roma who settled in offical and inoffical camps after leaving Southern Mitrovica, are exposed to a high risk of contamination due to the close proximity of the camps to contaminated and unsecured waste material and the rudimentary living conditions in the camps.”

UNEP, (2010). Case study on lead and heavy metal contamination in Mitrovica, Kosovo. Retrieved from website: http://www.chem.unep.ch/pb_and_cd/documents/unep_mitrovica_case_study.pdf

Ujërat e zeza bezdisin edhe fshatrat e Pejës

Smaller towns and villages in the Municipality of Peja have now been suffering for a long time because of the bad water which comes from the sewer of the city of Peja. The surrounding villages, living mainly from agriculture, rely on the river Drin which passes through their territory for irrigation. That water, however, has caused lower yield because of the high degree of pollution, and has sharply decreased the incomes of these families living of agriculture. The bad water from the sewer of the city of Peja has also been mixing with the water used for drinking and everyday human life, which sanitation specialists say that the pollution of drinking water has increased to such a degree that it can pose a threat to human health. The president of Peja municipality has promised to find a solution to this problem, yet has given up from it, saying that the municipality does not have enough funds.

Ujërat e zeza bezdisin edhe fshatrat e Pejës. (2012, 07 25).KOHAnet, Retrieved October 27, 2012, from http://www.koha.net/?page=1,31,108737

Kosovo Water Pollution Cadastre

The ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning of Kosovo is the governmental body which has a leading role in managing water resources, and protecting and monitoring their quality. As such, it has been developing many rules and an institutional framework that tackles the issue of pollution, identifies the sources of it, and recommends legal action to be taken against the polluters. This cadastre identifies some of the major pollutants of water resources in Kosovo, so it can enable us to have a foundation in knowing where to look for those sources and devising the right tactics and plans to stop such actions.

Veselaj, Z., & Morina, I. Ministry of Environment and Spacial Planning, (2010). Kosovo water polluters cadastre. Retrieved from Government of Kosovo website:http://www.ammk-rks.net/repository/docs/Water_Polluters_Cadastre_eng.pdf

DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR WATER SUPPLY AND SEWERAGE INFRASTRUCTURE

The paper has been prepared by the “Experts for Water Supply and Sewerage” Group, appointed by the Major of Peja Municipality, all in cause of assessing the problems with which the citizens of this municipality have been facing for quite some time, and perform a Cost-Benefit Analysis in order to decide which one from the alternative courses of action should be taken in order to maximize the benefits of society. The paper also talks about the importance of this type of infrastructure in the development of Peja Municipality, as well as how this problem should be treated with care as by the Municipality of Peja, as well as by the Government of Kosovo.

Municipality of Peja, Experts Group for Water Supply and Sewerage (GEUK). (2008). Development Plan for Water Supply and Wewerage Infrastructure . Retrieved November 2, 2012 from website:http://www.hidrodrini.com/pdf/DEVELOPMENT_PLAN_FOR_WATER_SUPPLY_AND_SEWERAGE_INFRASTRUCTURE_2008.pdf