VANELA GJEÇI, FLORA QARRI, PRANVERA LAZO
Abstract :
It is important to protect surface water for a safe environment, as the quality of surface water is threatened daily by anthropogenic factors such as urban wastewater discharge, illegal river extraction, agricultural run-off, waste deposits, and urban and rural discharges. Water monitoring is important for protecting the water resources because it can help to identify the pollution sources, determine the risk of pollution, and develop management strategies for pollution control. This study presents the monitoring results performed in Seman Basin, Albania for the period 2020–2024 in accordance with the Water Framework Directive (WFD) for the surface water bodies. The water quality was assessed using physical-chemical parameters, nutrient content, water quality index, and the limit values of WFD, where the Class III-moderate status is the minimum acceptance limit for water quality. Cluster analysis identified the similarity in the environmental situation of sampling sites based on monitored parameters. The association of sampling sites at each cluster appointed urban, rural, industrial, and agricultural activities as primary sources affecting the water quality of Seman Basin. Assessing the data, it is estimated that the Gjanica River is polluted by urban and industrial discharge into the water body without treatment. The research suggests additional treatment for the water of the Gjanica River, particularly in sewage treatment and industrial discharges, for meeting appropriate water quality standards.
Keywords : Semani basin, pollution control, Water Framework Directive, industrial discharge