Protection of River Sitnica From Urban Wastewaters

Wastewater treatment is a growing problem in Kosovo. Pollution from urban wastewaters poses the greatest pressure on Kosovo rivers and their better management represents an important area of improving their ecological status. Kosovo is lacking behind in terms of achieving certain goals and implementing European Environmental Directives, especially the Water Framework Directive and Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. The lack of wastewater treatment prior to their discharges into receiving waters presents a gap in the water sector which needs to be addressed in order to meet European standards. Kosovo, as a country with a European perspective, must approach this issue as soon as possible. According to the reports of water utilities companies, the level of sewerage services in the country is 65% while the level of wastewater treatment is 0.7% [3]. The National Water Strategy [1] aims at protecting water resources through treating wastewater before returning to the nature. According to this strategy, a number of wastewater treatment plants and accompanying infrastructure for main cities should be build. River Sitnica is main river stretching in Kosovo valley, where main urban areas are located including capital Prishtina. With aim of protection the quality of river Sitnica, a study for collection of sewage and wastewater treatment plant for capital Prishtina was prepared and its findings will be presented in this article.