Environmental issues in Pristina
From air and water pollution to waste management challenges, the city faces complex environmental problems that require urgent attention and sustainable solutions.
Pristina suffers from severe air pollution, primarily attributed to industrial activities, vehicular emissions, and the burning of fossil fuels for heating during the winter months.
The quality of water sources is also a cause for concern, with pollution stemming from industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, and inadequate sewage treatment systems.
Rivers and streams in the region suffer from contamination by heavy metals, chemicals, and organic pollutants, jeopardizing aquatic ecosystems and the availability of safe drinking water.
Studies have highlighted the presence of pollutants such as lead, arsenic, and pesticides in water samples collected from various sources.
[2] The deteriorating water quality not only poses risks to human health but also undermines efforts to achieve sustainable development and preserve natural resources.
Despite initiatives to improve waste management infrastructure and promote recycling programs, Pristina continues to grapple with systemic challenges.
[3] Limited public awareness and engagement, coupled with insufficient investment in sustainable waste management solutions, hinder progress towards a cleaner and healthier environment.
Addressing the pollution issues in Pristina requires a multi-faceted approach that involves regulatory reforms, investment in clean technology, and community engagement.
By implementing effective policies and collaborative initiatives, stakeholders can mitigate environmental pollution, protect public health, and safeguard the quality of life for current and future generations in Pristina.
The highest pollutant is the production of energy, with Pristina's annual CO2 contribution to global warming being 5.5 million tons.
[7] Furthermore, each day in Pristina, an enormous number of cars enter, creating traffic as well as air pollution.
[8] There are two main stations in Pristina that measure the air pollution, the Kosovo Hydro Meteorological Institute (IHMK) and Rilindja.
The highest pollution value reached from traffic in Pristina was estimated to be 75.74 μg/m3, which is 1.9 times more than the average annual limit.
The power plants located in Obiliq produce 97% of the electrical energy used in Pristina, while only 3% comes from hydropower.
When Kosovo A+B produces energy at full capacity (200 MW), it emits 25 tons of dust and ash (that includes gases) per hour, which is 74 times more than the European limit.
Critical months are deemed April, June, July, October, November and December, where the emission of gases and dust exceeds the limit allowed.
On the other hand, Kosovo B has a longer lifespan, but the existing electrostatic precipitator is in very bad conditions and also there is low control of dust emission in the air.
Air pollutants released in 2006 from Power Plants Kosovo A and B The district heating company "Termokos" operates a network covering some neighborhoods in the center of Pristina.
Pristina City has limited quantities of surface waters and groundwaters, which are mainly distributed to peripheral areas.
Those wastes are dangerous because they contain substances such as soluble compounds of phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, pathogenic bacteria and viruses, nitrogen (eutrophication), and other matters that affect the water quality.
Collective polluters are households and individuals that throw waste and wastewater in waterbodies or common canalization system.
[18] However, in an attempt to clean Pristina environment and also find water, the opening phase of these wells has started and they are estimated to be completed by mid-2014.
The Pristina municipal government has provided funding for these wells, which would supply the water the irrigation of the newly planted trees.
[19] For more information visit: Kosovo Law on Water The region of Pristina produces a high amount of waste.
Some disposals in Pristina have been closed, with the aim to reduce those negative effects in the nature; however, still most of them remain uncovered.
Generation, collection, treatment, and elimination of waste in Pristinais done by "Pastrimi" Company, which covers the highest percentage of people with this service compared to other municipalities.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, in the period from 1998 to 2006 one hectare of land in Pristina was transformed.
However, when dealing with spatial planning, it is very important to protect local zones from construction, especially parks that people use for recreational activities.
Those strategies entail specific plans and EU standards that Pristina needs to fulfill by the end of year 2022.
