Republic Institute for Health Protection Skopje, Department for Hygiene and ... problems in respect to stream and river monitoring in Macedonia. The 1 st report ...
Agency for Environment and Nature Protection and Promotion
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation
Hydrometeorological Institute of Republic of Macedonia
Swiss Federal Institute for Environmental Science and Technology
Water Development Institute of Republic of Macedonia
Swiss National Hydrological and Geological Survey
WATER POLLUTION MONITORING SYSTEM FOR STREAMS AND RIVERS IN MACEDONIA
REPORT OF THE SECOND MISSION Skopje, 23 March - 3 April 1998
30May1998
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Executive Summary . Second Mission for the Water Pollution Monitoring System for Streams and Rivers in Macedonia
Duration:
23 March -3 April 1998
Participation:
Dr. Jürg Blöesch, EAW AG (Switzerland) Dr. Silke Meyns, EAW AG (Switzerland) Dr. Bruno Schädler, SNHGS (Switzerland) Mr. Zoran Karamanolevski, HMI (Macedonia) MSc. Stanislava Dodeva, WDI (Macedonia)
Persons interviewed:
Kosta Trajkovski, Director Agency for Environment and Nature Protection and Promotion Voislav Popov, Director of Administration for Water Economy, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy Ilija Levkov, Civil Engineer, Advisor of Director of Administration for W ater Economy Vlade Bogdanovski, Director Hydrometeorological Institute (HMI) Josif Milevski, Hydrologist (HMI) Marija Andreevska, Chemist (HMI) Ass. Dr. Mihail Kocubovski, Specialist of hygiene and environmental health, Republic Institute for Health Protection Skopje, Department for Hygiene and Environmental Health Dimitar Velev, Dipl.Eng„ Specialist of sanitary hydrology, Republic Institute for Health Protection Skopje, Department for Hygiene and Environmental Health Aleksandar Ivanovic, Director Public Enterprise for Water Supply Skopje Jörg-Andreas Winkelhausen, Project Coordinator Food Control, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH, Republic Institute for Health Protection Skopje Aleksandar Atanasovski, Military Laboratory Peter Klein, Project Coordinator Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH Michael Kilcommons, Programme Manager, PHARE Aleksandar Nacev, Agriculture & Environment Coordinator, World Bank Resident Mission, Skopje Sonja Kurcieva, Swiss Embassy Bureau, Macedonia
Funding Agency:
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) Agency for Environment and Nature Protection and · Promotion
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Goal:
Definition of concepts of stream and river monitoring, and technical and educational support, and identification/promotion of institutional and legal demands for water protection in Macedonia, based on the study of existing reports, an analysis of the actual situation in Macedonia, and interviews with authorities and staff of a number of ministries, agencies and institutions.
Main Findings:
While the basic monitoring strategy in Macedonia is established, the field and lab equipment is outdated, and its maintenance is not ensured. Most pollution sources are well known, but measures to reduce them are difficult to implement and in slow progress mainly due to the lack of financial means and public awareness. The enforcement of the new Water Law might prove to be a difficult task and its success will depend on an effective collaboration among the various actors. While responsibilities and tasks of the different ministries and public institutions in the environmental sector will have to be clearly defined, special attention should be paid to the co-ordination of the assistance provided by international donors.
Main Recommendations:
The general monitoring strategy proposed is aimed at documenting long-te1m changes at 17 locations in the most important rivers in Macedonia, in order to provide a sound basis for water protection measures. The monitoring is based on two functional working chains, water sampling and discharge measuring, that are united at the data bank in order to calculate proper loads. We suggest that these chains are revitalized by supplying funds for new equipment and maintenance at an intermediate level, and that high tech equipment and/or regional stations are gradually included in the monitoring program. We also consider some important institutional and legal aspects, such as quality standards and emergency schemes, in order to enforce water protection. We strongly recommend to upgrade selected monitoring stations of the existing network, to ensure financing of equipment (US $ 1,879,000), training (US $ 122,000) and maintenance (US $ 154,000 per year), and to plan the measures for future technical development of the program.
Follow-up action:
Given the general agreement of the Swiss and Macedonian Governments on realization of the national monitoring program, we propose a number of specific follow-up actions such as joint tests of equipment, training courses for technical personnel, data bank management, etc.
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Contents of the Report 1. Introduction 2. Findings 3. Conclusions and Recommendations 3.1 General Monitoring Strategy 3.2 Hydrometrie Measurernent Strategy 3.3 Chernical Sampling and Analytical Strategy 3.4 Data Processing and Training Strategy 3.5 Cost Estirnates and Paying Strategy 3.6 Governrnental, Institutional and Administrative Strategy 3.7 Follow-up Actions ANNEX 1: Work Program ANNEX 2: Literature Consulted ANNEX 3: Emergency Scheme of Kanton Zürich, Switzerland (Summary) ANNEX 4: Assessment of Water Laboratories' Equipment ANNEX 5: Map ofNational Monitoring Network (17 Stations) ANNEX 6: Estimated Costs of National Monitoring Program and Network ANNEX 7: List ofRunning Water Standardsand Parameters tobe Monitored
1. Introduction 1.1 The general problems of water pollution and river monitoring in Macedonia, as well as the contracting procedure between Macedonia and Switzerland are outlined in the 1st rnission report of December 31, 1997. The general recornrnendations made in this report are still valid and are not repeated here. The 1st rnission in November 1997 proposed a follow-up action to further substantiate technical, conceptual, legal and institutional problems in respect to stream and river monitoring in Macedonia. The 1st report was approved by the Macedonian Government by letter of March 4, 1998, and the Agency for Environment and Nature Protection and Promotion (AENPP). 1.2 Under the chair of the Swiss Federal Institute for Environmental Science and Technology (EAW AG), and with the participation of the Swiss National Hydrological and Geological Survey (SNHGS), the Hydrometeorological Institute of Republic of Macedonia (HMI) and the Water Development Institute of Republic of Macedonia (WDI), the mission was undertaken from 23 March - 3 April, 1998. lt was composed of the experts Dr. Jürg Bloesch (Lirnnologist), Dr. Silke Meyns (Chernist), Dr. Bruno Schädler (Hydrologist), Mr. Zoran Karamanolesvski (Technology Engineer), and Mrs. Stanislava Dodeva (graduated Civil Engineer). In addition, Jürg Bloesch was invited to participate in the 5th Conference of Water Management in Republic of Macedonia, 19-20 March, 1998, in Struga, where he presented a paper on "Water Quality and Monitoring in Switzerland". This paper will be published in the Journal "Vodostopanstvo na Republika Makedonija" - Petto Sovetuvanje, Struga 1998. 1.3 The rnission had meetings with authorities and staff of a number of ministries, local governrnents and agencies according to the topics listed in the follow-up action of the 1st
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report. Several field visits were undertaken to the eastern and northern part of Macedonia in order to examine the present condition and future sites of monitoring stations. In addition, several laboratories in charge for water quality surveillance were inspected. Special emphasis was given to analytical and field equipment, and problems of maintenance and operation. In various meetings the legal and institutional problems were discussed. The mission program and list of persons met is given in Annex 1 to this report. 1.4 New information and reports, relevant to water quality monitoring and water development, reflecting the changes and developments since November 1997 were taken into account. Specifically, the new Water Law (as adopted by the Parliament in January 1998) has been considered, where the specific needs for water protection and the respective responsibilities are given. The reports of PHARE and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) relevant to water quality were studied in more detail. The list of information reviewed is contained in Annex 2. 1.5 On the basis of all the above, the mission has prepared a number of proposals grouped as follows: - updated general strategy and station-net for stream and river monitoring; - technical equipment in the field and in the laboratory, including a cost estimate and payment strategy, as a prerequisite for a proper river monitoring (detailed and final suggestions); - maintenance of equipment, data bank organization and educational/training programs in order to keep going the river monitoring program, including a cost estimate and payment strategy; - institutional, legal and economic requirements in view of a successful enforcement of the new Water Law. 1.6 The mission wishes to extend its gratitude for the support received from the relevant authorities concerned, in particular to the Agency for Environment and Nature Protection and Promotion (AENPP), the Hydrometeorological Institute (HMI), the Water Development Institute (WDI) and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
2. Findings 2.1 General Situation 2.1.1 The present situation in Macedonia is still dominated by continuous changes of organizational structures and legislation, by continued economical problems and by various international activities. The relations at the technical level between Macedonia and her neighbours are satisfactory, such as for Vardar River monitoring (with Greece) and Lake Ohrid Conservation Program (with Albania). 2.1.2 Major changes since November 1997 include the adoption of the new Water Law in January 1998, the progress in the PHARE program on Vardar River survey, and the first issue of report on the water master plan of JICA, see Annex 2. The PHARE program has a direct link to the national river monitoring concept, whereas the JICA work will greatly influence the wellfare of water ecosystems.
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2.2 Legal and Institutional Aspects 2.2.1 There are significant inconsistencies between the two laws enforced, the Act on Environment and Nature Protection Promotion (adopted in December 1996) and the new Water Law (adopted in January 1998), in respect to dividing quantitative and qualitative aspects of water protection and the responsibility of the two Ministries of Agriculture, Forestry and W ater Management (MAFWM) and Urban Planning, Construction and Environment (MUPCE). Also, detailed regulations concerning the implementation of the act (paragraph 59 of AENPP) are still missing. Further, the funding of any kind of water protection measures, and the Hydrometeorological Institute (HMI), remains uncertain, given the poor economic situation in Macedonia. 2.2.2 The HMI is clearly designated, by the new Water Law, to carry the responsibility for qualitative and quantitative hydrology and water quality monitoring, and none of the consulted persons objected. The new director of HMI clearly expressed his strong willingness to seek for more governmental budget funds for improving and maintaining a national river monitoring. Our detailed proposals (see sections 3.2.6 and 3.3.5) are clearly aimed at strengthening the role of HMI in this respect. 2.2.3 The co-operation of HMI with other laboratories in Skopje is good in general. However, the co-operation with the Hydrobiological Institute Ohrid (HIO) in respect to Lake Ohrid monitoring may be intensified (see section 2.3.3). 2.2.4 The interrelationship and co-operation of national and international actors could partly be elucidated, but problems in the co-ordination of international expertise and financial assistance still do exist. In particular, the contacts with EU-PHARE and GTZ should be strengthened and clarified. Unfortunately, there were no available data on DOBRIS, EARNET and INTERREG programs. 2.2.5 The emergency scheme for hazardous environmental accidents and severe water pollutions are basically the same as those in Switzerland, as exemplified during this mission for Kanton Zürich (see Annex 3). The first responsibility is with the police (alarm system), who works together with the regional expert inspectors designated by the MAFWM (for quality and quantitative problems) and MUPCE (for environmental impact problems). As only few accidents per year do occur in Macedonia, the present systern seems tobe accurate. However, the alarm system is definitely too slow, and the police as well as the inspectors may, in the future, need some further training and equipment to fulfill their duties and responsibilities. Assignment of the responsibilities and the tasks of the inspectors of the two ministries should be further clarified in order to ensure an efficient emergency scheme.
2.3 Monitoring Strategies 2.3.l Water protection and the monitoring of surface waters includes not only running waters, but also stagnant waters (lakes, reservoirs) and groundwater. In this report, and according to the mandate of our mission, we only deal in detail with running waters. However, we stress the importance of lakes and groundwater in respect to the natural water cycle. In the near future, also significant efforts for lake/reservoir and groundwater monitoring are
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needed. Concepts for solid waste disposal and measures against habitat degradation urgently need to be respected in water development master plans, integral water protection and long-term monitoring concepts. 2.3.2 The present net of monitoring stations includes national and regional sites, rivers and lakes. There is no clear distinction between the importance of stations and the responsibility of national and regional institutions. Lakes and reservoirs, and more significantly their tributaries and outlets, are only marginally investigated so far. 2.3.3 A check-up with the Lake Ohrid monitoring program (including Lake Prespa), promoted by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) of the World Bank, revealed the potential for combining lake and regional (catchment) river monitoring, tobe preferently performed in sequential one years campaigns for measuring river input loads and establishing lake mass balances. Presently, the RIO is planning to include, to the lake monitoring, such a tributary monitoring program, in which ideally the RMI would perform the hydrological measurements and the RIO would perform the chemical sampling and analysis. Such a joint effort could enhance the co-operation between RIO and RMI by reversible data exchange. If such a pilot study would be successful, it may stimulate further catchment studies. This is urgently needed, as there is no visible effort to investigate neither Lake Dojran nor any reservoir. University Institutes may help to fill this gap, as RIO is sufficiently engaged with Lake Ohrid/Prespa monitoring. 2.3.4 Although chemical monitoring is best suited to establish anational monitoring program, biological monitoring (according to the saprobic system and related new biological methods) should be considered, on the long term. At present, saprobiological monitoring may be performed parallel to the chemical monitoring, but this is not considered in our mission.
2.4 Assessment of Laboratory and Field Equiprnent 2.4.1 The inspection of various laboratories dealing with water quality control in Skopje is summarized below and given in more detail in Annex 4: Public Enterprise for Water Supply Skopje: newest building and labs, newest equipment and modern analysers for quick tests, processing drinking water, groundwater, surface and spring waters near Rasce and, tentatively, sewage. Special emphasis on bacteriological analysis. Budget situation satisfactory, free capacity for proceeding more samples. Basic training and international contacts good, some need for advanced training. Republic Institute for Health Protection: building and labs are in good condition, mainly modern analysers for drinking and swimming water quality and food control. The use of GC/MS for RMI is possible but not yet realized. Radiological, bacteriological and parasitological analysis. Budget situation not satisfactory, although there is regular income through import controls; no regular budget for consumables, no free capacities. Urgent needs for basic and advanced training.
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Military Hospital: since the laboratory of the Military Hospital was the reference lab for the military in former Yugoslavia, the present equipment and infrastructure are quite satisfactory; building and labs are in good condition, modern and partly older analysers, processing drinking water, surface waters and food samples separately from the civil institutes. Bacteriological analysis. Recent budget restrictions caused shortage in investigation programs, no regular budget for consumables, fully hooked out with analyses. Urgent needs for basic and advanced training. HMI: building and labs are in very bad condition, the former possibly enhanced by vibrations caused by the blastings of nearby mines; mostly old but some new analysers, but new equipment provided so far is not yet integrated, and significant parameters (total P, chl.a) still cannot be analysed satisfactorily; processing surface waters only. Due to the shortage in budgets a regular program for surface water investigations presently cannot be performed. The scheduled program would be feasible, when equipment is modernized (automatic analysers). Presently, special analysis (e.g., bacteriology) requested by HMI and performed by other labs needs to be paid by HMI. Great needs for basic and advanced training and international contacts.
In summary, the present situation of HMI in regard to lab and analytical equipment, andin regard to ensure the procedure and maintenance of a monitoring program is very unsatisfactory. 2.4.2 Field equipment for water level and quantitative discharge measurements is generally in bad shape, as seen during our inspection and as also indicated by the JICA report. Only few stations are in satisfactory condition, and maintenance is generally poor or completely missing. Some equipment is technically outdated and needs to be replaced. This deplorable situation is mainly caused by a continuous lack of money at HMI for personnel salaries and technical maintenance. Although the technical standard is not very modern, it is generally still well suited to yield good results, as proper maintenance and measurement are assured. This is proven by the apparently good technical know-how and motivation of the staff of HMI.
2.5 Data Management and Education 2.5.1 Data bank management at HMI only recently began to evolve from handwritten data books to computerized data banks. These data banks are on an individual PC software and have no overall strategy required for a national monitoring program. There is not sufficient hardware and software to manage large data sets. 2.5.2 In general there is a big lack of training and education with respect to the use of modern analytical techniques, as stressed in all institutions visited (see section 2.4.1 ). Chemists and technicians working in the labs have no access to the relevant scientific literature on analytical methods and chemistry. Information on sample preparation techniques is not available either.
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2.5.3 Donors who provide analytical equipment should also provide the necessary training for , the staff.
3. Conclusions and Recommendations 3.1 General Monitoring Strategy 3.1.1 The proposed monitoring program of the HMI is focused on the national level only. lt includes 17 stations, across the national border of Macedonia and along the major River Vardar including the most important tributaries, see map in Annex 5 and table in Annex 6A. The regional and local monitoring programs should be in the responsibility of regional and local governments and polluters, but may be, at least partly, included in the national monitoring program at a later phase. Lake catchment monitoring should be performed separately in case studies, as explained in section 2.3.3. 3.1.2 The aim of the national monitoring program is to produce sound data for tracking the change of water quality, both concentrations and loads, in order to provide a success control for water protection measures taken, and to enforce quality standards in water protection. The monitoring is not well suited for emergency schemes and tracking pollutants, but both purposes may be combined in a joint investigation pro gram. 3.1.3 To produce reliable quantity and quality data, two working chains must function in parallel, one for water quantity measurement and one for water quality sampling, as outlined in figure 1. The two chains are combined for further data processing and reports. lt is evident that the quality of results deteriorates, if one single module of the chain is poorly performed.
Figure 1: Working chains for water quality monitoring
w.ater level and d1scharge measurement
water sampling
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Jf\ data transferr-J\ rating curve establishment L{I
to HMI
sample transport
L{I and data processing
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chedmdictal analysis. an a a processmg
