Potential Sources of Surface and Groundwater Contamination in Tirana- Durres Region

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to assess and evaluate the conditions of the surface andgroundwater resources in the Tirana-Durres region. The most important aquifer is that of Tiranaand it supplies with drinkable water (1200 -1300 l/sec) Tirana, Vora, Kamza and the other vicinities. The risk of pollution is very high because the aquifer's cover layer is very thin; the running rivers (Lana, Ishmi and Gjola Rivers) are very polluted due to over urbanization and thehigh usage of the sand soil for the construction industry. In addition, the groundwater layer inDurres region has high values of Cl-, K+ and Na+ ions, indicating a possible progression of sea water in the coastal aquifer of Durres. The potential for sea water contamination of the fresh water-bearing zones probably will continue to increase in west Durres, as freshwater zones continues to decline. The current situation in the region is evaluated through data from wells and spring and Water budget to evaluate the ground water characteristics. The distributions of different chemical properties are mapped to identify the most problematic zones by using GIS techniques. The study focuses on problems such as seawater intrusion in the area of Durres and stream water contamination in Tiran region. The effects of these phenomena are studied andsome possible remedies are discussed in this paper.