30 May 2017
30.05.2017- Today, on the date 30.05.2017, on the portal www.koha.net, the article was published: The Ombudsman: Kosovo A and B are causing worrying pollution to the Sitnica River.
In this article, among other things, it is stated that the Ombudsman, Hilmi Jashari, along with collaborators, accompanied by an expert from the Hydrometeorological Institute of Kosovo, as well as officials from the Municipality of Obiliq, visited the village of Dardhishtë in the Municipality of Obiliq, specifically the hydraulic discharge points from Kosovo A and Kosovo B Power Plants into the Sitnica River, in the same village. The visit was made with the aim of observing up close the discharge of industrially polluted water, measuring the pH level at these two points, and taking samples to analyze the pollution level in more detail. From the measurements carried out at the two discharge points of polluted water, it was observed that at the hydraulic discharge point of Kosovo A Power Plant, the pH value was 12.78, while at the hydraulic discharge of Kosovo B Power Plant, the pH reached 12.98, according to the Ombudsman’s press release.
Deviations from acceptable industrial discharge standards, according to the Ombudsman, damage the natural qualities of water, both in terms of quality and quantity, and cause long-term consequences for humans and the ecosystem in general. Therefore, the Ombudsman calls on the responsible authorities to act urgently in accordance with the relevant laws for environmental protection and acceptable standards for the quality of water, soil, and air. After the publication of this information, the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, following consultations with officials from the Kosovo Hydrometeorological Institute, clarifies to the general public that the Ombudsman’s finding regarding the level of water pollution from the discharges of the Kosovo A and Kosovo B Thermal Power Plants into the Sitnica River is hasty, for several reasons as follows:
· The analysis of the samples taken by IHMK has not yet been carried out, and the level of concentration/presence of substances indicating water pollution in question has not yet been determined.
· A conclusion about water pollution cannot be drawn based on the results of a single parameter, in this case, pH.
· The level of pollution cannot be determined based on a single measurement, because a specific momentary condition does not represent the overall state of water pollution.
· Multiple samplings, measurements, and analyses need to be repeated to determine the actual state of pollution in the Sitnica River from the mentioned sources, for which IHMK is ready to continue monitoring until the final determination of pollution, identify the causes of this pollution, and inform the public about the observed condition.
Therefore, the MoH considers that the announcement of the Ombudsman is hasty, unfounded, and has caused unnecessary concern among the general public and especially among the residents of the surrounding area.