27 May 2020 20.05.2020 - This lake was created by waters flowing from the residue of coal ash combustion deposited through the hydraulic system from TC A and TC B of KEK in the ash deposit in the abandoned surface mine of Mihja e Mirashit. The lake has a blue color due to its basic content and the presence of various chemicals coming from the composition of KEK ash. The composition of TCA and TCB ash mainly includes different oxides which, in reaction with water, produce bases (hydroxides) and thus create the basic environment of this lake's water. Among these oxides, those with higher content include Calcium Oxide (CaO), Iron(III) Oxide (Fe2O3), Aluminium Oxide (Al2O3), Magnesium Oxide (MgO), etc.
Within the composition of the ash deposited in slurry form in this area, there are also heavy metals and phenols, which together with the aforementioned high bases create a chemical complex in the formed lake.
Based on data from the monthly reports of KEK regarding the waters discharged at the measuring point in this area, exceedances of several parameters are observed, such as pH reaching values up to 13, as well as electrical conductivity, chlorides, nitrates, and suspended matter in water.
The exceedance of these parameters was also observed from measurements carried out by IHMK during 2017 and 2018 at the request of the Environmental Inspectorate of the former MMPH and the Ombudsman. From the physico-chemical analyses of the lake waters conducted in the IHMK laboratory, high values of water pH and high electrical conductivity were found.
The water level of the blue lake rises especially during the autumn and winter seasons, and this increases the possibility of water overflowing outside the landfill area. There is also a potential risk of contaminated lake water seeping into the underground layers, thereby endangering the pollution of the underground water accumulations in this area. AMMK, within the framework of continuous monitoring and assessment of the environmental state and identification of areas with high pollution potential, has identified the ash landfill and the blue lake among the environmental hot-spots or high pollution areas that require rehabilitation.
Based on the current legislation, it is KEK's obligation to provide a solution to this environmental problem. One of the measures that KEK has undertaken to manage the situation is the construction of barriers to prevent the leachate from the landfill from entering the surrounding surface waters, with particular emphasis on the Sitnica River.
Solving the problem of the Blue Lake is one of the environmental priorities for the future, and its rehabilitation is expected to be addressed through a rehabilitation project supported by the World Bank, which is already in the development phase.
In addition to the rehabilitation of the landfill and the implementation of environmental standards, one of the best alternatives for long-term problem-solving would also be the use of TCA and TCB ash as raw materials for production, as happens in many similar cases around the world.