In some cases the pollution levels exceeded the parameters set by the World Health Organization and the European Commission.
TIRANA TIMES
DURRES, Aug. 5 – Many of Albania’s beaches are polluted beyond any acceptable norms, says a recent report by the Ministry of Environment, drafted with the assistance of the Public Health Institute.
Officials are worried after they spent the last six months monitoring beaches on Albania’s coastline and found some disturbing results.
Beaches are polluted by their massive use, however the main cause was the discharge of raw sewage into the water.
In some cases the pollution levels exceeded the parameters set by the World Health Organization and the European Commission.
They have high loads of bacteria, creating an alarming situation.
In many cases doctors have concluded people have gotten sick from polluted water and sand.
The Environment Ministry’s report also provides a list of areas that offer clean beaches, and they were focused particularly on in the northernmost and southernmost coasts.
The report says Albanian authorities are constantly monitoring the situation, and they might have to shut down some beaches due to the environmental conditions.