Author Description

This study is focused on the assessment of water quality in Shkumbini River, Albania. Shkumbini River originates from the mountainous area of Valmara by the villages of Pogradec and Librazhd Districts where it continues to flow 181, 4 km through Librazhd and Elbasan before discharging into Adriatic Sea at Karavasta Bay. The water quality assessment was based on the biological parameters, physico-chemical parameters, trace metal and organic pollutants content in water. This study is an attempt to carry out a preliminary environmental status assessment of Shkumbini River, Albania and to investigate the anthropogenic and natural pollution impact to the river water quality. The water quality monitoring has been one of the project components in order to provide continuous assistance on water monitoring techniques and methodologies to the National Environmental Agency in Albania. The one-year monitoring (physicochemical, chemical and biological monitoring) has been carried out by the experts/authors together with NEA staff, enabling them to obtain the necessary knowledge to perform future water quality monitoring independently according to EU WFD requirements.