МК – NI 022

The indicator describes the changes over time in the quality of designated bathing waters in terms of compliance with standards for microbiological parameters (total coliforms and faecal coliforms) and physicochemical parameters (mineral oils, surface-active substances and phenols) introduced by the EU Bathing Water Directive (76/160/EEC).

• The data is expressed in a form of percentage of inland bathing waters with mandatory standards and levels specified in guidelines for microbiological and physicochemical parameters.

Has the quality of bathing water improved?

The quality of lake water is at mainly satisfactory level. However, there are rivers which with their entry into the lakes contribute to deterioration of the quality of lake water. The percentage of samples with non-compliant quality is still very high (especially for physical and chemical parameters) Settlements around the three natural lakes are among the rare ones with wastewater treatment plants available in the country.

Approximation of the national legislation and standards in this area with the EU Bathing Water Directive should continue.

Figure 1. Quality of bathing freshwater – lakes

Figure 2. Quality of bathing freshwater – artificial lakes

Data coverage: excel

Source: Public Health Institute of the Republic of Macedonia, http://www.iph.mk/en

The greatest proportion of water areas in the country belongs to natural lakes, the shores of which are used for recreation purposes. The quality of water in these lakes is threatened by discharges of wastewater, uncontrolled use of lake waters for agricultural and tourism purposes, as well as by weather conditions. Apart from natural lakes, there are artificial lakes – water accumulations in the Republic of Macedonia, used for both recreation and economic purposes.

The problems of bathing water quality protection in the lakes are closely related to the implementation of one of the highest priorities in the country’s environment protection – construction of adequate wastewater treatment facilities.

As international waters, the waters of the biggest natural lakes, i.e. Ohrid and Prespa, are also subject of bilateral and trilateral agreements between the Republic of Macedonia, Republic of Albania and Republic of Greece, respectively.

• Methodology for the indicator calculation

Standard methodology for sampling – annual data.