Water Management in the Western Balkans

Abstract

This work aims to review the state of water management practice in Western Balkan Countries (WBCs) and the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC - WFD), to point out weaknesses and to suggest progress actions. The Balkans is an area surrounded by the Adriatic, Ionian and Black seas. The Western Balkans include countries with the perspective to accede to the EU. A major share of relevant EU legislation has been transposed to national regulations in WBCs. Descriptions of the typology and water bodies have been completed in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia, while in Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia the process has been initiated. Water monitoring programs in WBCs, which refer to surface and groundwater, are at different levels of development. A low share of surface water bodies is covered by monitoring results that are less than 8%. Monitoring of biological quality elements (BQE) was undertaken in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, N. Macedonia and Serbia, but not all BQEs are covered. A rough estimate indicates that 54.49% of waterbodies failed to achieve good ecological status and measures need to be undertaken. Transitional and coastal waters are relevant for Albania, Bosnia and Hercegovina and Montenegro; WFD compliant monitoring has started only in Montenegro. It is important to increase the institutional capacity in WBCs, improve regional cooperation with the support of Member States, work on the identification of river basin-specific pollutants, support the use of advanced methods (molecular taxonomy and eDNA) and involve research in the advancement of status assessment.