The overall development of the state greatly relies on quantity and quality of our water resources. If we do not undertake long-term measures to protect water resources, we can irreversibly lose them, President Stevo Pendarovski said Wednesday addressing the virtual conference “Green Agenda for the Western Balkans as an Incentive for Water Protection in North Macedonia.”
The event was organized by the European Policy Institute in cooperation with the Institute of Communication Studies, as part of the campaign “Clean it up!”
According to some reports, Pendarovski said, only about 3 to 4 percent of the total amount of wastewater from mining and industry is treated in the country, and most of the untreated water is discharged directly into the soil, rivers, reservoirs, lakes and public sewerage system. He also noted that an equally serious problem is the extraction of sand, gravel and stone from river and lake shores, which in the absence of clear criteria and control mechanisms, develops into legalized destruction of riverbeds, his office said in a press release.
“There are a number of reasons for this unsustainable water management. First and foremost is the low level of public self-awareness and personal consciousness. The perception that water is a resource that can be consumed indefinitely still prevails. This non-domestic conduct is particularly worrying given that 11 percent of the total number of individual households in North Macedonia still do not have access to drinking water,” Pendarovski underlined.
According to Pendarovski, the inspection authorities represent a weak link in our system, which is inactive due to legal ambiguities and budget constraints.
“Due to these accumulated system shortages, the competent institutions for years have not had a real insight into the quality and quantity of waters in North Macedonia. We do not know how much water is pumped and discharged for irrigation and drainage. And without clear data, it is difficult to make long-term sustainable policies and regulations. And nature and people pay the price,” Pendarovski said.
He also said that climate change further complicates the problems due to the fact that our country is located in one of the most climate-vulnerable regions not only in Europe but also in the world, noting that the situation with Lake Prespa as especially worrying.
“If we do not undertake long-term measures to protect water resources, we can irreversibly lose them. Therefore, water protection is not a political issue but an existential one,” he added.
“We need to harmonise our legislation with the European acquis and its implementation is more important which includes regular inspections that will sanction any attempt to profit at the expense of environment and the citizens,” he said, adding “We are not doing this for Brussels, but for us.”
“The water protection is not only an internal but also European issue. The Green Agenda is part of EUR 9 billion Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans. The EU stands ready to support projects for sustainable, rational and efficient use of resources. I believe we still have enough potential to resolve this issue,” Pendarovski said.
