Task according to ToR of...

Republic of Kosovo

The Office of the Prime Minister

Inter-Ministerial Water Council

Secretariat

INTER-INSTITUTIONAL COORDINATION GROUP

for the Implementation of AI No. 16/2012 on Drinking Water Quality

PROGRESS REPORT Jan–Dec, 2016

27 December 2016

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Coat_of_arms_of_Kosovo.svg

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Table of Contents ACRONYMS ......................................................................................................................................................... 4

1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 5

1.1 Background 5

1.2 Establishment and constitution of the Coordination Group 5

2. THEMATIC WORKING GROUPS ............................................................................................................. 6

3. ACTIVITIES OF THE WGS AND OUTCOME .......................................................................................... 8

3.1 WG on Institutional Consolidation of the Water Centre 8

3.2 WG on Technical Regulations and Standards 9

3.3 WG on Risk Management when Water Quality Does Not Comply with Parametric Values 9

3.4 WG on Monitoring of Drinking Water Quality and Reporting 9

3.5 WG on Protection of Water Sources which are Used for Public Water Supply 10

3.6 WG on Approval of Materials and Products in Contact with Drinking Water 12

4. CONCLUSIONS ........................................................................................................................................ 12

ANNEXES 16

Annex 1: Conclusions of the 1st meeting of the CG 17

Annex 2: The report of the WG on Institutional Consolidation of the Water Centre 17

Annex 3: Conclusions of the meeting of the WG for Institutional Consolidation of the Water Centre

with the Minister of Health 17

Annex 4: Technical Standards for Treatment and Disinfection of Water 17

Annex 5: Procedures for Cases of Non-compliance with parametric values 17

Annex 6: Report of the WG on Monitoring and Reporting 17

Annex 7: Conclusions of the roundtable on management of drinking water quality 18

Annex 8: Workshop on preparing of Operational Control Plan for water supply systems 18

Annex 9: Notes and conclusions of the meeting with the Agency for Protection from Radiation and

Nuclear Safety 18

Annex 10: Conslusions and recommendations of the roundtable on protection of water sources used

for drinking purposes 18

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Prepared by: Afrim Lajçi, Water Regulation Advisor

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Acronyms

AI Administrative Instruction

CG Coordination Group

EU European Union

GoK Government of Kosova

IMWC Inter-Ministerial Water Council

KSA Kosova Standardisation Agency

MED Ministry of Economic Development

MESP Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning

MLGA Ministry of Local Government Administration

MoH Ministry of Health

MTI Ministry of Trade and Industry

NIPH National Institute for Public Health

PMU of POEs Policy and Monitoring Unit of Publicly Owned Enterprises (MED)

RWC Regional Water Company

WC Water Centre (NIPH)

WG Working Group

WRA Water Regulation Advisor of IMWC

WSRA Water Services Regulatory Authority

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1. Introduction 1.1 Background

In December 2012, the Government of Kosova (GoK) has enacted Administrative Instruction No.

16/2012 on the Quality of Water Intended for Human Consumption (hereinafter: AI No/ 16/2012).

With this AI the EU Directive on Drinking Water (“Drinking Water Directive”) was transposed to

Kosovan legislation. Implementation of this AI entails a number of activities which require inter-

institutional cooperation/coordination, such as:

(i) institutional consolidation of the Water Centre established with this AI, which was not

completed yet due to lack of budget;

(ii) drafting, discussion and approval of a number of technical, regulations, standards and

guidelines (seven in total) set forth in the AI (i.e. technical standards for treatment and

disinfection of water, technical standards for sampling and conditions of laboratories,

technical standards, for risk assessment and management, technical regulation for

water supply systems, etc.);

(iii) definition of procedures and mechanisms for assessment and management of risk in

cases when the quality of drinking water does not comply with the parametric values;

(iv) development of a scheme for approving materials and products in contact with water;

(v) enforcement of measures for protection of water sources used for water supply.

1.2 Establishment and constitution of the Coordination Group

With the purpose of facilitating the implementation of the AI No. 16/2012, the Inter-Ministerial Water

Council (IMWC) has established the Coordination Group (CG) for the implementation of the AI No.

16/2012 by a decision taken in the 6-th meeting, on 1 December 2015.

According to this decision, the composition of the CG involves representatives of:

(i) The Secretariat of IMWC – Chairman;

(ii) The Ministry of Health (MoH);

(iii) The national Institute of Public Health (NIPH);

(iv) The Ministry of Economic Development (MED);

(v) The Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning (MESP);

(vi) The Ministry of Trade and Industry ( MTI);

(vii) The Ministry of Finance (MoF);

(viii) The Ministry of Local Government Administration (MLGA);

(ix) The Water Services Regulatory Authority (WSRA);

(x) The Water Utilities` Association (SHUKOS).

The process of constitution of the CG extended from 13th to 25th January, a period used for

communication between the Secretariat of IMWC and relevant institutions for nomination of

representatives of the latter into the CG, until the completion of the CG with the members from all

ministries and institutions as planned.

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2. Thematic Working Groups In the first meeting of the CG held on 27th January, it was decided (see Annex 1) that, in order

to have a more effective and focused work, the CG works through six thematic working groups

(WGs) for specific aspects of the AI No. 16/2012, taking into account the big number of CG

members and the diversity of issues.

1) WG on Institutional Consolidation of the Water Centre within NIPH, comprising of:

i. Afrim Lajçi, Advisor, IMWC Secretariat;

ii. Burbuqe Nushi-Latifi, Coordinator of Water Centre in NIPH;

iii. Remzi Sylejmani, Budget Analyst, MoF;

iv. Musa Rexhaj, Director of Finance and Budget, MoH.

The main task of this WG is to review and address the problem of budget of the Water

Centre and define its organisational structure.

2) WG on Technical Regulations and Standards, comprising of:


v. Burbuqe Nushi-Latifi, Coordinator of Water Centre in NIPH;

ii. Hafiz Gara, Director of Kosova Standardisation Agency, MTI;

iii. Fatlije Buza, Water Quality Officer, MESP;

iv. Haxhi Krasniqi, Municipal Performance Development Officer, MLGA;

v. Qamil Musa, Head of Performance Department, WSRA;

vi. Abdullah Dërguti, Managing director, SHUKOS.

This WG is tasked to draft, discuss with relevant stakeholders and propose for approval

technical regulations and standards required with the AI No. 16/2012.

3) WG on Risk Management in cases when the quality of drinking water supplied by

RWCs does not meet parametric values detemined with the AI No. 16/2012, comprising

of:

i. Afrim Lajçi, IMWC Secretariat;


iii. Flutura Shala, Acting Director of PMU of POEs;




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This WG is tasked to develop and propose for adoption the procedures for risk

management when the quality of water does not comply with parametric values

established with the AI No. 16/2012.

4) WG on Monitoring of Drinking Water Quality and Reporting, comprising of:



iii. Flutura Shala, Acting Director of PMU of POEs, MED

iv. Qamil Musa, Head of Performance Department, WSRA;

v. Abdullah Dërguti, Managing director, SHUKOS.

This WG is tasked with dealing with and coordinating activities related to a) internal

monitoring by RWCs and b) external monitoring by NIPH of drinking water quality

supplied as well as c) reporting to the GoK and European Commission in accordance

with the requirements of AI No. 16/2012.

5) WG on Products and Materials in Contact with Drinking Water, comprising of:



iii. Hafiz Gara, Director of Kosova Standardisation Agency, MTI;

iv. Qamil Musa, Head of Performance Department, WSRA;

v. Fatlije Buza, MESP


The task of this WG is to develop and propose a system for approval of products and

materials in contact with water. This system should include: list of products and materials

allowed to be used in contact with water, determination of procedures for approval of

these products and materials, the competent authority for approval etc.

6) WG on Protection of Water Sources, comprising of:



iii. Fatlije Buza, Water Quality Officer, MESP;




This WG is tasked with a) to review and assess the actual situation concerning the

protection of water sources used for water supply, and b) to propose legal,

organisational, and operational measures needed to ensure effective protection of water

sources. Also, this WG is expected to clarify institutional roles and responsibilities related

to protection of water sources.

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3. Activities of the WGs 3.1 WG on Institutional Consolidation of the Water Centre

WG on institutional consolidation of the Water Centre held 3 meetings (on 12 February,

23 February, and 9 march), in which it discussed all aspects pertaining to the

functionalisation and institutional consolidation of the Water Centre within NIPH, as the

responsible authority for monitoring and ensuring the quality of drinking water.

Based on the review of the existing documentation, the WG ascertained that the Water

Centre was formally established in June 2011, with the decision of the director of NIPH

in accordance with the recommendations of the Feasibility Study for Drinking Water

Quality of 2009 financed by the EU Office in Kosova (EUOK).

The adoption of the AI No. 16/2012 was preceded by a financial statement i.e.

Estimation and Forecast of Budget Implications for the Implementation of Draft AI on

Drinking Water Quality of 20 April 2012. With this estimation, costs of implementation

of the AI for the first year were estimated to 391,464 EUR (Salaries and wages-64,464;

Goods and services-230,000EUR).

Notwithstanding these developments, a formal and complete establishment of the

Water Centre that would include clear definition of its functions and its organisational

structure did not happen to date, even after more than three years from the adoption

of the AI No. 16/2012. The Water Centre is not included in the NIPH organogram and

has only 2 staff from 10 as originally anticipated. This deferment in full functionalisation

of the Water Centre in addition to affecting the capacities of the Water Centre to

exercise its responsibilities assigned with the AI No. 16/2012, was highlighted in the

EU Progress Reports for Kosovo (2013 and 2014) and in the Kosovo`s adherence in

the EU.

Its findings and recommendations the WG has summarized in a report (see Annex 2)

which was submitted to the relevant officials of the MoH including the Minister, General

Secretary and the general Director of NIPH.

With the purpose of discussing and implementing the recommendations of the WG`s

report, on 17th March a meeting with the Minister of Health was held and with the

general Director of NIPH. In this meeting it was agreed that the functionalisation and

institutional consolidation of the Water Centre should happen and in this respect

concrete actions should be undertaken in the shortest possible time (see conclusions

of the meeting in Annex 3). Concretely, it agreed that:

a) Completion of the Water Centre staff shall commence initially with 2 employees

this year – until 31st of May – to be increased steadily in accordance with the

organisational structure proposed by the WG – completed.

b) Include the Water Centre in the statute of the NIPH as an organisational unit within

the department of Human Ecology – completed;

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c) Provide appropriate work space/offices for the needs of the Water Centre within

NIPH premises – until 31st of May 2016 – not completed;

d) Provide vehicles for the needs of sampling for regional centres of NIPH – until 30th

of June 2016 – completed in December 2016.

The work of this WG is considered concluded. However, the WRA shall follow up the

implementation of conclusions agreed with the MoH and NIPH until their full fulfilment.

3.2 WG on Technical Regulations and Standards

This WG during the reporting period held 6 meetings (9th February, 17th February, 5th

April, 10th May, 17th August, and 5th October).

During this period the WG has drafted the final draft of the Technical Standards for

Treatment and Disinfection of Drinking Water (see Annex 4 of this report), which needs

to approved formally by NIPH. Also, it has completed (i) a draft Regulation of

Construction, Maintenance and Closure of Wells, and is in the process of finalizing (ii)

draft Regulation on Designing, Construction and maintenance of Water Supply

Systems. Concerning the adoption of these two regulations, although the AI No.

16/2012 stipulates that they should be issued by MTI, based on the discussions with it

should be considered the option of having these regulations issued by

MESP/Construction Division.

Other technical regulations are being addressed by the WGs (e.g. Procedures for

Managing Cases of Non-compliance with Parametric Values, and Regulation on

Materials and Products in Contact with Drinking Water).

Nevertheless, the work of this WG shall continue in 2017 in order to complete and

process for adoption all seven documents/regulations, which is a rather complex and

demanding task.

3.3 WG on Risk Management when Water Quality Does Not Comply with Parametric Values

This WG held two meetings: on 22 February and 9 March.

During this period the WG finalized Procedures of Action when Drinking Water Quality

Does Not Comply wih Parametric Values (see Annex 5).

This document was presented to the RWCs and other relevant institutions in a

roundtable organized for this purpose by the IMWC Secretariat on 25th of April. The

document ought to be formally adopted by NIPH/Water Centre.

3.4 WG on Monitoring of Drinking Water Quality and Reporting

This WG held three meetings during the reporting period: on 22nd February, 17th March,

and 5th April. Also, one roundtable on 25 April, and one workshop on 6 June were

organized by this WG.

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For a more effective enforcement of drinking water quality monitoring by RWCs in

conformity with the provisions of AI No. 16/2012, the WG has recommended that

WSRA conditions licensing of RWCs with the latter proving to have adequate

capacities for managing and systematically monitoring the quality of drinking water

they supply.

Recommendations of the WG are stated in a report (see Annex 6) which was shared

with all key stakeholders, and also discussed in a roundtable organized for this

purpose. The roundtable resulted with specific conclusions and recommendations (see

Annex 7) on actions to be implemented by RWCs and other institutions (i.e. NIPH and

WSRA) for all 12 conclusions.

With the aim to facilitate the implementation of agreed conclusions, a thematic

workshop was held on 6 June in cooperation with SHUKOS with the topic: Preparation

of the Operational Plan for Controlling Drinking Water Quality (see Annex 8).

Also, this WG has developed a model organisational structure for the water quality

department of RWCs which was proposed to them to adapt for their specific needs.

Meetings with various stakeholders, with the purpose of coordination of overall

activities on monitoring of drinking water quality, were an important part of the work of

this WG. In this context, the meeting with the Agency on Protection from Radiation and

Nuclear Safety should be noted in which it was agreed to reinforce the collaboration of

the Agency with the NIPH/Water Centre on monitoring of radioactive parameters (see

Annex 9). Also regular meetings with RWCs were held in order to ensure that they fulfil

their obligations as required with the provisions of AI No. 16/2012/

Finally, this WG has supported the process of preparing the first Annual Report on

Drinking Water Quality issued by NIPH, which is the first such a report in Kosova, but

also in the region.

3.5 WG on Protection of Water Sources which are Used for Public Water Supply

Until the end of the reporting period, the WG had three meetings: on 10th of May, 18th

of August and 25th November.

The WG has organized a roundtable on 13th of July, with the topic: Protection of

Drinking Water Sources, with the purpose of discussing and coordination of activities

on protection of water sources. All key stakeholders participated in the roundtable,

where as the result of presentations and discussion, specific recommendations were

drawn (see Annex 10) which were then submitted to responsible institutions (RWCs

and MESP) for implementation.

Some of the recommendations of this roundtable include as follows:

RWCs:

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1. Fence with a solid fence the 1st protection zone in accordance with the decisions

of the GoK and to put information signs in adequate places in a standardized

form.

2. To define in situ the 2nd protection zone and to put information signs/tables in

places where the protection zone crosses with the roads and other appropriate

places in a distance not more than 100 metre between them.

3. Conduct an assessment in the 2nd protection zone in order to identify

constructions and activities in this zone and to send an information to MESP and

respective municipalities with the findings of this assessment.

4. Prepare a report about the measures undertaken for protection of water sources

and submit to MESP, as per the requirements of the decisions issued by the GoK

on determination of protection zones and the protection measures for those

zones.

MESP:

1) Send an information letter to every municipality where there are water sources

for which the GoK has determined protection zones and require from them to: (i)

include these zones into municipal regulation and development plans, (ii) prohibit

construction of structures and activities which are not allowed with the GoK`s

decisions, (iii) through their inspectors, monitor enfprcement of the GoK`s

decisions for protection zones, and to undertake the necessary enforcement

measures.

2) Request form the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Ministry of Internal Affairs

prohibition of movement of vehicles that transport hazard materials on the

sections of the reads in the vicinity of artificial reservoirs used for water supply

(i.e. Badovc and Batllava).

3) Prepare decisions for declaring water protection zones for the remaining sources

which were not yet determined and submit to the GoK for approval.

4) Develop action plans for enforcement of the GoK`s decisions on protection zones

of water sources as per the requirements of the GoK`s decisions. These action

plans should be developed for all protection zones determined as such by the

GoK`s decisions.

Another activity of this WG that ought to be noted is the initiation of of the process of

drafting of the new AI on Determination of Sanitary Protection Zones for the Sources

Used for Drinking, in order to address the shortcomings identified in the old AI which

were one of the impediments (not the only one) for the limited enforcement of

protection measures in the protection zones. The drafting of the new AI was

completed and it is now ongoing standard adoption procedures(translation, public

consultation, confirmation of its harmonisation with the EU legislation etc.).

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3.6 WG on Approval of Materials and Products in Contact with Drinking Water

This WG became active the latest – the first meeting was held on 25th November. In

this meeting it was agreed to start the drafting of a regulation for approval of materials

in contact with water, as required with the Article 9 of AI No.16/2012, as the

responsibility of the MoH.

The WG had meetings with the Agency of Food an Veterinary (on 2nd December) and

with the Department of Industry of MTI (on 7th December) with the purpose of

discussing and coordinating activities related to materials and products in contact with

water. In these meetings institutional responsibilities where discussed in the light of

applicable legislation.

The work of this WG shall continue in 2017, with the tentative plan that the its mandate

is completed in the first half of 2017 resulting with the approval of the Regulation on

Technical Conditions for Material and Products in Contact with Drinking Water.

4. Conclusions From what was set forth above in section 3 about the activities of the CG during the reporting

period, the following conclusions may be drawn:

1. Constitution and the work of the CG

a) The CG was constituted as per the decision of the IMWC and six thematic working groups created to address key aspects related to the drinking water quality;

b) All six WGs were active and addressed key aspects of drinking water quality within their scope of responsibility, in the light of the AI No. 16/2012;

c) In total 18 meetings, 2 workshops and 2 roundtables were held by all six WGs. Also, numerous individual meetings with relevant institutions were held (RWCs, Ministries, Agencies etc.);

d) The work of three WGs, i.e. (i) WG on Institutional Consolidation of the Water Centre within NIPH, (ii) WG on Management of Cases of Non-compliance with Parametric Values, and (iii) WG on Protection of Water Sources, is considered completed, provided that the WRA follows up the implementation of the recommendations of the reports of respective WGs;

e) Three WGs shall continue their work in 2017, i.e. (i) WG for Technical Conditions and Standards, (ii) WG on Monitoring and Reporting, and (iii) WG on Materials and Products in Contact with Drinking Water.

2. Summary of the progress achieved

a) Institutional consolidation of the Water Centre of NIPH:

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In accordance with the agreement with the Minister of Health:

The Water Centre is staffed with additional staff (one specialist of Human Ecology);

Vehicles for the needs of monitoring of drinking water quality were purchased for all seven regional centres of NIPH;

The Water Centre is included in the statute of the NIPH as the responsible unit for supervising drinking water quality;

The Water Centre has completed and fully utilizes a database for handling and managing drinking water quality monitoring data (with the support of Swiss Government).

b) Management of cases of non-compliance with parametric values:

The WG has developed the Guidelines for Management of Cases of Non-compliance with Parametric Values which was discussed with all stakeholders in a workshop organized for this purpose. This document ought to be formally adopted by NIPH and to be implemented by responsible institutions, i.e. NIPH, RWCs, WSRA and municipalities.

c) Protection of water sources:

The legal framewok and the actual state concerning the protection of water sources is reviewed; based on finding a roundtable was organized with all stakeholders. As a result of this roundtable, specific actions were recommended to responsible institutions with the aim of effective protection of water sources in accordance with the applicable legislation and good practice. Implementation of these recommendations shall be followed up by the WRA.

d) Monitoring of the quality of drinking water and reporting

The WG has prepared a report with the findings on existing sistuation and recommendations for actions to be taken by RWCs in accordance with their legal responsibilities concerning the quality of water they supply. The achieved progress can be summarised as follows:

With the support of the WG all RWCs have completed their plans for internal monitoring of water quality in accordance with the requirements of the AI No. 16/2012;

NIPH has prepared and published the annual report on the quality of drinking water. This is the first report published by NIPH that presents the state of water quality in Kosovo based on monitoring results by NIPH;

All RWCs have started the process of accreditation of their laboratories; two RWCs (RWC Radoniqi and RWC Prishtina) have completed the accreditation whereas the other RWCs are working still on this process and in the meantime they have subcontracted the internal monitoring with NIPH;

e) Drafting of technical regulations and standards:

Completed:

Technical standards for treatment and disinfection of water;

Guidelines for management of cases of non-compliance with parametric values;

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Guidelines for operational control of water quality;

Technical regulation for construction, manintenance and closure of wells.

Being drafted:

Regulation on technical conditions for designing, construction and maintenance of water supply systems;

Regulation/guidleines for approval of materials in contact with drinking water;

Regulation/guidelines for transportation of drinking water.

f) Approval of materials and products in contact with drinking water

Work has started, in cooperation with relevant institutions, in coordination of activities for designing a system for approval of materials and products in contact with drinking water. This system, once completed, needs to be formalized in the form of a regulation/guidelines to be issued by the Minister of Health in accordance with the provisions of the AI No. 16/2012.

3. Future challenges – planned activities

a) Further consolidation of the Water centre with additional staff as per the

recommended organisational structure by the WG.

Deadline: December 2017.

b) Support to the NIPH/Water Centre for preparing 3-years report for the EU

Commission on drinking water quality results for the period: 2014-2016.

Deadline: June 2017.

c) Support the NIPH/Water Centre for preparing the annual report for 2016.

Deadline: March 2017.

d) Enhance capacities of RWCs in drinking water quality monitoring. i.e.

accreditation of laboratories, development of database for managing

monitoring results, staffing of water quality departments.

Recommended deadline: December 2017.

e) Implementation of recommendations for protection of water sources: (i)

adoption by MESP of the new AI, (ii) marking and fencing of protection zones

by RWCs, (iii) Mbështetja e e Qendrës së Ujit/IKSHPK në hartimin e raportit

vjetor për monitorimin e cilësisë së ujit të pijshëm për vitin 2016.

Afati i planifikuar– mars, 2017.

f) Zbatimi i rekomandimeve për mbrojtjen e burimeve të ujit të pijshëm: (i) miratimi

i UA nga MMPH, (ii) shënimi i zonave mbrojtëse nga ana e KRU-ve, (iii)

preparing by MESP for the GoK of the decisions for protection zones, (iv)

undertaking of measures by MESP and municipalities for protection of water

sources, etc.

Deadline: january 2017 onwards.

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g) Effective implementation by responsible institutions (Water Centre, RWCs,

municipalities, WSRA) of procedures for the management of cases of non-

compliance with parametric values of water quality.

Deadline: June 2017, onwards.

h) Completion of technical standards and regulations required with the AI No.

16/2012 and their approval by responsible institutions (NIPH, MoH, MESP).

Plamnned deadline: June 2017.

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Annexes

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Annex 1: Conclusions of the 1st meeting of the CG

Konkluzionet e

Takimit I te Grupit Koordinues

Annex 2: The report of the WG on Institutional Consolidation of the Water Centre

Raporti i Grupit

Punues për Konsolidimin Institucional të Qendrës së Ujit

Annex 3: Conclusions of the meeting of the WG for Institutional Consolidation of the Water Centre with the Minister of Health

Konkluzionet nga

Takimi me Ministrin

Annex 4: Technical Standards for Treatment and Disinfection of Water

Standardet Teknike

për Trajtim dhe Dezinfektim të Ujit

Annex 5: Procedures for Cases of Non-compliance with parametric values

Procedurat e

Veprimit

Annex 6: Report of the WG on Monitoring and Reporting

Raporti i Grupit

Punues për Raportim - 2003 Document

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Annex 7: Conclusions of the roundtable on management of drinking water quality

Konkluzionet e

Tryezës së Rrumbullakët

Annex 8: Workshop on preparing of Operational Control Plan for water supply systems

Punetoria per Kontrollin Operacional

Udhëzues_Plani i Kontrollit Operacional

Annex 9: Notes and conclusions of the meeting with the Agency for Protection from Radiation and Nuclear Safety

Shënimet nga takimi me Agjencinë për Mbrojtje nga Rrezatimi...

Annex 10: Conslusions and recommendations of the roundtable on protection of water sources used for drinking purposes

Konkluzionet dhe Rekomandimet nga Tryeza e Rrumbullakët për Mbrojtjen e Burimeve të Ujit

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