A dark color of the water has been observed in a segment of the coastline near the Hamallaj Dam in Durrës, causing concern among residents and vacationers in the area.
After field verifications, the Durrës Regional Water Supply and Sewerage Company has stated that the discoloration of the water was not caused by sewage.
According to the institution, the Hamallaj Hydroelectric Dam, which is located about 1 kilometer from the coastline, has been closed and there have been no active discharges to the sea.
Water and Sewerage indicate that no sewage has been detected in the identified area, while the dark color of the water is related to mud, sludge, and sediment accumulated in the canal.
According to Durrës Water and Sewerage, these materials have been disturbed as a result of high tides, low tides and strong waves, causing a temporary change in the color of the water in this segment of the coast.
Meanwhile, the wastewater from residences in the area, according to the Durrës Regional Water Supply and Sewerage Company, is sent for treatment to the Lalëz Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is said to operate 24 hours a day.
The institution has announced that monitoring of the situation is continuing, while the necessary measures will be taken to manage it and guarantee appropriate conditions in the coastal area.
Press release from the Durrës Regional Water Supply and Sewerage Company:
On the issue of the canal mouth at the Hamallaj Dam
In the morning hours, in the area of Hidrovor Hamallaj beach, a dark color of the water was observed in a segment of the coastline.
The Hamallaj Dam, located about 1 km from the coastline, was closed and had no active discharges to the sea during the verification period.
From the verifications carried out on the ground by the Durrës Regional Water Supply and Sewerage Company (SHRUKD), it results that the dark color of the water is caused by mud, silt and sediments accumulated in the canal, which have been mixed and transported towards the coastline as a result of the movement of water from the tides.
Over the past few days, strong winds and increased swell have increased wave strength, allowing water to penetrate the interior of the channel. As a result, accumulated sediments have been agitated and transported seaward, creating a concentration of suspended sediments, which have caused the water to turn dark.
SHRUKD explains that from the verifications carried out on the ground, the presence of sewage in the identified area was not found.
The residences located in this area are connected to the sewage network, through which wastewater is conveyed to the Lalëz Wastewater Treatment Plant, where it undergoes a treatment process before being discharged into the sea.
We emphasize that the Lalëz Wastewater Treatment Plant is in operation 24 hours a day, guaranteeing the continuous treatment of wastewater delivered to the plant.
The Durrës Regional Water Supply and Sewerage Company continues to monitor the situation and will take all necessary measures to manage the situation and guarantee appropriate conditions in the coastal area.