MASTER'S THESIS - SuSanA

APPENDIX C – Site visits
6.3 Conclusion of the village visit
The village Lin suffered at least in the last years the smell and hygiene problems due to the bad wastewater
handling. It is not clear if wastewater is still discharged into the rainwater channels and if all houses actually
have water sealed septic tanks. Additionally, the area of the lake is very sensitive what makes wastewater
treatment an important issue. If houses do not have water sealed tanks, a solution for the sanitation
situation should be found as soon as possible.
Existing tanks have to be proofed if they are water dense or leaking into the ground. As the village is very
dense, the construction of a sewer system would be worthwhile. But it will be difficult to construct it as the
main street is very new and houses are perhaps even too dense to access the streets by construction
vehicles. It seems that space for constructing a wastewater treatment plant would be available at the end of
the village. If a treatment facility will be constructed, it is important that people do not throw livestock
manure and straw into the sewer system to prevent a biological overload. People should be educated how
to compost manure and straw if space is available in their backyards. Otherwise the commune could collect
that organic waste for composting or co-fermentation in case an anaerobic digester will be planned in the
future for the region (like it is constructed in Durrës). If the construction of a sewer system with a treatment
facility for the whole village is not possible, at least the “septic tanks” should be sealed to be water tight and
emptied frequently to prevent wastewater leaking into the ground and entering the sensitive lake area.
C.30