Tirana, July 2025 – With its snow-fed rivers and stunning Adriatic and Ionian coastline, Albania may seem like a water-rich country. But behind the beauty lies a growing challenge: managing seasonal water scarcity, improving water quality, and ensuring access to clean water for people and ecosystems alike.

Recent data from the European Environment Agency (EEA) show that Europe is facing a growing water crisis due to drought, inefficient use, and pollution. Albania is no exception. Although the country receives generous rainfall annually, its summer months bring intense water stress, especially for agriculture, energy production, and coastal communities. In July 2025, a prolonged heatwave pushed temperatures over 40°C, drying rivers, reducing hydropower capacity, and forcing emergency irrigation in key farming regions like the Mat River basin.

Despite having one of the highest per capita freshwater resources in Europe, Albania’s water distribution is uneven. Seasonal variation, combined with outdated infrastructure and poor urban planning, puts pressure on both supply and quality.

Albania also faces challenges in its coastal waters. According to EEA assessments, only 16% of bathing waters were classified as “excellent” in 2024, while over 22% were rated “poor”, placing Albania at the bottom of Europe’s sea quality rankings. These results are due largely to untreated wastewater, river pollution, and solid waste reaching the sea.

What EU4Green Is Doing About It

To support Albania and the wider region in facing these water challenges, the EU-funded EU4Green project is working directly with national and local authorities to improve water quality, strengthen monitoring systems, and reduce pollution at the source.

Under the “Depollution of Water” component of the project, EU4Green has:

• Trained water professionals and inspectors on EU-compliant monitoring practices for rivers, lakes, and coastal areas
• Supported wastewater treatment upgrades by providing policy advice and technical expertise aligned with the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive
• Organized workshops on nitrate pollution to help reduce nutrient losses into rivers and groundwater
• Facilitated bilateral exchanges with neighboring countries to promote regional cooperation and knowledge-sharing

These actions are directly contributing to Albania’s alignment with EU water legislation and improving day-to-day management practices. Importantly, they also help protect biodiversity and human health, two areas especially vulnerable to polluted or poorly managed water systems.

“Depollution isn’t just about large infrastructure, it’s about data, training, behavior change and regional cooperation,” says Harald Loishandl-Weisz. “With the right tools and good cooperation, Albania can secure its waters as a cleaner and more resilient resource”.

Why It Matters, especially in Summer

The summer season highlights the importance of water like no other time of year. Coastal tourism relies on clean beaches. Farmers depend on predictable irrigation. Cities need consistent and safe water supply to meet growing demand. At the same time, high temperatures, drought, and pollution risks are at their peak.

That’s why EU4Green continues to work with Albanian institutions to ensure that seasonal pressure doesn’t become long-term degradation.

 Looking Ahead

Albania is already moving in the right direction, drafting new water laws, upgrading monitoring networks, and committing to regional cooperation. With continued support and the right investments, the country has the potential not only to protect its waters, but to showcase what sustainable water management looks like in the Western Balkans.

Because in the end, every drop matters.

Learn more about EU4Green’s work on depollution of water in Albania and the region:
👉 https://eu4green.eu/topics/depollution-of-water