ASSESMENT OF MICROBIOLOGICAL AND PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PARAMETERS IN GJAKOVA WATERSHED

Gjakova watershed - Lake “Radoniqi” is situated 14 km from the city of Gjakova and was build in year 1978. Water catchment area to fill the “Radoniqi” Lake is 120 Km2 and it lies at an altitude of 600-2500 m, which is a clear indicator that the catchment area is far from settlements and sources of pollution. The main water supplier is river Lumbardh of Deqani with an average flow 5m3/s. This study was conducted over a period of one year from February 2015-February 2016. Water samples were taken twice a month in three locations: River Lumbardh, Derivative channel and in the Lake. Samples were analysed for microbiological parameters: total coliform bacteria, fecal coliform bacteria, aerobic mesophilic bacteria and streptococcus faecalis as indicator of water pollution and physico-chemical parameters such as: temperature, turbidity, ph, dissolved oxygen, chloride, ammonium, nitrites, nitrates etc. Enumeration of bacteria is made by membrane filtration method and by counting colonies on plates with RBA, M-Endo Agar less, PCA and BEA agar. According to preliminary results as it was expected, there is a high load of coliform bacteria in the river Lumbardh comparing with two other locations (Derivative channel and Lake “Radoniqi) due to increased rainfall and summer season.