This document discusses nutrient management and agricultural non-point source pollution control efforts around Lake Ohrid, which straddles the border of Macedonia and Albania. It notes that over 30% of the phosphorus entering the lake comes from non-point sources like rivers and springs. Efforts are focused on educating stakeholders, monitoring individual farms, and establishing manure management systems through pilot projects. The goal is to reduce nutrient runoff to address eutrophication threats in Lake Ohrid.

1. LLAAKKEE OOHHRRIIDD
MMAACCEEDDOONNIIAA AANNDD AALLBBAANNIIAA
EExxppeerriieenncceess wwiitthh NNuuttrriieenntt MMaannaaggeemmeenntt
aanndd AAggrriiccuullttuurraall NNoonn--ppooiinntt SSoouurrccee
PPoolllluuttiioonn CCoonnttrrooll

2. LLaakkee OOhhrriidd
• aanncciieenntt tteeccttoonniicc llaakkee,, >> 22 mmiilllliioonn yyeeaarrss
• 669955 mm aabboovvee sseeaa lleevveell,, mmaaxxiimmuumm ddeepptthh 228899 mm,,
lleennggtthh 3311kkmm,, wwiiddtthh 1144..55 kkmm
• wwaatteerrsshheedd aabboouutt 33,,990000 kkmm22 ,, iinncclluuddeess BBiigg aanndd
SSmmaallll PPrreessppaa LLaakkeess
BULGARIA
MACEDONIA
ALBANIA
GREECE

3. TThhrreeaattss ttoo
SSuussttaaiinnaabbllee UUssee
The annual phosphorus load to
Lake Ohrid is estimated at
240 t/y, 154 of which is in
dissolved form, readly
available to the algae.
More than 30% of the
dissolved phosphorus
originates from the rivers and
the springs, that is, form non-point
sources of pollution.
The eutrophication is
the main transboundary
problem at lake Ohrid.

4. AAsssseessssmmeenntt ooff tthhee ppoolllluuttiioonn llooaaddss ffrroomm
tthhee nnoonn--ppooiinntt ssoouurrcceess ooff ppoolllluuttiioonn.
The pollutions loads from the non-point are
often calculated on the basis of a set of
estimations/approximations, very often
originating from different regions or countries
having different agricultural traditions and
practices.
Having a clear picture of the pollution loads
and sources of pollution is substantial for the
identification and setting out of the
management priorities.

5. Because a limited amount of
funding is available, efforts to
reduce phosphorus should
focus on sub-basins most
affected by phosphorus. The
regional watershed
associations of citizens can
play a crucial role since they
are familiar with non-point
pollution sources within the
sub-basins. Therefore, it rests
heavily on public education
and creating an active public
participation and public
support.

6. EEdduuccaattiinngg aanndd iinnvvoollvviinngg tthhee
ssttaakkeehhoollddeerrss..
The watershed approach at whole and the
control of the non-point sources of pollution in
particular, relay very much on the involvement
of and contribution from the stakeholders and
the public in general.
The ongoing educational and demonstration
programs coincide with several important
actions in the field of the agriculture proposed
by the Lake Ohrid Watershed Committee

7. LLaakkee OOhhrriidd CCoonnsseerrvvaattiioonn
PPrroojjeecctt -- ccoooorrddiinnaatteess
Lake Ohrid Conservation Project provide a
framework for coordination and cooperation
among key interests in the development and
implementation of the management plan for the
Lake Ohrid Watershed. In this respect, the
Agency for Development and Promotion of the
Agriculture of Republic of Macedonia plays a
very important role. This is especially true in
tackling down the non-point sources of
pollution.

8. TThhee PPrrooggrraamm FFoorr MMoonniittoorriinngg TThhee
AAccttiivviittiieess OOff TThhee IInnddiivviidduuaall FFaarrmmss
Very important part of the
implementation strategy is
the cooperation with
agricultural associations
and individual farmers.
The best example of
cooperation is the
program for monitoring
the activities of the
individual farms.

9. MMoonniittoorriinngg PPrrooggrraamm
The Monitoring program consists of several
modules:
1)Regular recording of a set of parameters (monthly incomes
and expenses , usage of pesticides , fertilizers , other
agrochemicals)
2) Collecting information on different practices (storage and
application practices of the animal manure , agricultural
methods and technology used at the farm )
3) Data analysis (indicate the sources of losses or inefficiency.
4) Field visits and consultations (directly observing the
practices applied and eventually give direct recommendations
and guidance )

10. Educational Programs ffooccuuss oonn sseevveerraall aarreeaa
Adequate use of agrochemicals, handling of surplus pesticides
and agrochemicals, controlling wash water from agrochemical
application machines; dumping of the packing etc, in order to
protect the surface and ground waters;
NNeeww mmeetthhooddss ffoorr mmaaxxiimmuumm ppllaanntt pprrootteeccttiioonn aanndd mmiinniimmuumm
ppoolllluuttiioonn iinncclluuddiinngg::
a) Solar radiation of the soil, by using sunbeams and PVC
foil
b) b) Using biological substances. They stimulate plant’s growing,
protect them, they don’t pollute, they are not toxically for plants
d) c)Using bacteria in disintegration of surplus pesticides that
remained in the soil.
d) Analysis of the soil to find out which chemical element it
consist from and their amounts; which fertilizers and quantity
of them are important for correct plant’s growing.

11. MMaannuurree mmaannaaggeemmeenntt
In the frame of the Lake Ohrid Conservation Project
pilot projects for establishing manure management
systems for dairy, pig and poultry farms in the Lake
Ohrid watershed will be financed
The aim is to promote an integrated land and water
management and, ultimately, to reduce the discharge
of nutrients and other agricultural pollutants in Lake
Ohrid, other the surface waters and groundwater and
the watershed.
The pilot manure management system should consists
of manure pad and liquid animal waste storage tanks
and equipment for handling and spreading of the
waste.

12. MMaannuurree mmaannaaggeemmeenntt
1 Following a number of filed observations, visits of eligible
farms and calls for Expression of Interest published in
national news papers, the following sites have been selected by
the WMCs in the Lake Ohrid watershed:
· Two dairy farms (25-45 cows; estimated amount of manure
per month: 1.000 - 2.000 tons) on the Macedonian part of the
watershed;
· Two pig farms (100 - 200 pigs) on the Macedonian part of
the watershed;
· One poultry farm - estimated amount of manure per month:
10.000 tons) on the Macedonian part of the Watershed;
A number of households having a small number of animals
with variable amounts of manure produced per month in
several villages on the Albanian part of the watershed.

13. MMaannuurree mmaannaaggeemmeenntt
((pprreeppaarraattiioonn pphhaassee))
a) design and provide estimated costs for a
typical waste management system at pre-selected
farms and at the household level;
b) propose criteria for selecting/ranking
eligible investments and prepare an
indicative investment program; and
c) prepare construction and equipment
specifications for bidding documents.