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The location of industrial plants in relations to residential areas from an environmental point of view. I would like to express my satisfaction with the approach taken in drafting the "Environmental Action Plan for Central and Eastern Europe " (EAP), which was the basis for drafting the "National Environmental Action Plan for Macedonia" (NEAP), and the established cooperation and coordination in the process of drafting the "Physiacl Plan for the Republic of Macedonia". Regarding protection of waters, especially of rivers flowing in urban settlements, the location for an industrial plant must be seen in relation to that river and settlement. Establishing a buffer zone between the industrial plant and the residential area is also very important. The configuration of the terrain, the protective green belt in a buffer zone, the type of industrial development, especially industrial plants that discharge heavy metals, are inter-depended and they determine the distance between the residential area and industrial development. Bearing in mind the cost effeciency in construction, more successful performance of the industrial plant in regards to environmental protection, we tend to see the development on more solid basis and build onto it all the other necessary aspects from ambient protection. In the time of industralization of the country we stressed the fact that Veles was the most industrialized city in the Republic of Macedonia. Now, unfortunately, we have to state that this city is the most polluted city not just in the Republic of Macedonia but even broader. The example of this city can show us how industrial developments that pollute the environment must not be located. The lead and zinc smelter can be an example of ignoring natural factors. The emission of lead and zinc dust that literally covers bigger parts of the city would have been significantly less if the dominant directions of the local winds were considered in the selection of the location. Veles has a specific geographical position. It lies between two major hills, and below the city is the river bed of the Vardar. These steep hills close Veles Valley from the South, which in the Summer season is like a hot cauldron, and the only cooling valve being the dominant wind "Vardarec".
Another problem is the waste water from this industrial plant. The smelter is located on the River Vardar in Veles. After a certain period of water treatment, the industrial waste water carries lead and zinc particles in such a percantage that the river flowing through Veles is 4-degrees polluted and belongs to waters outside any catergory. The waste water treatment system treats the waters only up to the beginning of Vardar into the city. In addition, the lead and zinc particles together with the cadmium dust contaminate the nearby agricultural land, thus these toxic substances end up in human's bodies through the food. The underground waters have also been polluted from the contaminate land. The wells that are still used for drinking water for a large part of the city are located in the vicinity of the landfill of the smelter. That is the tragedic picture of a dying city. Thus, let's not repeat the mistakes committed in the past regarding the location of the industrial plants as is the case with my city Veles. |
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Copyright© The environment of the
Republic of Macedonia |
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Environmental assessment on
the city of Veles from the President of DEM (Assosiation of Environmentalists of
Macedonia).
However, now this natural
cooler has a negative impact. It brings the emissions of lead and zinc dust into the city.
