Environmental Protection and Improvement of Water Quality as a Factor in the Development of Tourism in the Erenik River

This paper examines the impact of urban discharges on the water quality of the Erenik River in the city of Gjakova, Kosovo which is the most of key factor in developing the tourism. The primary goal of this project-based research was to provide results through water analysis in order to show the impact of urban discharges on the water quality for the tourists coming. The research was carried out by taking water samples at the entrance and exit of the Erenik River, while the measured parameters of the analyses were: temperature, pH value, electrical conductivity, turbidity, permanganates, phosphorus; and chlorides. Due to the conditions, measurements were not performed for: biological and chemical expenditure, dissolved oxygen, and alkalinity of the water. In order to achieve reliable results, the experimental research model was used, applying the techniques and methods of water analysis during the period of November-December 2021. The analyzed water result and the final findings showed that urban wastes affect the water quality, in particular the pollution from the discharges in the river potentiating the condition in which the Erenik River is found.