Albania's urban water supply systems are plagued by problems. Rampant construction, urban migration, and illegal connections are exacerbating the system's problems, particularly in the city's suburbs. In addition, infiltration from parallel sewer lines causes periodic cross contamination of the supply. Unless measures are taken to improve the system's financial base, the country's water supply infrastructure seems destined to experience further declines. In 1997, drinking water quality standards were updated to match World Health Organization and EU norms.
Monitoring is conducted for some fifteen physical and chemical parameters.
Pesticides, heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants and hydrocarbons are not monitored systematically. A national water strategy, drafted in 1996, has not yet been adopted. A 1996 Law on Water Resources has been adopted, but not implemented sufficiently. A project financed by the World Bank, Kuwait Government and Albanian Government will improve the country's irrigation infrastructure. The quality of Albania's air is not well understood.