In Titov Veles, the environmental problems are linked directly to the lead and zinc smelter located in close proximity. The main pollutants are lead, cadmium, other heavy metals, and particulates. Industrial sources of pollution use outdated pollution intensive technologies and lack pollution control equipment. Groundwater sources seem to be in a satisfactory condition, but water quality monitoring has been suspended for lack of resources. There are no discharge standards for point sources so the enforcement of pollution control is based on ambient quality standards and is thus inefficient.
Municipal wastewater is discharged into rivers and lakes without treatment.
Even in the three cities which have treatment plants, they do not work effectively as the collector systems are not finished. Waste Solid Waste is stored in poorly designed and inappropriately located landfills which pose serious risks of leaching into groundwater or explosions due to the high concentrations of gases. There is no uniform policy on the collection, transportation and storage of waste. As a result, uncontrolled disposal has occurred near lakes and even in national parks. About 38 percent of the arable land is severely eroded due primarily to poor grazing practices.