CATCHMENT WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT PLANNING FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF TIDAL AREAS

Abstract

ABSTRACTControlling the water quality of a freshwater reservoir that has been created by a tidal land reclamation project is never easy and presents great challenges to engineers and administrators. One of the major factors affecting the water quality of a freshwater reservoir created by tidal area development is pollution entering from catchment areas through rivers and streams. Pollution in a catchment is classified by two sources, point source and nonpoint source (NPS) pollution. Point source pollution must be eliminated by adopting cutting‐edge treatment technologies, while NPS pollution is controlled and managed effectively by adopting best management practices (BMPs) in both rural and urban areas for a sustainable development of tidal areas. About 70% of total pollution is NPS pollution and strategies and policies need to be adopted to counter this. NPS pollution is mostly generated and transported by rainfall runoff and groundwater. It is very important to make every effort to minimize runoff during rainfall to reduce NPS pollution. Both runoff and groundwater qualities can be controlled and managed successfully by applying BMPs, enforcing strict legal requirements and supporting participatory catchment management activities. Principles of natural attenuation mechanisms must be applied together with BMPs to ensure the fast and effective decomposition and transformation of the pollutants removed by BMPs. In addition to technological approaches, systematic support for ongoing education, incentives, and legal enforcement of antipollution laws can all help to encourage participatory catchment management activities. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.