Water Pollution Control

Abstract

Italian water resources face a high risk of contamination, due to the discharge of solid and liquid waste coming from the various activities connected with the use of water. Efficient tools are available to tackle the water quality problems. Beside the methods for the analysis of water quality, some criteria for a first-hand evaluation of the pollution level in surface and underground water are available to identify some “classes”, according to the concentration limits of the most significant pollutants. Important are the biological indicators necessary for the ecological status of the water bodies. The existing monitoring system is able to work out an acceptable evaluation of the actual water quality in Italy, even though an improvement would be necessary, in terms of number and efficiency of gauging stations. The present evaluations denote remarkable differences of pollution level among the various regions, also in relation with the existing wastewater treatment plants and in view of future developments. Some remarkable cases, relevant to specific locations in the country, are described, considered significant for characterizing the Italian water quality problems.