Source control options for reducing emission of priority pollutants from urban areas.

The overall aim of the ScorePP project is to develop comprehensive and appropriate source control strategies that authorities, cities, water utilities and the chemical industry can employ to reduce emissions of priority pollutants (PPs) from urban areas into the receiving water environment. Focus is on the 33 priority and priority hazardous substances and substance groups identified in the European Water Framework Directive. However, this list may be expanded to include emerging pollutants or reduced if appropriate model compounds can be identified. The initial work focuses on 67 substances, including substances identified in the proposed European environmental quality standard (EQS) directive as well as the defined example compounds and several organometallic derivatives. Information on inherent properties, environmental presence and fate, and legislative issues is made available in open database format, and a data management system combining chemical identification (CAS#), NACE economic activity classifications and NOSE-P emission source classifications has been developed as a basis for spatial characterisation of PP sources using GIS. Further work will focus on dynamic urban scale source-flux models, identifying emission patterns and optimising monitoring programmes in case studies and multi-criteria comparison of source control versus end-of-pipe mitigation options in relation to their economic, social and environmental impacts

A new set of water losses-related performance indicators focused on areas facing water scarcivty conditions

As almost all Mediterranean countries are facing water scarcity problems today, water losses in drinking water supply networks have grown to an urgent problem, needing immediate confrontation, representing a too valuable to be neglected water potential. The first step towards water losses reduction is the water supply network performance assessment process. The most commonly used methodology is the one introduced by the International Water Association (IWA), including the International Standard Water Balance and a list of Performance Indicators (PIs). Five years after the second PIs handbook edition was launched increasing the PIs included to 170 from 133 of the first edition, there is a need to re-evaluate them, including also new PIs adapted/focused to regional conditions and addressing other important topics such as environmental issues. The paper presents a new set of water losses-related PIs, focused on areas facing water scarcity conditions met in the Mediterranean countries, forming a solid basis for an integrated Decision Support System (DSS) to evaluate water supply networks and prioritize alternative water losses reduction strategies. The new set includes 75 out of the 170 IWA PIs and 42 new proposed PIs. The new PIs set is formed, selecting the most appropriate existing PIs and suggesting new ones. An integrated approach using a survey among local stakeholders in each partner's country is used. The platform and the basic components of this user-friendly DSS tool are also being presented here

An innovative tool for the management of the surface drinking water resources at european level: GOWARE-Transnational guide towards an optimal WAter REgime

GOWARE (transnational Guide toward an OptimalWAter REgime) represents a Decision Support Tool (DST) developed to support the implementation of innovative BestManagement Practices (BMPs) for drinking water protection and flood/drought risk mitigation. The tool is one of the main outputs of the PROLINE-CE Project, an EU project funded within the Interreg Central Europe (CE) Programme (2014-2020). The aim of this paper is illustrating the design and the methodological approaches proposed for the operative development of the tool. Furthermore, the paper provides the results of a number of tests carried out to evaluate the understandability of the analysis's processes and assessing the stakeholders' acceptance. Specifically, GOWARE-DST has been developed for supporting single users or groups of users in the decision-making process. The tool has been provided with a catalogue of 92 BMPs to handle water issues in different land use contexts. The selection of practices suitable for addressing the specific user's requirements is supported by the Analytic Hierarchy Process, a method that allows filtering a subset of BMPs by accounting for the relative importance that the user assigns to each characterizing criterion. GOWARE-DST represents an innovative tool for supporting users at different levels of planning (operational and strategic) by promoting sustainable land and water management and defining long-term governance activities

Policy recommendation for drinking water supply cross-border networking in the Adriatic region

Cross-border water resources and drinking water supply management are among the basic concerns for almost all Adriatic Sea countries. Adopting measures such as developing common methodologies, tools and techniques addressing water quality and quantity issues, water losses and pricing policies is a top priority. Regarding the harmonization of procedures and legislative framework, the requirements of the Water Framework Directive 2000/60 are respected. An approach to face these challenges is being developed through the cooperation of several organizations and stakeholders involved in the implementation of the DRINKADRIA project. This paper discusses its specific objectives and outputs linked to: (a) promotion of sustainable provision of drinking water, by setting joint cross-border recommendations on drinking water resources management; (b) undertaking of methods and technologies, through the implementation of pilot actions; and (c) stimulating capacity building, through the exchange of know-how and the development of a regional network of water supply experts. A set of standardized protocols on the applicable management of water supply systems and resources in the Adriatic area is being developed and tested by the beneficiaries involved. The relevant pilot actions aim at improving water supply and water resources management. Eventually, DRINKADRIA's measurable results will support decision makers in the adaptation of effective and efficient measures and policies. © IWA Publishing 2017