Advanced wastewater treatment and reuse: Related problems and perspectivesin Italy

An overview of water availability and distribution, water consumption, wast ewater treatment trends, with particular reference to advanced ones, is bri efly presented. Data about the current situation of municipal wastewater tr eatment and advanced treatment options are presented and regional trends ab out wastewater reclamation (agricultural and industrial reuse) are summaris ed. Some considerations about present and possible future standards, both f or disposal into surface waters and for wastewater reclamation in agricultu re are discussed. A short list of examples in the field of advanced wastewa ter treatment and reclamation in various Italian regions is presented and s ome information about environmental crisis areas in Italy is given. (C) 199 9 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd on behalf of the IAWQ. All rights reser ved.