Water quality integrated system: A strategic approach to improve bathing water management

In the Adriatic Sea, massive rainfall events are causing flooding of rivers and streams, with severe consequenceson the environment. The consequent bacterial contamination of bathing water poses public health risks besidesdamaging tourism and the economy. This study was conducted in the framework of WATERCARE, an EU InterregItaly-Croatia Project, which aims at reducing the impact of microbial contamination on Adriatic bathing waterdue to heavy rainfall events drained in the local sewage network and; enhancing the quality of local waters; andproviding support for the decision-making processes regarding the management of bathing water in line with EUregulations. The study involved the development of an innovative water quality integrated system that helpsmeet these objectives. It consists of four components: a real time hydro-meteorological monitoring system; anautosampler to collect freshwater samples during and after significant rainfall events; a forecast system tosimulate the dispersion of pollutants in seawater; and a real-time alert system that can predict the potentialecological risk from the microbial contamination of seawater. The system was developed and tested at a pilot site(Fano, Italy). These preliminary results will be used to develop guidelines for urban wastewater and coastalsystem quality assessments to contribute to develop policy actions and final governance decisions.