Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
cases, abatement measures need to be implemented with respect to the rehabilitation of
the whole river system, which is a large scale and very expensive project. There are two
possible scenarios in the cases, when water resources are already polluted. The first
option is to implement structural abatement measures, which are complex and costly. The
second option is to leave this burden to the future generations. Therefore, the best
solution is to avoid at a maximum possible extent, the creation of diffuse pollution by
implementation of source control measures. Such abatement measures should have a high
priority. This is even more valid for developing countries, which do not have enough
resources to implement large-scale pollution abatement projects. The source-control
pollution approach requires the effort and involvement of the whole society and for this
reason, public awareness and educational programs are one important activity to be
envisaged. For this reason, the knowledge and expertise with respect to the nature and
formation of diffuse pollution is an important consideration and has been stressed
throughout this topic.
Considering the implementation of source control measures, it should be emphasized
that there is no need to monitor and control any possible diffuse source pollution, in order
to prove that such pollution exists and is dangerous. Professionals in the field are well
aware of the dangers associated with formation and spreading of pollution due to the
specific sources, which are numerous and differ from one location to the other. For
example, solid waste disposal sites are well-known sources of point and diffuse pollution
and the implementation of source control measures includes the provision of well-
protected sites. The seepage should be treated, before it reaches the natural water bodies
and drainage structures should be provided to prevent runoff from reaching the site. The
cases described in this topic serve to obtain a partial assessment of the level of pollution
and to form the base for a future integrated assessment at catchment level. This section
discusses some of the most often met sources of pollution in the region and
corresponding abatement measures.
5.1
Semi-formal and informal settlements
One of the most acute problems associated with diffuse pollution in the region is related
to the recent trends of urban development, characterized by a very high rate of urban
population growth and the formation of chaotic, informal and uncontrolled settlement
patterns, resulting in the mushrooming of squatter camps and overpopulation of formal
urban developments, mainly in the low-cost urban residential areas. There are no easy
solutions of this problem and major efforts should be orientated towards regulating and
limiting this practice in future, while providing basic water supply and sanitation
facilities in the already existing ones. As mentioned in Chapters 6 and 11, most often, this
practice is associated with bacteriological contamination of surface and ground water
resources, which serve as a potable water source for the same population, which is
generating it. The most imminent hazards are associated with public health and spreading
of diseases. This is a burden for the corresponding local authorities, which are not able to
prevent and regulate the settlement practice. They bear the consequences of pollution
with respect to the locality, for which they are responsible, as well as, the one transported
to downstream users. In many cases, political interference from different levels does not
