Sarno is the most polluted river in Europe

Problems

• A New Environmental Hostpot of River Pollution in Italy

  Known in ancient times as the Sarnus, the Italian river Sarno today leads the ranking of the most polluted rivers in Europe. It originates on the slope of Vesuvius and flows through Pompeii to Naples, and into the Tyrrhenian Sea. The Sarno River has for centuries served as the waterway of southern Italy, and today its importance in the region is quite great. It is a pity that much of its course is polluted with huge amounts of industrial and agricultural waste, dumping in the water more every year. The river carries its muddy waters into the Gulf of Naples, which in turn poses a threat to the marine environment.

• The importance of the Sarno River

  It is difficult to overestimate the importance of water systems in human life. The Sarno River is no exception. It plays a very important role, starting from ancient times when only the development of various territories began. People have always settled near bodies of water. Today, on the banks of the Sarno River stand huge cities and small towns that directly depend on its condition. The main importance of the Sarno River includes:
  
  1. A source of fresh water.
  Mankind uses more than 3.5 km3 of water per year, and this figure continues to grow. Rivers account for a large share. The Sarno River is the basis of the water supply for cities and other human settlements in Italy.
  
  2. Agriculture.
  Fresh water is necessary for irrigating crops and raising livestock.
  
  3. In industry.
  The largest industrial enterprises stand on river bodies of water, using their resources in working processes.
  
  4. Transportation routes.
  Shipping is very important to every nation. The bulk of Europe's rivers (including the Sarno River) is important transportation routes that carry not only cargo but also carry people.
  
  5. Energy.
  Powerful hydroelectric power plants are built on large water systems, providing energy to cities and businesses.
  
  6. Recreational resources.
  Rivers are often used to restore people's physical and spiritual well-being. Medical and recreation centers are built on their banks; exciting river cruises are taken on them.
  
  7. Fishery.
  The Sarno is an important source of commercial fish.

• Causes of pollution in the Sarno River

  According to the report of the Parliamentary Commission, the severe level of degradation of the Sarno River basin is the result of a combination of three main types of pollution:
  
  ● Industrial pollution resulting from the lack of treatment of discharges from tanneries, canneries, paper, and pulp mills, printing, and textile industries;
  ● Agrarian pollution resulting from the unrestricted use of chemical fertilizers, phytopharmaceuticals, and herbicides;
  ● Urban pollution resulting from the lack of a sewage network, wasting pipelines, and discharges of untreated waste into the waters of the Sarno River.

• The ecological condition of the Sarno River

  At the mouth of the Sarno River, the coast is highly degraded and it is forbidden to swim in the water. Since 2003, the Sarno River has been pouring with its waters into the Bay of Naples 54'000 liters per minute of toxic substances and 300'000 colibacilli per deciliter (30 times the official value). Because of the high bacteriological load, these waters can spread typhus, salmonellosis, and viral hepatitis.
  It is sad to think that the same waters, which in the past played a major role as a source of drinking water, indispensable not only for humans but also for animals, irrigation of fields, and for the organisms of the same river, today are a natural drain, which makes it impossible for people to live.