This book reviews water treatment technologies for the removal of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs). It provides the reader with an overview of state-of-the-art techniques and recent efforts to develop more sustainable approaches. After nearly two decades of research into the presence and impact of PhACs in the environment, they remain one of the hottest topics in the fields of environmental chemistry, toxicology and engineering. Accordingly, intensive research efforts are currently being devoted to water treatment technologies that can reduce the presence of these emerging contaminants in water bodies. This book examines various types of contaminated water from industry, hospitals and urban wastewater. It provides the reader with a range of potential solutions for water treatment and reuse, and addresses the advancement of analytical tools for evaluating the performance and efficiency of treatment technologies.

Part of Metals and Related Substances in Drinking Water Set - buy all five books together to save over 30%! There is increasing concern regarding the presence of metals, particularly heavy metals in drinking water. In addition to the well-known toxic effects of lead, which are discussed at length in the Best Practice Guide on the Control of Lead in Drinking Water (in this series of Guides), the latest WHO guide values for maximum mean concentrations of arsenic, nickel and others in drinking water have been lowered compared to previous versions. European Union, USA and National standards for drinking water have followed the trend based largely on the same toxicological information. There is currently growing interest in the presence of hexavalent chromium in drinking water following its finding in some drinking waters in the USA above the national upper limit for total chromium and research suggesting that this limit needs to be considerably lowered. Some metals, particularly iron and manganese are associated with the production of discoloured (dirty) water in distribution systems and are therefore very important to the production of water with acceptable aesthetic qualities. Others (iron and aluminium) are key to the treatment of raw waters to drinking water standards. In most cases it is not possible to continuously monitor waters for metals and suitable sampling programmes must be designed and carried out to give results representative of the true water quality. The Best Practice Guide on Sampling and Monitoring of Metals in Drinking Water gives guidance on the design and quality control of sampling programmes for metals in Raw waters, in the water treatment works, in the drinking water distribution system and at the consumers tap. It also gives guidance on the analytical methods that can be used for the analysis of metals and quality control of those methods. Sampling programmes on the same water will vary according to the purpose for which they are carried out and the statistical techniques used to determine and design the different types of programme are outlined. Finally some case studies of optimisation of sampling are set out. Best Practice Guide on Sampling and Monitoring of Metals in Drinking Water is a valuable text for scientists, engineers and quality managers working in drinking water supply, laboratory managers and scientists who carry out sampling and analysis, and water industry consultants. It is also an excellent resource for post graduate and research workers in the field of drinking water. Editor: Dr Adam Postawa, AGH University, Krakow, Poland

Accurate prediction of wastewater pipe structural and functional deterioration plays an essential role in the utility asset management process and capital investment planning. The key to implementing an asset management strategy is a comprehensive understanding and prediction of asset condition and performance. The primary objective of this research is therefore to develop protocols and methods for predicting the remaining economic life of wastewater pipe assets. The limits of deterioration prediction capabilities are not in mathematical models or statistical analysis methods, but in lack of accurate and consistent data. This report presented the short-term phase-1 which has been completed with results from intensive literature reviews, various interviews with utilities, and pipe associations. In this phase, the research team investigated the life cycle of wastewater pipeline and identified the causes of pipe failure in different phases including design, manufacture, construction, operation and maintenance, and repair/rehabilitation/replacement. The Research team has prepared various modes and mechanisms of pipe failure in wastewater infrastructure system as well as identified environmental and societal consequences of the failure. After reviewing all relevant reports and utility databases, the research team has developed a set of standard pipe parameter list (data structure) and pipe data collection methodology. The data structure has been classified into Gold, Silver, Bronze and Wood standard.

Innovative and Integrated Technologies for the Treatment of Industrial Wastewater deals with advanced technological solutions for the treatment of industrial wastewater such as aerobic granular biomass based systems, advanced oxidation processes integrated with biological treatments, membrane contactors and membrane chemical reactors. Wastewater from pharmaceutical, chemical and food industries as well as landfill leachates are specifically considered as representative of major problems encountered when treating industrial streams. The economic and environmental sustainability of the above solutions are also reported in the book and compared with the alternatives currently available in the market by life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) methodologies. The implementation of the considered solutions at large scale could support and enhance the competitiveness of different industrial sectors, including the water technology sector, in the global market. Innovative and Integrated Technologies for the Treatment of Industrial Wastewater also makes a contribution towards defining: new concepts, processes and technologies in wastewater treatment with potential benefits for the stable quality of effluents, energy and operational costs saving, and the protection of the environment new sets of advanced standards for wastewater treatment new methodologies for the definition of wastewater treatment needs and framework conditions new information supporting development and implementation of water legislation.

This study focuses on sustainability impacts as wastewater treatment plants implement treatment technologies to meet increasingly stringent nutrient limits. The objective is to determine if a point of "diminishing returns" is reached where the sustainability impacts of increased levels of nutrient removal outweigh the benefits of better water quality. Five different hypothetical treatment trains at a nominal 10 mgd flow were developed to meet treatment targets that ranged from cBOD mode (Level 1) to four different nutrient removal targets. The nutrient removal targets ranged from 8 mg N/L; 1 mg P/L (Level 2) to the most stringent at <2 mg N/L; <0.02 mg P/L (Level 5). Given that sustainability is a broad term, the industry-accepted three pillars of sustainability were evaluated and discussed, and particular emphasis was placed on the environmental and economic pillars. The following variables received the most attention: greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, a water quality surrogate that reflects potential algal growth, capital and operational costs, energy demand, and consumables such as chemicals, gas, diesel, etc. The results from the GHG emissions metric are shown below. Note that biogas cogeneration is represented by negative values as biogas production can be used to offset energy demands. The nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions values are based on the average biological nutrient removal (BNR) and non-BNR plants evaluated in the United States national survey by Ahn et al. (2010b). The error bars represent the data range of the national survey. The GHG emissions results suggest that a point of diminishing return is reached at Level 4 (3 mg N/L; 0.1 mg P/L). The GHG emissions show a steady increase from Levels 1 to 4, followed by a 65% increase when moving from Level 4 to 5. Despite a 70% increase in GHGs, the discharged nutrient load only decreases by 1% by going from Level 4 to 5. The primary contributors to GHG emissions are energy related (aeration, pumping, mixing). The GHG emissions associated with chemical use increases for the more stringent nutrient targets that required chemical treatment in addition to biological nutrient removal. In terms of cost, the total project capital cost increases approximately one-third from $9.3 million to $12.7 million for changing from Level 1 to 2, followed by a more than doubling in cost when changing from Level 1 to 5. Total project capital costs in this report are for a Greenfield plant. The operational cost increase between levels is more pronounced than total project capital cost with more than five-times increase from Level 1 to 5 ($250/MG treated to $1,370/MG treated, respectively). This report focused on in-plant (point source) options for nutrient removal and the implications for cost and sustainability. Other approaches, such as addressing non-point sources, could be added to the assessment. Rather than focusing strictly on point source dischargers and requiring Level 4 or 5 treatments, Level 3 or 4 treatments complimented with best management practices of non-point sources might be a more sustainable approach at achieving comparable water quality.

This report focuses on the urban water management challenges facing cities across OECD countries, and explores both national and local policy responses with respect to water-risk exposure, the state of urban infrastructures and dynamics, and institutional and governance architectures. The analyses focus on four mutually dependent dimensions - finance, innovation, urban-rural co-operation and governance - and proposes a solutions-oriented typology based on urban characteristics. The report underlines that sustainable urban water management will depend on collaboration across different tiers of government working together with local initiatives and stakeholders.

Water resources allocation determines who is able to use water resources, how, when and where. It directly affects the value (economic, ecological, socio-cultural) that individuals and society obtain from water resources. This report overviews how allocation works in a range of countries and how the performance of allocation arrangements can be improved to adjust to changing conditions. Capturing information from 27 OECD countries and key partner economies, the report presents key findings from the OECD Survey of Water Resources Allocation and case studies of successful allocation reform. It provides practical policy guidance for water allocation in the form of a "health check", which can be used to assess the performance of current arrangements and manage the transition to improved regimes.

Guidance for Professional Development in Drinking Water and Wastewater Industry recognises the water practitioners journey from the novice student phase all the way to an established expert position, both on technological and professional fronts. This book reviews various career phases and helps realise purpose, motivation, responsibilities and milestones for each professional stage. Since professional journeys are significantly different for individuals and designations, titles vary widely from organization to organization, general terminologies are used for describing career phases, mainly Student Phase, Entry-Level Professional, Mid-Level Professional and Established Practitioner. This guide helps the reader to understand a step-by-step professional development process in the industry and at the same time receive key inputs to minimise or avoid common mistakes related to the drinking water or wastewater occupations. The book provides an overview of common educational options available for students including short-term courses, diploma and certificates, associate degrees, bachelor degree, masters degree, doctorate degree, post-doctoral fellowship and continued education. With respect to job profiles, the guide covers different professional avenues such as consultant, engineer, designer, researcher, academic faculty member, sales and marketing, permitting authority staff, laboratory professionals, system operators, construction management staff, manufacturing and industry staff. In terms of technological knowledge, both drinking water and wastewater infrastructure systems are reviewed in the book. Discussions on drinking water systems mainly include intake structures, treatment systems, distributions network components whereas wastewater systems include collection and conveyance systems, treatment options and sludge management systems. Guidance for Professional Development in Drinking Water and Wastewater Industryis useful for every professional in the industry and particularly prospective students. It can be used by mentors and established practitioners as a guidance tool for training newcomers. Author: Archis Ambulkar, Harrisburg, PA, USA

With the recent advent of improved analytical and biomarker detection capabilities, a variety of organic chemicals have been found in trace amounts (Trace Organic Chemicals, TOrCs) in surface waters and fish tissue. TOrCs include pharmaceuticals, personal care products, surfactants, pesticides, flame retardants, and other organic chemicals, some with unknown modes of action or effects. Identifying or predicting ecological effects of TOrCs in typical aquatic multi-stressor situations is challenging, requiring a variety of epidemiological tools that together, can diagnose effects at multiple scales of ecological organization. Five objectives were addressed in this research: (1) develop and apply a procedure to prioritize which TOrCs are of most concern; (2) develop and test a conceptual site screening framework; (3) evaluate and test diagnostic approaches to identify potential risks due to TOrCs using various case studies; (4) develop a relational database and user interface with which the water resource community can enter, store, and search TOrC exposure data in the U.S.; and (5) foster partnerships and transfer knowledge gained in this research to the water quality community. TOrC fate, effects, and occurrence data were compiled in a database for over 500 organic chemicals based on over 100 published studies representing more than 50 organizations and 700 sites. Alternative risk-based prioritization processes and draft lists of high priority TOrCs were developed. A preliminary site screening and diagnostic framework was developed and evaluated using seven different case study sites. EPA's causal analysis (stressor identification) procedures, Canada's Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) procedure, the ecosystem model CASM (Comprehensive Aquatic System Model), and several other specialized diagnostic tools were used and evaluated. A relational database based on Tetra Tech's EDAS2 was developed using the Microsoft platform. The modified version of EDAS2, built on the EPA WQX data model, provides web-based data queries using a combination of tabular data for downloads and a visual map interface that allows the user to view, query, and select sites from the map having chemical or biological data. The database is not discussed in this report but can be accessed through WERF. This Final Report summarizes all other approaches used and results obtained in this research, discusses critical data gaps and other important uncertainties, and provides testable hypotheses and recommendations for Phase 2 testing and analyses.

This book deals with a wide range of current development issues relating to subjects including community management, groundwater, health and disease, institutional development, irrigation, sanitation, solid waste management, water quality, water sources, water supply and water treatment. It presents over forty papers presented at the 19th WEDC Conference held in Accra, Ghana, in 1993. Material is drawn from countries in all parts of the world.

This book describes how natural or constructed wetlands can be used to reduce pollution of freshwater and coastal ecosystems, while still preserving their biodiversity and ecological functions. Through a series of case histories described in 10 chapters in the monograph, the readers will gain an understanding of the opportunities, as well as the challenges associated with reducing point and non-point source pollution using natural, restored or constructed wetlands. The target audience will be water practitioners involved in projects utilizing integrated watershed management approaches to pollution abatement, as well as researchers who are designing projects focused on this topic.

Reverse osmosis is the dominant technology in water desalination. However, some critical issues remain open: improvement of water quality, enhancement of the recovery factor, reduction of the unit water cost, minimizing the brine disposal impact. This book aims to solve these problems with an innovative approach based on the integration of different membrane operations in pre-treatment and post-treatment stages. Membrane-Based Desalination: An Integrated Approach (acronym MEDINA) has been a three year project funded by the European Commission within the 6th Framework Program. The project team has developed a work programme aiming to improve the current design and operation practices of membrane systems used for water desalination, trying to solve or, at least, to decrease the critical issues of sea and brackish water desalination systems. In the book, the main results achieved in the nine Work Packages constituting the project will be described, and dismissed by the leaders of the various WPs. The following areas are explored in the book: the development of advanced analytical methods for feed water characterization, appropriate fouling indicators and prediction tools, procedures and protocols at full-scale desalination facilities; the identification of optimal seawater pre-treatment strategies by designing advanced hybrid membrane processes (submerged hollow fibre filtration/reaction, adsorption/ion exchange/ozonation) and comparison with conventional methods; the optimisation of RO membrane module configuration, cleaning strategies, reduction of scaling potential by NF; the development of strategies aiming to approach the concept of Zero Liquid Discharge (increasing the water recovery factor up to 95% by using Membrane Distillation - MD; bringing concentrates to solids by Membrane Crystallization or Wind Intensified Enhanced Evaporation) and to reduce the brine disposal environmental impact and cost; increase the sustainability of desalination process by reducing energy consumption (evaluation of MD, demonstration of a new energy recovery device for SWRO installations) and use of renewable energy (wind and solar). Colour figures (PDF, 6MB) Visit the IWA WaterWiki to read and share material related to this title: http://www.iwawaterwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Articles/WaterdesalinationandEuropeanresearch

Illustrates the importance of various advance oxidation processes in effluent treatment plant Points out the reuse of the treated wastewater through emerging advance oxidation technologies for effluent treatment plant Highlights the recovery of resources from wastewater Pays attention to the occurrence of novel micro-pollutants Emphasizes the role of nanotechnology in bioremediation of pollutants Introduces new trends in environmental bioremediation

Potassium chloride is a logical alternative to sodium chloride in water softening. Water Softening with Potassium Chloride provides a thorough overview of the process, the equipment, and the techniques used. Then it compiles diverse trade and technical data on water softening with potassium chloride so readers can make informed decisions. It documents the health and environmental consequences and benefits of using potassium chloride and includes a chapter with summaries of recent research projects and FAQs. This is a key reference for professional water treatment specialists, environmental science researchers, and others.

Hailed on first publication as a straightforward, practical, and to-the-point account of wastewater principles, practices, and operations for general readers, students, and wastewater operators in training and for all levels of operators at any level of licensure, Spellman's Standard Handbook for Wastewater Operators, Volumes I, II, and III almost instantly became the standard resource for this field. The second edition continues the tradition, exploring important aspects of wastewater operations and operator preparation for licensure examinations. Each volume has been upgraded, updated, and expanded to include additional pertinent information to better prepare each qualified user for professional licensure. More than just a study guide or readily accessible source of information for preparing wastewater personnel for operator certification and licensure, this three-volume manual and troubleshooting guide compiles wastewater treatment information, data, operations material, process control procedures, safety and health information, new trends in wastewater treatment administration and technology, and numerous sample problem-solving practice sets. Drawing on Frank Spellman's expertise and experience, this book provides: Instant access to information that aids in the efficient operation of a wastewater treatment plant Basic information and sample problem sets needed to prepare for state licensing and certification examinations User-friendly, straightforward fundamental reference material organized into three focused volumes Contrary to popular belief, treating wastewater is not just a science, but both an art and a science. It requires technical expertise, experience, and an understanding of a broad range of available technologies. With coverage ranging from pumping and screening influent to treating the waste stream and managing biosolids, this three-volume set provides easy-to-understand information. Though formatted at three separate levels, overlap between each volume not only ensures continuity and a smooth read form volume to volume, but makes each one a handheld, stand-alone reference that presents essential information in a precise, efficient, and effective manner.

It is predicted that climate change will result in big changes to the global distribution of rainfall, causing drought and desertification in some regions and floods in others. Already there are signs of such changes occurring, with particularly serious consequences for poorer countries. The need for international cooperation in managing the effects of climate change, and other influences on the hydrological cycle, is becoming urgent. Future wars may well be fought over water. This book is part of a series focusing on key issues in environmental science and technology. Focusing on the sustainability of water supplies to the growing populations throughout the world, this volume consists of articles contributed by a group of experts drawn from around the globe. Issues covered include: policy making in the European Union; rural water supplies in Africa; chemical monitoring and analytical methods; water use in agriculture; social justice in supplying water; potable water recycling, and sustainable water treatment. The book will be useful to those working in the water industry, policy makers and planners, researchers and environmental consultants, and students in environmental science, technology, engineering, and management. There is also much here to interest all concerned with major environmental issues such as climate change and the many other factors which influence the sustainability of water supplies.

This is the only book series devoted to explaining the full range of specialized areas required of water and wastewater plant operators. Each volume is designed to give operators the basic knowledge of a subject needed for certification, licensure, and improved job performance. Checkpoints, self-tests and a final examination with questions based on actual operator certification exams provide a practical review. All books are clearly illustrated with key ideas and highlighted points throughout. Electronics explains the fundamental structure and operation of the electronic hardware that underlies many automated processes in a treatment plant. It provides an introduction to electrical circuits, diodes, transistors, and transformers, which are explained in the context of device control.

This authoritative reference work gives timely information on the global politics of water. Readers will find case studies on a variety of complex water situations, from the Okavango River that flows through Angola, Namibia and Botswana, to the Euphrates-Tigris of the Upper Persian Gulf.

With the current threat of climate change and increasing demand on water resources, the book gives valuable insight into an increasingly politicized topic. Politics of Water is a welcome addition to Routledge s extensive The Politics of reference series.

Readers will benefit from:

• essays on major topics in water politics from a variety of contributors (thirteen in all), including Is water politics? Towards international water relations and The politics of water and mining in South Africa
• sensitive debate on gender issues, reflecting the fact that in many cultures men are responsible for the supply of water, and women as cultivators and house keepers are the major users
• an A-Z glossary of key terms, issues, organizations, etc. in water politics
• information on selected major river basins of the world, including maps detailing water consumption and resources.

The Politics of Water is a useful guide to the politics surrounding the availability and provision of water on a world-wide scale. It will prove to be a useful reference source for anyone interested in, or studying, the politics of water and climate change.

Based on direct field experience, this title discusses the stages in the development of local water supplies, from the initiation of a programme through to the community management of a supply system. The importance of involving all the members of a community in decisions about water provision is emphasized, as is the need to incorporate hygiene education from the outset. Many short case-studies, drawn from the practical experience of the authors, are used throughout the book to illustrate the application of a partnership approach in practice.

This project will deal with a number of aspects of WAS-only-reduction technologies for both industrial and municipal wastewater treatment applications. The objectives of this project include the following: 1. Developing an evaluation methodology that can be used to independently assess the effectiveness of WAS-reduction technologies 2. Demonstrating the previously listed methodology with at least one WAS-reduction technology This study includes not only the primary goals of establishing the degree of WAS reduction and corresponding capital and operation and maintenance (O&M) costs, but also such details as impacts on dewaterability (e.g., changes in polymer requirements, and maximum solids content achievable), changes in volatile solids reduction and corresponding biogas production in anaerobic digestion, possible odor issues in terms of in-plant processing requirements or ultimate product quality for disposal that result from these processes, and the change in characteristics of the recycle streams back to the main process (such as increased nutrient return, increased total suspended solids TSS] return, phosphorus removal, etc.).In addition to the more technical parameters, the adopted approach also considers evaluations of operability, reliability, and maintainability on each of the leading processes. Some of these effects were determined by laboratory testing and plant data evaluation. Others were investigated through comprehensive modeling using standard industry models such as ASM 2d for liquid-stream biological treatment and the ADM1 model for anaerobic digestion. A key objective of this work is an impartial validation of these technologies and the development of a methodology for assessment of additional technologies that currently do not exist, but could be developed in the future. This requires not only real world operating data, but also a degree of understanding of the fundamental mechanism behind the process. As such, a critical part of this project involves the discussion of the potential underlying mechanisms for each of the validated technologies.

BOILER WATER TREATMENT, PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE VOLUME 2 of Two Volumes by COLIN FRAYNE. Vol. II: Treatments, Program Design, and Management, ISBN:0-8206-0400-3 This comprehensive reference is the most practical field guide ever written on steam and boiler water treatment. In this two-volume handbook, Colin Frayne (Cooling Water Treatment, Principles and Practice, also by Chemical Publishing) analyzes the whole spectrum of boiler systems, including those used in residential complexes, commercial and institutional buildings, and industrial facilities. The breadth of the book covers: All types of boilers plants, from small cast iron units to large utility and nuclear power plants. Boiler subsystems, appurtenances, and auxiliaries Boiler maintenance and troubleshooting, fuel treatments, combustion gas analysis, pre-treatment processes, chemicals, and operational management Historical and modern program design and control in accordance with international standards Introduction; The Function of Boiler Water; Treatment and Its Marketing Steam Generation; Boiler Types and Applications; Boiler Plant Subsystems, Appurtenances, and Auxiliaries; Waterside and Steamside Problems: The Basics; Waterside and Steamside Problems: Hot Water Heating and Low-Pressure Steam Boiler; Waterside and Steamside Problems: Pre-Boiler Section Specifics; Waterside and Steamside Problems: Boiler Section Specifics; Waterside and Steamside Problems: Post-Boiler Section Specifics; Pre-Boiler and Post-Boiler Treatment Processes; Internal Treatment Programs; Adjuncts and Conjuctional Treatments; Control of Boiler Water Chemistry; Operational Control of Waterside Surfaces; Control of Fireside Conditions and Surfaces. Appendix I Useful Data; Appendix II Glossary; Bibliography. Index. This book is Volume 2 of a 2 Volume set. Other titles by author Colin Frayne: Cooling Water Treatment: Principles and Practice ISBN 978-0-8206-0370-4; Cooling Water Treatment Principles and Practices: Charts and Notes For Field Use ISBN 978-0-8206-0003-1

Increasing global pressure on water resources requires many actions from governments and individuals to achieve sustainable levels of water use. These involve management tasks such as project development and utility operation, but the degree of interdependence among the many participants in water management is so great that additional regulatory and coordination mechanisms are needed to control water development and uses. This book is designed to be the introductory work in the new Governance and Management for Sustainable Water Systems Series. It introduces the subject of governance of water systems and illuminates relatively unexplored topics of water resources management.The material is practical but advanced in the sense that theories of industry organization, governance, and institutional analysis are applied in new ways. New case study applications are provided in the book and help the reader to understand how their disciplines apply to water management. The case studies are drawn from each sector and region in the world, including cases from the U.S.A., Europe, the Middle East, South America and a global case to cover water system privatization. Visit the IWA WaterWiki to read and share material related to this title: http://www.iwawaterwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Articles/Governance Author: Professor Neil S Grigg, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, USA

This book covers the most recent scientific and technological developments (state-of-the-art) in the field of chemical oxidation processes applicable for the efficient treatment of biologically-difficult-to-degrade, toxic and/or recalcitrant effluents originating from different manufacturing processes. It is a comprehensive review of process and pollution profiles as well as conventional, advanced and emerging treatment processes & technologies developed for the most relevant and pollution (wet processing)-intensive industrial sectors. It addresses chemical/photochemical oxidative treatment processes, case-specific treatability problems of major industrial sectors, emerging (novel) as well as pilot/full-scale applications, process integration, treatment system design & sizing criteria (figure-of-merits), cost evaluation and success stories in the application of chemical oxidative treatment processes. Chemical Oxidation Applications for Industrial Wastewaters is an essential reference for lecturers, researchers, industrial and environmental engineers and practitioners working in the field of environmental science and engineering. Visit the IWA WaterWiki to read and share material related to this title: http://www.iwawaterwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Articles/CHEMICALOXIDATIONAPPLICATIONSFORINDUSTRIALWASTEWATERS Authors: Professor Olcay Tunay, Professor Isik Kabdasli, Associate Professor Idil Arslan-Alaton and Assistant Professor Tugba OElmez-Hanci, Environmental Engineering Department, Istanbul Technical University, Turkey.

The complex dimensions of the Mediterranean freshwater resources, their fragility and their scarcity have been highlighted and have received considerable attention as a primary priority issue politically, technically and scientifically. Membrane technology, with its different applications in water treatment (desalination, potable water treatment, wastewater treatment and reuse) has showed to be a powerful tool to abate the water crisis in the Mediterranean region. The primary objective of Membrane Technology in Water Treatment in the Mediterranean Region is to support the current research and development activities in membrane technology focused on water treatment in the Mediterranean area, providing an international stage to local research organisations and universities devoted to the development of membrane technologies in the following areas: municipal and industrial wastewater treatment, surface water purification and brackish and sea water treatment for drinking purpose. It covers the identification, mapping and evaluation of the on-going research, in order to propose future research and co-operation strategies. Visit the IWA WaterWiki to read and share material related to this title: http://www.iwawaterwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Articles/MembraneTechnologyinWaterTreatmentintheMediterraneanRegion

Recent discussions among scientists and policy-makers have highlighted that knowledge generated by many research and demonstration projects is not reaching policymakers in an efficient way. Conversely, the consideration of research results by the policy making community is not straightforward, and difficulties arise in integrating the latest research developments in legislation. The difficulty is enhanced by the fact that the policy-making community is not defining its role as "client" sufficiently well and the dialogue and communication channels are far from ideal to ensure an efficient flow of information. An increasing number of experts consider that improvements could be achieved through the development of a "science-policy interface" so that R&D results are synthesised in a way to efficiently feed policy implementation and that short, medium and long term research needs may be identified. This book examines the issue of integrating science into policy, with an emphasis on water system knowledge and related policies. An important feature of the book is the discussion of science-policy interfacing needs, illustrated by examples from authors from different countries in relation to water system management. This publication is timely in that the science-policy interfacing is now identified as a key challenge worldwide with regard to integrated water resource management, and therefore the book will be of great interest to scientists, water managers and stakeholders. Readers will also benefit from a better understanding of the needs, benefits and drawbacks of an established transfer mechanism of scientific outputs to policies.