Nitrate in surface (187 samples) and ground (126 samples) waters collected in Sardinia (Italy) shows a large range of concentrations: from <1 to 249 mg/L. The highest median value of nitrate occurs in groundwater samples, especially in shallow wells, and spring waters circulating in granite environments. In surface waters, nitrate generally increases as flow increases following intense precipit...

This section looks back to some ground-breaking contributions to public health, reproducing them in their original form and adding a commentary on their significance from a modern-day perspective. In this issue, Michael A Lennon reviews the first trial of a fluoridated public water supply. Extracts of the report of the trial by Francis A Arnold et al. in 1956 are reproduced below by permission ...

The management of running waters is of great importance for the life of our society and one of the challenges to be met by future generations. The sustainable use of water resources for their exploitation in different aspects is essential. Also, the maintenance of good water quality, both sanitary and environmental, is essential, since it depends largely on the conservation of biodiversity (Fer...

Urban rainwater reuse preserves water resources and promotes sustainable development in rapidly growing urban areas. The efficiency of a large number of urban water reuse systems, operating under different climate and demand conditions, is evaluated here on the base of a new risk analysis approach. Results obtained by probability analysis (PA) indicate that maximum efficiency in low demanding s...

Ecosystems in the Caspian Sea region have been heavily modified by anthropogenic activities, mainly as a result of changes in the water flow and degradation of the water quality in the ecosystems. Changes in the regional environment have influenced regional economies, particularly obvious in the impacts on fish stocks. Using the methodology developed in the GIWA project, experts in the region c...

The development of a surface water evaluation index is a critical factor in the assessment, restoration and protection of stream water quality. Quantifying water pollution in specific grade using dominant parameters is important, as this can explain the current state of water pollution with accuracy. As a result, an integrated multi-parameter water quality index has been developed. It is based ...

INTRODUCTION Access to safe drinking water is essential to human life and wellbeing, and is a key public health issue. However, many communities in rural and regional parts of Australia are unable to access drinking water that meets national standards for protecting human health. The aim of this research was to identify the key issues in and barriers to the provision and management of safe drin...

The annual fair which takes place in February was prohibited, and, as far as was possible, the health of all arrivals was ascertained. The water-supply at this town is at all times mainly from the Nerbudda river; the wells being few, and of such depth as to make drawing water from them a matter of labor, but now it became necessary to conserve the stream properly ; and this was done by a cordon...

Naturally occurring radioactive elements are found in all groundwaters, especially in bedrock waters. Exposure to these radioactive elements increases the risk of cancer. The most significant of these elements is radon which, as a gas, is mobile and dissolves in groundwater. In Finland, water supply plants are obliged to carry out statutory monitoring of the water quality, including radon. Moni...