Talk:Sarno (river)

Sarno River

Background Information-

The Sarno River is the most polluted river in Europe. It is located in Italy, rising from the slopes of Mt. Sarno and running through the town that is also called Sarno. The river passes through the Campanian provinces of Salerno, Avellino and Naples, a heavily populated and polluted area. The Sarno is 24km long and the Sarno basin is over 500 sq. km around. Where the river begins near Mt. Sarno, the river is in fact clean, and nothing is in it but water. The farther along the river, the more pollution it gains. On the top, flowers grow on its edge and fishes swim in its water. While passing through the town of Sarno, it is still clean. When it passes through two other rivers, the Cavajola and Solofana River, the pollution changes dramatically. Dumps are on the side of the river, and trash and large pieces fall in. By the time it hits the town of Scafati, there is chemical foam floating on the surface.

What is the problem?

The Sarno River is the most polluted river in Europe. The situation is “aggravated by large-scale dumping of untreated agricultural and industrial waste into the river.” (One) Frequent mudslides and flooding don’t help either. In the past 20 years, the Sarno’s banks have broken two to three times a year. When that happens, the polluted water spills onto the near by area containing 750,000 residents. The manholes surrounding the Sarno are often clogged with debris or cemented over. Obviously, adding to the health risk to the surrounding areas.

Who or what is being affected?

Surrounding areas are afraid of health risks, and although few people get sick, there is still a possibility of an outbreak. The river it self is also dieing, the fishes can only swim in the start of the river, and if they venture down they die.

Where is the problem?

Campania region of Italy, in Europe

(One) What is causing the Problem?

Constant neglect of the fact that it needs help is one major cause of the problem. The farther the river flows, the pollution continues. Dumps are built surrounding its banks and people often litter. Also, mudslides and floods cause the polluted banks to rupture, spilling polluted water all over nearby areas. Manholes surrounding its banks are covered filled with debris or covered with fresh cement. And by the time you reach the town of Scafati, you can visibly see chemical foam. “The coastal areas around the Sarno River are considered among the most impacted by organic and inorganic pollution, in the whole Mediterranean basin.” (Two) The Sarno is also Europe and most of Asia’s worst mix of pollution in a river. Sewage, untreated agricultural waste, industrial waste and all sorts of chemicals.

How long has it been going on?

In the past 20 years, the Sarno’s banks have broken two to three times a year. When that happens, the polluted water spills onto the near by area containing 750,000 residents.

(Two) What is being or could be done about the problem?

The plan is to clean the banks of the river and the water itself. Cleaning it all would leave a grand total of 170km of clean water. They also plan to build a Sarno Park, to help fund and encourage the pollution problem. Also, all the factories surrounding the Sarno have been ordered not to dump in its waters. “The happy-happy politicians predict a two-year project, after which time we will be able to frolic in the pure waters of the sea near the mouth of the river. They must be kidding, but any start is welcome.” (One)

Resources- One: http://faculty.ed.umuc.edu/~jmatthew/naples/sarno.html Two: http://www.biomareweb.org/3.4.html

the sarno river

the sarno river is the BIGGEST

river in europe :)