PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The importance of water as a natural resource cannot be overstressed. Increased demand for water, however, will require public and private competent bodies to comply with strict and sustainable water management policies. The provision of drinking water is a service required by law in the EU. Lack of responsible provision could lead to water depletion and pollution. The development of an eco-label for water treatment and service provision might be a concrete way of avoiding such potential damage. Moreover, the quality of water is significant in view of the economic potential for a territory to have its water considered as spring water and the tap water deriving from it of spring water quality. Recognition of the quality of water is fundamental for increasing consumer awareness about this precious resource.
OBJECTIVES
The Aqualabel project aimed to develop a “quality and environmental management” label for water distributed in waterworks systems, according to ISO14024 standards. The project planned to define operational modes of distribution and production systems for drinking water, including sterilisation and the best territorial management for the long-term environmental and organoleptic quality maintenance of water. It aimed to define strategies for water system management that balance the local and industrial interests. Aqualabel would highlight the value of water as a resource and maximise the positive cascading effects on the areas and communities involved in terms of their tourist and environmental image. Other objectives of environmental and social relevance included the identification and monitoring of the environmental impacts to the water supply process and the raising of awareness of the value of water and its management. It would also inform stakeholders about the Aqualabel principles and products.
RESULTS
A pilot plant for the distribution of drinking water was designed and built in the municipality of Lizzano in Belvedere. It was designed on three pipe lines built with different materials (polyethylene, polypropylene and teflon). Each line was alternatively fitted with a specific water disinfection system (micro filtration, peracetic acid and ultraviolet light). The excellent quality of the spring water resources of Lizzano area and the operation of the pilot plant make it possible to provide tap water with spring water quality (the recharge reservoir is located in the Corno alle Scale regional park, an unpolluted area). For this purpose, a monitoring sub-task was planned and the application of the eco-label schemes to the product category was analysed. The appraisal showed that only a few environmental declarations concern the potable water cycle. At present, there isn’t any reference on the whole lifecycle of the water or on the phase of production. The results of previous EU studies aimed at applying the LCA methodology to the water cycle were also analysed. They showed that the environmental impacts on human health and on resources are by far more significant than those on the quality of the ecosystem. The most impacting processes are wastewater treatment (due to energy and chemicals consumption), water sanitisation and pumping operations. The different socio-economic aspects connected to water service management, complying with the new quality and environmental label were also studied. Cost/benefit analyses are particularly important in demonstrating the additional charge linked to the higher quality standard required by Aqualabel protocol. Finally, after an analysis of the product lifecycle and an ongoing dialogue with the stakeholders, the project produced manual outlining all the procedures necessary for certification from the relevant environmental bodies.A pilot plant for the distribution of drinking water was designed and built in the municipality of Lizzano in Belvedere. It was designed on three pipe lines built with different materials (polyethylene, polypropylene and teflon). Each line was alternatively fitted with a specific water disinfection system (micro filtration, peracetic acid and ultraviolet light). The excellent quality of the spring water resources of Lizzano area and the operation of the pilot plant make it possible to provide tap water with spring water quality (the recharge reservoir is located in the Corno alle Scale regional park, an unpolluted area). For this purpose, a monitoring sub-task was planned and the application of the eco-label schemes to the product category was analysed. The appraisal showed that only a few environmental declarations concern the potable water cycle. At present, there isn’t any reference on the whole lifecycle of the water or on the phase of production. The results of previous EU studies aimed at applying the LCA methodology to the water cycle were also analysed. They showed that the environmental impacts on human health and on resources are by far more significant than those on the quality of the ecosystem. The most impacting processes are wastewater treatment (due to energy and chemicals consumption), water sanitisation and pumping operations. The different socio-economic aspects connected to water service management, complying with the new quality and environmental label were also studied. Cost/benefit analyses are particularly important in demonstrating the additional charge linked to the higher quality standard required by Aqualabel protocol. Finally, after an analysis of the product lifecycle and an ongoing dialogue with the stakeholders, the project produced manual outlining all the procedures necessary for certification from the relevant environmental bodies.
