US and European regulations on the removal of clorites in the treatment of drinking water were discussed and compared during the “International Water Day”. This important meeting took place at the Associazione degli Industriali in Bari on May 27, 2004, promoted by Chimica D’Agostino SpA in collaboration with Eka Chemicals Ab and Sicav Srl, some of the best-known companies in the water treatment sector.
Among the many experts participating to the meeting, Douglas J. Rittmann, scientific advisor for Eka Chemicals, and one of the most popular world specialists in water treatment. The “International Water Day “ had among his guests representatives and executives from Acquedotto Pugliese along with most of the major Italian waterworks companies , representing a total 25 million users’ portfolio.
A remarkable event demonstrating, as pointed out by Francesco Divella managing director of Acquedotto Pugliese (AQP), how research and technological innovation are primary goals for AQP. His view was shared by Gioacchino Gabbuti chief executive at AQP , who in the opening speech added: “it is fundamental to compare our experiences in a sector – the water treatment – which is going to take a more and more decisive role in the next future. All the improvements aiming at a better quality of water sources - he explained - have a great impact on a scientific and technological as well as on a social level. The corporations managing the waterworks system are investing a great deal of their human and financial resources in order to guarantee the final user a pure drinkable water, as a result of the most advanced water cleaning technologies.
The relevance of exchanging experiences in the field of water treatment and its applications has been underlined by Donato D’Agostino, chief executive of Chimica D’Agostino SpA . “ Everyone knows” – he said – “that the research and development is key to the streamlining of water resources, and this can be better achieved if we compare our different experiences.”
According to Francesco Passanisi, executive for Akzo Nobel Chemicals, “ this meeting is appropriate and timely since it takes place in a moment when the Italian regulations are absorbing the European guidelines and this has caused a great excitement among the people in charge of managing and come to terms with a new reality.
Douglas Rittmann ’s report, who fully illustrated U.S. regulations and experiences in the removal of chlorites in drinking water treatment, was followed by Daniela Santianni, in charge of water control, research and development for Publiacqua and Acquedotto di Firenze .
Gaetano Natì , managing director of Acquedotto Pugliese Pot Srl , focused on the innovative experimentation made on Locone’s treatment plant. Here for the first time it was used a state of the art application with “Purate”, the most technologically advanced mixture in the water cleaning sector. “The continuous research and the effort to improve the quality of drinking water for our population ( whose standards are already noticeable ) represent a primary objective to be constantly pursued by AQP to safeguard public health” he stated .
The final speech was made by Onofrio Lattarulo, scientific director of Arpa ( regional agency for the protection of the environment ) . “ We must acknowledge” he said “ AQP for being particularly sensitive to innovation, a fundamental element to be at the forefront of technological trends in water treatment. That is why we are able to drink the purest water in Europe. “
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