Wastewater management in Greece: experience and lessons for developing countries

Abstract

Technologies to treat wastewater are now well established and are capable of producing almost any degree of purification. The main issue surrounding the selection of a given process lies in deciding which is the most appropriate and applicable technology for the particular social, political and economic environment. This paper concentrates on the development of the municipal wastewater treatment sector in Greece. It examines the deficiencies and problems arising from the implementation of wastewater management policies and makes a number of suggestions and recommendations. The areas considered include, among others, historical development, economic development and pollution control, key issues for wastewater treatment policies and lessons applicable to developing countries. It is hoped that this study will be a valuable source of information for countries embarking on nationwide sanitation projects.