Protecting the resources is closely tied to implementation of the sustainability policies.

As far as the water cycle is concerned, the Group is steered toward the following goals:

Reduction of withdrawals from the aquifers: in the past, in some areas such as the Bologna area withdrawals of underground waters for domestic, industrial, irrigation and livestock uses on the whole exceeded the threshold of natural recharge, leading to the lowering of the piezometric levels that created subsidence. To various extents, subsidence is still occurring.

Lowering water loss: user requirements being equal, the reduction of leaks allows the volume introduced into the network to be reduced and consequently, that taken from the environment.
Water loss is divided into real leaks (volumes of water actually coming out of the network due to breaks, leakage, etc.) and apparent leaks (errors of measurement and meter reading, illicit withdrawals, etc.).
Besides using the traditional method established by Italian Ministerial Decree 99/97, HERA has adopted the International Water Association (IWA) methodology for monitoring, reducing and calculating water leaks and has drawn up a Water Loss Research and Reduction Plan for every ATO.

The water system HERA manages is one of the most efficient in Italy (water not billed in 2006 was 23.4% of the volume introduced into the network). In fact, HERA is engaged in all activities concentrated on monitoring and reducing leaks indicated by the IWA methodology:

• active leak control utilising scheduled research campaigns and setting the networks up in districts,
• operating pressure management,
• maintenance and replacement of pipes and assets,
• speed and quality of repairs.

Water resource protection: HERA has worked with some of the competent Area Agencies in drawing up Resource Conservation Plans, particular with regard to the portion concerning the reduction and monitoring of water leaks. Its supports the ATOs in adopting the IWA methodology.

Reduction of the pollutant loads dumped into the watercourses: HERA is busy developing significant investments aimed at reducing the polluting effects of municipal waste water on watercourses. The measures it is taking particularly regard:

• extending sewer systems to towns that still do not have them;
• developing sewer systems that help eliminate small and not very efficient treatment plants;
• building treatment sections for abating phosphorus and nitrogen and for the final disinfection of the waste.

HERA has also contributed to developing specific studies carried out by the Department of Engineering: Structures, Transport Systems, Water and Surveying of the Territory (DISTART) of the University of Bologna for sizing and managing first rainwater tanks, works aimed at reducing pollutant substances coming from the scouring of municipal surfaces and dumped into masses of water when there is heavy rainfall. The Water Protection Plan of the Emilia Romagna Region, approved in 2005, explicitly states the terms of reducing these polluting effects. The building of first rainwater tanks will be one of the major sectors to be affected by adaptation of the sewer infrastructures over upcoming years. To this regard, the Emilia Romagna Region has issued design and management policies and guidelines for this type of waste water treatment and collection systems (Regional Executive Board decrees 286/05 and 1860/06).

Wastewater and waste (sludge, sands and screening discharge) produced at our plants
Both the natural water treatment processes to purify drinking water and the waste water treatment processes can produce wastewater that is subjected to accurate controls in order to protect the environment pursuant to current legislation, and in particular Italian Legislative Decree no. 152/2006.
The control procedures established by Italian Legislative Decree 99/92 and resolutions passed by the Emilia Romagna Region, no. 2773 of 30 December 2004 and subsequent amendment no. 285 of 14 February 2005, are applied to the sewage sludge released to farming.
The sludge considered unsuitable for being recovered in farming undergoes quality characterisation according to Italian Legislative Decree no. 22/97. Lastly, its disposal at the landfill requires the analytical controls set forth in Italian Ministerial Decree of 3 August 2005 (also applicable to sands and screening discharge).
HERA is also very active in testing, research and information activities:

Testing of advanced water savings practices in the home environment: HERA has gained solid experience in applying the best technologies available for saving water in the home environment. Particularly worthy of mention is the Aquasave project developed with ENEA and other partners, in which several technologies that cut consumption, recover meteoric water and recycle used water were implemented in a group of buildings in Bologna.

Advanced studies on well protection areas: the underground waters present various degrees of intrinsic vulnerability that basically depend on the geological characteristics of each zone. Risk of pollution is also linked to the location of centres of actual danger, most of which derive from man's activity. It is therefore very important to properly bound the tapping protection areas (for the most part wells) for those underground waters that go to human consumption. In these areas, legislation sets out restrictions for use of the territory and actuation of a series of stratagems aimed at limiting the danger of underground water pollution.
Together with the Municipality of Bologna, HERA has participated in the European W-SAHaRA consortium aimed at drawing up guidelines for delimiting areas safeguarding wells used for drinking water.

Participation in water saving information and public awareness campaigns: the Emilia Romagna Region's main planning tool in the water field - the Water Protection Plan - is based on implementing water saving policies. Convinced as it is that the educational and cultural approach is essential in order for these policies to be successful, HERA has promoted many information and public awareness campaigns, addressed especially to young people. It has also taken part in and contributed to similar initiatives that local authorities and environmental associations have promoted.

Page updated 22 August 2011