Water industry

From ArticleWorld

Water industry is responsible for providing households and other industries with drinking water and wastewater services.

Overview

The Water Industry evolved and it currently operates difficult networks and sewage treatment plants. Processes involved are very costly and this particular type of industry consumes 1 to 2 percents of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In most cases the water industry facilities are run under strict local or national government supervision. They have special institutions created with this purpose and this transforms the industry in a public service, accessible for all that want it. Based on country and other factors the water supply can be regulated or not.

Standards

In most cases the standards for water industry operation is regulated by a national institution. This is done with the purpose of creating a type of monopoly that will protect the population from improper operations. Countries that are members of the European Union have the same standards assigned. Several directives have been given to make sure that the results are beneficial for the population. For instance, in 1992 the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive was adopted. It made requirements for the majority of cities to treat wastewater and transform it to achieve a given standard. The Water Framework Directive, which came in effect in 2000, required a water resource facility to be built on a river basin.