03-Tzimas.qxd 9/11/2005 9:33 Page 15 Global Nest: the Int. J. Vol 5, No 1, pp 15-22, 2003 Copyright© 2003 GLOBAL NEST Printed in Greece. All rights reserved INTEGRATED WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT ON A COUNTY BASIS A. TZIMAS Sanitary Engineering Laboratory, E. GAVALAKI Department of Water Resources Hydraulics and Maritime Works, School of Civil Engineering, A. ANDREADAKIS* National Technical University of Athens 5, Iroon Polytechneiou street, Zografou 15773, Athens Selected from papers presented at the 7th Conference *to whom all correspondence should be addressed: on Environmental Science and Technology, fax: +(30) 2106528078, 210772 2899 3-6 September 2001, Ermoupolis, Syros island, Greece. e-mail:
[email protected] ABSTRACT The paper discusses a methodology for integrated municipal wastewater management. In compliance to the EU Directive 91/271, there is a legal binding to ensure that all agglomerations with populations over 2000 are provided with wastewater collecting system and adequate treatment. The conditions for optimum application of the Directive in Greece, especially in the light of the recent administrative reor- ganization, and the management of small rural communities not covered by the Directive are addressed, with reference to a case study application in the Achaia County. In compliance to the EU Directive 91/271, it is estimated that collecting systems and treatment should expand to at least 70% of the total population. However, due to the expanding touristic activity, the limited availability of land, environmental considerations, and favorable population characteristics (high density, relatively large communities) and morphological and socioeconomical conditions, it is proposed that coverage can reach to 85% of the total population.