Sarno (river)

The Sarno is a highly polluted river in the Campania region of southern Italy. It is approximately 24 kilometers (15 miles) long and flows through the provinces of Avellino, Salerno, and Naples, ultimately emptying into the Gulf of Naples near Pompeii.

The river's sources are located in the mountains of the Apennines, near Sarno and Palma Campania. It is fed by numerous springs and small tributaries. However, decades of industrial and agricultural discharge, coupled with insufficient sewage treatment, have resulted in severe contamination.

The Sarno's pollution is attributed to a variety of factors, including:

• Industrial waste: Discharges from tanneries, textile factories, and other industries located along its banks have introduced significant levels of heavy metals, chemicals, and organic pollutants.
• Agricultural runoff: Intensive agriculture in the surrounding area contributes fertilizers, pesticides, and animal waste to the river.
• Untreated sewage: A lack of adequate sewage treatment infrastructure means that untreated wastewater flows directly into the Sarno.
• Illegal dumping: Waste materials are frequently dumped illegally into the river and its tributaries, further exacerbating the pollution problem.

The severe pollution of the Sarno has had significant negative impacts on the environment, public health, and the local economy. It has decimated aquatic life, contaminated groundwater, and increased the risk of waterborne diseases. The river's polluted waters also affect the coastal areas near its mouth, impacting tourism and fishing.

Efforts to clean up the Sarno have been ongoing for many years, but progress has been slow due to the complexity of the problem and the lack of sufficient funding and political will. Remediation strategies have included the construction of wastewater treatment plants, stricter environmental regulations, and efforts to promote sustainable agricultural practices. However, the Sarno remains one of the most polluted rivers in Europe and a major environmental challenge for the Campania region.