The environmental problems caused by the increase of pollutant loads discharged into natural water bodies requires the formation of a framework for regulation and control. This framework needs to be based on scientific results that relate pollutant discharge with changes in water quality. The results of these studies allow the industry to apply more efficient methods of controlling and treating waste loads, and water authorities to enforce appropriate regulations regarding this matter. Environmental problems are essentially interdisciplinary. Engineers and scientists working in this field must be familiar with a wide range of issues including the physical processes of mixing and dilution, chemical and biological processes, mathematical modelling, data acquisition and measurement, to name but a few. In view of the scarcity of available data, it is important that experiences are shared on an international basis. Thus, a continuous exchange of information between scientists from different countries is essential.

The following list covers some of the topics to be presented at the conference. Papers on other subjects related to the objectives of the conference are also welcome.

• Water contamination
• Assessing, monitoring, modelling and forecasting
• Water management
• Wastewater and saltwater management
• Groundwater and aquifers
• Freshwater quality
• Coastal and offshore pollution
• Health risk studies
• Agricultural contamination
• Industrial pollution
• Water reuse
• Emerging technologies
• Socio-economic-political causes and consequences
• Education and training
• Pharmaceuticals
• Micro-pollutants
• Changes in land use
• Dredging work
• Climate change
• Design and architecture
• Urban water
• Sustainable urban drainage systems
• Case Studies