Wetlands, and in particular marshes and riparian vegetation, contribute notably to the regular natural filtration of water and to the improvement of its quality when polluted.
This service is especially important for human societies whose economic, social and domestic activities inevitably lead to a substantial level of waste. Water pollution remains a key issue in the Mediterranean. As far as Mediterranean wetlands are concerned, the main sources of water pollution are from agriculture (crops and livestock), sewage wastewater (industry and settlements), run-off from urban areas and illegal dumping of solid and liquid waste.
Within certain limits ensuring their ecological functioning, wetlands in a good ecological state could help decision-makers reach the requirements of the new legal framework. It is obviously more vital than ever to reduce the release of contaminants in water and increase the use of technological equipment such as sewage plants and treatment centres. The natural ability of wetlands to filter and clean water is even reproduced to treat wastewater, in treatment plants using aquatic plants.
The purpose of measuring the value of this indicator “Water purification” is to assess the role of wetlands in water quality improvement. This MWO indicator has to be developed.
