PIO ABIUSI*
Luca Lucentini, director of the National Water Safety Center of the Higher Institute of Health (ISS) assisted General Bardi, probable Commissioner – the appointment decree does not appear published – in the management of the water crisis which affected the Municipality of Potenza and 29 others neighboring municipalities.
It was not clear what the nature of Lucentini’s assistance was, whether private or appointed by the ISS
but continuing to remain in the fog, in all probability he verbally declared that the waters del Basento “have chemical-physical characteristics and composition in terms of mineral salts and
hardness comparable to that of the water currently in distribution, captured from the basin Camastra”. He discovered hot water because the basin is identical! It would have been different if the water had come from the Vulture Basin, for example! He continued by saying that “the nature of the contaminants and the concentration values found in the Basento does not pose any health risks from a chemical and microbiological point of view given the purification process carried out at the Masseria Romaniello plant, whose treatment has full effectiveness in the removal of phenols on the basis of consolidated scientific literature and application experience”. It was very clear but here the distinction begins because the water of the Camastra has its own life and is consolidated practice that purification takes place with treatment in A2 even if during the 2021 annual compliance report Arpab stated that: “From the assessments highlighted in this report, it can be concluded that the Camastra reservoir and the Monte Cotugno reservoir do not comply with the A2 classification. The first is not compliant due to exceedances for i parameters: manganese, dissolved or emulsified hydrocarbons and dissolved oxygen rate. The second does not comply due to exceeding the parameters: phosphates, surfactants, dissolved oxygen rate and total coliforms. The Pertusillo reservoir, however, appears to comply with the A2 classification.” Of the evaluation that we have just reported in full, the notes and the purifier have been lost of Masseria Romaniello such as that of Montalbano Ionico which treats raw mountain water Cotugno continued the purification treatment in A2 as they have always done and not we know whether they are adequate to treat the water to be purified in category A3.
We remind you that depending on the category to which they belong, surface fresh waters can be used and intended for the production of drinking water are subjected to the following treatments:
a) Category Al: simple physical treatment and disinfection;
b) Category A2: normal physical and chemical treatment and disinfection;
c) Category A3: extensive physical and chemical treatment, refinement and disinfection.
Lucentini concluded here that “they are in themselves suitable for water treatments of this type A3 or even lower”. If the uncovered water was hot it now becomes boiling hot! What will be the treatment to which the water to be purified must be subjected and we return to saying: the purifier of Is Masseria Romaniello suitable for A3 treatment? From what was stated in the report monitoring of water from Acquedotto Lucano the parameters analyzed do not comply with the values limit of TAB 1 A annex 2 Part III Cat.A2 of Legislative Decree 152/06, this means that the processing must be done in Category A3.
To provide complete clarity, as on the Acquedotto Lucano website it is indicated that the system Masseria Romaniello is equipped with an automation and control system for the various sections systems and a granular carbon filtration station built “since” 2001 which allows the control of disinfection by-products for the purposes of Legislative Decree 31/01 and the improvement of the organoleptic characteristics of the water we will say that drinking water is produced from the water purification plant based on community directive 98/83/EC relating to water quality intended for human consumption” while it does not seem adequate, based on what has been declared, to new Legislative Decree 23 February 2023, n. 18 “Implementation of Directive (EU) 2020/2184 of the Parliament European Union and of the Council of 16 December 2020, concerning the quality of water intended for human consumption.” It must be said that the possibility of adapting to the 12/1/2026 deadline is recognised new aforementioned legislative decree.
* Environment and Legality Association
Article visits: 48
**To what extent do the existing water treatment processes at the Masseria Romaniello plant effectively address the specific contaminants present in the Basento River, given its classification and the concerns raised by the Environment and Legality Association?**
## Interview: The Water Crisis in Potenza: Safety Concerns and Uncertainties
**Introduction**:
Welcome to World Today News. Today, we are discussing the recent water crisis in Potenza and surrounding municipalities, focusing on concerns raised by the Environment and Legality Association regarding the quality and treatment of the alternative water source. We are joined today by two esteemed guests:
* **Dr. Luca Lucentini**: Director of the National Water Safety Center at the Higher Institute of Health (ISS) and advisor during the water crisis.
* **[Name of Guest 2]**: Representative from the Environment and Legality Association.
**Section 1: The Water Source and Its Classification**
**Interviewer**: Dr. Lucentini, thank you for being with us. Could you clarify the nature of your involvement in managing the water crisis and specifically, your assessment of the water sourced from the Basento River?
**Dr. Lucentini**:
**Interviewer**: [Name of Guest 2], your organization has raised concerns about the classification of the Basento river water. Could you elaborate on these concerns and the potential implications for public health?
**[Name of Guest 2]** :
**Interviewer**: Dr. Lucentini, can you address the concerns raised about the classification of the Basento water, specifically its potential non-compliance with A2 standards?
**Dr. Lucentini**:
**Section 2: Water Treatment and Adequacy**
**Interviewer**: Dr. Lucentini, you stated that the water purification plant at Masseria Romaniello is equipped to handle A3 treatment. Can you elaborate on the specific treatment processes and their effectiveness in addressing the contaminants present in the Basento water?
**Dr. Lucentini**:
**Interviewer**: [Name of Guest 2], your association cites a 2021 report suggesting the Camastra and Monte Cotugno reservoirs, regularly used as water sources, also don’t meet A2 standards. What are your thoughts on the selection of the Basento River as an alternative source given this information?
**[Name of Guest 2]** :
**Interviewer**: Both guests, what are your views on the assertion that the Masseria Romaniello plant’s capabilities may not be sufficient to meet the requirements of the new Legislative Decree 18/2023 concerning water quality?
**Dr. Lucentini**:
**[Name of Guest 2]**:
**Section 3: Transparency and Public Trust**
**Interviewer**: Dr. Lucentini, concerns have been raised about the transparency surrounding the Bazento river water usage and its treatment. How can authorities better communicate with the public and build trust during such crises?
**Dr. Lucentini**:
**Interviewer**: [Name of Guest 2], what steps do you think the authorities and organizations like yours can take to ensure open and transparent communication about water quality and safety, particularly during emergencies?
**[Name of Guest 2]** :
**Concluding Remarks**:
Thank you, Dr. Lucentini and [Name of Guest 2], for sharing your insights on this critical issue. The water crisis in Potenza raises important questions about water safety, transparency, and public trust. This discussion emphasizes the need for continuous monitoring, stringent compliance with regulations, and open communication between authorities and the public to ensure safe and reliable drinking water for all.
