Monitoring activity on Canale Reale

This study is part of the Canale Reale environmental monitoring plan drawn up as part of the HUREDEPIS project. The Canale Reale, more than 60 Km long, is perhaps the most extensive hydrographic system in the Province of Brindisi, naturally collecting the rainwater falling within its catchment area. The Canale Reale is in close proximity to and highly affected by both a urbanized landscape and the rich agricultural areas of the Province of Brindisi. Unfortunately, in the last few decades it has been transformed into a receptacle for urban runoff and treated wastewater from the municipalities lying along its course, particularly Latiano, Francavilla Fontana, and Mesagne, and all introduce contaminants to Canale Reale waters. Agricultural runoff introduces contaminants along the stream too. One of the reasons why deterioration in the water quality of the Canale Reale is a key issue is that its estuary is next to the Torre Guaceto protected area. As a result in the past the research and monitoring activities have been conducting only on the Canale Reale Estuary. These activities were typically geared for a specific need, limited in coverage, and failed to provide an overall picture of the Canale Reale's condition. The aim of the present paper is to provide water quality data on the whole Canale Reale and to investigate the impact of the urban runoff and treated wastewater from the municipalities lying along its course.