Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to study the transformation of some macropollutants including hydrocarbons, surfactants and metals in Milan west sewer basin. The study is part of a wider research (named SWARMNET and proposed by Politecnico di Milano and Metropolitana Milanese S.p.A and has been classified as fundable by the Ministry of Education, University and Research of Italy), aiming at installing a monitoring system for measurement of accidental discharge of pollutants from industrial activities and real-time protection of the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) by avoiding dangerous discharges entering the sewers. Good effluent and waste sludge quality allow safe agricultural reuse of both streams. Other objectives include food safety, lower treatment costs and reduction of pollution of soil, surface and groundwater. Design/methodology/approach -The west basin of Milan sewer network, discharging to San Rocco WWTP was considered. Among 700 industries, 16 have been selected for their specific characteristics and/or high industrial pollution load. A quality model was coupled with a hydraulic model to evaluate the effect of pollutants transport in the network. Findings -Heavy metals, surfactants and hydrocarbons have different behavior from biodegradable domestic sewage and can be modeled as conservative matter conveyed by advection only. Results show that the concentration values of these macropollutants at the inlet of the WWTP are below the Italian standard values with the exception of Cadmium and Mercury. These heavy metals should be considered in the planned sampling campaign. Originality/value -This study will estimate environmental benefits and both methodology and monitoring techniques can be extended to other cities in Italy and Europe.

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As long as cities and urban life have been developed during the centuries, the conveying of wastewater and sewage have been important issues for municipalities and other authorities. The goal of municipalities is to convey, treat and reuse the wastewater in a way that does not harm public health and the environment. In the year 2010, Gothenburg Water utility decided to study and improve the sewer network system of the Majorna region, with a total area of 130 hectares, located in Gothenburg city. Hydraulic and hydrological properties of the sewer system were measured, modelled and simulated. Most of the input data needed for simulation was provided by the Gothenburg Water utility databases and a GIS-based map of Gothenburg sewer systems. The site measurements were taken between October and December 2010 and at two manholes where the measuring devices have been installed. The calibration of the model has shown that although there is a good correlation between the model results and the measured values at one of the measuring nodes at the area, there is a difference in the other one; the reason for which should be studied and investigated in another study. Finally, the tests and comparisons between the sewer system in this area and the standard values have shown that pipe leakages are the most problematic matter of the system and solving this problem will improve the system considerably.