Based on the proceedings of the Federation of European Microbiological Societies Symposium held at the Cranfield Institute of Technology, this book serves to highlight a wide variety of areas of civil engineering where microbiological activity needs to be considered more thoroughly by engineers during the design, construction and operation phases of projects.

Groundwater abstraction plays a very important part in water supplies throughout the world. Yet too many wells and boreholes operate inefficiently or are abondoned.

This book examines some of the successes and failures of actual implementation of modern water policy options in the light of the principles and concepts which have emerged from the Rio Earth Summit, the Dublin Statement and other international consensus.
The book attempts to share real practical experience at all levels: local, regional, national and international, emphasising the co-operation between different professions and sectors that must take place to ensure adequate supplies of fresh water in future.