Prediction of seawater quality around Island Rab (Adriatic Sea)

One of the consequences of the anticipated growth of tourist industry on the island Rab (Adriatic Sea) is that the source of wastewater will increase. If present practice of releasing wastewaters into the sea were to continue, sea water quality in recreational zones would worsen. This forced Rab municipality to consider options for expansion of canalization, waste treatment and submarine outfalls. Three options were put forth. Analysis and modeling reported here were used to choose the most acceptable among proposed options. Based on estimates of wastewater sources and oceanographic properties, water quality around island Rab is predicted. It is concluded that in principle each option could satisfy water quality criteria specified by the lawmaker. The option, which is chosen as the best solution, satisfies additional ecological as well as socially acceptable conditions.