In principle, the wastewater treatment plants in each municipality along the Adige course can support the water quality of the river and its biota. However, many wastewater treatment plants along the river, which is regulated with respect to the flow for hydro-electric and irrigation uses and canalized with respect to the bed and banks and excavated, are not compatible with the needs of drinking water supply in the plains, where the natural self-purifying capacity is reduced and sediments are contaminated by the conveyance of polluted material from upstream and from tributaries (Braioni and Ruffo, 1986; Duzzin, 1986; Pavoni et al., 1987). Fragmented jurisdiction institutions and agencies in charge of controlling, planning, managing and servicing did reduce some environmental damages but were not able to safeguard the resources comprehensively.