Water pollution abatement and control programmes have followed a somewhat similar pattern over the
past two decades in western Germany. Considerable investment in the construction and renewal of sewers and of
municipal and industrial waste water treatment plants has led to country-wide purification of waste water prior to
discharge. With respect to targeted pollutants from point sources, such as suspended matter, oxygen-demanding
organic substances and some heavy metals, investments have also contributed directly to improvements in the
corresponding quality parameters of water bodies. Overall, the water management programmes have also proven to
be environmentally effective in achieving objectives and improving the quality of surface waters with respect to
targeted water pollutants.