Adequate solutions for management of coastal discharges from land-based activities are an important concern all around the world. This is a continuing imperative given the population growth in coastal areas.

Since the 1970s, many studies have dealt with this issue from several points of view. Most of the information gathered attempted to provide guidance for the selection of either the best sanitation options for different geographical areas or materials and construction techniques. Although these studies address important aspects and efforts made on the design and construction of coastal outfalls, assessment and monitoring for the effects of marine discharges on the coastal ecosystem have not been addressed from an integrated nor cumulative perspectives.

This webpage has been conceived in an attempt to integrate and to share the knowledge and experiences acquired throughout these years by the multidisciplinary groups of experts working on submarine outfalls all around the world. To facilitate the progress of the access to the information contained in this webpage, its content is divided into four branches:

First, it contains a Library with general documents, manuals and protocols and published papers on coastal outfalls. Secondly, an Outfall inventory with an interactive map that places the different outfalls built around the world and general info about the outfalls and their discharges is provided. Third, information about the International Workshop on Marine Outfall Discharges (IWMOD 2010) planned to support the main goal of this experience is also accessible by all users. And finally, access for the authors (and members of this group of experts of the IWMOD 2010) to the chapters of a comprehensive book on coastal outfalls that will be published next year (Edition) is also provided.

Thereby, the combination of these three tools (Webpage, Workshop and Book) aims to consolidate the scientific and technical baselines needed to better manage the coastal outfalls.