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Efficient land use practices as tools of drinking water protection in complex karst environment – Dalmatia case study

Land-use practices can be considered as the pivotal factors that impact and modify hydrological and hydrogeological systems, forming an intricate relation which has a direct effect on the quality, quantity and availability of drinking water. Within the scope of PROLINE-CE project (Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE), interdisciplinary and innovative approach is fostered with the aim of improved protection of drinking water resources by applying integrated land-use management. Croatian drinking water resources, considered to be of good quality and quantity, are coming under increased pressure due to land use, climate changes and certain deficiencies in management. This is particularly relevant for Dalmatia – coastal region with Mediterranean climate, where prolonged droughts are common during dry and warm summer season. In response, two pilot areas were chosen: (i) Imotsko polje and (ii) part of South Dalmatia (Prud, Klokun and Mandina mlinica springs). Dalmatian pilot areas belong to Dinaric karst region, characterized by very complex hydrogeological features and forms, such as poljes (karst fields), springs, ponors (sinkholes), estavelles and preferential groundwater flow paths. In attempt to identify negative impacts of various types of land use as well as to improve understanding of hydrogeological and hydrological processes in pilot areas, in situ measurements of physio- chemical parameters and hydrochemical laboratory analyses will be conducted on spring and surface water. The main drivers in terms of negative effects on drinking water quality and quantity in pilot areas, as recognized through SWOT analysis, are intensive agricultural activity, high losses in water supply system, illegal waste dumps, outdated sewage system with high leakage, inadequate wastewater collection and treatment systems, occasional flooding of poljes and unfavorable climate change scenarios which predict reduction of discharge from 2021-2050. With main gaps and conflicts between land use and water management being recognized, best management practices for drinking water protection are derived in order to achieve function-oriented land use-based spatial management at the operational level. Proposed best management practices include improvement of groundwater monitoring systems, non-structural flood mitigation measures, innovative solutions of sustainable waste management, natural wastewater treatment systems, climate change adaptation and establishment of sustainable drinking water protection zones.

drinking water, hydrogeology, land use, measures, sustainable management, PROLINE-CE

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