Alpine Karst Waters in Slovenia

Author

Metka Petrič, Karst Research Institute ZRC SAZU, SloveniaFollow

Files

Publication Date

2004

Publication Title

Alpine Karst Waters in Slovenia

Volume Number

33

Issue Number

1

Abstract

Some basic characteristics of the alpine karst waters in Slovenia are presented. By the method of hydrological balance it was estimated that their groundwater reserves can supply a spring with an average discharge 115 m3/s. According to the comparison between the extent of the alpine karst and the EIONET-SI data base on springs it was stated, that for approximately 1200 alpine karst springs the total capacity (not the average discharge, but the amount of water that can be captured at low waters) is around 15 m3/s. At present only some 25% of these reserves is exploited for the water supply of around 240.000 inhabitants. Due to high vulnerability and different human impacts the quality of these water resources is endangered. Therefore it is necessary to protect them with adequate measures planned on the basis of accurate hydrogeological data. Present level of protection is unsatisfactory, as the water protection decree was accepted only for one quarter of captured springs. Additionally, the expert basis for such decree was prepared for a little less than one fifth of captured springs.

Keywords

Alpine karst, Springs, Water supply, Vulnerability, Water quality, Protection

Geographic Subject

Slovenia

Document Type

Article

Language

English and Slovenian

Identifier

K26-00149

Recommended Citation

Petrič, Metka, "Alpine Karst Waters in Slovenia" (2004). KIP Articles. 39.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/kip_articles/39