Naslov
Sustainable Use of Water in Croatia

Autori
Gereš, Dragutin

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u zbornicima skupova, cjeloviti rad (in extenso), znanstveni

Izvornik
Dubrovnik Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems / Duić, Neven - Zagreb : Energetika marketing, 2002, 50-60

Skup
Dubrovnik Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems (2002)

Mjesto i datum
Dubrovnik, Hrvatska, 02.06.2002. - 07.06.2002

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
water use; driving forces; pressures; impacts; responses; sustainability; Croatia

Sažetak
The paper analyses the present of water use in Croatia. The security of water supply is satisfactory. Croatia's surface comprises of 56,538 km2. In 1996 the population equall es 4,784,000, with the density of 84.6 persons/km2. The quantity of combined renewable endogenic and exogenic water resources in Croatia amounts to 169,000 x 10 6 m3/year, or 35,300 m3 per person annually. The problem analysis of sustaiable water use is based on the application of the European Environment Agency (EEA) framework for environment assessment: driving forces, pressures, states, impacts and responses. Driving forces affect the hydrologic cycle, which also results in water resources pressures, such as water abstraction, etc. Climatic changes have been analysed as well. The status of water resources is evaluated both in relation to quantity and quality. The basic source for water use in Croatia is surface water, which equals approximately 75 % of the total abstracted water quantities for all purposes, followed by groundwater with appr. 25 % and marginal quantities of desalinized and recycled water. In Croatia, 38 % of water is used for urban purposes, 60 % in industry and energetics, and 2 % in agriculture. The quantity of water used for electrical power production is not included in these indicators, for which purpose Croatia uses 33.5 x 10 6 m3 of water per year. The prediction of climatic changes warn of a rise in air temperature from 1 to 3.5 oC and a reduction in precipitation of appr. 10 %. Freshwater resources in Croatia vary significantly, from 650 mm in eastern parts of the country to 1,500 mm or higher in certain parts. Croatia possesses sufficient resources to meet the country's needs. The purpose of this paper is to supplement the data for future research and decision-making in relation to sustainable water use. The problem of excessive use of water resources is extremely complex, not only from hydrological viewpoint, but also with regard to socio-economic and political condition. The solution must be environmentally acceptable and socially feasible.The major findings of the paper indicate that water is a key to development and quality of life in Croatia. Water security in Croatia is on good level.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

POVEZANOST RADA