Abandoned water resources as potential sources of drinking water – the Korentan karst spring near Postojna

Abstract

In the area of the Orehek karst intrinsic vulnerability maps of groundwater and the Korentan karst spring, hazard maps and risk to contamination map have been made using Slovene Approach. For this purpose cartographic and other published data on geological, geomorphological, pedological, hydrological and meteorological characteristics have been gathered and extensive field inventory of the missing geomorphological and pedological characteristics has been made. Publically available land use and census data have been examined and checked in the field, manure heaps and illegal waste dumps have been mapped. The final thematic maps are excellent tools for national and local authorities when planning water protection and land use. The presented study in the catchment of an actual water source is an example of good practice of the revival of the in the past abandoned water sources that can in the future serve as a substitution water source in case of main water source overexploitation or contamination.

Keywords

• drinking water
• karst spring
• vulnerability assessment
• risk to contamination assessment
• hazard mapping
• water protection
• water management