Analysis of (un)sustainability of the current water: Supply strategy in Serbia

Abstract

Planned construction of more than 30 dams, lake-reservoirs and regional water-supply systems, are the basis of long-term water-supply strategy of the Republic of Serbia. The strategy was adopted in the 1970s and some experiences so far indicate the necessity of revision and rationalization, because of the following: - Quantity and effects of realized works are far lower than planned. The main reasons is the lack of finance as well as some systemic weaknesses shown in the processes of construction and management of the water systems. - Forecasted demographic growth as well as water consumption rates, dating back to 1970s-80s, are significantly oversized. -Global and domestic experiences in the field of construction and management of artificial lake- reservoirs indicate numerous techno-economic and environmental risks and negative consequences. - So far results of hydrogeological researches and groundwater capturing in Serbia show that this resource is a very good basis for municipal water-supply in the most part of the territory. - Water pipe lines are, on average, in very poor condition. Water supply deficits are recorded frequently because of enormous losses in distribution. The rationalization means an approach suited to the real water-supply need as well as to the financial and organizational capabilities. Orientation to the available groundwater resources is the basic guideline. One of the priorities is repairing of water pipe networks. This approach allows: - Much faster solving of water-supply problems - Big financial savings in the construction of dams, reservoirs, regional pipelines, raw water treatment plants as well as in the space adaptation and maintenance of regional water-supply systems.

Keywords

• water-supply
• lake-reservoirs
• ground waters
• rationalization