ZASOBY DYSPOZYCYJNE WÓD PODZIEMNYCH DORZECZY W POLSCE W ŚWIETLE ZRÓWNOWAŻONEGO GOSPODAROWANIA WODAMI

Abstract

DISPOSABLE GROUNDWATER RESOURCES OF RIVER BASINS IN POLAND IN THE LIGHT OF SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT

Abstract. The term “groundwater resources” was introduced to hydrogeology from economic geology similarly to the resources of ore bodies almost a hundred years ago. It has been used for the need of physical planning, investment in new water intakes, and water management. Discussion on the groundwater resources started in the past after implementation of new methods of their evaluation, e.g. analytical approaches, and physical and then numerical modelling techniques. The ecological aspects of water demand, indicated in the Water Framework Directive, oblige the EU countries to introduce a new idea for the estimation of groundwater resources. This idea is also presented in the water management plans for river catchment areas. Distribution of available groundwater resources in the country and comparison with the groundwater exploitation is the background of proper, sustainable management of its resources. Available groundwater resources of the country, understood as a total amount of disposable and prospective groundwater resources, is 36.4 million m3/day (as of December 31, 2015), including 21.4 million m3/day of disposable resources, and 15 million m3/day of estimated prospective resources.