Szkic zagadnień hydrogeologicznych Krakowa
Abstract
AN OUTLINE OF HYDROGEOLOGICAL PROBLEMS OF THE CRACOW REGION, SOUTH POLAND
Summary
Recent hydrogeological studies of the Cracow area follow three main directions: drilling (up to ca. 100 m) and gravimetric profiling conducted with the aim at estimating conditions for the construction of underground railway; rendering ground waters accessible for drinkable purposes; and the utilization of mineral waters.
In the past, hydrogeology has drawn public attention at the end of the 19th century, in connection with projects of waterworks construction. The eastern part of the city was hydrogeologically studied in the years of 1948-1949, in conjunction with the planned steelworks and its future water supply (Jurassic and Quaternary waters). Shallow subsurface waters of the low terrace of the Vistula river were investigated (1955 -1970) considering the damming up the river by the Dąbie stage (built in 1965), as well as the drilling of draining wells. As far as larger areas are concerned, hydrogeological conditions were being studied at the time of drilling of reserve wells, providing supply for individual industrial plants (1970-1980).
Subterranean waters have supplied the city for ages by shallow Quaternary and Jurassic wells, except for the period of existence of the medieval waterworks in 1350-1650 AD. The large present-day demand for water cannot be fulfilled by subterranean waters which, however, should be used for drinkable purposes. There are possibilities of obtaining high-quality, tasty water, up to 2.5-5.0 l per twenty-four hours per one inhabitant, from deeper reaching Jurassic wells and from waterbearing Bogucice sands, occurring north of Wieliczka (Fig. 1). The use of mineral, H2S - bearing sulphur waters and of not hitherto exploited brines, should also be encouraged.
Summary
Recent hydrogeological studies of the Cracow area follow three main directions: drilling (up to ca. 100 m) and gravimetric profiling conducted with the aim at estimating conditions for the construction of underground railway; rendering ground waters accessible for drinkable purposes; and the utilization of mineral waters.
In the past, hydrogeology has drawn public attention at the end of the 19th century, in connection with projects of waterworks construction. The eastern part of the city was hydrogeologically studied in the years of 1948-1949, in conjunction with the planned steelworks and its future water supply (Jurassic and Quaternary waters). Shallow subsurface waters of the low terrace of the Vistula river were investigated (1955 -1970) considering the damming up the river by the Dąbie stage (built in 1965), as well as the drilling of draining wells. As far as larger areas are concerned, hydrogeological conditions were being studied at the time of drilling of reserve wells, providing supply for individual industrial plants (1970-1980).
Subterranean waters have supplied the city for ages by shallow Quaternary and Jurassic wells, except for the period of existence of the medieval waterworks in 1350-1650 AD. The large present-day demand for water cannot be fulfilled by subterranean waters which, however, should be used for drinkable purposes. There are possibilities of obtaining high-quality, tasty water, up to 2.5-5.0 l per twenty-four hours per one inhabitant, from deeper reaching Jurassic wells and from waterbearing Bogucice sands, occurring north of Wieliczka (Fig. 1). The use of mineral, H2S - bearing sulphur waters and of not hitherto exploited brines, should also be encouraged.