Integral Management of Water Resources in Croatia: Step Towards Water Security and Safety for All

Abstract

The article investigates the number and the technical conditions of local water supply systems in Croatia. So far they have been poorly maintained, delivering water that is both microbiologically and chemically contaminated, to around 6% of Croatian population. Even when possible. users of local water supply systems prefer to stay outside bigger, communally controlled water supply systems, due to the pricing. Implementation of Water Safety Plans is recommended, as possible tool for improvement of the local water supply systems weather through merging with bigger systems, remaining as local units or preserving as an additional system in time of need. In addition these plans would help to classify the possible risks of each local water supply system and identify possible burden of disease as a consequence. That information could be point of arguing with local governments and communities. Better technical conditions of local water supply systems and sanitary acceptable water that is delivered are the starting point for the creation of alternative water sources network, essential for the crisis mitigation, by mapping preserved or those still in use.