Protection of Water Resources

Abstract

The main objective of water protection in the Czech Republic, in accordance with EU requirements, is to improve the state of water resources, aquatic ecosystems, promote sustainable water use and mitigate the adverse effects of floods and droughts. For the security of drinking water supply, preference is given to underground sources. More and more, however, they are replaced by surface resources and, for this purpose, water basins are being built. There is a similar trend in the Czech Republic. Also, there are a number of water reservoirs and surface water are also taken from watercourses or from multi-purpose reservoirs. According to the current Water Act, water resources can be defined as surface water or groundwater that are used or may be used to satisfy human needs, especially for drinking purposes. In terms of soil, geological and geomorphological conditions, the Czech Republic is very fragmented and belongs to areas where there are no large streams. On the contrary, it is a territory with many springs. The Czech Republic is called the ‘roof of Europe’, and also there are three major European catchment boundaries situated here. For this reason, it is very important to protect the quality and quantity of drinking water supply for people living in the Czech Republic, but also anthropogenic pollution of water spreading to neighbouring countries must be prevented.