Download protection of groundwater quality and quantity from the viewpoint of

PROTECTION OF GROUNDWATER
QUALITY AND QUANTITY FROM THE VIEWPOINT
OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN AUSTRIA
Andreas Scheidleder (Umweltbundesamt)
WATER RESOURCES IN AUSTRIA
Land use
Precipitation
Annual average: 1100 mm
mm/a
< 500
- 600
- 700
Topography
- 850
- 1000 - 1250 - 1500 - 1750 - 2000 - 2500 - 3500
Nitrate in Groundwater
GROUNDWATER QUALITY MONITORING NETWORK
138 Groundwater bodies (9 deep)
~ 2000 monitoring sites (chemistry)
~ 3400 monitoring sites (quantity)
GROUNDWATER STATUS - DRAFT RBMP 2015
In total 138 Groundwater Bodies in Austria
• 4 GWBs of Poor Chemical Status
– 4 GWBs due to Nitrates
– 1 GWB due to Desethyl-Desisopropylatrazin
= ~1,570 km² of 96,000 km²
• All GWBs are of Good Quanitative Status
IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE
ON WATER MANAGEMENT IN AUSTRIA
• High awareness of impacts of CC on several aspects of
Austrian water management due to comprehensive
scientific studies, e.g.
• Effects of Climate Change to the Water Management in Austria (2007)
• Adaptation Strategies on Climate Change for Water Management in Austria
(2011)
• KlimTour - Effects of Climate Change on the Tyrolean Tourism (2011)
• Alp Water Scarce (2008-2011)
CHANGES OF GROUNDWATER TEMPERATURE
• Analysis of 1170 groundwater sampling sites (1997-2009).
• More than 50% of the groundwater bodies showed a significant
increase of approximately +0.7°C.
• Good correlation with air temperature.
CHANGES EXPECTED UNTIL 2050
WATER TEMPERATURE
+1°C air temperature (more increase in summer, less in winter)
+0,8°C water temperature,
Temperature increase already registered in groundwater
PRECIPITATION
• Prognosis on changes of precipitation are contradictory (Alps are transition
area)
• Less in summer, more in winter. Increase of extremes. Less snow.
• Local scale deviations from overall tendencies expected.
CHANGES EXPECTED UNTIL 2050
GROUNDWATER QUANTITY
• S and E of Austria: decrease of groundwater renewal rate
(due to decreasing winter precipitation)
decrease of GW levels possible.
• N and W of Austria: increase of groundwater renewal rate
increased GW levels possible (water in basements)
WATER DEMAND
• Due to abundance of available water, no deficits for covering water supply expected.
GROUNDWATER QUALITY
• Chemical and biological processes near surface will speed up changes in chemical
composition.
• Nevertheless: anthopogenic pressures are more singificant and relevant than climate
change effects.
LEGAL REGULATIONS
Defined in the Austrian Water Act or via Ordinances (e.g. Austrian
Ordinance on Groundwater Quality Targets - BGBl. II Nr. 98/2010)
•
Aim that groundwater has drinking water quality.
•
Groundwater threshold values for 27 chemical parameters.
•
Trend and Trend Reversal Assessment.
•
Prevent or limit inputs of pollutants into groundwater. (Permits and conditions)
•
Legislative framework for measures to be implemented.
•
Requirement that GW quantity needs to be in a balance.
•
Licensing, permitting (consensus) of water abstractions.
PLANNING INSTRUMENTS / STRATEGIES IN
AUSTRIA
WFD Draft 2nd River Basin Management Plan 2015
• Separate chapter devoted to climate change
Austrian Strategy for Adaption to Climate Change 2012
• Suggested actions for 14 sectors including water management and natural
hazards
Climate Change Adaptation Stratgegie of the ICPDR 2013
• Consideration of CIS Guidance Document No 24 on River Basin
Management in a Changing Climate
MEASURES
Improvement of data availability
Continuation of Groundwater Monitoring and – if needed adaptation of the national monitoring programme
(sites and frequency).
National inventory of GW abstractions under development.
More detailed data on small scale recharge areas needed.
Risk analysis
Climate change is part of RBMP
Awareness raising
MEASURES
Measures to improve groundwater chemical status
Consequent implementation of the Nitrate Action Programme in the
whole country (Revision expected in 2015).
Further promotion of agro-environmental programme to further
reduce the nitrogen balance.
Increase of manure storage capacities and regional manure
management.
Measures to maintain groundwater quantitative status
Continuation of licensing system (under Water Act) and control.
If needed, adaption of authorisations.
Increased collection of data.
PROTECTION OF GROUNDWATER
QUALITY AND QUANTITY FROM THE VIEWPOINT
OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN AUSTRIA
[email protected]