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wiki:water_for_drinking_with_minor_or_no_treatments_in_the_alps [2018/07/11 11:06] euracwiki:water_for_drinking_with_minor_or_no_treatments_in_the_alps [2018/07/11 11:10] (current) eurac
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 {{:en:surface_water_for_drinking_flow.jpg?nolink&500x353}} {{:en:surface_water_for_drinking_flow.jpg?nolink&500x353}}
  
-[[http://www.alpes-webgis.eu/?X=1034392.00&Y=5825000.00&zoom=6&lang=it&focus=focus_alpes&bgLayer=alpes.osm.stamentoner.60002&layers_opacity=1,0.7&layers=alpes.alpinespace.40001.wms,alpes.essi.10043|WebGIS]]+[[http://www.alpes-webgis.eu/?X=1034392.00&Y=5825000.00&zoom=6&lang=it&focus=focus_alpes&bgLayer=alpes.osm.stamentoner.60002&layers_opacity=1,0.7&layers=alpes.alpinespace.40001.wms,alpes.essi.10023|View this map in the AlpES webGIS]]
  
 The flow indicator for the ES “Surface water for drinking with minor or no treatments” measures the total water utilization through the public water supply system at the point of delivery, i.e. taps and faucets. The Alps are a major provider of water for the whole Alpine Space, and the water quality of the Alpine springs is excellent. However, the rising number of residents in many cities in the Alpine Space is adding pressure on the drinking water resources. Furthermore, changes in precipitation (rain, snow and hail) and the concurrent melting of perennial glaciers due to climate change are threatening to alter the entire Alpine water cycle. The water supply and its water quality may be affected by such changes, potentially transforming the provision of drinking water into a long-term problem for the regions that depend primarily - or entirely - on Alpine water sources (EEA, 2010). In this indicator, drinking water usage is assumed to be proportional to the population numbers, comprising both residents and tourists. In fact, when looking at the flow indicator map, the main cities of the Alpine region are highlighted; Zurich and Munich in the north, Vienna in the east and Milan in the south are easy to spot. On the other hand, the mountainous areas where the population is sparse score far lower values of water use. High values of this indicator indicate a trend for elevated water consumption and potentially excessive water waste, and may become problematic in the future, putting a strain on the Alpine water sources. The flow indicator for the ES “Surface water for drinking with minor or no treatments” measures the total water utilization through the public water supply system at the point of delivery, i.e. taps and faucets. The Alps are a major provider of water for the whole Alpine Space, and the water quality of the Alpine springs is excellent. However, the rising number of residents in many cities in the Alpine Space is adding pressure on the drinking water resources. Furthermore, changes in precipitation (rain, snow and hail) and the concurrent melting of perennial glaciers due to climate change are threatening to alter the entire Alpine water cycle. The water supply and its water quality may be affected by such changes, potentially transforming the provision of drinking water into a long-term problem for the regions that depend primarily - or entirely - on Alpine water sources (EEA, 2010). In this indicator, drinking water usage is assumed to be proportional to the population numbers, comprising both residents and tourists. In fact, when looking at the flow indicator map, the main cities of the Alpine region are highlighted; Zurich and Munich in the north, Vienna in the east and Milan in the south are easy to spot. On the other hand, the mountainous areas where the population is sparse score far lower values of water use. High values of this indicator indicate a trend for elevated water consumption and potentially excessive water waste, and may become problematic in the future, putting a strain on the Alpine water sources.
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 {{:en:surface_water_for_drinking_demand.jpg?nolink&500x353}} {{:en:surface_water_for_drinking_demand.jpg?nolink&500x353}}
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 +[[http://View this map in the AlpES webGIS|View this map in the AlpES webGIS]]
  
 The demand indicator for the ES “Surface water for drinking with minor or no treatments” represents the total abstraction of freshwater per municipality on an annual timescale. It is the amount of water that is removed from springs, reservoirs, and other sources every year to be used in the public water system, whether or not this water is then withdrawn at a tap or faucet. Similar to the previous map, the water abstraction and usage are elevated where population densities are higher; the municipalities with the highest demand are metropolitan areas, cities and other settlements. Nonetheless, the two maps also present interesting differences: the demand is relatively higher than the flow in areas like the Po valley, especially in the permanently irrigated areas surrounding Milan (see the CLC12 layer in the WebGIS), and in popular tourist destinations and ski resorts. Therefore, this high quality water is likely being used for irrigation, snow cover at ski resorts and tourist consumption. High values of this indicator may become unsustainable if they exceed the available supply, especially because the aforementioned uses are likely to increase with climate change (FAO, 2016). The demand indicator for the ES “Surface water for drinking with minor or no treatments” represents the total abstraction of freshwater per municipality on an annual timescale. It is the amount of water that is removed from springs, reservoirs, and other sources every year to be used in the public water system, whether or not this water is then withdrawn at a tap or faucet. Similar to the previous map, the water abstraction and usage are elevated where population densities are higher; the municipalities with the highest demand are metropolitan areas, cities and other settlements. Nonetheless, the two maps also present interesting differences: the demand is relatively higher than the flow in areas like the Po valley, especially in the permanently irrigated areas surrounding Milan (see the CLC12 layer in the WebGIS), and in popular tourist destinations and ski resorts. Therefore, this high quality water is likely being used for irrigation, snow cover at ski resorts and tourist consumption. High values of this indicator may become unsustainable if they exceed the available supply, especially because the aforementioned uses are likely to increase with climate change (FAO, 2016).
  
  
wiki/water_for_drinking_with_minor_or_no_treatments_in_the_alps.1531299968.txt.gz · Last modified: 2018/07/11 11:06 by eurac