From floods to droughts - adaptation strategy in water management in the Czech Republic

Transcription

1 From floods to droughts - adaptation strategy in water management in the Czech Republic T.G.Masaryk Water Research Institute, p.r.i. Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic May 11, 2010 Magdalena Mrkvičková Water and Climate Change - How to develop an adaptation strategy in transboundary river basins, Geneva

2 Floods Droughts Activities of adaptation strategy Lessons learned from flood events devastating flood in 1997 an impulse for action after almost 60 years of "normal" hydrological conditions Flood Forecasting and Warning System, Strategy for Flood Protection embedded in Water Act 254/2001 flood protection policy applied during floods in 2002 Conclusion

3 Floods Droughts Activities of adaptation strategy Conclusion Lessons learned from flood events devastating flood in 1997 an impulse for action after almost 60 years of "normal" hydrological conditions Flood Forecasting and Warning System, Strategy for Flood Protection embedded in Water Act 254/2001 flood protection policy applied during floods in 2002 Flash floods in spring victims - still learning through experience

4 Limited renewable water resources Average anual water balance of grass [mm] < < Source: Kohout et.al., 2008 Without any large river flowing into the country, annual precipitation between mm renewable water resources are limited.

5 Are we prepared for prolonged droughts? Source:UNEP In comparison with south and west European countries heat wave in 2003 had marginal impact on the Czech Rep. Drought in 2003 as a warning for central European countries No policy for dealing with prolonged drought events in the Czech Rep.

6 Results of climate change impacts assessment Average annual amount of precipitation remains the same or slightly increase (5-10%), increasing temperature increasing evapotranspiration Lower groundwater recharge groundwater sources more vulnerable especially in low precipitation areas Source: TGM WRI Decreasing rates of average annual run-off Relative change in runoff HIRHAM B2 (2085)

7 Floods Droughts Activities of adaptation strategy Conclusion Low precipitation areas - most vulnerable to increase in air temperature Observed decrease in base flow in low precipitation areas Public water supply already under pressure because of higher ability to detect dangerous substances in raw water, restrictions or closures of some water resources, in some cases conflicts of interests between environmental protection and public water supply

8 Activities in the process of adaptation strategy development Water management policy in conditions of water scarcity and prolonged drought Regional hydrogeological study of groundwater resources Guidelines for adaptation measures proposal General Plan for Surface Water Accumulation

9 Activities in the process of adaptation strategy development Water management policy in conditions of water scarcity and prolonged drought Regional hydrogeological study of groundwater resources Guidelines for adaptation measures proposal General Plan for Surface Water Accumulation

10 General Plan for Surface Water Accumulation A list of areas with suitable morphological, hydrological and geological conditions for possible surface water storage 205 localities with limits in land use in former planning documentation (1988) after discussion among group of experts 69 localities were chosen for ongoing protection decision made according to the results of climate change impact modelling low conflicts of interests with environmental protection

11 Activities in the national adaptation strategy development Water management policy in conditions of water scarcity and prolonged drought Regional hydrogeological study of groundwater resources Guidelines for adaptation measures proposal General Plan for Surface Water Accumulation

12 Guidelines for climate change impact assessment and adaptation measures proposal Research of adaptation measures to minimise climate change impacts on Czech Rep. - project founded by Ministry of Agriculture the aim - to define guidelines for adaptation measures proposal as a framework main principles of CIS Guidance No.24 (River Basin Management in Changing Climate) were applied Methodology of risk management, experience from several case studies of CC impacts assessment

13 Activities in the national adaptation strategy development Water management policy in conditions of water scarcity and prolonged drought Regional hydrogeological study of groundwater resources Guidelines for adaptation measures proposal General Plan for Surface Water Accumulation

14 Regional hydrogeological study of groundwater resources Project of the Czech Geological Survey supported by Ministry of the Environment (Cohesion Fund and European Regional Development Fund) The aim of the project to assess the total storage and available amount of groundwater in hydrogeological zones with high importance and provide information about vulnerability of the groundwater resources Such information is necessary for River Basin Management Plans preparation, for decision making of water authorities, for water balance estimation

15 Activities in the national adaptation strategy development Water management policy in conditions of water scarcity and prolonged drought Regional hydrogeological study of groundwater resources Guidelines for adaptation measures proposal General Plan for Surface Water Accumulation

16 Water management policy in conditions of water scarcity and prolonged drought The aim of the project - to work out a guidelines for drought management plan preparation. Project proposal submitted for funding. Expected results Drought status Normal Groundwater level in a piezometric well 60 % of probability of exceeding Measures applied Pre-alert 80% more frequent monitoring, awareness rising Alert 90% expert group setting up, water use bans Emergency base flow level restrictions in water supply, preparation for crisis management Crisis water management according to crisis legislation system of drought status indicators based on indicators for meteorological, agricultural and hydrological drought guidelines for indicator thresholds setting for different drought status in a specific water distribution system (with respect of actual groundwater level and surface water storage)

17 Water management policy under conditions of water scarcity and prolonged drought visualisation of actual drought status information on-line ( hierarchy of water supply restrictions applied during the drought event coordination of communication and responsibilities among institutions involved in water management (ministries, water boards, municipalities, water supply companies) - guidelines for DMP

18 Water management policy under conditions of water scarcity and prolonged drought visualisation of actual drought status information on-line ( hierarchy of water supply restrictions applied during the drought event coordination of communication and responsibilities among institutions involved in water management (ministries, water boards, municipalities, water supply companies) - guidelines for DMP last step - to embed drought management policy in a review of Water Act

19 Conclusion Flood protection in the Czech Republic is institutionally and legally covered. Registered water scarcity problems in drought prone areas motivated a shift in target of adaptation strategy development in Czech Republic from floods to droughts. Drought management policy embedded in Water act is a crucial win-win measure, that should be a part of national adaptation strategy.

20 Thank you for your attention

21 References European Commission (2009), River basin management in a changing climate - a Guidance Document, European Commission, DG Environment, Brussels, Belgium. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (2009), Guidance on Water and Adaptation to Climate Change, Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes, European Commission, New York and Geneva. Novický (2008), Research of adaptation measures for elimination of impacts of climate change in regions of the Czech Republic. Research report, T.G. Masaryk Water Research Institute, Prague, Czech Republic. [in Czech] Kašpárek, L. (2008), Possible measures for adapting to current climate change impacts on Rakovnicky potok river basin by improving storage capacity. Research report, T.G. Masaryk Water Research Institute, Prague, Czech Republic. [in Czech]

22 Drinking water production mil m Total drinking water production Water invoiced Water invoiced for household use Source: CSO