WSEAS Transactions on Environment and Development
Print ISSN: 1790-5079, E-ISSN: 2224-3496
Volume 16, 2020
Water Saving Potential in the RBD of Thessaly
Authors: , ,
Abstract: The prolonged issues regarding the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the water resources in the River Basin District of Thessaly (TRBD) have resulted in the environmental degradation and the reduction of the availability of water. Agriculture is the major water user, constituting up to 95% of total water demand. The pressures anticipated from the ongoing climate change are expected to cause further degradation, given the present status of the water resources. This research attempts to examine and quantify the water saving potential of TRBD, mainly for the agriculture sector, following the recommendations of the European legislation, the principles of sustainable development and environmental protection. Water saving tools are documented in several countries, including technical measures, such as drip irrigation systems and the modernization of the transfer networks, as well as deficit and scheduled irrigation practices and water reuse. These measures and practices are tested for their potential effect on water demand in TRBD, in addition to changing a portion of cotton cultivation areas to olive groves. To this end, the volume of irrigation demand is estimated at 2088×106 ??, while total water demand stands for 2204×106 ??. Afterwards the study proceeds to the evaluation of the water saving potential both independently and combined. The potential of water savings in TRBD is proven high, 14.3% of total water demand for technical measures, 10.7% if deficit irrigation is applied to specific crops, while it may reach 28.8% in case the measures are combined.
Search Articles
Pages: 226-236
DOI: 10.37394/232015.2020.16.23