Chapter 10.3 - Case Study: Characterization, exploitation, and protection of the Malenščica karst spring, Slovenia

Abstract

The Malenščica karst spring is situated at the southern border of the Planina karst polje in southwestern Slovenia. At present, it is captured for the water supply of the municipalities of Postojna and Pivka, and it is one of the most important water resources in Slovenia. Its capacity, with a minimum discharge exceeding 1 m3/s, is more than sufficient for the present needs of the population within these two municipalities. Since the 1950s, the Malenščica spring has been included in different plans for local and regional water supply, but various doubts regarding its suitability have always been present. Due to the low position of the spring, water has to be pumped up 200 m into the water supply system. Furthermore, the water quality has been in the past and is at present increasingly endangered. Therefore, the Malenščica spring was first used by only a nearby village, but after the long droughts at the end of the 1960s and in the absence of better solutions, it was decided to capture it for the water supply of the broader Postojna region. At present, the main task is implementing suitable protection measures within this area. The basis for efficient protection is a clear understanding of the characteristics of water flow and the transport of substances within the karst water system, which has been achieved through various geological, geomorphological, speleological, and hydrogeological studies applying different research techniques.