Water Resources of Serbia and Its Utilization

Abstract

Serbia is landlocked country with territory of 88,361 km2 primarily draining through the Danube River/Black Sea Basin. The rivers Tisa, Sava and Velika Morava are three significant tributaries flowing into the Danube River on the territory of Serbia. The dominant natural conditions influencing water resources in the country include characteristics of moderately continental climate, with average monthly air temperature ranging from 0 °C in the winter to 23 °C in the summer, and average annual precipitation sum of 720 mm. The relief changes from mountaneous forms in the south, east and west, over hilly-mountaneous in the central part surrounding the Morava River valleys, to the plain in the north of the country. Geological structure of Serbia is distinctively complex, predominant automorphic soils quickly drain excess water, and forest land is present on one third of the territory with deciduous trees as prevailing forest type. Such natural conditions provide for the average river network density of 747 m/km2, a few natural lakes from the most famous Palic (5.6 km2) to a tiny karstic lake Vrmdža, and groundwater accumulation estimated to potentially utilizable 67 m3/s. The primary water resources utilization sectors in the country are water supply and hydro-power production. Water supply for population and industry is currently distributed from numerous local groundwater and surface water sources, together with 18 regional water supply systems. Hydropower provides for almost one third of the total electricity production in Serbia, with lead hydropower plant being Djerdap I on the Danube River. Irrigation in agriculture holds great, yet insufficiently utilized potential, because the soil and climatic conditions favour many cereals, industrial and fodder plants, fruits and vegetables. In this sector, with present water consumption of 1,600 m3/ha per year Serbia is behind its neighbouring countries. The same stands for water transport, present up to 5% in the total load transport in Serbia nowadays. However, the traffic of passengers and the number of cruise ships have been steadily increasing in the last two decades. Tourism, sports and recreation on rivers and lakes, together with spa tourism play an important role in the overall tourist offer of the country. Also, a promising sector in water utilization in Serbia is fish farming, which together with catch in fishing waters satisfy almost 1/2 of the domestic needs. The chapter describes legislation, regulatory and institutional framework for water utilization, and provides the detailed data and information about natural conditions, as well as the latest monitoring data on water resources quantity and quality significant for water utilization in Serbia. The data and information are mapped and many indicators crucial for understanding commercial, economic and other activities related to water utilization are presented.