Sustainable Management of Alpine Water Potentials

Abstract : In Europe the need for high-quality freshwater has been increasing by a factor often since the beginning of the 20th century. Due to their geographic position and topographic feature the Alps are a major freshwater collector and hydrological storage system. Thus the Alps provide considerable amounts of various water resources feeding fundamental needs for human and natural life in the alpine region, but evenly in adjacent areas. The reliable availability and high quality of alpine freshwater resources are of growing concern to the European Community. Some of these concerns to be mentioned are the production of electricity by hydropower plants, an ever increasing demand of drinking, irrigation and industrial water as well as the use for providing tourist infrastructures, in particular for generating artificial snow. All these activities impose an enormous strain for the irritable ecological systems of the Alps. Thus, water is often regarded as a commodity for agricultural and industrial production or for trade. Social, ecological and vital implications in the different alpine eco-spheres are not considered. Therefore new strategies for a sustainable management of water resources are required in the Alps. Additionally a relocation of management and control of access and use of the alpine water resources into external alpine areas has taken place within the last years. The use of hydropower and privatization and liberalization of the European water sector are some examples among others. This leads to a decreasing self-determination of the alpine area, i.e. of its political entities. Prerequisites for a responsible utilization of alpine water resources comprise the direct participation of stakeholders as decision takers. Environmentally benign and innovative water management and water marketing solutions offering adequate economic perspectives have to be developed. These solutions may serve as model for water management systems not only in the Alps but also in regions where access to freshwater is not guaranteed and therefore vital.