The master's thesis addresses the conceptual design of sustainable water management in the settlement of Krkavče. The area is karstic, with intensive agricultural use, and faces water scarcity. Climate change and prolonged drought periods in recent years have increased water demand while reducing availability, leading to occasional consumption restrictions from the public water supply. The goal is to increase local water self-sufficiency. Based on legislation, geographic, demographic, and geological characteristics, two variants were prepared. Both are based on a separate sewerage system ending at a wastewater treatment plant. Treated wastewater and stormwater are first collected in a reservoir located at the lowest point of the system, then pumped via a pressure pipeline to an upper reservoir at the highest point of the settlement. From the upper reservoir, a gravity-fed drip irrigation system is supplied. In Variant A, only stormwater is used for irrigation, while municipal wastewater is discharged into a nearby watercourse after tertiary treatment. In Variant B, both stormwater and municipal wastewater are used for irrigation, with the municipal wastewater treated in a membrane bioreactor (MBR) to a level compliant with agricultural reuse standards. The upper reservoir is an existing pond registered as a Local Natural Value, so environmental protection constraints and technical solutions with minimal impact are considered. By comparing the two variants, the optimal solution was identified as the one that increases water selfsufficiency, reduces dependence on the public water supply, and improves resilience during drought periods. The available irrigation water volume ensures reliable supply for 8 hectares of olive groves even under the most severe drought scenario. The investment estimate is approximately €2.8 million including VAT. The proposed concept of water reuse for irrigation is transferable to similar karst agricultural areas.
|
