Changes in spring areas following sudden major disturbances
This article compares the condition of selected spring areas following sudden major disturbances with their previous condition, while also assessing long-term changes in drained and undrained spring areas. The impacts examined include major changes in groundwater abstraction for drinking-water supply, disturbances resulting from failures of drainage systems, and the effects of a large-scale forest fire. Three areas with contrasting hydrogeological characteristics were selected for the study. The results show that, while the abstraction of spring water for drinking-water supply has a fundamental effect on the very existence of springs, the large-scale forest fire did not significantly affect either the quality or quantity of groundwater. By contrast, gradual changes in agricultural management and the natural recovery of non-functioning drainage systems lead to the formation of secondary spring areas and a gradual improvement in the quality of the emerging water.