Local groundwater supply systems for remote settlements, current state and prospects for utilization: case studies from Serbia

Water supply for remote rural settlements is a big issue in the Republic of Serbia. Most local supply systems are developed and maintained by the local community and are in a poor condition. Based on a national strategy, this issue should be resolved with the construction of regional systems using artificial reservoirs. In this paper, case studies from three areas in Serbia are shown in order to offer the alternative to regional water supply with the development of autonomous groundwater supply systems in remote settlements, especially in cases when water supply from surface water inevitably leads to the deterioration in quality and quantity of resources. The research conducted included monitoring of regime parameters and conducting multiple chemical analyses in order to determine the stability of resources, both in the qualitative and quantitative sense, as well as other important factors for development of supply systems. It can be concluded that, if properly and continuously monitored and developed by public waterworks companies, those autonomous groundwater systems would be able to provide the required amount of quality resources for the water supply of remote settlements where necessary.