1. Fresh waters of Europe

2. Origin and formation of waters The hydrosphere originates from the bowels of the earth through the volcanic gorges. It is close related to the processes in the atmosphere.

3. Types of fresh waters in Europe Surface waters riverslakes Ground waters artesian karsts mineral

4. Ground waters ● Artesian - waters between two waterproof layers ● Mineral- water naturally impregnated with mineral salts or gasses ● Karsts – underground waters reach of CaCO³

5. Rivers

6. Europe’s three largest rivers, the Volga (1), the Danube (2) and the Dnepr (3), drain one quarter of the continent. However, they are relatively small by world standards; their catchments ranking 14th, 29th and 48th, respectively.

7. Natural lakes

8. Types of lakes in Europe according their origin endogen tectonicvolcanic Albano exogenic coastaloxbowglacialkarsts

9. Lakes in Europe

10. Lakes and resevoirs in Europe

11. Reservoirs and dams / human-made lakes/ Dam “Ogosta”-Montana, Bulgaria

12. Reservoirs and dams

13. Water abstraction

14. Water use by sectors

16. First main problem Water scarcity and drought Measures: ● The use of economic instruments, such as water pricing and metering ● Water-reuse and recycling ● Increased efficiency of domestic, agricultural and industrial water use ● Water saving campaigns supported by public education programmes

17. Second main problem Floods During the last five years in Europe - 100 major damaging floods Since 2000, floods in Europe have caused: ● at least 700 deaths, ● the displacement of about half a million people ● at least 25 billion € in insured economic losses.

18. Third main problem Pollution

19. Prevention Strategies ● The Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) ● The Nitrates Directive ● The Bathing Waters Directive (76/160/EEC & 2006/7/EC) ● The Water Framework Directive (WFD; 2000/60/EC).