Estimating potential for exploitation of karst aquifer: case example on two Serbian karst aquifer

Rational use of karst water resources depends considerably on the existence of a successful approach to estimating karst groundwater potential for exploitation. The term groundwater potential for exploitation involves the application of regulatory measures affecting natural outflow regime. Generally, the concept of controlling the artificial discharge regime is based on two principles. The first one, the “borrowing” of water from deeper (storage) part of storage, is based mainly on the construction of groundwater wells. The second one, considers increasing dynamic reserves by providing additional artificial water storage thereby controlling the groundwater discharge regime, is based on the construction of underground dams. This paper examines how these two concepts can be used to increase potential groundwater usage from two karst springs in Serbia—St. Petka and Perućac. The ability to potentially increase the amount of karst ground water available for future exploitation may facilitate and give important directions to the future research.