This Strategy sets the overall fundamentals of sustainable water resources use and development, for which the Republic of Croatia has already as policy objectives in general. Basic concepts and general aims of the above mentioned fundamentals are based on the following principles: rational management of natural resources; preservation of ecological systems that serves the overall quality of life of present and future generations with the aim of preservation of biodiversity; elimination of inequalities that jeopardize social cohesion, justice and security; achievement of the expected economic growth; integration in the global society, while retaining Croatia's own identity. The text is divided into five main sections as follows: Introduction (1); Water status (2); Water management status (3); Goals and definitions (4); Implementation (5). Main topics and subjects covered in these sections are: water and water management; social and economic environment; statistics, water maps, lists of basins (rivers, lakes, springs) and additional water consumption statistics; natural environmental and landscape features in relation and interaction with water management and monitoring; surface and groundwater resources and quality issues; historical review; legal, institutional and international framework; planned documents; water management information; several financial issues and rules; water charges; European Union funding; water supply and protection against the harmful effects of water (flood protection, protection from erosion, melioration drainage); electricity generation and irrigation; freshwater fish farming; geothermal and mineral waters; other commercial use of water resources; sources of pollution, including provisions on rural areas in water management and in pollution control deriving from such areas; systems for the protection of water from accidental water pollution sources; protected areas; health and public health, potable water; ownership; irrational water consumption; goals; professional and operational framework for water management; systematic monitoring and control over the implementation of measures; technical skills in water related activities; public water supply, drainage and treatment of municipal waste waters; other sectoral national strategic projects; pollution protection of coastal waters; issues on “Adriatic project"; national irrigation and farming projects (denominated NAPNAV); and multipurpose channel on rivers Dunav and Sava. The realization of these development principles requires the active involvement of the water sector, taking into account the following starting points: water is a fundamental natural resource; water is a basic living substance and a prerequisite for maintaining all ecosystems; drinking water is a living food and a civilization needs it for life of individuals and functioning of social communities; water is a raw material and a factor of production in many economic activities; since water is an object of intensified concern for all relevant European and world institutions, a proper relation to water and water environment is a prerequisite for inclusion in the desired international integrations. The priority task of water management is to draw up planning documents at all levels of water management and monitoring, including for those that originate from the process of rapprochement with the European Union. It takes into account the underlying attitudes and policies of the development of the Republic of Croatia. This text declares that water is a general good that has a special protection of the Republic of Croatia and they cannot be effectively owned by someone; water shall be exploited as provided by Laws in force; the total quantity of water resources available to the Republic should be rationally and sustainably managed; the total water needs and the established water regime should be uniform and fair in order to satisfy the entire state territory; criteria and priorities in water management should be established at the national level starting from the obligations of the full protection of the environment and the achievement of general, economic and sustainable development goals. The reduction of the release of hazardous substances from agricultural production, pesticides and nitrates is also listed as best agricultural practice.
Croatia · 2009-03-01