UIS Commission on Karst Hydrogeology and Speleogenesis

The Croatian National Chapter of the International Association of Hydrogeologists is honoured to host the 44th Annual Congress “Groundwater Heritage and Sustainability” in the Dubrovnik Palace hotel, Dubrovnik, Croatia, from 25th to 29th September 2017.

The city of Dubrovnik is the jewel of Croatian tourism, occupying a spectacular location on the eastern Adriatic coast. The city was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979.

The presence of the fresh water has been one of the key influences on the location of settlements throughout the history of mankind. The utilization of groundwater sources is therefore as old as human settlement and has become the part of our cultural heritage – a natural heritage which must be preserved. Due to significant industrial, agricultural, mining and touristic activities in the past century, together with the effects of climate change, the sustainability of groundwater use is now in the spotlight of hydrogeological research. Both the quality and quantity of groundwater sources are at risk of deterioration, and it is our task to reconcile meeting the water demands of contemporary settlements and economies with the need for conservation of this natural and cultural heritage in different environments around the globe.

The community of Croatian hydrogeologists would like to invite colleagues who deal with groundwater issues from different aspects to join this congress and share their ideas, experiences and knowledge. We extend our welcome to fellow scientists, engineers, other professionals, policy makers, government officials, as well as to students interested in groundwater.

Tamara Marković
President of the Croatian IAH Chapter

More details in Meeting Calendar