Register of private water wells and boreholes

The research includes wells and boreholes in water protection zones near the pumping stations of drinking water in the area of Ljubljansko polje, consequently in the City municipality of Ljubljana and in the water protection zone of the water plant Brest in the neighbouring municipality of Ig. The area of Ljubljansko barje was also included in the study. Boreholes and water wells, which are not registered and therefore not controlled, are centres of potential groundwater pollution. All water captures in the researched areas were noted for the needs of an integrated control.

Types of private water wells in water protection areas. (figure in high resolution)

With detailed field work we were able to register 1686 water objects. 1294 were registered in detail, all other 392 rammed-in wells are located in the allotment settlement south of Črnuče, on the left bank of the river Sava.

The age of private water wells in water protection areas. (figure in high resolution)

48,9 % of all objects are rammed-in 46,0 % are dug out and 2,0 % are drilled out. 70% of all in detail studied objects are located in the gardens or in the courtyards beside the residential property, more than 10% are located within gardening-allotments and a few percent are located between arable areas. Around 3/5 of water objects are currently used. The predominant ones are those, in which water never runs out. In the past, water was mostly used for meeting the primary needs of humans and animals, but in modern times it is mostly used for the irrigation of arable land.

The location of water wells near dung installations and stalls is the most problematic. In some individual cases direct pollution of groundwater, caused by effluents of waste water into water wells, was ascertained. The public is becoming more aware of the importance of quality water in water wells.

The preservation and activity of private water wells in water protection areas. (figure in high resolution)

Each out of the 1294 carefully studied water objects is shown on a single sheet of paper in the supplement. An interactive visual of all noted results is also enabled.

Allotment gardeners are one of the main users of water from wells.

The oldest dug-out water wells are still used in traditional agricultural areas.

Some dug-out water wells don’t have their primary role anymore.

Monography Pumping stations of drinkable water on Ljubljansko polje