The WATER BALANCE expresses the water flow within a system through the analytical evaluation of individual parameters that contribute to its definition. Thanks to water balances it is possible to assess at global and local level the availability of water resources and plan their appropriate management.

Main applications

Assessment of the intrinsic and integrated vulnerability of water resources to pollution; assessment of the rational and correct use of water resources; temporal monitoring of quali-quantitative changes and early warnings in case of pollution.

The size of the geographical area within which such analysis should be carried out is mainly the catchment area. The time dimension is the average Hydrological Year (minimum 10 years, optimal 30 years), so that the amplitude of the several parameters which are considered can be comparable and that decisions for planning and forecasting can be taken on statistical basis. Evaluations begin with the investigation of rainfall, temperature, water level of rivers and land use.