Conceptual Framework for Protecting Groundwater Quality

A conceptual framework is defined to establish safeguard zones in groundwater bodies intended for drinking water according to the requirements of the Water Framework Directive. For this, the foundations of a three-phase methodology within a dynamic process are proposed. The results of the first two phases are presented, which contemplate the distribution of groundwater body abstraction points as well as hydrogeological criteria, evaluation of pressures and aquifer vulnerability, in addition to the defined wellhead protection areas of abstraction points. As a final proposal, it will be necessary for competent authorities to create a recommendations and restrictions guideline, which should be integrated into the rest of the policies related to land-use planning in order to protect groundwater adequately.