Supervisors info:
Ευθύμιος Λέκκας, Καθηγητής Τμήματος Γεωλογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Στυλιανός Λόζιος, Επικ. Καθηγητής Τμήματος Γεωλογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Νικόλαος Βούλγαρης, Καθηγητής Τμήματος Γεωλογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
The management and protection of water resources in Greece is subject to many improvements in order to reach the European standards and best available practices. Although the European Union has issued Directives defining the required management framework, even before 2000, its incorporation in the Greek legislation has not been fully achieved to date.
The first chapter is an overview of this thesis. Hence, basic information are presented about water, such as its existence in the environment, the water footprint concept, a brief reference on water needs and requirements, the value of water as a natural resource, social and economic approaches and of course the need to evaluate its cost.
Chapters two and three, present the basic and most important European and National legislation on water management and protection of water resources. A brief description of the river basin features which directly or indirectly affect water resources, are noted. Special reference is made on the recent Joint Ministerial Decisions, which define water usage & rights, hydrographic recordings, drilling legitimacy, licensing procedures as well as costing and pricing of water services. Consequently, a comparative view of the legislative framework is attempted, and ends with the established uses of water in Greece.
Chapters 4 and 5 refer to the Hellenic Armed Forces (AFs). AFs, as a national defense and external security body, among other things, are developing actions to protect the environment and rationalize energy and natural resources management, including water. In particular, these chapters refer to AFs environmental awareness and to a recent survey carried out through a specific questionnaire answered by military personnel. Following this action, a new Research is proposed based on a Questionnaire that is developed to focus on AFs water management practices. In addition, information is given regarding AFs programs on environmental awareness for army camps (such as Smart Blue Camp). Finally, it is proposed that environmental investigation should be carried out on Military camps, especially when they are given to local communities for usage, cultural and recreation purposes. This issue is overlooked and therefore there is no knowledge on the environmental conditions that exist in these areas. A general guideline of the required investigation actions is presented taking as an example the Camp "Pavlos Melas" in Thessaloniki.
This thesis is completed in Chapter 6 with the presentation of findings and conclusions.
