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Assessment of Water Management Measures Through SWOT Analysis: The Case of Crete Island, Greece
Assessment of Water Management Measures Through SWOT Analysis: The Case of Crete Island, Greece
Abstract: - The “Management Plan for the River Basin Districts of Crete, Greece” is a successful plan that
fulfils the contractual responsibilities of the country to the European Union. However, the plan does not include
an overall assessment and prioritization of the Programme of Measures (PoM) which is a prerequisite for the
rational use of available resources. During this work, Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats
(SWOT) analysis was applied as a decision-making tool in order to assess each measure. Reduction of
irrigation water, control of fertilizers, exploitation of saline karstic springs, wastewater recycling, and
construction of small dams are some of measures suggested.
Key-Words: river basin, aquifer, SWOT analysis, water resources, water policy, groundwater
solving problems related with water resource (about 360 Mm3/y), while only 47% (1200 km2)
management which often involve of agricultural land is irrigated [9].
interdisciplinary issues that are difficult to
quantify [7]. In a similar manner, during this In order to develop a comprehensive
study SWOT analysis was applied to evaluate methodology of setting priorities for a selected
each measure included in PoMs. This method set of measures for a certain water body an
was selected because it has the capacity to assessment of the program of measures for four
incorporate not only the present conditions representative basins of Crete took place a)
(through strengths and weaknesses) but also the Geropotamos Basin – most important
future conditions (through opportunities and agricultural basin in Crete with signs for
threats) which is very important for Greece desertification, b) Giofyros Basin – includes
which is undergoing rapid changes especially in urban section with major flooding problems, c)
terms of economic development. Ierapetra Basin – agricultural basin with many
greenhouses and inadequate water supplies, and
Crete is the fifth largest island of the d) Keritis Basin – with major karstic spring
Mediterranean and the first and most populated resources where the Program of measure of
island of Greece (Figure 1). Due to the isolation spring water source protection was evaluated.
from mainland Europe, Asia, and Africa the
fauna and flora of the island have many clues to The methodology applied in this study was
the evolution of species. The Island is presented schematically in Figure 2. Initially,
characterized by a dry semi-humid pressures in Basins were identified and
Mediterranean climate with dry and warm appropriate measures from PoM were selected
summers and humid and relatively cold winters for each Basin. SWOT analysis were conducted
where mean annual rainfall decreases from west for each measure and the results were presented
to east and from north to south, but increases and discussed with users, water managers,
with altitude [8] planners and policy makers. Final SWOT
analysis was revised according to their
suggestions.
mountains and lowlands). On the other hand, Government “Innovative solutions to climate
water status in Crete is in general good (with change adaptation and governance in the water
small exceptions). management of the Region of Crete –
AQUAMAN”.
Table 2. Summary of SWOT analysis regarding the
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4 Conclusion assist identification of the critical factors for the
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During this study, a SWOT analysis was
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described in Water Management Plan of the [8] A. Malagò, D. Efstathiou, F. Bouraoui, N.P.
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springs, wastewater recycling, and construction Spatiotemporal characteristics of
of small dams are some of measures suggested. meteorological drought for the Island of Crete.
Journal of Hydrometeorology, 12, 2011, 206–
Acknowledgments: This work has been co- 226
funded by EEA Grants 2014-2020 and Greek