Hydrogeology in Bizkaia: A study case

Bizkaia does not have big reservoirs and water needed for the different uses comes from water transfers to a great extent. In fact, more than 90 % of the water used in this province that belongs to the Community of the Basque Country is transferred. Water in Greater Bilbao is basically supplied by the water transfers from River Zadorra (70-80 %) and from River Ordunte (20-30 %). In order to complete the water inventory in this region and improve the water supply system, the existence of groundwater resources has been studied. Due to the geomorphological features of the ground, this zone is not fit for groundwater storage and, as a result, if Bizkaia need a bigger volume of water, this should be transferred or, alternatively, desalination should be considered as a possibility, with all the consequences that this option implies.

Keywords:Groundwater; Hydrogeology; Aquifer; Water transfer; Natural spring