Protection of groundwater resources: worldwide regulations and scientific approaches

The increasing role of groundwater in municipal water networks in many countries of the world makes the protection of groundwater resources an essential practice for safeguarding drinking water supplies. Several scientific-technical approaches are adopted worldwide to face this issue. In addition, some countries mainly depend on groundwater also for non-domestic use, making this topic even more critical. This chapter provides an overview of the main directives and their related technical aspects, concerning the protection zones of groundwater sources for human consumption. The main results of a multidisciplinary study are also presented, highlighting how the knowledge of physical and chemical aspects of groundwater bodies is a fundamental tool for protecting this vital resource and assuring its availability for the future generations.