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The protection of reservoirs and artificial lakes that serve as sources of drinking water or are of strategic importance for water and energy supply is a consolidated practice in the member states of the European Union.<\/p>\n
In all 27 EU member states there are reservoirs and artificial lakes that are subject to special environmental protection, sanitary or water resources management regimes. In these areas, national legislation provides for strict restrictions or bans on the construction of private facilities near the coasts, in order to preserve water quality, protect ecosystems and guarantee the safety of water infrastructure.<\/p>\n
Among the best-known examples are the Rappbode reservoir in Germany, the Mornos reservoir in Greece, the \u0160vihov reservoir in the Czech Republic, the Castelo de Bode reservoir in Portugal, the Starina reservoir in Slovakia and the Iskar reservoir in Bulgaria. In these and many other reservoirs, the surrounding areas are protected through special rules that limit or prohibit residential construction.<\/p>\n
These measures are based on the national legislation of each country, in accordance with the general framework of the European Union for the protection of water resources, which aims to prevent pollution, maintain the quality of drinking water and sustainable management of water reserves.<\/p>\n
European practice proves that the protection of strategic reservoirs it is not only considered a matter of spatial planning, but also a public interest related to environmental safety, public health and long-term water supply.<\/p>\n
Below you find an overview of the 27 member states of the European Union, together with a recognized artificial lake or reservoir in each of them, where national legislation provides for strict restrictions or bans on the construction of private dwellings due to the protection of water resources, sanitary areas and the environment.<\/p>\n
Denmark – Tange S\u00f8
\nProtection status: Denmark’s largest man-made lake. Its shores are protected by the Danish Nature Protection Act and environmental policies, which prohibit housing construction.<\/p>\n
Estonia \u2013 Paunk\u00fcla Reservoir (Paunk\u00fcla veehoidla)
\nProtection status: Important reserve source for Tallinn’s water supply. The surrounding lands have been declared water protection zones, where housing construction is prohibited to prevent pollution.<\/p>\n
Finland \u2013 Lokka Reservoir (Lokkan tekoj\u00e4rvi)
\nProtection status: A large man-made reservoir in Lapland, surrounded by protected peatland ecosystems and conservation areas, where residential construction is not permitted.<\/p>\n
France \u2013 Lake Panneci\u00e8re (Lac de Panneci\u00e8re)
\nProtection status: Located in the Morvan Regional Natural Park. As a flood control and water supply reservoir, it is protected by French legislation and regional park rules, which prohibit construction near the banks.<\/p>\n
Germany \u2013 Rappbode Reservoir (Rappbode-Talsperre)
\nProtection status: The largest drinking water reservoir in the Harz region. It is surrounded by drinking water protection zones (Trinkwasserschutzzone I and II), where housing construction is prohibited.<\/p>\n
Greece \u2013 Mornos Reservoir
\nConservation status: Main water source for Athens. The watershed is protected by legal acts that prohibit residential developments within designated sanitary zones.<\/p>\n
Hungary \u2013 Lake Tisza (Kisk\u00f6re Reservoir)
\nProtection status: Although some parts are used for tourism, the sectors included in Hortob\u00e1gy National Park are protected by law and prohibit the construction of dwellings along the protected shores.<\/p>\n
Ireland \u2013 Poulaphouca Reservoir (Blessington Lakes)
\nConservation status: Created by Poulaphouca Dam to supply Dublin’s water supply. The shores are protected by local development plans and water legislation, prohibiting the construction of housing near the water.<\/p>\n
Italy \u2013 Lake Campotosto (Lago di Campotosto)
\nProtection status: Artificial reserve within the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park. Park rules prohibit the construction of residential buildings along the shores.<\/p>\n
Latvia \u2013 P\u013cavi\u0146as Reservoir (P\u013cavi\u0146u \u016bdeskr\u0101tuve)
\nProtection status: A large hydropower reservoir on the Daugava River. The state water protection law prohibits the construction of housing in protected areas and flood plains.<\/p>\n
Lithuania \u2013 Kaunas Reservoir (Kauno marios)
\nProtection status: Created by the Kaunas Hydropower Plant and part of the Kaunas Lagoon Regional Park. The nature protection status prohibits the construction of private housing.<\/p>\n
Luxembourg \u2013 Lake Upper S\u00fbre (Stausee Uewersauer)
\nProtection status: It supplies drinking water to more than half of Luxembourg’s population. It has been declared a national water protection zone, where housing construction is prohibited.<\/p>\n
Malta \u2013 Chadwick Lakes (Wied il-Qlei\u0127a)
\nConservation status: Historic system of man-made dams and reservoirs. The area is classified as Outside Development Zone (ODZ) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC), where residential construction is not permitted.<\/p>\n
The Netherlands \u2013 De Gijster Reservoir
\nConservation status: Important reserve for water conservation, located within De Biesbosch National Park. Park and environmental protection rules prohibit housing construction.<\/p>\n
Poland \u2013 Lake Solina (Jezioro Soli\u0144skie)
\nProtection status: Artificial lake in the Bieszczady region, surrounded by the San Valley Landscape Protected Area, where protection zones prohibit residential construction along the shores.<\/p>\n
Portugal \u2013 Castelo de Bode Reservoir (Albufeira de Castelo de Bode)
\nProtection status: One of the main sources of drinking water for Lisbon. It is managed under the Reservoir Management Plan, which prohibits construction near the banks.<\/p>\n
Romania \u2013 Lake Vidraru (Lacul Vidraru)
\nProtection status: Mountain hydropower reserve. Watersheds and the surrounding environment are protected by law, prohibiting the construction of housing along the banks.<\/p>\n
Slovakia \u2013 Starina Reservoir (Vodn\u00e1 n\u00e1dr\u017e Starina)
\nProtection status: The main drinking water reservoir in Slovakia, located in the Poloniny National Park. There are hygiene-sanitary protection zones of category I and II, where construction is prohibited and, in some parts, even the entry of people..<\/p>\n
Slovenia – Moste Reservoir
\nProtection status: Hydropower reserve on the Sava Dolinka River. Rules for the management of water resources prohibit the construction of residential buildings along coasts and areas at risk of erosion.<\/p>\n
Spain \u2013 El Atazar Reservoir (Embalse de El Atazar)
\nConservation status: The largest reservoir that supplies Madrid with drinking water. It is included in a protected catchment area, where regional legislation prohibits the construction of private housing.<\/p>\n
Sweden \u2013 Bornsj\u00f6n Reservoir
\nConservation status: Reserve for Stockholm’s drinking water supply. It has been declared a Water Protection Area (Vattenskyddsomr\u00e5de), where housing construction and land development near the lake are prohibited.<\/p>\n
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