Water Supply in the Czech Republic: Review of Infrastructure Risks and Comparison with Worldwide Practices

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00216305%3A26110%2F26%3A0201563" target="_blank" >RIV/00216305:26110/26:0201563 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/18/4/512" target="_blank" >https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/18/4/512</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/w18040512" target="_blank" >10.3390/w18040512</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Water Supply in the Czech Republic: Review of Infrastructure Risks and Comparison with Worldwide Practices

Original language description

Water distribution systems (WDSs) are vital components of public infrastructure, ensuring the safe supply of drinking water. However, they are increasingly exposed to technical failures, contamination events, natural disasters, and cyberattacks. This review analyses global risks to water distribution systems (WDSs), focusing on biological, chemical, and cyber threats, and compares international approaches to detection, monitoring, and crisis management. Special attention is given to advanced technologies, such as sensors, digital modelling, and innovative disinfection methods, that enhance resilience and enable rapid contamination response. Case-based insights from the Czech Republic illustrate the strengths of a system with consistently high water quality standards while also revealing vulnerabilities linked to ageing infrastructure, limited digitalisation, and emerging risks related to climate change and cybersecurity. The review further highlights differences in international hygiene standards and regulatory frameworks and their implications for water safety. Future research priorities include: (I) predictive modelling and machine learning for contamination dynamics; (II) advanced disinfection combining UV, ozone, and nanomaterials; (III) systematic study of biofilms and microbial resistance; (IV) monitoring and risk assessment of pharmaceuticals, PFASs, and other emerging contaminants; (V) development of rapid, low-cost sensors and biosensors for real-time detection; and (VI) socio-technical studies addressing risk communication and public trust in drinking-water systems. Recommendations focus on systematic infrastructure renewal, enhanced monitoring and predictive modelling, and stronger integration of crisis preparedness and cybersecurity. Overall, the results underline the need for sustained investment, technological innovation, and cross-sector cooperation to ensure long-term water security.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

10503 - Water resources

Project

—

Continuities

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2026

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Water

ISSN

—

e-ISSN

2073-4441

Volume of the periodical

18

Issue of the periodical within the volume

4

Country of publishing house

CH - SWITZERLAND

Number of pages

35

Pages from-to

1-35

UT code for WoS article

001699896100001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-105031397113