*Groundwater Management*

 The first part of this section discusses the sustainability of human, plant, and aquatic life influenced by groundwater systems from recharge to discharge. Considerations are given to current and past stressors of groundwater by using case examples from around the world. In doing this, hydrogeologic settings where anthropogenic activity has impaired or has the potential to impair human, plant, and aquatic life are explored. The second part of the section addresses the management issues of mine groundwater quantity and quality during and after mining. A good understanding of the interrelationships between groundwater hydrology and mining processes is important to sustainably manage mine water. This enables efficient planning of mining processes and water management to protect the groundwater while addressing water scarcity and security issues in communities within the vicinity of mining areas.

The third part of the section presents legislative aspects to protect groundwater as instruments of groundwater management using a Slovenian example. To

 achieve this, an overview of groundwater protection practices in Slovenia is first presented. The case studies evaluate the "theory" by reviewing national legislations of concern. The practice looks at the guidelines and solutions drawn from legislations to comply with the European Union Water Framework Directive (WFD). Furthermore, a discussion of the current activities aimed at improving Slovenia's groundwater status is given. The validity of the Gisser-Sanchez model (GSE) hypothesis in groundwater management is re-evaluated and examines the conceptual framework within which the elements interacting in the management of groundwater resources are examined. The section concludes that the role of the market is limited with respect to the price of water in an aquifer.

We believe that this book can be useful for various professionals involved in groundwater-related work to improve the theoretical and practical understanding of hydrogeology site characterisation techniques and groundwater resource management skills.

> **Modreck Gomo**  Institute for Groundwater Studies (IGS), University of the Free State, South Africa

Section 1
