The present work shows how groundwater protection criteria were applied on the Alghero coastal plain, where these resources were always exploited mainly for agricultural uses, but also for industrial and civil ones. The methodological approach was set up in accordance with national and EU policies, (NW Sardinia, Italy). Operational framework and tools for proper groundwater management were implemented and intrinsic and integrated aquifer pollution vulnerability maps were drawn up. Moreover, the experimental data and the conceptual models developed so far will constitute the basis for developing an operational tool for local administrators for proper groundwater management. It will also support policies for combating possible incipient desertifi cation phenomena.

Les critères de protection des ressources hydriques souterraines, conformément aux réglementations nationales et européennes, ont été appliqués sur la plaine côtière de Alghero (SS), située au nord ouest de la Sardaigne. A travers la réalisation de la cartographie de la vulnérabilité à la pollution des aquifères, vulnérabilité intrinsèque et intégrée, on a pu réaliser un instrument opératif pour la bonne gestion des eaux souterraines, pour la gestion durable des ressources hydriques et pour contraster les phénomènes de désertifi cation.