Hydrogeological Aspects of the Municipal Water Supply of Albania: Situation and Problems
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The topic is excellent and the abstract and introduction are good. Although the method was intended to improve the ability to determine ecological water demand, the paper did not convince me that this goal was accomplished. The discussion regarding the results was minimal and did not help support the conclusions that were derived from the results. Some of this may be the result of inadequate editing (there were two sections labeled Conclusions. 5 and 6). the paper could be improved significantly by establishing a stronger connection to what is defined as ecological water demand and how the measurements and analysis actually helped determine that characteristic for the studied area.
Author Response
https://we.tl/t-jiDxn6JKRt
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
Sentences, rows 658 and 681 can be source of confusion and needs more precise explanation:
- Row 658 In Albania, about 85% of groundwater resources used for water supply is pumped from the intergranular gravel-sandy aquifers.
- Row 681 About 2 million of inhabitants, or 70% of Albanian population, are supplied with water from karst aquifers, including a large part of Tirana.
Rows 374 and 809. Exact spelling is: Günay
Author Response
https://we.tl/t-zRagEVUYmT
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 3 Report
This paper is an overview of hydrogeologic conditions and issues in Albania, with no new material presented. Based on the reference list, the lead author has a long, extensive publication history on this topic. I do not consider this a research article, but if the journal has options for overview papers, a revised version of this paper could be worthy of consideration. With extensive editing, condensing, and reorganizing, it could be a helpful reference. In its current version, however, the manuscript reads as a piecing together of information on various specific areas and features, rather than an overall synthesis. The discussion of issues, limited to the short discussion section, is insufficient.
General comments:
– be sure to reference all numbers presented and all figures.
- all geographic areas/locations should be shown and labelled on a figure.
- For context and assessing future challenges, include historic trends. e.g - how has groundwater use changed (including by use categories)? How has water quality changed?
- Suggest combining/synthesizing the various site-specific issues presented into overall assessment of issues facing the nation’s groundwater, and the monitoring and science needs to address those.
Specific comments:
29-31 not relevant to the topic
74-5 – paper is summary of AHS. Is anything new being presented?
149-51 – later in the manuscript, concept of “water budget myth” (Bredehoeft and others) is brought up. Consider mentioning it here.
234-5 – any more recent references?
491-94: this is good example of big issue to address.
Significant editing needed.
Author Response
https://we.tl/t-UVzEFecVkF
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 4 Report
Although the paper provides detailed hydrogeological characteristics of the study area and its water supply situation, I believe that the research content of the paper does not align well with its title and abstract, which emphasize the hydrogeological aspects of municipal water supply in Albania. The majority of the paper is dedicated to describing the current state , yet the corresponding problems and their solutions are not systematically addressed for each characteristic of the current situation. Therefore, I suggest that major revisions are needed for the paper to better match its intended focus. Here are specific suggestions for improvement:
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In the introduction section, instead of solely reviewing the study area and its historical development, the relationship between hydrogeological characteristics and water supply should be emphasized, along with an overview of the current state of research in the field. This will help establish a clearer connection between the study's scope and its title.
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In terms of the overall paper structure, when discussing the current situation, the problems and corresponding solutions should be presented immediately after describing each situation, rather than providing a summarized description only in the discussion and conclusion sections. This approach will ensure that the paper consistently addresses the hydrogeological aspects of municipal water supply, which is the focus of the title.
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After implementing the aforementioned modifications, the discussion and conclusion sections of the paper should explore whether similar study areas exist, how they have tackled similar problems, and what the outcomes of their solutions were. This comparative analysis will allow for an assessment of the feasibility and effectiveness of the solutions proposed in the current paper.
By making these changes, the paper will have a more coherent structure that aligns with its title and abstract, providing a comprehensive exploration of the hydrogeological aspects of municipal water supply in Albania, including both the challenges faced and potential solutions.
Author Response
https://we.tl/t-uEKEAplnJc
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
The authors addressed my concerns adequately
Author Response
https://we.tl/t-XLNLTJdh5hAuthor Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 3 Report
The manuscript is improved. It presents a detailed compilation of information on the hydrogeology of Albania. And I note the statement of the author in the response that such compilations are “acceptable for the countries as Albania where [there is] missing important regionalization and scientific experience.” Given that, I support accepting this paper for publication, contingent on the authors addressing the following:
- Ensure that there are references provided for all the figures and data presented. Some of this has been addressed in the revised manuscript, but not all.
- Introduce fig. 2 before the any discussion of geographic features
- In the author’s response, it is stated that references are “improved with relevant authors and the list of references from 95 become 116.“ However the revised manuscript provided to me only includes 94 references.
- There is still a need for editing for English language.
Additional editing for English is still needed.
Author Response
https://we.tl/t-XLNLTJdh5h
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 4 Report
The clarity, organization, methodology, and data presentation have significantly improved. The discussion and conclusion are more robust, reflecting the study's findings better. The authors' responses to my previous comments are clear and satisfactory.
Author Response
https://we.tl/t-XLNLTJdh5h
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
