Abstract
The article presents the results of the analysis of the surface water quality changes in selected rural catchments in the Czech Republic. Three river basins are used as examples – the Blšanka, Loučka and Olšava river basins.
These river basins have been facing long-term problems with surface water quality and, as in many similar rural areas there has been lack of information on water quality changes. The areas are located in regions with different physical-geographical characteristics as well as the varying scope and intensity of socio-economic activities.
Considering the majority of basic indicators, long-term negative trends concerning the water quality development are observed in all assessed river basins and due to the continuing loads from non-point sources no significant improvement in water quality can be expected in the near future.