75 localities with geothermal water in Bihor County (Romania) and the potential for the sustainability of balneology

The problem of this research stems from the fact that in Bihor County there are 75 localities that have one or more thermal water wells, of which only 8 locations can provide balneological treatment. The purpose of the research is to evaluate whether the geothermal potential of the region would be sustainable for the development of balneology in other localities as well. In order to meet the above-mentioned requirement, an interdisciplinary methodology was necessary, starting from geophysics and geology, including hydrogeology, chemistry, physics and ending with elements of tourism and balneological potential. The research methods refer to field work, the inventory of all locations that have geothermal resources, the creation of a database, the analysis of the stability and continuity over time of the source of thermalism, the analysis of the stability and time continuity of those physical-chemical properties that are suitable for balneology. In conclusion, out of the 67 locations that still cannot provide balneological treatment, only 20 could fulfil the sustainability criteria and are able to diversify the exploitation of thermal waters. There are 47 other locations that have unexploited boreholes, but despite this, we have come to the conclusion that balneology and tourism based on geothermal waters in Bihor County has a sustainable future in dozens of localities.