#livingwaters

Due to the hydrogeographical situation of Hungary and Slovakia, surface and groundwater bodies are of a transboundary nature. This requires joint action to protect aquifers, improve water quality and eliminate pollution, which is the main objective of the project.

The project aims to address several challenges at the same time: improving the infrastructure for drinking water supply for human consumption, restoring small watercourses, flood protection, improving surface water quality, and removing harmful substances from surface water.

The project provides several benefits to the participating municipalities and regions: health aspects (safe drinking water), environmental aspects (protection of drinking water, control of invasive species, ecosystem restoration), tourism aspects, recreational aspects.

The municipalities of Füzér and Debrad’ have similar characteristics: they are border municipalities with cross-border water sources, located in a tourist area. The two villages have similar cross-border challenges. From a hydrological point of view, both areas belong to the catchment area of the Tisza, whose major right tributaries are the Bodrog and the Sajó, which also receives the waters of the Bódva and the Hernád.

In order to achieve the project objectives, the following activities will be carried out: in the case of Füzér (HU), a cadastral survey of wells and springs in the inner part of the municipality and springs in the outer part of the municipality, water yield and water quality studies, recording and communication; infrastructure investments: purchase and subsequent rehabilitation of a currently disused waterworks property for public irrigation, domestic water, supply and recharge of existing ponds, and waste removal and restoration of approximately 1.3 km of the bank of Bisó creek associated with the waterworks. In addition to waste removal, the programme will also include the removal of invasive plants from the streambed that are damaging to nature conservation. An IBC water tank will be also purchased.

In Debrad’ (SK), a wastewater treatment plant and the reconstruction of the public pumping station building will be the infrastructural elements. The purchase of a cistern trailer, which can be connected to a tractor, is also planned.

In addition, awareness-raising activities for the cross-border population (events, publications) will be carried out in connection with the investments.