Project ID: SM07-WWM-PC1-B-005
Project summary
Programme Operator: National Development Centre
Implementing Agency: Széchenyi Programme Office Consulting and Service Nonprofit Ltd.
Programme Component Operator / Beneficiary: Borsodvíz Co. Ltd.
Organisations participating in the implementation of the programme component:
Professional partners:
Municipality of Hejőbába
Municipality of Hejőpapi
Municipality of Nemesbikk
Civil partner:
Holocén Nature Conservation Association
Area affected by the project:
The water utility system providing the water supply for the settlements of Hejőbába, Hejőpapi, and Nemesbikk, located in Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County in the Northern Hungary Region.
Justification for the programme component:
The Hejőbába waterworks, established in 1991, which supplies drinking water to approximately 3,969 residents, has deteriorated in condition. Its iron and manganese removal equipment is outdated, the technology is obsolete, the purification efficiency is inadequate, and its operation is costly. The long-standing water quality problems have caused sediment deposits in the drinking water network, resulting in discoloured and turbid water for consumers. Complaints from residents regarding water quality have become persistent in all three settlements.
Project objective:
To ensure compliance with the Directive (EU) 2020/2184 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the quality of water intended for human consumption, as well as with Government Decree No. 5/2023 (I.12.) (together referred to as international and national regulations); to improve the quality of piped drinking water that has been deemed unsatisfactory due to its high iron and manganese content, thereby ensuring the supply of clean and healthy drinking water for the affected end users (residents).
Through the independent and supplementary professional activities implemented within the framework of this programme component, to develop the Hejőbába water supply system in a way that promotes environmentally friendly operation, enhances supply security, and ensures long-term sustainable management.
Project start date: June 1, 2025
Effective date of the funding agreement: July 24, 2025
Amount of funding (net): HUF 639,851,536
Planned implementation period: June 1, 2025 – december 31, 2027 (31 months)
A development to be implemented between 2025 and 2027 will involve the modernization and capacity expansion of the existing, outdated drinking water treatment technology and the refurbishment of the technical condition of the waterworks facilities, resulting in the establishment of a fully automated, PLC-controlled water treatment system equipped with a remote monitoring system.
The planned design capacity of the modernized Water Treatment Plant is Qd max. = 500 m³/day.
For the disposal of sludge water generated by the technology, a newly constructed 45 m³ sedimentation-decantation tank will be built on the waterworks site, from which the sludge water will be discharged into the existing receiving channel after sedimentation. As part of the investment, the existing 300 m³ water tower on the waterworks site will also be refurbished.
A new waterworks building with a usable area of 70 m² will be constructed to house the water treatment technology. In the machine room of the traditionally structured building, the 4 iron and manganese removal filter tanks will be installed. Separate rooms will be created for the high- and low-voltage control cabinets. Outdoor-facing chemical dosing rooms will be provided for the storage and dosing of chemicals. The building will also include sanitary facilities (toilet, washbasin), whose wastewater will be directed to a newly constructed collection pit for removal.
After the commissioning of the new complex iron and manganese removal technology, the entire 35.2 km drinking water network will undergo mechanical cleaning and disinfection to remove iron and manganese deposits that have accumulated over many years.
During the reconstruction works, existing network nodes required for mechanical network cleaning and disinfection will be modified and refurbished, and new flushing points will also be established. The reconstruction works will also include the replacement of old, outdated water service connections designated by the service provider in the three settlements, the renovation of public taps, and the replacement of aging gate valves in existing reinforced concrete chambers.