Budapest has switched off 40 public fountains and artificial waterfalls as authorities step up emergency measures to conserve water during Hungary’s worsening drought and heatwave.

The announcement was made by Péter Dezsényi, managing director of the city’s park maintenance company FŐKERT, who said an emergency climate response plan is now being prepared following the introduction of extraordinary water restrictions.

Water use must be cut without sacrificing Budapest’s green heritage

According to Dezsényi, many municipalities and private garden owners have been asking whether they should stop watering altogether. His answer is clear: reduce water consumption dramatically, but do so strategically.

He warned that Budapest’s parks, trees and gardens represent an estimated HUF 400 billion (around EUR 1.1 billion) in living natural assets built up over the past 100 to 150 years. Allowing them to die would take years (or even decades) to reverse.

“In a normal hot August, watering parks and gardens can account for up to 10% of the city’s total drinking water consumption,” he explained. “That must now be significantly reduced, while causing as little ecological damage as possible.”

Young trees come first, lawns can wait

FŐKERT outlined several priorities for both local governments and residents. The city says available alternative water sources should be used wherever legally possible, while irrigation efforts should focus first on young trees (up to five years old), followed by newly planted shrubs, flower beds and perennial plants.

Lawns, however, are no longer considered the highest priority. Officials noted that grass is generally capable of recovering after periods of drought, provided its root system survives. The immediate objective is therefore keeping lawns alive rather than keeping them green.

Mulch instead of more water

Another recommendation is to cover soil with grass clippings, wood chips, hay or other organic material. According to Dezsényi, mulch not only reduces evaporation but also protects soil from overheating, making it one of the simplest and most effective water-saving measures available.

Residents asked to help save young trees

FŐKERT is also appealing directly to Budapest residents to help water newly planted street trees. The city recommends giving each young tree 50 to 100 litres of water per watering session so that moisture reaches deep enough into the soil to have a lasting effect.

Residents are encouraged to use the Beeco mobile application, which maps thousands of young public trees across Budapest and several other Hungarian cities, making it easier for volunteers to find trees in need of watering.

Fountains switched off to save water

As part of the emergency response, FŐKERT has already shut down all 40 ornamental fountains and waterfalls under its management. Dezsényi said the same principle should apply elsewhere, urging people to minimise the use of swimming pools and other non-essential facilities that consume significant amounts of water and energy. An operational task force is expected to finalise Budapest’s broader climate emergency strategy in the coming days.

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