Several Hungarian cities have introduced water-use restrictions today in a bid to avert potential shortages, while others have brought in emergency civil-protection and public-support measures to help residents ride out the next four to five days of historic heat. Budapest’s mayor has also spoken out, and further measures are expected across the country in the days ahead.
Water-use restrictions imposed in several Hungarian cities amid heat and energy strain
Water restrictions have been introduced in two Hungarian cities on Monday, as local authorities moved to respond to the intensifying strain on supply amid the country’s heat and energy crisis. Debrecen and Pécs have both declared first-level water restrictions. Under Hungarian law, such measures are decided not by the central government but by municipal authorities.
The restrictions ban the watering of green spaces and public areas using drinking water, hoses or sprinkling devices, as well as the filling of swimming pools. The cleaning and cooling of concrete, asphalt and decorative stone surfaces is also prohibited, along with car washing and the operation of fountains and ornamental wells. Water changes at private and public beaches, baths and wellness hotel pools must likewise be rescheduled in agreement with the water utility, according to MTI.
Taking HungaroMet’s forecast data into account, the chief medical officer has issued a third-level heat alert for the whole country until midnight on Tuesday, though the warning is expected to be extended depending on the weather outlook.
Budapest spared restrictions, but told to save water
There is currently no water shortage in Budapest, and therefore no water restriction in force, the mayor said in the capital on Monday. Gergely Karácsony added that Budapest Waterworks is still able to supply all users, though tap water will be used for watering only young trees and shrubs.
The city introduced energy-saving measures in public transport yesterday, meaning trams and metro services are running one to two minutes longer than usual, while buses are replacing trolleybuses during certain periods. Mr Karácsony said essential public services would be maintained, including street lighting, MTI reported.
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Free bathing in one city, new wells in another
In Szolnok, municipal beaches will be free for local residents from Monday to Friday between 5pm and 8pm because of the heat, the city’s mayor announced on Facebook, following an initiative by András Cser-Palkovics, the mayor of Székesfehérvár. The free period may be extended depending on the weather, MTI said.
Meanwhile, the mayor of Kaposvár announced the construction of two new water production wells on Monday in an effort to improve the security of the city’s water supply. Balázs Boda, technical director of the municipally owned Kaposvári Víz- és Csatornamű Kft. (KAVÍZ), said work would also continue on the installation of a system designed to detect burst pipes in advance. The sensors pick up leaks, allowing engineers to repair faults in good time and reduce network losses. Once the 450-sensor warning system is operational, losses are expected to fall below 10 per cent, which would mean an additional 1,000 cubic metres of water a day, mayor Károly Szita said.
Veszprém said young trees and shrubs are also being watered with high-nitrate water, which is not a problem for plants but is unfit for human consumption.
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