Flood Protection and Better Water Quality from EU Funding27 July 2009
The assistance contract of the priority project „Rehabilitation of Tata Old Lake and Által Stream Basin” was signed on 24 July.
The project to be implemented within the framework of the Central Transdanubian Operation Programme was approved EU funding amounting to over 1.3 billion HUF for implementing an investment costing a total of 1.5 billion HUF.
The reconstruction of the 521 square kilometre water network of the Által Stream Basin has been long needed. Detrimental side-effects caused by forced industrialisation taking place over the course of the past century and intense urban development is responsible for its current state. The disappearance of sub-surface karst water during the period of extensive deep mining is what largely led to water scarcity, which in turn caused water quality-related ecological problems. Regularly recurring water damages in the region and recurrent inputs of karst water endanger built up areas, hence over-loading the drainage network, which is in a rundown state. Beyond the negative environmental and physiological impacts, developing Lake Velence and the Vértes region into a top tourist destination is what makes it necessary to reconstruct the basin.
The investment to be implemented with the help of EU funding will improve flood protection in 11 settlements in the area (Tata, Vértesszőlős, Tatabánya, Környe, Kecskéd, Bokod, Dad, Oroszlány, Naszály, Dunaalmás, Szomód) affecting a total of 8700 residents in the region and will contribute to improving the quality of water, as well as generally reducing its level of pollution. The drainage channel of Által Stream, as well the bed and various structures of Tata Old Lake will be reconstructed, the gravel eastern bank of Tata Old Lake will be restored, water habitat will be created in Tata in the Old Lake-end area, a filter field will be developed in Oroszlány, Mikrovény Trench, the Oroszlány-Kecskéd watercourse and Fényes Stream and its structures will be rebuilt and the gravitational drainage network in Dunaalmás will be reconstructed within the framework of the project.
Local governments will be able to develop their respective rainwater drainage networks following the implementation of this project, since a stable outlet will be available for this purpose. Old Lake will remain an aquatic bird sanctuary of international significance, in line with the expectations set forth under international nature protection protocols. It will be possible to maintain the water habitat environment and the banks following the intervention, hence creating an orderly environment, which, through regular annual maintenance, ensures a liveable and „enjoyable” orderly environment for visitors. Moreover, this will link-up tourism and the aquatic environment to promote local tourism (fishing, canoeing and kayaking, hiking and touring).
The investment is expected to commence at the end of 2009 and, according to plans, will be completed by mid-2011.