Ministry of Environment Groundwater in Hungary by dr. László Balásházy Ministry of Environment

A few information about use of groundwater in Hungary 94 % of drinking water is supplied from groundwater 36 % bank filtered water 16 % karstic water 8 % shallow groundwater out of that 64 % from vulnerable resources 70 % of other demand is supplied from groundwater

Protection of drinking water resources with high priority 700 vulnerable sources National program for diagnostics and safeguarding determination of different protective zones (areas) (20 days, 6 months, 5 years, 50 years, recharge area) survey of the water quality diagnostic of pollution sources assessment of risk in case of real pollution decision on remediation

Protective areas of groundwater resources for future use in operation

Source protection with high priority 700 vulnerable sources National program for diagnostics and safeguarding determination of different protective zones (areas) (20 days, 6 months, 5 years, 50 years, recharge area) survey of the water quality diagnostic of pollution sources assessment of risk in case of real pollution decision on remediation until now appr. 1500 potential pollution sources have been assessed at 230 vulnerable well fields until 2009: appr. 3000 pollution sources will be aassessed

General protection 20 000 registered potential pollution sources (excluding individual communal sewage infiltration) Governmental decree on the protection of groundwater Issued in 2000, compyling with 80/68/EEC and considering draft WFD Pollution of groundwater is vorbidden either from direct or indirect discharge (exemption based on impact assessment) Monitoring of emission and immission Limit values for control of existing pollution General principle: protection of groundwater is harmonised with that of surface water and soil!!

General protection In case of pollution surveillance is obligatory Measures have to be taken to improve the situation Clean-up is required on the basis of risk assessment, determination of target value for remediation

General protection Possible distinction according to sensitivity category A: category B: category C: green korridors riparian zone of lakes (< 0,25 km) open karstic areas protective areas (5 years) nature conservation areas I. riparian zone of lakes (0,25-1 km) covered karstic aquifer (travel time <100 years) protective areas (50 years) other porous aquifer (travel time < 100 year) local aquifers nature conservation areas II. less sensitive areas

map of sensitive areas A B C

General protection Problems: How can we stimulate investments on brawnfields, if the immission values are the same for industrial sites as green fields How can we take into account the sensitivity/ vulnerability? How can we tackle the pollution of soil and groundwater under settlements?