Update: Drinking water now guaranteed, supply issues reported in 10-20 towns & villages

Drinking water supplies are currently guaranteed across the whole country but there may be problems in 10-20 towns and villages with water supply, which is being dealt with on an ongoing basis, the minister for the living environment said on Sunday.

Laszlo Gajdos said on Facebook that water consumption had fallen thanks to public appeals, voluntary water use restrictions and compliance with watering bans.

He said he had held consultations with water management experts on Sunday morning, and added that in recent days, daily water consumption had risen by more than 25 percent due to the extreme heat. This has placed a significant strain on the drinking water supply system, he said.

In line with the weather forecast, the extreme heat is expected to continue over the next two weeks, Gajdos said, and asked everyone to continue using water sparingly and prudently, also thanking people for their responsible behaviour.

Minister: Water consumption drops in Szentendre after conservation appeal

Water usage has noticeably decreased in Szentendre, a small town north of Budapest, following the call for voluntary water conservation, though third-level water restrictions remain in place, Laszlo Gajdos, the minister for the living environment, said on Facebook on Saturday.

Gajdos said that full service restoration is being carried out gradually due to the need to vent air from the network. In affected areas, mobile water tankers and nine permanent drinking water collection points are operating, with supplies continuously monitored and replenished as needed.

He noted that due to the extremely low Danube water levels, wells are currently producing about 30 percent less drinking water, while increased demand - primarily for irrigation - has significantly strained the system. This led to the introduction of restrictions and a public appeal for voluntary water conservation, he added.

Regional water works DMRV said on Friday that third-level water restrictions took effect in 14 settlements of the Pilis Basin starting Friday morning.

Gajdos thanked the Budapest water works and the Northern Transdanubian Regional Waterworks for assisting DMRV, supporting the region's secure water supply with the transfer of several hundred cubic metres of drinking water.

Earlier: 

The Armed Forces have deployed two tanker trucks and distributing 7,000 bags of water, he said, asking the public to stop watering their gardens in the coming days.

Despite calls for self-restraint from the local government and the regional waterworks (DMRV), water consumption in the upper part of the Pismany area in Szentendre doubled on Wednesday night, the municipality said on its website.

The excessive demand, which exceeded the water utility's production and distribution capacity, resulted in supply disruptions on July 30. To ensure temporary drinking water access, the DMRV installed water tanks at several locations in Pismany.

The local water system was unable to keep pace with the sudden increase in usage, particularly as many residents were using large amounts of water for garden irrigation.

The municipality and the regional water company DMRV had already appealed to residents to reduce non-essential water use before the supply problems developed. 

Authorities specifically asked people to avoid watering gardens, filling pools and other activities that place additional pressure on the drinking water network during the extreme heat.

Emergency water tanks were installed at several locations in Pismány to provide temporary access for residents, while the water company worked to restore normal supply levels.

Photo: Szentendre.hu

Source: MTI – Hungary’s national news agency since 1881.

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