Printer-friendly versionIn this section you can read about one of our core activities, namely drinking water supply
Operation of water utilities
Water utilities are special establishments that provide for the water supply and sewage disposal of settlements. Wells, surface waterworks, water cleaning works, cisterns, pipelines, drain-pipes and sewage cleaning works, etc. can all be regarded to be water utilities. Waterworks are owned by the Hungarian state and local authorities. These are operated by Transdanubian Regional Waterworks Corporation on the basis of different contracts (concession, operational, or trusteeship contracts).
Through its operation, theCorporation supplies directly
- Inhabitants and industrialconsumers from the regional and other local waterworks;
- In addition, it provides drinking water towards the following associate companies:
- Fejérvíz Corporation.
- Dunaújváros Water- and Drainage Service Ltd.
- Pécsi Waterworks Corporation
- Bakonykarszt Corporation
- Mohács Víz Ltd.
- Komlóvíz Ltd.
The systems operated by Transdanubian Regional Waterworks Corporation
Balaton Regional drinking water system:
South-Eastern Balaton Regional Waterworks
Western Balaton Regional Waterworks
Fonyód-Marcali Regional Pipeline
Other Regional drinking water systems:
Lake Velence Regional Waterworks
Sümeg Regional Waterworks
Nyírád-Ajka Regional Waterworks
Rákhegy Regional Waterworks
Duna Regional Waterworks
Pécs-Mohács and Pécs-Komló Regional Waterworks
Industrial water supply:
Pécs-Mohács and Pécs-Komló Regional Waterworks
Local waterworks
Water catchment areas, water extraction, water cleaning
In the territory of the Transdanubian Regional Waterworks Corporation, 40 per cent of the drinking water comes from surface water. We extract the water of lakes and rivers from the suitable layers by pumps, and then treat it to ensure that its quality meets the strict requirements set for drinking water.
We provide 15 per cent of our drinking water from aquifers. Aquifers can be found at least 20 meters deep under ground surface; they are protected from pollution by watertight layers. The quality of these waters is generally good, though iron and manganite are often soluted from the rocks. Aquifers are drawn by wells, the depth of which can reach several meters.
45 per cent of the drinking water originates from karst waters. Karst water refers to the under surface water of limestone and dolomite rocks, interwoven by cracks. Its quality is generally good, only its hardness is usually high because of the calcium and magnesium ions soluted from the water-bearing layer.
In all the three cases above, water needs to be purified so that it preserves its good quality until consumption.
Storage of drinking water and delivery to consumers
Purified drinking water is stored in catchment basins and delivered to consumers via gravitation or pumps through the pipe-work. The necessary water-pressure and the reserves – which are needed because of the consumption that may vary day by day – are provided for by catchment basins and water towers. The total volume of these is approximately 293 800 cubic meters, which is suitable for storing 48 per cent of the average daily consumption. According to professional standards, this guarantees a safe water supply.
Measurement of water consumption and invoicing
Water is one of our most valuable natural resources, our primary element. It is of vital importance both to the service provider and to the consumers to pay attention to everyday use and consumption.
In the case of our regular private consumers, we check the water meters every six months, which enables us to prepare the invoice containing water and drainage charges. In the remaining months we send a partial invoice to our consumers for the sake of a more even distribution of financial burdens.
Water quality control
The parameters of drinking water are strictly defined by law. The quality of the drinking water supplied by Transdanubian Regional Waterworks Corporation is controlled continuously by the laboratories of the company on the one hand and – independently from the former control – by the laboratories of the National Public Health and Medical Officer Service (ÁNTSZ). Our experts carry out hundreds of thousands of inspections every year. Samples are taken at wells, during the purifying technology, at pump stations, at catchment basins, at certain network points and consumer taps. Water is analysed according to physical, chemical, biological and microbiological aspects.
In case the results of the examinations do not fulfil the requirements, we take immediate measures to eliminate the problem. In order to guarantee the continuous water supply, our company puts great emphasis on prevention as well.
The drinking water provided by Transdanubian Regional Waterworks Corporation is healthy, it is safe to consume. It contains all the minerals (e.g. calcium, magnesium, micro elements) that people need. Its production, treatment and delivery are carried out using strictly controlled technology. Examinations show that the quality of the drinking water supplied by our Corporation fulfils both Hungarian and European requirements.
Reconstruction and maintenance of pipelines
In order to guarantee that the functioning of the drinking water system is reliable, at least 2 per cent of it should be repaired annually, which requires substantial expenditure on the part of the owners of water utilities. We use the most up-to-date technology; in certain cases it is not even necessary to open the pavement above the entire length of the pipeline. We attempt to carry out the reconstruction of pipelines ensuring that water supply and transport are hindered to the smallest possible extent.
Repair within the drinking water system
In spite of the reconstructions and our attempts to preserve the life of pipes during operation, - similarly to any other water providing company in the world - we must take into account the errors of the pipeline. In the case of unexpected breakdowns, we are unable to provide any prior notification. Consequently, it is also not possible to prepare for the inconveniences occurring during the time of the repair in water supply and transport. In such cases, we do our utmost to cause the smallest possible inconvenience to our consumers.
The breaking of pipes can be caused by too old and low-quality pipes and fittings; corrosion; the overuse of the road above the pipes; root formation; the aggressiveness of the soil and the inadequate flowing and pressure conditions.
Should you notice any leakage in a public place, please call our directorates so that we can solve the problem in the shortest possible time.
The control, maintenance and repair of the individual drinking water systems are the duties of our consumers and not the Transdanubian Regional Waterworks Corporation. If a pipe is broken within the internal pipeline of the estate, you should close the ball-end at the water meter, ask a plumber to find the source of the error and have the broken pipe repaired.
The water lost because of a cracked or broken pipe can significantly increase the water bill. Taking a hole with a diameter of 3 millimetres and a pressure of 6 bars, up to 12.700 – twelve- thousand and seven-hundred! - liters of water (12.7 cubic meters) can leak in only one day!