Budapest completes mass sewer system connection for a healthier environment

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In Budapest, this phase has replaced or constructed 21.4 km of sewers and 1 545 km of the main wastewater collectors. In Budaörs, it has added 4 573 km of wastewater network and a new pumping station.The overall development will come into use in June 2020. The Danube and its ecosystem will no longer receive untreated effluent, improving the safety of its water and protecting fish and other species.Integrated systemBefore this programme, wastewater from many parts of Budapest metropolitan area was collected through old pipes or released into local septic tanks.The first part of the project created the infrastructure for an integrated treatment system for the metropolitan area, including 18 pumping stations, up to 450 domestic pumping stations, nine individual collection facilities, two main collectors and crossings under the Danube. Once complete, it added nearly 40 000 people to a new wastewater network for Budapest, all within the city and mostly in districts 3, 17, 18 and 22.This second phase added the remaining unconnected households in districts 2 to 4, 10 to 20, and 22 to 23 as well as homes in Budaörs. It brings the total number of district pumping stations to 19.Attractive efficiencyThe old Budaörs wastewater treatment plant has been closed. Wastewater from the whole area is now treated at Budapest’s north, south and central wastewater treatment plants, which have been interconnected for efficient operation.The upgrade is creating 10 full-time operational jobs, and created an additional 300 jobs during its implementation phase. It will generate revenue from sewer fees to help finance the new system.It has positive impacts on the city’s economic and leisure facilities. The cleaner water in the Danube and its Budapest harbours make commercial and public boat transport more pleasant and attractive. The harbour is a recreational site for the city, where kayaking, canoeing, jet-skiing and sailing are popular pastimes.Total investment and EU fundingTotal investment for the project “Budapest Agglomeration Integrated Wastewater collection – phase II” is EUR 22 393 836, with the EU’s Cohesion Fund contributing EUR 15 295 743 through the “Environmental and Energy Efficiency” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Environment and resource efficiency”.