Debrecen4U April 14, 2025

Civaqua programme’s second phase design has been finalised

Discussions are ongoing on Civaqua. The latest news is that the government has decided to provide funding for a solar power plant to run the programme’s facilities.

In Debrecen Television’s Evening Close-up programme, Deputy Mayor for Environmental Affairs, Ákos Balázs said that one of the most important points of the Green Codex is the continuation of the Civaqua Programme. According to a government decision last year, the second phase of Civaqua will be included as a priority development programme in the KEHOP Plus European Union Development Fund, so HUF 40.46 billion have been dedicated to it.

HUF 3.5 billion will be invested in a solar power plant with a capacity of 6.5 megawatts to provide energy for the pumping station, which was completed in the first phase.

Ákos Balázs said that another meeting had been held recently, in which the design programme was finalised, on the basis of which “the design of the second phase can start this year.

Director of the Tiszántúli Water Management Directorate, Krisztián Csűrös said that in the preparation process, in addition to nature conservation and urban welfare interests, operational possibilities should also be taken into account.

When asked by Zsuzsa Keserű, Editor-in-Chief of Médiacentrum Debrecen, when River Tisza will reach the Great Forest, the Lakes of Fancsikai  and Lake Vekeri, the director said that the KEHOP programme’s closing date is December 2029, by which time the watercourse should be ready to flow.

Ákos Balázs emphasised  that the second phase is for ecological and conservation purposes, just like the first phase of Civaqua and added that water retention is also very important, and several programmes have been developed for this purpose, for example, pastures will be flooded for ecological purposes along the Tócó stream, and the Tócó Valley Ecopark will also serve this purpose. A 3-hectare water area will be created where water from the sudden heavy summer rains will be discharged instead of being drained into the canals.

The Deputy Mayor said that the Green Codex’s “Water for the Great Forest” is one of the most supported elements by the population, and that this will also be addressed in the second phase of Civaqua, and that the Monostor  forest at Józsa will also receive extra water.

In addition to the ecological objectives, a number of welfare improvements are also planned for Civaqua to bring people closer to nature.  As we reported, the city is applying for EU funding, as decided by the last assembly. 

At the Vezér Street lake, they have planned a fitness park, an event space and walking paths, among other things, and at the Klastrom Park in Józsa, they would further develop the bank of the Tócó stream, and they would also place piers, water rest areas, and water wheels there.  Government funding will also be used to create a 1-kilometre running track at the stream in Józsa, and two bridges will be built on Tócó stream, so that it will be possible to run around the stream on both banks.

Ákos Balázs, quoting Professor János Tamás, said, “If the Civaqua programme continued, it would create a ring of water around the city, which can also be surrounded by green spaces, so there will be water and greenery at the same time.”

As for the next steps, Krisztián Csűrös said that the design would be completed by March next year, by which time the permit plans needed to start construction would have to be in place. Ákos Balázs added that they would like to involve the public in the planning process, especially to increase recreational opportunities.

Source and photo credit:dehir.hu