Debrecen4U September 24, 2025

Civaqua work meeting

A workshop on the second phase of the Civaqua program—which aims to deliver the water of the Eastern Main Canal (Keleti-főcsatorna) to the northern and eastern areas of Debrecen—was held at the Debrecen City Hall on September 23, 2025, with the participation of experts from the Debrecen Municipality, the Managing Authority, the National Water Inspectorate (OVF), the Trans-Tisza Water Directorate (Tivizig), and the planning company VIZITERV Environ Nonprofit Kft. 

The second phase of the Civaqua program is an important element of the Green Codex: with the measures “Water for the Great Forest!” and “Water for the Erdőspuszta!” to ensure the balanced water management of the region, the preservation and development of natural values ​​and wetlands, and biodiversity.

As László Papp, Mayor of Debrecen, said at the doorstep press conference related to the workshop, “Viziterv Environ Kft. provided information about the preparatory processes for the investment, which are nearing their end. The exact delimitation of the area that will be the entire action area and development area of ​​Civaqua II will take place within a week or two. This is important because an accurate list of topographic numbers is necessary for the government to classify this project—similarly to Civaqua I—as a priority project from a national economic perspective. When all topographic numbers of the affected investment area are clarified and the Debrecen municipality receives this list, it will initiate the qualification as a priority project from a national economic perspective. In parallel, the preparation of the subsidy contract is underway, and, according to the city’s hopes, the subsidy contract, which will provide and allocate financing to this project—based on a government decision made in 2024—will be signed within the next few months, but by the end of the year at the latest. The grant agreement, using European Union funds, will enable the project to be launched, with a total cost of slightly more than HUF 40 billion. Using the capacity of the already built Civaqua I, Civaqua II will be connected to the Great Forest at Pallag to improve the water management of the Great Forest. According to the plans, a 2-hectare forest water seepage area would be created there. Near the flooded area, after 5 years of continuous operation, the groundwater level is expected to rise by 4 meters within a half-kilometer radius and by 2 meters within a 1-kilometer radius. The groundwater level in the Great Forest area is currently at a depth of about 8 meters. The implementation of Civaqua II will therefore be a huge step forward in terms of improving water management in the Great Forest and enhancing the quality of life in the Natura 2000 forest. An important part of the project is that it will reach Lake Vekeri and the Fancsikai Lakes through the canal system, where the beds will be dredged and then flooded.”

László Papp indicated that although this is still an issue under negotiation, the municipality is planning to create a lake system around Debrecen—a “blue ring.” The KEHOP Plusz tender framework—for which the call for tenders is expected in the coming months—will provide the funding opportunity so that the Municipality of Debrecen and the National Water Inspectorate can implement certain developments related to Civaqua, as well as the city can create the Tócó Valley (Tócóvölgy) lake system and a settling pond dedicated to the thermal spa. In addition to the existing Vezér Street reservoir, the settling pond planned to be created in the northeastern part of the city—which can ensure the treatment of the thermal water of the spa—the Tócóvölgy lake system, and the revitalization of the Vekeri and Fancsikai lakes would therefore create a connected lake system, the “blue ring” around Debrecen.

According to Krisztián Csűrös, director of the Tiszántúl Water Management Directorate (Tiszántúli Vízügyi Igazgatóság), as the planners presented during the workshop, the project is progressing at a good pace. The preparation has actually been going on for several years, since even during the first phase of the Civaqua program, they thought that the program would continue, and they started the work based on the guidelines. The two projects must come together, so phase I, phase II, and urban development will essentially provide the water ring that will mean an ecological plus for the city of Debrecen.

Deputy Mayor Ákos Balázs drew attention to the fact that the Civaqua program has also received international attention, as Debrecen has applied for the title of European Green Capital for 2027. The continuation of the Civaqua program is a very important and reinforcing part of the application material. It’s likely thanks to this as well that Debrecen made it into the top three applicants. The final will be held in Vilnius on October 2. The Civaqua Program is one of the flagship initiatives in Debrecen’s environmental efforts, alongside the Green Sentinel, the Future of Debrecen movement, and various tree-planting programs. It is therefore crucial that this program be fully realized and that the “blue ring” be created around Debrecen.

Ákos Balázs also mentioned that the Civaqua program is a key program for the city in terms of adapting to climate change, since water is our common treasure. We all have a responsibility to get water to as many places as possible, and practically every part of the city will get the water needed to renew the natural environment around us and bring life back to places where our environment is currently in need.

Source and photo credit:debrecen.hu