Debrecen4U August 11, 2026

Preserving Green Space Even During Water Restrictions

Experts at the Mayor’s Office continuously monitor and assess the condition of vegetation in public spaces.

Due to the prolonged period of low rainfall and the mandated water restrictions, they have developed an alternative solution in collaboration with Debreceni Vízmű Zrt. to preserve the city’s green spaces.

On August 3, 2026, the mayor of the City of Debrecen with County Rights ordered a Level I water restriction, effective until further notice, based on the technical recommendation of Debreceni Vízmű Zrt. As a result, between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., it is prohibited, among other things, to water public parks, and the operation of automatic irrigation systems. The municipality will carry out park maintenance work accordingly.

Experts from the Mayor’s Office continuously monitor and assess the condition of vegetation in public areas. Due to the prolonged period of low rainfall and the mandated water restrictions, an alternative solution has been developed in collaboration with Debreceni Vízmű Zrt. to preserve the city’s green spaces.

The water utility provides so-called “technological water”—which is not of drinking water quality but is suitable for watering the vegetation. Thus, unlike irrigation using drinking water, the continuous manual watering of vegetation in public spaces can be carried out without time restrictions—though, of course, in accordance with the needs of the plants to be watered—and irrigation water can be delivered to the bases of trees and shrubs even during the day. Park maintenance contractors use pumps to transfer this water from the water utility’s facilities into tank trucks and then use hoses to water the plants.

The use of technologically treated water for irrigation purposes therefore does not reduce the city’s available drinking water supply, nor does it adversely affect the drinking water supply or the fundamental purpose of the current water restrictions. At the same time, it can sustainably ensure the water supply for public green spaces and support the water cycle, which is essential for keeping the urban environment livable for residents even during such dry, hot periods.

Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu