Debrecen4U November 20, 2025

The Civaqua programme continues

15 kilometres of water pipeline, a balancing reservoir at the Tócó stream, water-retention structures, a pumping station upgrade, and the Vezér Street reservoir were completed in Phase I of Civaqua, costing a total of HUF 16 billion. This large-scale ecological development will provide a long-term solution for the water supply of Debrecen and its surroundings using water from the Tisza.

“The Tócó responds very quickly to ecological rehabilitation. Species that had been gone for decades have reappeared. With this, a 50-year dream has come true for me: the Tócó is once again a living watercourse,” said Pro Natura Award–winning ecologist Csaba Aradi.

Deputy Mayor Ákos Balázs posted a video on his Facebook page about the continuation of the Civaqua programme.

In Phase II of Civaqua, not only will the Great Forest’s water replenishment be ensured but the development will revive the reservoirs of Erdőspuszta, meaning the Fancsika lakes and Lake Vekeri.

According to the plans, the second phase of this ecological investment will be completed by 2029.

“The reservoirs on the eastern side of the city have almost completely dried up in the meantime due to the effects of climate change. Our goal is to drive this water there and bring our lakes back to life. We are continuing the Civaqua programme. We bring water, we bring life,” emphasized water-management engineer Gabriella Dargó.