The first phase of the Civaqua programme completed

Thanks to the first phase of the Civaqua programme, Debrecen’s natural assets are now fed by the Tisza waters. The details were announced by Mayor of Debrecen László Papp, Deputy Mayor of Debrecen Ákos Balázs and István Láng, Director General of the National Water Directorate General, on the 28th of November 2023.

“It is historically significant that the first phase of the Civaqua programme has become an integral part of Debrecen’s life. We have a shared responsibility to leave our children a world in better shape than the one we have inherited,” László Papp said. He noted that Debrecen is one of the most densely forested cities in the country today, but it also has a vast green area in Europe, and the long-term sustainability and preservation of this green area is of great importance for the project.

“Debrecen has done and will continue to do a lot for the protection and sustainability of our environment, both locally and globally,” the mayor said. He noted that the city has implemented or is implementing a number of programmes focusing on environmental protection in recent years.

“One of the biggest challenges of the 21st century is green energy, and we have become a key player in its storage. Debrecen is making its mark globally and locally,” he underlined.

He stressed that the first phase of the Civaqua programme has been completed, but the programme is already rolling on at the planning level to ensure that the Nagyerdő (Great Forest) and then the Erdőspuszta, Fancsika and Vekeri lakes can be replenished with water.

The water of the Tisza reaches the Tócó headwaters through a pressurised system via the Eastern Main Canal, which is relatively energy-intensive. This is why we owe thanks to the government for dedicating a significant development fund to Debrecen for the development of solar power plants in the July government decision.  In cooperation with the National Directorate General for Water Resources, we would like to use this funding to implement a development that will ensure the energy-efficient and sustainable operation of the system through a solar power plant in order to ensure the sustainability of the system”, he said.

Ákos Balázs, Deputy Mayor, said that Debrecen is a city where traditions are present in many areas of life. He said that Debrecen is a town of the guard and a “protector of nature conservation”. He noted that the Future of Debrecen movement was set up to make the city greener and more sustainable, and the Civaqua programme is the flagship of this effort, which is very much marked by the realisation of a 50-year-old dream.
Speaking about the future, István Láng, Director General of the National Water Directorate, said that the second phase of the plan for the water recharge of the Great Forest is ready at the level of the permit plan, and the next phase up to the Forest Puszta Lakes is ready at the level of the study plan.

Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu