The SWIETELSKY Magyarország also excels in sustainable water and waste management developments.

Zsolt Lukács emphasises: „Independent sewage treatment plants in smaller settlements would have been uneconomical, so in many places we connected the network to centralised systems. This provided greater operational reliability and ensured more sustainable operation in the long term.”

Water protection and reconstruction projects

With the development of the water engineering sector, tasks have become increasingly complex. In addition to wastewater projects, the company has also become involved in water protection and reconstruction work. Examples include the reconstruction of the Lake Velence embankment, which aimed to improve water quality and water retention, and the Bezeréd branch of the Danube, where a 4-kilometre-long tributary, which had been separated from the main channel during river regulation, was revived.

These tasks posed serious challenges not only from an engineering perspective, but also from an environmental point of view. Intervening in natural water systems is always a great responsibility, as it affects wildlife, water quality and the local population.

During the projects, the experts at SWIETELSKY Magyarország sought solutions that would ensure both technical efficiency and sustainability. At Lake Velence, for example, special attention was paid to protecting the coastal ecosystem, while in the case of the Danube branch, in addition to water retention, the conditions for fish reproduction were also improved.

Szeged Laser Centre: construction deep underground

One of the most unique and challenging projects was the public utility connection for the ELI ALPS laser centre in Szeged. Here, the experts had to build sewage and rainwater drains eight metres deep in wet soil alongside a busy main road.

The task required serious engineering expertise, as both the great depth and the high groundwater level posed risks. The work was carried out using a combination of pressing technology and open trench solutions, while ensuring that traffic in the area could continue to flow uninterrupted.

„This project caused many sleepless nights, but we managed to complete it in a short time, and the investment has been running flawlessly ever since,” emphasises Zsolt Lukács. Today, ELI ALPS is one of the most modern research institutes in Europe, thanks in part to the utility works carried out by SWIETELSKY Magyarország.

On the border between execution and design

During construction, the SWIETELSKY team not only focuses on implementation, but also often plays a role in refining the design. Although they do not draw up the plans themselves, in practice they constantly consider where costs can be optimised or how the work can be carried out more efficiently and safely.

It is often the case that existing documentation is not entirely accurate, so engineers survey the site, check the condition of the sewer network and track the exact location of every manhole and connection. This level of detail is particularly advantageous in the case of sewage systems, where the infrastructure can be checked every 30 to 50 metres. In the case of drinking water networks, however, engineers have to resort to other methods, such as digital surveys and GPS-based geodetic measurements, in order to accurately document the existing system.

Public utility replacements and minor network modifications also fall within the company's remit, especially if the area is far from the main road construction site. For smaller-scale, shallow tasks, the local team can carry out the work using its own resources, while for larger, specialised or deep sewer systems, its own team of experts is called in. On one occasion, they worked together with the road construction team on motorway drainage works in the Sopron area, demonstrating the team's flexibility and professional competence.

Drinking water projects: a new direction in development

In recent years, following the saturation of sewage networks, drinking water projects have become increasingly important. The company is involved in several major investments aimed at ensuring a healthy water supply for the population.

The development of the Kazsok regional waterworks, for example, serves an entire region, similar to the projects being implemented in Mezőkomárom, Pusztaegres and Sárhatvan. The biggest challenges in these projects are the installation of modern water purification technologies and network reconstruction.

The expansion and reconstruction of the Cegléd wastewater treatment plant is also moving in this direction: the aim of the investment is to ensure that the existing facility can continue to operate sustainably and reliably despite growing demands. The work is expected to be fully completed in 2026.

Waste management: the Tatabánya model

Another important area of environmental investment is waste management, in which SWIETELSKY Magyarország also has considerable experience. One of the best examples of this is the waste management project in Tatabánya and the surrounding area, led by Gábor Pethő.

The expert has been working for the company for more than ten years, originally coming from the field of building construction and deep foundation engineering. He stumbled into waste management almost by accident, but has since played a key role in this field.

„We had to create a complete regional system covering three counties and 85 municipalities,” recalls Gábor Pethő. At the heart of the project was a modern waste treatment facility with a sorting plant, composting plant, leachate basin, public waste collection points and transfer stations.

Engineering solutions for difficult terrain

One of the biggest challenges of the Tatabánya project was that the landfill had to be built in a former coal slurry valley. Due to the unstable soil in the area, eight different technological solutions were examined before deciding on the safest and most cost-effective one.

Finally, a 7-hectare, 20-metre-high landfill site was constructed, involving significant embankment construction and water protection works. The facility is capable of safely managing the region's municipal waste in the long term, while complying with strict environmental regulations.

According to Gábor Pethő, this project was special not only because of its technical solutions, but also because it directly improved the quality of life of the population: „Before the system was built, many settlements did not have modern waste management solutions. Today, however, selective collection and recycling are available to everyone.”

Reclamation and environmental responsibility

The SWIETELSKY Magyarország excels not only in the construction of new facilities in the field of waste management, but also in the recultivation of old landfills. These works are of paramount importance from an environmental point of view, as closed sites can be potential sources of pollution if they are not properly sealed.

During temporary and permanent recultivation, specialists ensure that landfills are closed, leachate is treated, gases are removed and the area is integrated into the landscape. This creates safe, green areas in place of landfills that were previously a source of danger.

Vision for the future: water conservation and sustainability

The country faces new challenges in both water engineering and waste management. Following the saturation of the sewage system, the future lies in the reconstruction of drinking water networks, water retention and flood protection.

In waste management, selective collection, sorting and energy recovery are expected to continue to grow. Regional centres have been virtually completed during the last two EU development cycles, but experts say that further investment will be needed in the future to meet sustainability targets.

„The SWIETELSKY is always ready to take on new projects – we have the experience and capacity.”

– says Gábor Pethő.

Projects, challenges and engineering precision

The history of SWIETELSKY Magyarország is a good example of how classic road construction tasks can be used as a starting point to create a complex environmental protection and hydraulic engineering field that has now become one of the country's key players. From Lake Velence to the laser centre in Szeged and Tatabánya, numerous investments demonstrate the company's expertise and commitment.

The challenges of the future – protecting drinking water resources, flood protection, and improving waste utilisation – are all areas where the experience of SWIETELSKY Magyarország can play a key role. The words of the company's experts clearly show that not only have they achieved significant results in the past, but they will also play a decisive role in the sustainable development of the country in the coming decades.

In the next part of our interview series, we will talk to József Tomacsek, chief technologist and energy engineer at SWIETELSKY Magyarország Kft.. The interview will be published on Monday, 8 December.