Drinking water supply in Baranya to be renewed due to contaminated water source

Pesticide contamination has necessitated a drinking water quality improvement project in the Bogádmindszent area of Baranya County, which will involve the creation of a new water source. According to the information available in the public procurement notice, the client for the development is BARANYA-VÍZ Víziközmű Szolgáltató Zrt., and the construction will be carried out by Wolfbau Team Építőipari és Kereskedelmi Kft.. The final total value of the contract is nearly 143 million forints net.

What does pesticide pollution mean?

The immediate background to the project was the discovery of pesticide contamination in the Bogádmindszent water supply. Pesticides are plant protection products used in agriculture – herbicides, insecticides, fungicides – which can also enter underground water supplies through the soil.

If these substances enter the drinking water supply, they can pose a long-term health risk, which is why EU and national regulations set extremely strict limits on their presence. If the contamination persists, it may be necessary to replace the water supply or find a new source of water – which was the solution chosen in this case.

A system covering five municipalities will be established

One of the most important elements of the investment is the connection of the currently separate water supply systems between Siklósbodony and Hegyszentmárton.

The connection will be established along the road linking the settlements, with a Dk 110 KPE pipeline laid over a length of approximately 1,713 metres. The development will result in the creation of a small regional water supply system consisting of five settlements, which will ensure greater operational reliability and a more flexible water supply.

Technological developments in Babarcszőlős

As part of the project, the capacity of the water treatment plant in Babarcszőlős will also be expanded. The current technology is insufficient to meet the needs of the new system, so modern water treatment solutions will be installed.

Technical details of the investment:

• installation of new iron and manganese removal equipment,
• renovation of existing wells,
• modernisation of the globe,
• installation of a pressure booster system,
• Installation of a modern control system.