The SWIETELSKY Magyarország project has modernised the waterworks in four towns in South Transdanubia at the same time

A wealth of expertise in hydraulic engineering has been accumulated at SWIETELSKY Magyarország Kft. over the past few decades, given that, amongst other things, the reconstruction of the embankment at Lake Velence or the Danube branch at Bezeréd, they have already demonstrated their ability to tackle complex tasks. Now they are proving their capabilities across four parallel projects simultaneously: the company is working on improving drinking water quality and modernising water treatment systems in Kazsok, Mezőkomárom and Szabadhídvég, as well as in two parts of Sárbogárd (Pusztaegres and Sárhatvan).

Trial operations are already underway at the water treatment works in Sárhatvan, Pusztaegres and Kazsok, whilst those at the water treatment works in Mezőkomárom and Szabadhídvég are due to begin in September 2026.

We asked Zsolt Lukács, regional manager for hydraulic engineering and environmental protection, about these four projects; he had previously told our newspaper an interview to our newspaper.

Outdated networks made life difficult for local people

Several projects have been launched under Nemzeti Fejlesztési Programiroda (the legal successor to which, from 14 May 2026, will be Közlekedési és Beruházási Minisztérium) with the aim of modernising the water systems in the municipalities concerned. The projects are being implemented under the Környezeti és Energiahatékonysági Operatív Program (KEHOP) and Környezeti és Energiahatékonysági Operatív Program Plusz (KEHOP Plusz) programmes, with co-financing from the European Union.

It is the case in all the affected localities that the quality of the drinking water supplied by their water utilities did not meet the requirements of Government Decrees No. 201/2001 (25 October) and No. 5/2023 (12 January): the levels of ammonium, iron and manganese exceeded the limit values. Furthermore, in the Sárbogárd-Sárhatvan district, raw water was supplied directly to consumers from the local well.

The staff at SWIETELSKY Magyarország therefore had to modernise a network of considerable size, as the total capacity of the water treatment works affected by the investments was 62 m³/h.

Kazsok has also received two new wells

The water tower in Kazsok has been refurbished; as part of this work, the specialists from SWIETELSKY replaced the lining of the internal water chamber, repainted the exterior and interior, and carried out refurbishment of the mechanical, electrical and control systems.

The town’s drinking water quality improvement programme involved upgrading the water supply, installing new water treatment technology in a new building, and carrying out a partial reconstruction of the drinking water network.

To this end, the waterworks site has been expanded, the existing well has been decommissioned, two new wells have been drilled (to a depth of 160 metres, complete with all associated mechanical and control equipment), and state-of-the-art water treatment technology has been installed at the new site. In addition, a new sedimentation tank measuring 10 m³ was constructed.

The globes in Mezőkomárom and Szabadhídvég now have a state-of-the-art water feature

During the refurbishment of the water basins and cladding of the globes in Mezőkomárom and Szabadhídvég, the external and internal painting of the stems was carried out; the pipes and the electrical system were replaced and integrated into the control system.

New water treatment technology was also installed in a newly constructed water treatment building, and the surface storage basins were refurbished (2 x 50 m³). A new well was drilled to replace an existing one, whilst at two further wells, the casing pipes were refurbished, the production pipes were replaced, and new wellheads and associated mechanical components were installed.

In addition to the architectural restoration of the well shafts, an iron sludge settling tank and a sewage collection shaft were also constructed.

New technology is helping with drinking water treatment in both Pusztaegres and Sárhatvan

In Pusztaegres, the key elements of the project involved replacing the production pipe and pump of the existing Well I/A, fitting it with a new wellhead, and installing the associated mechanical components. Another new well was also drilled on the waterworks site, whilst the old one was plugged.  The village’s pump house and above-ground storage tanks (2 x 25 m³) were constructed, and new technology was installed in the new water treatment building. A decanting tank was also built in the waterworks yard.

The water supply system in Sárhatvan has been upgraded by replacing the production pipes of a deep-bore well, fitting a new wellhead and installing the associated mechanical components. A new well was drilled (with a shaft design), and new water treatment technology was installed in a new water treatment building, complete with an associated 2 x 25 m³ above-ground storage tank, a decanting basin and a 5 m³ wastewater collection tank.

Everyone is struggling with the drought

Although Közlekedési és Beruházási Minisztérium specified tried-and-tested technical solutions and established technology, the current drought has fundamentally altered the schedule for the trial operation and the feasibility of carrying out network upgrades.

Despite all the necessary adjustments, the modernisation project – which affects several thousand residents of South Transdanubia – is slowly drawing to a close. Following the current trial runs, the facilities will be brought into operation within a few months.