Water
Water
Most of the damage done to the environment affects waters. Due to Hungary’s geographical position, 96% of its rivers enter Hungary from outside its borders, without any change in the quality of the water flowing in. The worst example so far has been the cyanide poisoning on the Tisza River in the year 2000. Following this major disaster, widely known all over the world, the Ministry has set up a defense task force, and the Government Commissioner’s Office deals with the adjustment of resulting damage and with international claims for compensation. With USAID assistance, automatic monitoring stations have been built for the better protection of rivers in the east of Hungary. Systems for analysis and information supply are being installed in the waters of our major water bodies. Also for the sake of water protection, a countrywide sewage-filtering program has been implemented. Financed by the Ministry for Environment, the Alföld program has been launched for the protection of underground water resources, as well as because of the problems in the sandy area between the Rivers Danube and Tisza and for the sake of water replacement. There is also a separate Act on Water Protection.
