Diagnostic investigation and determination of protection zones of mineral water springs and drinking water supply wells in Eger (Petőfi tér)

The warmish karst springs in Eger were active even in the ice-age. Probably inhabitants have known the springs from the beginning of historical times: warm water must have attracted people in the beginnings.

The springs arise to the surface through spring vents; the temperature of the water is 28-30 ºC. Originally they fed small lakes, nowadays spas and swimming pools utilize the water, the Turkish Bath, Bárány swimming pool and open-air bath in Eger.

The water of the springs was not utilized until 1926, when geologist Zoltán Schréter found the karstic limestone horst situated under Petőfi square in the downtown of Eger feasible for drinking water supply. The 60,74 m deep drinking water supply well drilled in 1926 (well I.) was the first well that the Central Municipal Waterworks of Eger established. The high yield well I. supplied the water demand of Eger for decades. Currently the unique well made of larch wood is in good technical condition. Later on in the 1950’s and 1960’s another 4 supply wells were drilled in the water supply which are now operated by Heves County Waterworks.

The need of determination of protection zones of the vulnerable Petőfi tér water supply for the long-term preservation of good quality and quantity of karst water was proposed by Zoltán Schréter in the 1920’s.

In the framework of the Operating Vulnerable Water Supplies programme SMARAGD-GSH Ltd. made the safety plan and determined the protection zones of the Eger Petőfi tér water supply between 2002 and 2009. The project investor was ÉKÖVIZIG (Northern Hungarian Water Conservancy Directorate).