Diagnostic investigation of Dunakeszi Municipal Waterworks, Duna Balpart-II Waterworks, Duna Balpart-I Waterworks

Dunakeszi, Balpart I. and II. bank filtration water supplies – that include 38 water supply wells – are situated between Budapest and Dunakeszi on the left bank of Danube. The water supply has great importance in supplying drinking water to Budapest and agglomeration, mainly Újpest and Dunakeszi. The waterworks was established in the late 19th century.

The northernmost 8 wells are operated by DMRV Ltd. (Danube Inshore Regional Waterworks) the others are worked by Budapest Waterworks Ltd. The daily exploitable water quantity from the water supply is 65 000 m3/d.

At the end of the ice-age Danube accumulated thick and wide gravel beds between Vác and Csepel Island; the supply wells discharge this gravel aquifer. At low water groundwater flows towards Danube bed, while during floods the river water fills up the gravel bed. As a consequence of continuous water production steady-state flow evolves from the direction of the river bed towards the wells; 70-90 % of the produced water is bank filtered river water. Contrary to public beliefs the quality of Danube water is good in this reach; microbiological contamination is completely filtered out by the gravel bed.

The gravel bed is a productive aquifer. Because it is in direct contact with the surface contaminants can get into the aquifer and spread quickly in the groundwater. Since this the water supply is vulnerable and protection of the water quality is needed.

SMARAGD-GSH Ltd. designed the safety plan of the Dunakeszi and Balpart I. and II. water supplies between 2003 and 2009. The project investor was KDV KÖVIZIG, the contractor was SMARAGD-GSH Ltd. DMRV Ltd. and Budapest Waterworks Ltd. were contributing partners in the project.