Lake Balaton is a treasure as a drinking water base

Zsolt V. Németh pointed out at the technical handover of modernized water purification technology at the Balatonszéplaki Surface Water Works of the Transdanubian Regional Water Works Zrt. (DRV): in recent years, summers have been getting longer and warmer, which has led to a significant increase in the organic matter load on Lake Balaton.

The deterioration of water quality, the appearance of taste and odor-impairing substances, and the resulting treatment difficulties are not only technical challenges, but also social and public health issues, so these problems cannot be taken lightly

– he emphasized.

The State Secretary reported that DRV, with the support of the Water Utilities Development and Compensation Fund, built an activated carbon filter system at the Balatonszéplak waterworks in 4 months with 200 million forints, which binds organic compounds remaining in the water, removes taste and odor-damaging substances, and micropollutants, improving the quality of drinking water in 19 settlements on the shores of Lake Balaton, increasing supply security, and reducing the need for disinfectants.

“This was not just a technological development, but an investment in the protection of human health,” he said, and it is also an extremely important response to the challenges of climate change, and an example of how the water utilities sector can respond quickly, responsibly, and effectively to natural changes.

V. Zsolt Németh noted that according to the results of a recent national survey on drinking water consumption habits and motivations, after convenience, taste is the most important factor influencing consumers in choosing tap water or bottled water provided by the service provider. Therefore, consumer signals and people’s opinions about products should not be ignored.

The State Secretary also spoke about the fact that water utility services are moving at the border of eras and are undergoing transformation.