Justification for protection against water scarcity
Protection against water shortages is regulated by the Decree 10/1997 (VII. 17.) KHVM (Ministry of Health and Welfare) on flood and excess water control, which came into effect on 1st January 2022. The importance of the subject is equal to that of flood and excess water control, as the severity of droughts is nowadays reaching record levels year after year, with drought damage affecting all sectors, especially agriculture. Based on measured values and long-term forecasts, the frequency and intensity of droughts are on an increasing trend.
National averages of the Pálfai drought index between 1931 and 2022
The Operational Draught and Water Scarcity Management System currently consists of 121 monitoring stations – the number of stations is increasing every year. At each station, in addition to hydro-meteorological data, soil moisture data are measured at various depths. The measured data are used to calculate the HDI (Hungarian Drought Index). The HDI is composed of the HDI0 (meteorological drought index) and the HDIS (drought stress index). In addition to temperature and precipitation values, the HDIS also takes into account the impact of extreme precipitation deficit and hot weather conditions on plants. The measured and calculated data by each station is publicly available to anyone free of charge at http://aszalymonitoring.vizugy.hu/ and https://vizhiany.vizugy.hu/ and on the DWMS mobile app.
Stress factor-adjusted meteorological drought index (HDIs) on 29.07.2022
Prevention, preparation
The first task is preparation. Each spring, the Water Management aims to store surplus water and retain excess water and floodwater in our country. This is a complex task, as we need to be constantly prepared for the occurrence of a flood or excess water and its drainage. A successfully stocked water supply can be crucial during a drought period.
Water regulation is the main tool we have to prevent water scarcity. Through our streams and canals, we channel water to where it is needed the most. Water Directorates are mainly concerned with providing water for agricultural use, but there may also be ecological, industrial or technological needs. In addition to this, the most important task is to supply drinking water to the population, for which pumps are put on standby when necessary, adapting to low water levels.
Operational water scarcity preparedness levels
Details of the protection against water shortages are laid down in Chapter III/B of the Decree 10/1997 (VII. 17.) of the formal Ministry of Transport, Communications and Water Management. Based on the Decree, a distinction is made between first, second, third (I-III) preparedness levels and emergency preparedness level.
Each level of preparedness can be ordered for a total of 84 water scarcity management districts nationwide, and the local water director is responsible for ordering the appropriate level of preparedness, taking into account the water scarcity level determined on the basis of the drought index limits provided by the drought monitoring system, as well as local hydrological conditions, water flow, water levels and forecasts.
During a level I alert, the relevant water management directorate will ensure the necessary water management, maintenance and operational safety and prepare for further measures.
During a level II alert, the local water management directorate shall ensure, in addition to the requirements of a level I alert, that transportable pumps are put into operation, water replenishment is started, and water facilities are adapted as necessary.
During a level III alert, the relevant water management directorate may impose water restrictions in addition to those required for a level I or II alert and shall take all necessary steps to ensure the availability of additional water supplies.
The purpose of the emergency preparedness is to meet the water needs for subsistence drinking, public health and disaster relief.
Water scarcity control interventions
The flow and regulation of water determine water supplies. Occasionally, the flow is impeded and slowed down by the accumulation of fallen trees, debris and rubbish, and the overgrowth of aquatic vegetation, which must be removed as part of the protection measures. Another task is the maintenance of regulatory structures and pumping stations. Temporary pumps are utilised not only to provide drinking water, but also for ecological and agricultural water supply. The wide range of responsibilities also includes maintaining closer contact with agricultural water users in the event of water shortages. All interventions by the water directorates are subject to the authorisation of the Chief of the National Technical Coordinating Body (OMIT).
Drought monitoring station in Gádoros
Regulation of regional water allocation
One of the largest interconnected water management systems in Europe, the Tisza-Körös Valley Cooperative Water Management System, TIKEVIR, is located in Hungary. The justification for the system is supported by the high drought and rainfall deficiency of the area and the high proportion of cultivated land. It was also in the focus of the 2022 water scarcity management plan, which called for progressively more stringent restrictions to ensure optimal allocation of water resources. Because of its role and exposure, it will clearly continue to be a major focus of any future protection efforts. Restrictions are understood as a reduction in the transfer of the required volume of water between areas. The necessary measures to prevent water scarcity must also be taken wherever they are needed, e.g. in the “Kisalföld”. The restriction of agricultural water use can be avoided through the cooperation between water authorities and farmers. It was done so in 2022 by applying the so-called irrigation water use simultaneity schedule, meaning farmers could only take water for agricultural use at certain times of the day, on a scheduled basis, avoiding simultaneous water withdrawals.
The structure of the TIKEVIR system