Freshwater - Why care? (Hungary)

SOER 2010 Common environmental theme (Deprecated)

Topics: Water and marine environment

This page was archived on 21 Mar 2015 with reason: A new version has been published

SOER Common environmental theme from Hungary

Topic: Freshwater

Published: 30 Nov 2010 Modified: 11 May 2020

Water is an essential requisite for our life, indispensable element of ecosystems, landscapes and an important factor for economic development. It is a renewable, but vulnerable resource in Hungary.

The country’s location (a basin surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains, being part of the Danube catchment area) and its spatial/geographical features determine its relief, hydrological and meteorological characteristics. (see Map 1)

The climate is moderate with a strong continental influence. The average yearly precipitation is around 600mm, yet showing an uneven distribution in space and time. Droughts are common, especially in the south-eastern part of the country.

The catchments of our rivers - with a few exceptions – are located in the mountainous areas of the surrounding countries. 96% of all surface water comes from outside our borders. Our surface water resources and the rivers’ flow regime are characterised by high spatial and temporal variability. Two-thirds of the country consists of flatlands, the majority of which is outlet, extremely low-lying and exposed to flooding. The area exposed to flood risk extends to 21 248 km² (see Map 2).

In addition, there is a substantial risk of inland flooding - the total inundated area can be as high as 44 890 km² (see Map 3). Thus, river and inland flooding, as well as droughts are key issues in Hungary.

As to our lake waters – including Lake Balaton, the largest shallow lake in Central Europe – these are fully or partially protected as wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention (altogether 28 Hungarian wetland habitats are enlisted on the Ramsar List with a total area of 233 000 ha - see Part C Biodiversity for more details).

Oxbow lakes are of special importance, serving diverse purposes (nature protection, fisheries, irrigation) and as a buffer for inland water. Surface waters make up an important component of the National Ecological Network (see Part C Biodiversity for more details).

Groundwater resources in Hungary are substantial and abundant (also in the European context), providing around 95% of the drinking water supply. With regard to the fact that two thirds of public water supply is covered from vulnerable water sources, protection of these is a high priority of water management.

Hungary is well known for its richness in thermal waters (see Box1). A large part of these are recognised word-famous mineral and thermal waters with a favourable composition and therefore are under protection.