SIMPLE CALCULATIONS AND COMMENTS ABOUT IRRIGATION WATER IN HUNGARY

VIZVÁRI BÉLA

Keywords: Keywords: water retention, investment, network, Homokhátság JEL codes: Q01, Q25, Q54

Teljes cikk
In 2024, the need arose in Hungary to retain 4 cubic kilometres of water that rivers take out of the country more than they import. The first part of this article contains simple calculations to illustrate the volume of the technical task. It is important to understand that this means the continuous withdrawal and the continuous transmission of the water. The quality of the retained water is an important issue. This also includes the possible presence of pathogens, pharmaceutical residues and poisons such as cyanide in it. Care should also be taken to prevent the spread of harmful side effects such as malaria. It is often argued that the complete solution to the problem would be very expensive. In this regard, it is important to point out that the problem cannot be solved in a single year because there is not so much construction capacity in the country. Therefore, only a fraction of the total cost would be charged to the state budget every year. It is also important to note that the complete solution to the problem will not only support agriculture but also make life sustainable in the affected areas. A system should be developed that covers the relevant part of Hungary in the form of a large network or networks, while at the same time allowing the integration of available local opportunities. Only those elements should be developed that can be put into operation as soon as they are completed. It is also worth considering whether it is necessary to change the philosophy of irrigation and thus its regulation fundamentally. It is also important to note that the circumstances such as climate, water pollution, location of settlements, the world market including the domestic market and thus economic requirements, as well as harmful effects such as the spread of pathogens and toxic substances have changed fundamentally compared to the 19th century. There is no way to return to the conditions of the 19th century.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.53079/GAZDALKODAS.69.2.t.pp_106-118