Within the framework of the Interreg Hungary-Slovakia Programme, a project is being launched under the leadership of the HUN-REN Research Centre for Astronomy and Earth Sciences (HUN-REN RCAES), with the participation of DMRV Danube Regional Waterworks Ltd. and the Municipality of Ipolynyék (Vinica) in Slovakia, to improve the efficiency of municipal wastewater treatment through technology-intensive interventions.
Under the project "Reducing water pollution through wastewater treatment investments in the Ipoly/Ipeľ river basin", the international consortium aims to reduce the wastewater pollution of the River Ipoly/Ipeľ and its tributaries through cross-border cooperation. The project, known as #CLEANWATER, started in June 2024 and will end at the end of November 2026. The total cost of the project is € 1.908.333,72, of which the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) contribution is € 1.526.666,97.
The catchment of the River Ipoly/Ipeľ is a basin of small rivers and streams exposed to anthropogenic pollution. Streams and rivers are the receiving effluents of many small wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The project aims to reduce water pollution by upgrading two WWTPs and establishing the efficient removal of persistent micropollutants with quaternary treatment. The tasks of the partners:
- HUN-REN RCAES (Hungary): Investigation of the micropollutant load of surface water, groundwater, and drinking water in the catchment, planning innovative fourth wastewater treatment steps.
- DMRV Danube Regional Waterworks Ltd. (Hungary): A new screw press will be installed at the Nógrád WWTP to dewater the sludge.
- Municipality of Ipolynyék (Obec Vinica) (Slovakia): The aim of this project part is to upgrade the technology of WWTP and plan the sewage network of Vinica connected to the reconstructed WWTP.
Main data of the project:
Name of the Programme Interreg Hungary-Slovakia Programme
Project title: Reduction of water pollution through wastewater treatment investments in the Ipoly/Ipeľ river basin
Project short title: #CLEANWATER
Start: 01.06.2024.
End: 30.11.2026.
Consortium members:
Lead partner: HUN-REN Research Centre for Astronomy and Earth Sciences (HUN-REN RCAES)
Partners: DMRV Danube Regional Waterworks Ltd., Municipality of Ipolynyék (Obec Vinica) (Slovakia)
Total EU contribution: € 1.526.666,97
Total cost of the HUN-REN RCAES: € EUR 508.620
EU contribution: € 406.896
Hungarian State co-financing: € 101.724
