Are we water rich or water poor. Levente Ronczyk: The Challenge of Water Resources Management in Hungary

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1 Levente Ronczyk University of Pécs Faculty of Sciences Institute of Geography, Hungary Are we water rich or water poor country? The Challenges of Water Resources Management in Hungary

2 + The water quantity flowing through Hungary per capita is the highest in the world - The contribution of internal runoff is the lowest in the continent. ( ). How much water do we have?

3 Physical geographical conditions of Hungary and water regime Key drivers of water use Pressure Climate change Political and human activities State Water abstraction and demand Impact Increasing risk of different water related natural hazards and conflict can be attributed to climate change only or are they also rooted in human activities? OUTLINE

4 Unique physical geographical aspects

5 96 per cent of our surface water resources is of foreign origin. Hungary receives 114 km3 through 24 water course The mean annual precipitation provides 58 km3 (600 mm/year) water 52 km³ of water is evaporated or infiltrates into the soil 120 km³ leaves the country annually through three rivers. ( ). Water availability and hydrological cycle

6 The spatial and temporal distribution of: Precipitation Water resources Land use Water demand is crucial and varies greatly Distribution

7 62% 16% 22% Spatial distribution of the main river of Hungary

8 Agricultural: % of the land area is agricultural land (8th of 198 countries) % of the land area is arable land (6th of 199) Nuclear power plant More than 40 % of the electricity is generated by nuclear power plant New blocks will be built in the very close future at the Danube (Paks) ( ). Key drivers of water use

9 Climate change Present pattern of land use Political issues Pressures

10 Decreasing mean annual precipitation Increasing mean annual temperature New absolute temperature maximum in Hungary (41.9 C, in 2007) Prolonged period of >30 C (daily maximum) days Long term climatic data (1901-to today)

11 Flow for most of the rivers will decrease more intensely than precipitation. The winter flow probably will increase while the summer one will decrease. The amount of snow will decrease. The water balance and quality of lakes might be modified. moisture content and infiltration into Soil groundwater will decrease. About 10,000 km2 (11% of Hungary s land area) will likely be affected by desertification in the future Increased frequency of low-precipitation years, floods and elevated water table. Somlyódy (ed) 2002 ( ). Climate Change

12 80% of Hungary could be drought-stricken and droughtaffected in the very near future Drought management

13 International river basins Different interests Examples: Water quantity Water quality Political factors

14 7000 million m3/y Cooling water Public I ndustrial Agricultural According to the present trends the agricultural water demand will increase by 40% in the next four years ( ). The future water demand

15 Very complex water management problems: Floods High water table Drought Impossible to treat them separately, an argent need to act to prevent increasing losses. - Separating the priority tasks (short-term, long-term) - Identifying human activates which have effects on water management issues. Impacts

16 Reduction of drought losses Stimulation of water retention techniques, New irrigation techniques Adaptation of land use Drought resistant corps Harmonizing flood and high water table protection and drought management with land use practice, Revealing the alternative supply method in the country, Somlyódy 2010 Short-term actions

17 Discover the new aquifers for future utilization Adaptation of agricultural activities Construction of new reservoirs on the local streams Construction new canal systems to convey water collected from the Danube river basin to the Tisza watershed, Somlyódy 2010 Long-term actions

18 High development cost Expensive and inflexible infrastructure Limited financial resources of the state (financial gap) Economical trends vs. strategic decision Financial Aspect

19 To avoid water resources problem is not a simple stand-alone issue in Hungary, it is a complex challenge embedded into the land use strategic plan. A sustainable solution heavily depends on changes in meteorological characteristics, but man made and political factors may also play a significant role. Fluctuations in runoff and precipitation demand stronger focus on the flexible planing. Conclusions

20 Thanks for your attention!