2005 - 2006 - Pinsent Masons Water Yearbook 2012

HUNGARY PART 2: COUNTRY ANALYSIS
Hungary
Economics (2003)
GDP per capita US$6,350
GDP per capita (PPP) US$13,840
Agriculture 4%
Industry 31%
Services 65%
Water pollution concerns
Industrial pollution of surface and groundwater is a major problem. Groundwater quality is
decreasing. Approximately 35% of groundwater resources are regarded as failing acceptable
standards, with nitrate levels being a particular problem. In total, 60% of groundwater needs
treatment prior to use. Waters from the Danube are regarded as an unreliable source to depend
upon, because of the pollution load. In the south and central areas, there are extensive seasonal
water shortages.
Population
Total (2003, million) 10.1
Total (2015, million) 9.6
Urban areas, (2003) 65%
Urban areas, (2015) 70%
In urban agglomerations (2015) 19%
Development of sewerage infrastructure
Population served 1970 1980 1990 1992 1996 2000 2002
Tertiary 0% 0% 0% 1% 8% 31% 20%
Secondary 4% 12% 22% 11% 25% N/A 37%
Primary 2% 7% 9% 4% N/A 15% 4%
Preliminary 19% 19% 10% 27% 10% 5% 0%
None 75% 62% 59% 57% 48% 49% 39%
The proportion of population with sewerage services increased from 19% in 1980 to 49% in 2000. In
1995, 96% of the population was connected to mains water supplies. The country plans to spend
US$4.8 billion on sewerage service extension work between 1996 and 2010. A further US$1.5 billion
is to be spent on water provision during this period. Some US$0.75 billion was spent on sewerage
work between 1990 and 1995.
Connection to mains water and sewerage
% Water % Sewerage
1980 75% 40%
1990 92% 52%
1992 94% 54%
1993 95% 55%
1994 96% 56%
1995 96% 58%
2002 98% 58%
The quality of more than 42% of the drinking water supplies in 2002 did not fully comply with EU and
Hungarian standards. Between 1994 and 2000, the length of the sewerage network increased by
7,500km to 22,300km. 90% of households in Budapest were served with sewerage in 2002, against
72-44 % in other towns.
Urban Services
% Water 98%
% Sewerage 85%
% Sewage treated 70%
108 Pinsent Masons Water Yearbook 2005 – 2006