Evaluation of the Environmental State of Hungarian-Slovakian Transboundary Groundwater Bodies Within the “ENWAT” EU Project

Groundwater bodies along the Hungarian-Slovakian border form interconnected systems, which supply both countries with drinking water. Also surface waters, rivers and wetland ecosystems are dependent on the underlying groundwater. The EU Water Framework Directive deals with the quantitative and qualitative status of groundwater and protection of the ecosystems, which depend on groundwater as first priority objects. Three transboundary groundwater bodies were investigated in the Hungarian-Slovakian border region: Ipoly/Ipeľ Valley, Aggtelek-Slovak Karst region and Bodrog region within the European Union INTERREG IIIA type of project, named “Environmental state and sustainable management of Hungarian-Slovak transboundary groundwater bodies (ENWAT)”. Results of the project, based on hydrogeo-chemical evaluations and hydrogeological models, local needs, cost aspects and best practices, are a step forward in the creation of a joint Hungarian-Slovakian water management plan by supplying basic data and fresh information on transboundary groundwater bodies. The study also indicated the need to continue the process of pollution spread characterisation and the risks assessment in the case of groundwater resources by more detailed sampling and modelling on both sides of the border. Co-ordination and implementation of such activities jointly could provide logistical advantages, reduce overlapping activities and lead to savings of time and money.