International Waters learning Exchange & Resource Network

Hungary: Reduction of Nutrient Discharges - under WB-GEF Strategic Partnership for Nutrient Reduction in the Danube River and Black Sea - Results

GEF IDS: 1351

Scale
National

Country
Hungary

Information sources
IWC6 Results Note (2011)

Key Basin Project Results
1. The North Budapest Wastewater Treatment Plant was upgraded and commissioned in April 2011, to provide tertiary wastewater treatment, resulting in a reduction in the discharge of total Nitrogen and Phosphorous from the Plant into the Danube River by 72 and 75 percent, respectively; ammomium-nitrogen discharge reduced by 91 %. Other wastewater discharge parameters from the Plant such as removal of BOD have also improved significantly
(92%).
2. About 2500 hectares of wetlands within the Gemenc and Beda-Karapancsa areas located within the Duna Drava National Park have been rehabilitated to improve their nutrient (N&P) trapping capacity, and 4500 hectares are expected to be rehabilitated by the end of October 2011.
3. Project results on nutrient reduction using both conventional and wetland rehabilitation mechanisms and related scientific findings have been widely disseminated through various media and fora including workshops, conferences and other knowledge sharing events in the Region and beyond.

Results data
Municipal wastewater pollution reduction
Year: N/A - Value: N: 2945 kg/year, P: 310 kg/year
Result 1: Reduction in the discharge of nutrients from Budapest into the River Danube
As a result of development of tertiary treatment at the North Budapest Wastewater Treatment Plant under Component 1, discharge of total Nitrogen and Phosphorous into the Danube River through point source pollution from the Plant has been reduced by 72 and 75 percent, respectively; ammomium-nitrogen discharge also reduced by 91 %. The Plant is operating at an average of about 75 percent of volumetric capacity (140-150,000 cubic meters a day) and in addition to the mentioned nutrient removal, is meeting standards for removal of other parameters such as Biochemical Oxygen demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and Suspended Solids. Nutrient reduction results are demonstrated through the following project results indicators:

• INDICATOR 1 (Annual reduction of nutrient discharges from the NBWWTP (N and P kg/year)):
Targets: 2945 (N) and 310 (P), representing a reduction from the baseline of about 68% and 60% respectively)]. As a result of the project, the targets with respect to both Nitrogen and Phosphorous were met and exceeded, with results in June 2011 representing a 72% and 75% reduction in the two nutrients respectively.
• INDICATOR 2 (Average operational cost of the nutrient reduction process in the NBWWTP (US$/kg of nutrient reduced; Target: US$0.03-0.05/m3). The average operational cost of the nutrient reduction process in the NBWWTP (June 2011) was US$0.03/m3.
Restored habitat, including wetlands
Year: N/A - Value: 7000 ha
As a result of the rehabilitation of an estimated 2500 hectares of wetlands in the DDNP, representing just over half of the envisaged works, as well as installation of hydraulic artifacts in the area, the amount of nutrients retained by these wetlands is expected to have increased, although actual results measurements will be undertaken after the works are completed.
• INDICATOR 1 (Number of hectares of wetlands rehabilitated in the DDNP (Target: 4500 ha;
estimated 2500 ha completed to date)
• INDICATOR 2 (Annual amount of nutrients retained by the DDNP wetlands (N and P kg/year):
Results to be taken after completion of works.