The municipality of Hosszúpályi, a town in eastern Hungary, has secured significant European Union support to improve its rainwater management infrastructure. Under the “Liveable Settlements” call for proposals, the local authority is implementing the second phase of its “Rainwater Drainage System Development” project (code: TOP_PLUSZ 1.2.1-21-HB1-2022-00037). The development is financed through the Széchenyi Plan Plus programme with a 100% non-refundable EU grant worth HUF 150 million.
The project focuses on rebuilding the settlement’s silted-up and deteriorated drainage channels, which have long been inadequate to handle heavy rainfall. By modernising these facilities, the municipality aims to create a coherent, integrated water management system. The goals are broad: to improve environmental safety, reduce flood and inland water risks within the built-up areas, enhance the quality of surface waters, and prevent further environmental damage by retaining excess water. Importantly, the development is also intended to strengthen the town’s ability to adapt to the growing challenges of climate change.
As part of the current phase, the earth-lined roadside ditches—many of which had become clogged and ineffective—will be reconstructed with durable, modern linings capable of withstanding greater stress. This will not only improve water management and flood protection, but also contribute to the visual improvement of the townscape.
The project covers several designated sites along Hunyadi Street and Kossuth Street in Hosszúpályi, where the new drainage channels will be constructed to form a unified network across the settlement.
Following a public procurement procedure, the contract for the construction was awarded to Épít-Takarít 2004 Bt., which submitted the most competitive bid at a net value of HUF 67,325,000 + VAT. The municipality signed the implementation contract with the company on 16 June 2025, and the official handover of the work sites took place on 27 June 2025. From that date, the contractor has been granted six months to complete the construction works.
With this investment, Hosszúpályi not only addresses pressing environmental and infrastructural needs but also positions itself as a settlement more resilient to climate-related risks, improving both safety and quality of life for its residents.
(Source: debreceninap.hu)
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
