This major project – aimed at constructing the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant, and many other, related facilities – is currently the largest environmental investment under implementation in Europe.
By 2010 the ÉlőDuna project – consisting several subprojects – will ensure that 95% of the wastewater of Budapest is returned to the Danube following biological treatment by modernisation of the wastewater treatment system of the capital city. As the name of the project reflects, the objective is to turn or rather to return the river to a vital status, which has an impact on everyone being in contact with the river.

By implementing the project our capital meets the requirements of Council Directive 91/271-EEC, stating that all member states must prepare their National Action Programme for the Collection and Treatment of Wastewater and provide a solution for the issue of wastewater management for the whole area of the country. The requirements of the Directive are set forth in Government Resolution 25/2002, according to which agglomerations producing large quantities of wastewater, such as Budapest, should ensure the collection, biological treatment and hazard free discharge of wastewater on their whole territory by the end of 2010. We shall not only be complying with the European Union directive, but we will also be contributing significantly to the objectives of the 1994 Sofia Convention – prevention of transboundary impacts, protection of the Danube, maintenance and improvement of the conditions of the river - on the cooperation aimed at the protection and sustainable use of the Danube. Beyond the before mentioned, our country also has to execute the tasks related to the achievement of the values set forth in the EU Water Framework Directive, which entered into force in December of 2002. The general objective of the Directive is to achieve good status of all surface and groundwater bodies by 2015, and the prevention of any further deterioration of them.

The ÉlőDuna project contributes significantly to the achievements of the obejctives adopted at international level: By collecting and treating the capital’s wastewater adequatly, it also improves at the same time the water quality of the Danube from Budapest  to south. Until the completion of the project we can already imagine what a feeling it is going to be, to be able to swim safely in the Danube or  to fish again for the indigenous species of the river.

Our website strives to provide up-to-date information for everyone interested: the "Professional Sites" menu is primarily for those interested in the precise technical parameters of the project and for present as well as future cooperating partners, while the "Information for the Public" menu sets out information, current reports, photos and animations on the ÉlőDuna project important for members of the public. The "Media Information" tab is suggested for representatives of the different media interested in the project.