Restoring Land and Protecting Water

Introduction

Hungary, with its vast plains, river basins, and industrial regions, has always depended on the health of its land and water for agriculture, urban growth, and economic stability. But decades of intensive farming, heavy industry, and urban expansion have left a lasting impact. Fertilizer runoff, industrial pollutants, and mining legacies now threaten soil fertility, groundwater quality, and public health.

At The Ground Water Company, we deliver tailored soil remediation services across Hungary. Our role is to help communities, industries, and municipalities clean up contaminated sites, safeguard groundwater, and meet both Hungarian and European Union environmental standards.

What Is Soil Remediation?

Soil remediation is the process of cleaning up and restoring contaminated soil to make it safe for people, plants, and animals. It’s commonly used at sites where industrial activities, chemical spills, or improper waste disposal have polluted the ground.

• Agricultural chemicals – Fertilizers and pesticides used in intensive farming across the Great Hungarian Plain.
• Petroleum hydrocarbons – Leaks and spills near transport corridors, fuel depots, and industrial plants.
• Heavy metals – Pollution from historic mining areas, especially in northern and western Hungary.
• Waste residues – Improper waste handling and aging landfills on the edges of growing cities.
• Nitrates and salinity – Over-fertilization and irrigation practices leading to groundwater stress.

Key Soil Contamination Challenges in Hungary

Hungary’s geography and economy create specific environmental pressures:

• Agricultural Dependence – Long-term fertilizer use has led to nitrate buildup, threatening both crops and aquifers.
• Mining and Industrial Legacies – Heavy metals remain in soils around old mining and metallurgical regions.
• Industrial Footprints – Factories, fuel storage sites, and small workshops leave behind hydrocarbons and solvents.
• Urban Growth – Expanding cities and inadequate waste disposal affect soil and groundwater quality.
• Water Resource Stress – With aquifers playing a central role in Hungary’s drinking water supply, contamination poses a long-term risk.

Our Soil Remediation Services in Hungary

1. Site Assessment & Soil Testing

Soil sampling and analysis to identify contaminants

Risk assessment for human health and environment

Geotechnical surveys to understand soil structure

2. Excavation & Disposal

Removal of contaminated soil

Transport to licensed disposal facilities

Landfill management or off-site treatment

3.In-Situ Remediation Services

Bioremediation (using microbes or plants)

Chemical oxidation/reduction

Soil vapor extraction

Phytoremediation

4.Ex-Situ Remediation Services

Soil washing

Thermal desorption

Stabilization 

5.Water Treatment 

Pump and treat systems

Permeable reactive barriers

Containment systems

6.Monitoring & Reporting

Post-remediation soil testing

Environmental monitoring

Regulatory reporting and documentation

Why Soil Remediation Matters in Hungary

• Protects Aquifers – Ensures safe drinking water for households and communities.
• Restores Farmland – Preserves soil fertility and secures agricultural productivity.
• Supports Compliance – Helps meet national laws and EU environmental directives.
• Safeguards Communities – Reduces risks of exposure to harmful contaminants.
• Revitalizes Land – Makes polluted or abandoned sites usable again for development.

Other Groundwater Services We Provide in Hungary

In addition to soil remediation, GWC offers a wide range of groundwater services:

•  Ground water exploration
•  Ground water recharge
•  Ground water contamination
•  Dewatering solutions
•  Flooding solutions
•  Hydrological studies
•  Ground water seepage 
•  Ground water remediation 
•  Flood risk assessment
•  Ground water consulting
•  Ground water quality monitoring
•  Integrated water resources management
•  Rock mapping
  

Conclusion

Hungary’s reliance on both fertile farmland and groundwater resources makes soil and water protection a national priority. At The Ground Water Company, we bring practical solutions backed by science and experience restoring polluted soils, safeguarding aquifers, and supporting Hungary’s long-term environmental and economic resilience.