vízhálózat

A vízhálózat, or water network, refers to the engineered system responsible for distributing potable water from its source to consumers and collecting wastewater for treatment. This intricate infrastructure typically comprises several key components. The water supply network begins with water sources, which can be surface water bodies like rivers and lakes, or groundwater from wells. This raw water is then treated at purification plants to remove contaminants and meet safety standards. From the treatment plant, a network of pipes transports the treated water to storage reservoirs or directly to homes and businesses through a distribution system. These pipes vary in size and material, with larger mains carrying bulk water and smaller service lines connecting to individual properties.

The wastewater collection network, often called a sewerage system, is designed to gather used water and other waste from buildings. This consists of a separate network of underground pipes that carry the wastewater to a sewage treatment plant. At the treatment plant, pollutants are removed through various physical, chemical, and biological processes before the treated effluent is discharged back into the environment, ideally without causing harm. In some areas, combined sewer systems exist, which carry both stormwater and wastewater in the same pipes, though this is increasingly being separated to improve treatment efficiency and reduce pollution during heavy rainfall. The effective functioning of both the water supply and wastewater networks is crucial for public health, sanitation, and environmental protection.