CURRENT PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS TO REVITALIZE THE BEGA CHANNEL

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to highlight the need for sustainable development of the Bega Channel and adjacent land and to try to establish engineering, institutional, management and legislation measures, which are necessary to achieve revitalization of Bega Channel. The ultimate objective is the development and sustainable use of Bega Channel. Work on Bega Channel began in 1728 with the primary goal of the Banat Plain draining marshes and then to create a way for wood rafting between Faget and Timisoara. Bega Channel also is part of the hydrotechnical system Costei - Topolovat, the role of defending the city of Timisoara against floods, but also to provide a water flow channel for periods of drought, for water supply of the city. Currently, Bega Channel faces a number of problems: high enough degree of water pollution, clogging of the bottom bed (which leads to the impossibility of re-shipping), and destruction of aquatic ecosystems. The main beneficiaries of the Bega Channel revitalization are the residents of Timisoara city, with more opportunities for recreation on the banks of the channel in Timisoara (boating, fishing etc.) and a better environment along the channel; greater protection against floods; improvement of employment as a result of an increase of tourist facilities, the opening of the waterway to the west for the luxury yachts and ships up to 1000 tons, which can to navigate the Danube in Timisoara and the establishment of a port. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

Headnote

ABSTRACT. - Current problems and solutions to revitalize the Bega Channel. The objective of this paper is to highlight the need for sustainable development of the Bega Channel and adjacent land and to try to establish engineering, institutional, management and legislation measures, which are necessary to achieve revitalization of Bega Channel. The ultimate objective is the development and sustainable use of Bega Channel. Work on Bega Channel began in 1728 with the primary goal of the Banat Plain draining marshes and then to create a way for wood rafting between Faget and Timisoara. Bega Channel also is part of the hydrotechnical system Costei - Topolovat, the role of defending the city of Timisoara against floods, but also to provide a water flow channel for periods of drought, for water supply of the city. Currently, Bega Channel faces a number of problems: high enough degree of water pollution, clogging of the bottom bed (which leads to the impossibility of re-shipping), and destruction of aquatic ecosystems. The main beneficiaries of the Bega Channel revitalization are the residents of Timisoara city, with more opportunities for recreation on the banks of the channel in Timisoara (boating, fishing etc.) and a better environment along the channel; greater protection against floods; improvement of employment as a result of an increase of tourist facilities, the opening of the waterway to the west for the luxury yachts and ships up to 1000 tons, which can to navigate the Danube in Timisoara and the establishment of a port.

Keywords: revitalization, Bega Channel, measures, objectives of revitalization.

1. INTRODUCTION

Timis-Bega basin area is part of the Banat hydrographical space, shown in Figure 1. Bega springs in Poiana Rusca Mountains at an altitude of 890 m below the peak Pades and water catchment area (4470 km2) has a general east-west orientation (course length is 170 km). The length of the Bega River hydrographical network is 1418 km, its density being 0.32 km/km2. Bega is poured into the river Tisa on territory of Serbia. Average yearly leakage varies with altitude, with values between 2 and 18 l/s/km2 l/s/km2

To mitigate flood waves were executed during 1966 - 1974 earth dams in the valleys with great floods share. Depending on the values of investments, these reservoirs have been achieved for flow regulating and in some case to have complex uses. In this way the problem of defense against flooding is under control and well resolved. Between Timis and Bega rivers basins are a series of connections. This system was designed, built and is still operated and maintained to control the water levels and discharges in Bega Channel.

The total length of the channel is about 119 km, of which 44 km in Romania and 75 km (63%) in Serbia. Bega Channel could and still can have the following functions, while Timisoara and other areas around the channel are protected against flooding: navigation, source of water supply and sewage emissary for partial/total treated wastewater, drainage, irrigation, electricity production, and recreation.

Bega Channel works started in 1728 with the primary intention of draining marshes Banat plain and then to create a way for wood rafting between Faget and Timisoara. Work began by regulating a part of the Bega river bed and continued between 1750 - 1754 by digging a new waterbed between town Klek (Serbia) and Timisoara, for a distance of 70 km, to make a permanent waterway to the Tisza. Construction of hydrotechnical node Costei - Topolovat in order to achieve appropriate levels for navigation marked the beginning of navigation on Bega. In the late eighteenth century the floods damage to the waterway of the River Timis and Bega Channel.

In the early nineteenth century, the arranjaments for flood control, combined with works for irrigation and start of coordinated shipping, led to the Bega Channel complex arrangement. During 1901-1916 was made the Bega Channel sectorization through construction of six hydro bridges, (five located between the confluence of the Tisza and Timisoara, and the sixth in the confluence area of the Tisza with Danube). During 1902 - 1913 for transportation needs in Banat, Bega Channel was achieved. Navigable Bega has a length of 115 km of which 75 km on the territory of Serbia, and 40 km on the Romanian territory.

In 1931 was reached a peak in volume of navigation on Bega Channel. After World War II traffic fell below 50 tons per year. This downward flow of navigation combined with the absence of continued maintenance led the traffic stop to the Bega Channel in 1958.

2. MAIN CURRENT PROBLEMS OF BEGA CHANNEL

Water pollution due to economic activities. Economy of watershed cover major industries: chemicals, construction machinery, animal husbandry, agriculture. These units contribute significantly to the degradation of Bega water quality, both the upstream sector of Timisoara, especially the downstream sector.

Although the "Bega navigable" was dug primarily for the movement of ships in the past 40 years has not been used at all for the purpose originally intended. Unfortunately, this stream has become a real landfill of wastewaters and is the most polluted stream in Vojvodina. Extraordinary poor quality of the channels water is due to most of Timisoara sewage reception and downstream localities in Romania. Since 1957 this issue is the subject of debate in all the mixed Serbian - Romanian hydro Commission. A large part of organic materials decompose in the place of discharge of wastewater (downstream of Timisoara) and to profile the border. Because of decomposition of organic substances in the upstream border result pollution problems due to oxygen deficiency. Oxygen regime was seriously threatened. Complete lack of oxygen was recorded from 15% to 46% of cases were examined. Low dissolved oxygen concentrations that correspond to the situation "to classify" were recorded in 69% to 85% of the cases examined.

Water pollution due to sediment. Mud deposited on the bottom slab in addition to reducing channel flow section focuses materials present in the water and from wastewater. In mud remain organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus compounds, and toxic materials (phenols, pesticides, heavy metals and radionuclide's). In addition to material that easily consume all the oxygen deposited on the bottom of the watercourse (oxygen being a vital issue for aquatic flora and fauna) in the sediment is deposited and amounts of biological materials which are decompose slowly. Mud deposited near the watercourse (the banks) through the rain washes and the migration of materials from wastewater, affect negatively the quality of water current.

In this general context of the overall presentation of the phenomenon of pollution Bega Channel should be noted that the entry in Timisoara the river water is part of a higher quality category (A2) and downstream of Timisoara cannot always provide complex conditions allow classification in category A4 - A5, in poor condition. The current measures taken to limit pollution line, crossing the state during "degraded" with all the implications that this entails. (National Administration "Romanian Waters"- BanatWater Basin Administration, 2004; 2009)

Changing the geometrical and hydraulic characteristics of the river bed. By human intervention on the river by sewage, development banks, impoundment and other hydraulic structures for navigation and water supply have changed the natural conditions of the river slope, roughness, water velocity etc., which leading to new areas of deposition and erosion. The massive sediment intake can cause filling the bed, leading to increase of slope and water velocity, and to bed instability. Fine sediment in suspension affects aquatic fauna if turbidity remains high long periods of time. The most dramatic changes are induced by hydrotechnical structures building needed to ensure a minimum level of water for navigation. They retain the sediments transported normally from upstream and evacuate in downstream clean water with an increased transport capacity. Downstream of these structures occur pronounced erosion of the riverbed.

Clear is that Bega Channel bed tends to balance, which leading to erosion and deposition in different sectors. This process will continue even after channel dredging. For this reason the bed must be arranged, eventually regularize, because in the future these processes will be insignificant as to avoid every time dredging, which is very expensive and may adversely affect the ecological balance of the area. (I.C.P.G.A., 1970; I.P.T.A.N.A., 1991; National Administration "Romanian Waters"- Banat Water Basin Administration, 1999)

3. BEGA CHANNEL REVITALIZATION

The objective of this study to revitalize the Bega Channel is to highlight the need for sustainable development of the Bega Channel and adjacent land and to try to establish engineering, institutional, management and legislation measures which are necessary to achieve revitalization Bega Channel. Romania, as part of the communist bloc, relations with the West was interrupted by the year 1990. Also, the navigation on Bega Channel was stopped and the channel was neglected.

The ultimate objective is the development and sustainable use of Bega Channel. Problems that hinder sustainable development of the channel are:

- water quality of this transborder water course, which is far below the water quality standard established by agreements with neighboring Serbia;

- bottom of the bed, which is covered by a thick layer of contaminated mud;

- interconnection Bega - Timis system management, which not works optimally;

- unused potential of the possibilities offered by a clear channel for the benefit of tourism and recreation;

- decline of the industrial sector, unemployment in the 1990s until now, that could be stopped by opening the markets of the West, through infrastructure development.

Expected results of the Bega Channel revitalization are: Bega Channel water and surrounding areas sustainable and integrated management ; improving water quality; contaminated sludge dredging, setting its storage location without polluting the groundwater; optimization of Timis - Bega hydrotechnical system; establish the technical, institutional and budgetary frame for an operational management of Timis - Bega hydrotechnical system; increased tourism and recreational potential of a clean Bega Channel.

Compared with the general situation in Romania, Banat has a pretty good infrastructure. Timisoara fulfills a center, is connected to the national rail and road. However, the city not orders a proper connection with Western Europe. At the Third Pan-European Conference in Helsinki (June 1997) decided to develop a series of international transport connections (corridors) that on the long term will be of interest to Europe. Two of these corridors cross the Banat:

- road route Dresden - Prague - Budapest - Bucharest / Sofia, passing through Timisoara;

- corridor Rhine - Main - Danube, which is an important shipping route between North Sea and the Black Sea.

Timisoara could connect to the corridor Rhine - Main - Danube in case in which the Bega Channel where it becomes navigable again. Currently, the ships which traveling on the route Rhine - Danube cannot use the channel because the channel dimensions and locks permit only crossing of ships up to 500 tons.

The main beneficiaries of sustainable development/revitalization of Bega Channel are the inhabitants of Timisoara because:

- more opportunities for recreation on the banks of the channel in Timisoara (boating, fishing, etc.) and a better environment along the channel;

- greater protection against floods;

- employment as a result of an increase of tourist facilities, the opening of the waterway to the west, allowing luxury yachts to sail on the Danube in Timisoara;

- modernization of the canal to become a shipping route for ships up to 1000 tons and the establishment of a port with an expansion of the industry, thus providing more jobs.

Also, the north-west of Romania and Transylvania will have an opening to Western Europe through the Bega Channel (engaged in import/export industry, heavy industry, agriculture, food processing). Industry, trade and transport sectors are showing a downward trend in prices will receive an incentive through market expansion to Western Europe. Romanian companies will benefit from industrial and commercial change and for international companies Timisoara area will be an area of interest for investment.

Tourism and recreation sector will receive new opportunities by initiating activities related to Bega Channel. Romanian contractors and shipyards profit (to be established) will increase as a result of orders caused by the Bega Channel revitalization. The treatment of water from Bega for water supply will be easier, due to lower amount of sediment floating. Optimization of Timis - Bega hydrotechnical system will create the possibility of sampling a higher flow for water supply, when population growth and industry will require. Environment in and around the Bega Channel will be better protected after achieving sustainable development and continuing of management operation of Bega Channel.

The objectives of sustainable management of the system Timis - Bega are the followings: improving water quality; removal of contaminated sludge from bed of Bega Channel; optimizing Timis - Bega system operation; operation and maintenance; tourism and recreation; Bega Channel development.

Possible/suggested activities:

- development of technical measures, including non-recoverable and structural estimate costs and deadlines for at least two scenarios:

S1 - well managed Bega Channel, with good water quality and river bed, gates and locks renovated, but is navigable for ships up to 500 tons. Goods may be transported in containers that are transferred to larger ships in Serbia;

S2 - Bega Channel, which is upgraded for ships traveling on the Danube - Rhine, making a port and an industrial park near Timisoara;

- investigate potential opportunities for recovery of industrial and commercial activities in the Romanian part of Banat and possible connection with roads, inland waterways and railways;

- analysis of options to improve ties with Western Europe (railways, roads and waterways), taking into account various goods transport;

- multicriterialy analysis, which includes a cost - benefit analysis for the following scenarios, taking account of environmental, social and economic aspects:

S0 - the continuation of current situation;

S1 - sustainable development of the Bega Channel without adapting channel for the corridor Rhine - Danube (navigation possible for ships up to 500 tons);

S2 - Bega Channel sustainable development, the modernization of the channel corridor f,or inclusion in the Danube - Rhine (navigation possible for ships up to 1000 tons). (National Administration "Romanian Waters"- Banat Water Basin Administration, 2004; 2009; I.P.T.A.N.A., 1991; Town-Hall Of Timisoara, 2002)

4. PROPOSED MEASURES FOR BEGA CHANNEL REVITALIZATION

To successfully solve the revitalization and protection of these natural resources should be undertaking concrete measures both locally and upstream of Timisoara:

- reduction of organic substances in effluents - upstream border towns will have to evacuate wastewater after it has previously passed through a treatment plant;

- purification of industrial wastewater;

- check operation of facilities, making possible the exploitation of facilities with common measures;

- prohibition of building installations whose investment program proposed solutions are not suitable for waste materials and maintenance costs are not inserted into the system for purify their own waste materials;

- legislation to require each water user that after water is used in the technological process to evacuate their upstream catchments;

- order the legal entities that perform various works on urban water and sewerage networks, telephone, gas distribution, etc., to conclude as soon as work to prevent dust formation and solid flow in sewerage networks, and then polluting the Bega Channel with various substances;

- avoid storing any fertilizers near watercourse;

- order the citizens to not perform repairs and cleaning their vehicles on reception area of rainwater;

- ensure cleanliness in areas where storm water drain and get free ground to discharge in Bega and avoid storage of various substances or products directly on the ground;

- avoid direct discharge into the river of water or slurry from farms or individual households;

- execute the protection corridor of Bega River against pollution with organic substances from Smithfield farms so that the groundwater to reach a river as a quality water;

- upgrading the wastewater treatment plant and bring it in a position to purge fully the wastewater from the city of Timisoara;

- modernization and upgrade the wastewater treatment plant from S.C. Solventul S.A. and Sugar Factory;

- dredging of River Bega or at least of Bega Channel for improving water quality. After dredging the extracted mud must be transported to landfill;

- Bega Channel and Bega River dredging to restore the original cross sections for resumption of navigation;

- development of wastewater pre-treatment plants for industrial units;

- use the lock and spillway from Sânmihaiu and Otelec on Romanian territory.(National Administration "Romanian Waters"- Banat Water Basin Administration, 2009; Diaconu, 1999; Popa, 1998).

Work performed by the National Administration "Romanian Waters" - Banat Water Basin Administration in recent years: modernization of hydrotechnical node Costei; Bega Channel desilting on Timisoara sector. This will continue, however, to the border with Serbia, according to the project; Bega Channel redevelopment in areas where tiles fell broke the beam.

Total investment in the entire channel desilting operation, to the border with Serbia, is 17 million Euros, 19% of this amount is allocated by the Government through the Ministry of Environment, and the remaining money coming from the Development Bank of European Council. About 200 people work for channel desilting between Timisoara and border with Serbia (43 km).

Timisoara City Hall announced recently that after completion of the work of cleaning the Bega Channel, will purchase two boats to ensure transport on channel. Along the banks will be arranged cycle paths, walking paths and lighting will be installed for best quality. All these are part of a larger project to revitalize the Bega Channel; a project will be implemented by the Timisoara City Hall in the future years.

Currently, the National Administration "Romanian Waters", Banat Water Basin Administration is an ongoing process of desilting the Bega Channel, from the entry in Timisoara, respectively from Water Plant 2-4 to Romanian Sânmihaiu hydrotechnical node. There have also been identified by banks protection works status. They are degraded, following to be executed works to restore degraded portions. (National Administration "Romanian Waters"- Banat Water Basin Administration, 2010).

5. CONCLUSIONS

Bega Channel revitalization for navigation means primarily a revival and protection of aquatic ecosystems. At present, the difficulties encountered by the Romanian economy, politics and the economy of Serbia, uncertainties about the traffic on channel in the future and further improve cooperation between the Romanian and Serbian authorities make the first option to be more sensitive. It has the advantage of echelon investments over time by creating an environment friendly Bega Channel in Romania, in the first stage. In this first stage can be achieved recreation areas and may appeal to companies wishing to invest in the project.

In case of continuity of the current situation, in the current management of Bega River basin, not impose any measure to decrease the rate of clogging about 15 000 m3/year along the Romanian sector. This phenomena lead on some sectors to increase bed level every year with 15 to 20 cm, which means that in 15 ... 20 years, these areas could be completely clogged. In terms of water quality of Bega Channel, will be kept current real inadequate state in downstream of Timisoara.

In case of Bega Channel revitalization, may propose the following suggestions: a readjustment the dimensions of channel by dredging of 625,000 m3 sediment volume; existing analysis on sludge quality should be extended to layers of mud deposits in a number of selected cross sections depending of the location of pollution sources, based on sludge samples could be established technology for extraction, handling and storage of dredged sludge; integration into the landscape of hydrotechnical structures; execution of remedial works for hydrotechnical structures located along the channel and upstream (Costei and Topolovat dam, lock Romanian Sânmihaiu); identification of pollution sources along the channel and effluent water quality assessment is necessary. (I.C.P.G.A., 1970; I.P.T.A.N.A., 1991; Town-Hall Of Timisoara, 2002).

References

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