Liberec Region in Czechia to allocate CZK 85 million from Turów Fund for construction and project preparation

The Liberec Region will allocate more than CZK 85 million from the Turów Fund. The largest share is earmarked for building a water main in Václavice; the region will contribute to a water treatment plant in Machnín operated by the North Bohemian Water Supply and Sewerage Company (SVS), and funds are also set aside to prepare projects to secure drinking water in the Frýdlant area. Regional councillor for the environment Václav Židek (Pirates) told reporters today.

The Turów Fund was established under a Czech-Polish agreement to address the impacts of coal mining at the Turów mine near the Czech border. Continued mining and the planned expansion of the mine threaten water resources in border areas. As compensation for the damage, Poland and PGE, which own the mine and the adjacent power plant, paid the Czech Republic 45 million euros (approximately CZK 1.1 billion) two years ago. Of this, 35 million euros (CZK 887 million) went into the Turów Fund’s transparent account, which is managed by the Liberec Region. It currently holds more than CZK 904 million, including interest.

Hrádek nad Nisou will receive more than CZK 62 million to build a water main in the settlement of Václavice. „The project involves building a water main, including service connections, 9243 metres long, as well as three fire-water reservoirs. Around 350 residents will be newly connected to the water supply,“ Židek added. Excluding VAT, the entire construction project will cost more than CZK 146 million, with almost CZK 84 million covered by a grant from the Operational Programme Environment. Work is expected to start next week and be completed in 2026.

The region has also allocated a further more than CZK 1 million to the Machnín water treatment plant, which is intended to secure drinking water for border areas. SVS received almost CZK 56 million from the Operational Programme Environment for the CZK 164.5 million project, with the remaining CZK 108.5 million provided by the Turów Fund. „The project will now become somewhat more expensive, as the substation needs to be refurbished for the water treatment plant to operate. A different technical solution had originally been planned,“ Židek explained, outlining the need for the additional grant.

The plant is also expected to be followed by construction of a pipeline to carry water to the border areas. „We expect to discuss support for the project in August, with work due to start in the autumn. As for the Hrádek and Chrastava areas, the aim is to complete all the measures by autumn 2026 at the latest. All water mains in Hrádek nad Nisou will then be supplied from Machnín rather than from Uhelná,“ said Liberec Region Governor Martin Půta (Mayors for the Liberec Region).

The region will provide almost CZK 24 million to fund the preparation of projects to secure drinking water in the Frýdlant area, particularly to increase the capacity of the water treatment plant in Frýdlant, connect the water mains in Bulovka and Dětřichov, and upgrade the networks in Frýdlant. „We believe that this support will enable the projects to be prepared significantly sooner and make it possible to tender for the construction contractor,“ Židek added. While water mains are already being built in the Hrádek area, preparations in the Frýdlant area have been complicated by landowners and the search for routes for the pipelines. Construction could begin in 2027.