Mineral water wells in the Káli Basin

Abstract

Hungary is one of the countries rich in mineral water deposits in Europe, and today the water of about fifty wells is bottled. In the majority of bottled waters the content of all dissolved minerals is between 500–600 mg/l, however, in several cases it reaches 1500–2000 mg/l. Many of the Hungarian mineral waters were already known and favoured by the Romans, for example the mineral water of Balf (1869 mg/l), Csillaghegy (728 mg/l) or ‘Anna spring’ (1870 mg/l) of Kékkút. This article deals with mineral water wells deepened in the surroundings of Kékkút ‘Anna spring’ in the Káli Basin. Mineral water is currently produced and bottled from wells located in three areas of the Káli Basin. Mineral water bottling began from ‘Anna spring’ on the border of the settlement Kékkút in 1907. Anna spring water was awarded a gold medal and a certificate of distinction in Paris in 1912.
In the same area, mineral water is currently bottled from three ‘Theodora’ wells under the name ‘Theodora Kékkúti’. In addition, mineral water is also bottled from the well in Kereki manor near Mindszentkálla under the name ‘Theodora Kereki’, while the mineral water bottled from the well between Köveskál and Kővágóörs wears the name ’Nestlé Aquarel’.
Theodora Kékkúti wells. In 1921, in the area of the bottling plant approximately 20 m from the Anna spring, a 17.75 m deep well was dug. At a water level of +0.6 m, the well produced 19.4 l/min of excellent quality mineral water. A larche casing was installed in the well without a screen pipe. The water could only enter at the bottom of the well. According to legend, this water was one of the favourites of the Byzantine empress Theodora, so the bottled water was named Theodora, and the well became ‘Theodora-1’. According to the chemical analysis, the mineral water belongs to the calcium-magnesium-hydrogen-carbonate group, and it was classified as mineral and medicinal water in 1924. The well was repaired several times, and it was completely renovated in 1999. The larche casing was removed, the well was deepened up to 25.0 m, and an acid-resistant screen pipe with a diameter of 200 mm was installed up to 21.92 m. The total dissolved mineral content of the water was 1758 mg/l. Even today this well gives the highest water yield and the best quality of Theodora Kékkúti mineral water.
In 1987, approximately 50.0 m south of well No. 1, the 31.0 m deep ‘Theodora-2’ well was completed. In accordance with the practice of the time, the well was equipped with a KM PVC screen pipe. This well was also modernized at the end of 2000, the casing was replaced with a 200 mm diameter acid-resistant screen pipe. The water yield of the renovated well at an operational water level of –19.09 m was 100.0 l/min, the content of all dissolved minerals was 1564 mg/l. At the beginning of 2000, the 34.0 m deep ‘Theodora-3’ well was completed about 150 m east of well No. 1. It was equipped with a 200 mm diameter acid-resistant screen pipe. The water yield of the well at an operating water level of –12.6 m was 80 l/min, the content of all dissolved minerals was 1765 mg/l. 
The Theodora Kékkúti mineral water is currently produced and bottled from these three wells.
Mineral water well of Theodora Kereki. By the end of the 1990s, the three Theodora wells mentioned above could no longer provide mineral water of sufficient quality and quantity to meet market demands. A new well was completed in the area of Kereki manor near Kékkút, with a depth of 98.0 m, equipped with an acid-resistant screen string. The produced water has a lower content of total dissolved minerals (904.0 mg/l) but its character is similar to Theodora mineral water. The produced mineral water is bottled under the name Theodora Kereki.
Nestlé Aquarel mineral water well. In 1998, a well with a depth of 256.5 m and equipped with an acid-resistant screen string was built between Köveskál and Kővágóörs to ensure the technological water needs of the bottling plant. The water yield of the well was 870 l/min, and the total dissolved mineral content was 614 mg/l. Based on the water quality data, it was decided to bottle and market it as water with low mineral content under the name ‘Nestlé Aquarel’.
The three mineral waters of different qualities bottled in the Káli Basin are still popular today and occupy a significant position in the Hungarian mineral water market.