Therapeutic Valorisation of Thermal Waters from Rural Locations of Bihor County.

Abstract

Bihor County has a long tradition in the therapeutic use of thermal waters. Except for the established spa resorts Felix, 1 Mai and Tinca, the study focuses on capitalizing on the spa potential in the country side. The objective of this study is to highlight the evolution and the therapeutic and recreational valorization of the spa factor in rural localities, not included in the state balneo-tourism management plan before 1989, nor in the network of the relevant ministry from the years after this date. The paper inventories the sources of geothermal water at the scale of Bihor county that were the object of individual or collective local valorization, at the level of villages or communes. The geological prospecting works and the special drillings carried out in the period 1960-1970 with the aim of identifying oil or natural gas deposits, sometimes highlighted important geothermal resources, many of them, being interpreted and exploited ad hoc by the rural population for the purpose spa. The paper analyzes how the phenomenon of therapeutic valorization of thermal waters in Bihoren villages developed and evolved, as well as the impact on the social-economic environment. It also assesses the rural development forecasts presented in the strategic development projects at the level of some communes, regarding the exploitation of geothermal waters.

Administrative Aspects Regarding the Valorisation of Geothermal Waters for Balneological Purposes in Bihor County, Romania

“…However, with the land transfer process, a few of the thermal baths entered the authority of individuals (Rabagani commune), who solicited the local authorities to destroy the thermal baths, or they were sold to firms. Others remained in the property of the local town halls, but failed to remain functional due to high operating costs, having fallen in disrepair: Mihai Bravu, Valea lui Mihai, Cadea, and Ciocaia [48]. At the Bihor County level, in the period 2020-2022, in addition to the 4 established balneological resorts (Băile 1 Mai, Băile Felix, Stîna de Vale, and Băile Tinca), 13 localities (Oradea, Beius , , S , tei, Marghita, Salonta, Mădăras, Bors , , Vadu Cris , ului, Săcuieni, Bratca, S , uncuius , , Pietroasa-Budureasa, and Padis , ), following the feasibility study, met the criteria for certification as local level tourist resorts according to the annexes to Government Decision no.…”

“…Even if these were simple pools with thermal water, their connection to the hydrographic network or the sampling of cooling water required works that referred to adductions, discharges, or delimitations of weir pools [52]. The administration of the balneological source in these rural locations was assigned to the Agricultural Production Cooperatives, and they managed them until the Revolution of 1989 [48]. After this period, against the backdrop of an unstable political environment, the process of privatization began, the thermal baths were managed by various management teams, and due to the fact that there was a low interest, low experience or insufficient financial aid, they remained in disrepair.…”