A) Period from 1845 to 1945
In the area of today's municipality of Novi Bečej, several water cooperatives existed, starting from 1845, which were either dissolved or reorganized into different forms by 1945:
- Upper Banat Potiska Water Cooperative (1845-1945),
- Bočar-Iđoš Water Cooperative (1886-1945),
- Galad Water Cooperative (1891-1945),
- Novi Bečej Water Cooperative (1858-1945).
The Upper Banat Potiska Water Cooperative was the oldest water cooperative in Vojvodina and primarily focused on flood protection. The Bočar-Iđoš and Galad Water Cooperatives concentrated on drainage issues, while the Novi Bečej Water Cooperative, headquartered in Novi Bečej, performed functions related to the protection against both external and internal waters, namely flood protection and drainage of the catchment area.
This period can be divided into three sub-periods, according to the socio-political system:
- The establishment and operation of water cooperatives during the Austro-Hungarian Empire (1845-1918),
- Operation in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia (1918-1941),
- Operation during the occupation conditions of World War II (1941-1945).
1. Upper Banat Potiska Water Cooperative (1845-1945)
The period from 1845 to 1945 was marked by the establishment of the cooperative, the introduction of water contributions, floods, reorganizations, the construction of embankments and weirs, and other activities.
The cooperative was founded in 1845 to protect against the floods of Potisje. It was the oldest water cooperative in Vojvodina, but even in its first organizational form, it encountered significant financial problems, although a water contribution had been introduced.
During the 1848/49 revolution, its operations were suspended, and after the suppression of the rebellion, the cooperative's duties were taken over by the County. The great flood of 1855, which affected northern Banat, spurred intensive work on embankment repairs. This flood was one of the largest in the century, and chroniclers recorded that northern Banat was completely submerged, people traveled by boat and ferry, and there were even human casualties. After the water receded, large amounts were redirected via the Begej River into the Tisa River.
In 1857, a merger occurred, forming a new cooperative with headquarters in Velika Kikinda. By 1872, weirs were constructed for water discharge, including those on Kerektou, north of Novi Bečej. Major floods occurred in 1876, 1879, 1881, and 1895, but the embankments held.
After the great flood of 1895, the embankments were further strengthened, making floods a rare occurrence. By 1918, in addition to embankments, weirs, engineering and technical buildings, and embankment guardhouses were constructed. These works were financed through loans.
The period from 1918 to 1941 was marked by territorial divisions, the raising of embankments, regulatory works on the Tisa River, afforestation of the floodplain, and flood protection measures. After World War I, in 1919, the territory was divided as follows:
- Kingdom of SHS: 50%
- Romania: 38.2%
- Hungary: 11.8%
In the Yugoslav part (149,900 ha), 73.7 km of defense embankments, six weirs, 10.5 km of riverbank fortifications, and 115 km of telephone lines with 22 stations were built. After the great floods of 1926, the cooperative continued strengthening the embankments, especially near Vranje in 1938/39.
During World War II, the cooperative continued to maintain the facilities, with two major flood defenses carried out in 1942 and 1944.
Directors of the Cooperative:
- 1903 - Janko Agošton
- 1903-1919 - Hauzer Karolj
- 1919-1922 - Eng. Jovan Hovan
- 1923-1944 - Eng. Dimitrije Nikolajević
- 1944-1945 - Eng. Ivan Živković
2. Bočar-Iđoš Water Cooperative (1886-1945)
The cooperative was founded in 1886, with its headquarters in Velika Kikinda. The founders were five large landowners from Bočar and Iđoš. It focused on drainage, and the flooded area amounted to 3,384 cadastral acres.
By 1919, the following were constructed:
- Main canal to Tisa (10 km),
- Side canals (16 km),
- Embankments (7.9 km),
- Steam pumping station with gravitational discharge pipes.
During the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, the development of the canal network and regulatory facilities continued, along with the repayment of debts to the Hungarian credit bank. In 1945, the cooperative was merged into the newly formed Upper Banat Water Cooperative.
Presidents of the Cooperative:
- 1919-1927 - Dr. Aurel Pajž
- After 1927 - Šandor Budišin
3. Galad Water Cooperative (1891-1945)
The cooperative was founded in 1891 and covered the area from Perjamoš (Romania) to Kerektoa. Poor management led to its dysfunctionality, and attempts to join the Zlatica Water Cooperative were unsuccessful.
By 1911, a project for the main canal, 61 km long, had been developed, but its implementation began only in 1926. By 1935, 118 km of canals and two pumping stations had been constructed. After the great flood of 1932, the financial situation of the cooperative weakened, leading to a reduction in its area.
In 1945, the cooperative was merged into the Upper Banat Water Cooperative.
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