In the northern Banat region, which includes the municipality of Novi Bečej, an organizational unit has existed since 1973 under the Water Management Organization “Gornji Banat” in Kikinda, addressing issues related to the Core Canal Network (CCN).
In 1978, within the Water Management Organization of the Danube–Tisa–Danube (DTD) Hydrosystem, a specific water management organization was established for the maintenance and operation of the CCN. Named the “Core Canal Network Organization” and headquartered in Novi Bečej, it emerged from the portion of the former “Gornji Banat” organization responsible for the CCN within the irrigation area.
The new CCN organization was founded on the principle of unified operation and maintenance, with revenues generated via fees paid by users. All income derived from regular maintenance, equipment overhaul, and operation of CCN facilities.
Field units carry out planned and operational daily tasks, while the central CCN service handles specialized support tasks across all departments. Operations are conducted under extremely complex conditions, as both field units and technical services cover the CCN across a vast territory (Banat and Bačka). Because CCN’s core activity is of significant public interest, community representatives are involved in its work. Given the importance of CCN facilities, many of which serve broader public needs, substantial preparations were made to ensure their protection according to their significance.
Throughout its existence, the Core Canal Network has continually undergone phases of implementation and evaluation of its operational efficiency. In line with evolving needs and tasks, the organization has been strengthened through staffing, reorganization, and acquisition of suitable machinery.
Scientific research has also been conducted, aimed at encouraging greater use of the CCN, more efficient water management, and more economical maintenance practices.
Major tasks in regular canal maintenance include cleansing the bed of sediment, reinforcing banks, and removing submerged vegetation. Significant silting occurs at confluences and junctions where canals meet. At such locations, canals suffer reduced functionality due to a narrowed flow profile. Bank undermining and slope collapse represent additional challenges, especially in Banat. Submerged vegetation overgrowth further impedes normal canal operations.
Maintenance of CCN facilities involves routine, periodic, and investment repairs, extensive equipment overhauls, and limited upkeep of structural elements and green areas. Regular facility maintenance faces numerous difficulties: imported equipment, and even domestic equipment that is no longer manufactured. Part replacements often require reconstruction or custom fabrication. Overhaul work is limited and depends on available funds, being conducted only on critically deteriorated or obsolete structures.
Although more could have been done to maintain the CCN, what has been accomplished has kept the system functional.
Usage of parts of the CCN began as early as 1965, during its construction phase and on fully completed canal sections where conditions and construction progress permitted. By 1977, the CCN of the DTD Hydrosystem was fully operational, as construction works had been completed.
Through operation during and after construction, and under current use levels, the canal network contributes significantly to the country’s development—particularly in agriculture and the food processing industry of Vojvodina.
The core functions of the CCN have been realized to a degree where investment in construction has, in places, already paid off—and those functions accounted for most of the investments. To activate remaining functions, especially irrigation, activities at the level of the entire economy of Serbia (formerly Yugoslavia) are required, so that within the DTD Hydro‑melioration system agricultural production and food export can be fully realized.
In recent years maintenance of the Core Canal Network has been reduced to minimal scope—limited to critical canal sections and structures due to well-known constraints.
In 1995, the Water Management Organization “Core Canal Network” was incorporated into the Public Water Management Company “Dunav” as the Water Management Center “CCN – DTD” in Novi Sad, maintaining its existing field units.
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