The process of thermal water qualification is usually preceded by laboratory tests and the measurement and analysis of its composition, but sometimes it becomes apparent sooner that the water breaking out of the ground is something very special. For example, in the Harkány Thermal Spa area there used to be a swamp, and no one suspected that the water keeping the soil muddy was actually valuable thermal water. But only until they started to drain the area in the 1800s, so that the owner could use it. One day, when József Pogány, a day labourer went to work at the site, something happened, which a man aching from back pain ahead of a hard workday did not expect: his severe musculoskeletal illness began to improve spectacularly and then he recovered completely. Thus, it was found that the swamp contains something more valuable than utilizable land: excellent therapeutic sulfuric water.

Since Budapest is the thermal capital of the world, it can allow itself the luxury to bathe hippos in thermal water. This has, of course, practical aspects as well: the water used by the Széchenyi Thermal Bath (as Hungarians call it: Szecska) next to the zoo is not simply released but recycled. It is incorporated into the water of the hippopotamus pool, so the animals can relax in excellent water quality pools. The water of the bath is also considered to be good for libido, in addition to joint, orthopaedic, stomach and kidney disorders.

Although the latter has not yet been proven, the fact still stands: our hippos are the most fertile in Europe, and this record has been held for 70 years! On the continent there is almost no zoo whose hippos in some way are not related to the hippo mama called Arany (Gold) enjoying the thermal water of Szecska. She was originally called Ara, but was renamed because they believe she started the golden blood line. And we can admit that this fact makes the popular idea – that the thermal water of Széchenyi is just as good of an aphrodisiac as any – more credible.

The unsuspecting readers going through bath descriptions may be surprised by the frequency with which the "radioactive" attribute occurs. As a matter of fact, the entire Lake Hévíz is radioactive, but you do not have to worry about it for one second! Although, since the Second World War and nuclear disasters, the use of the word radioactive invokes bad feelings in everyone, it is not exactly the case with thermal waters. This attribute only indicates radon in the waters, which is a very common radioactive element from natural sources. Its presence is well below the health limit, so it does not have a detrimental effect. On the contrary, together with other elements in thermal waters it treats arthritis, relieves headaches and has a general analgesic effect. Therefore, you do not have to be afraid of radioactive thermal waters at all: it is quite healthy to spend a relaxing day in them.