Recent weeks of high temperatures, combined with sunny and rainless weather, have led to low water levels on most Polish rivers. According to IMWM-PIB data from September 9, low water levels were recorded at 73% of hydrological stations in the country, and low humidity persists in shallower soil layers, especially in the Łódź province and large areas of the Mazovian, Lublin, Podlaskie, Silesian, Opole and Lubuskie provinces.
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Drought chokes agriculture. 13 provinces still struggling with it
Meanwhile, the State Water Management Authority Polish Waters boasts of its achievements in the field of water retention in rural areas.
Water retention – the key to reducing drought
– Although we have no influence on the weather, we can limit the phenomenon of drought through retention. Impounding waters and delaying runoff by building and rebuilding water facilities in rural areas, as well as alimenting rivers through retention reservoirs are some of the actions taken by Polish Waters – we read in the release.
Polish Waters would like to remind you that it has developed assumptions for the Water Resources Development Programme (zPKZW), the main objective of which is to increase retention and reduce the effects of drought.
– In response to the reported needs of stakeholders and the need to retain water in place, Wody Polskie has taken action to repair and maintain water facilities, which have enabled immediate effects in the form of water storage, in virtually every catchment area in the country. The development of the irrigation and drainage system in small stream and ditch systems in agricultural areas allows for reducing the pressure on the use of groundwater for irrigation purposes – we read in the release.
As also written, in the years 2020–2023, Polish Waters completed 338 activities, including renovations of 1,030 water facilities, which resulted in an increase in retention by approximately 9 million m3 in the area of impact of approximately 45,000 ha of agricultural land.
This year, zPKZW has 79 maintenance tasks, which include 167 water facilities, and their total cost is approximately PLN 10.8 million.
– In addition, PGW Wody Polskie carries out damming operations on approximately 4,000 hydrotechnical structures throughout Poland, depending on local needs, limiting the outflow of water on streams using gates or closures – it was added.
The institution also reminds that Polish Waters has recently signed a number of agreements with provincial governments regarding the financing of the implementation of pro-retention measures in agricultural catchments.
Update of the Drought Effects Countermeasure Plan
Due to the increasingly frequent occurrence of drought phenomena and the consequences resulting from this for people, the economy and the natural environment, Polish Waters emphasize in the announcement that they see the need to make changes in the scope of counteracting the effects of this phenomenon. On August 7, 2024, an agreement was signed on the implementation of the project "Review and update of the drought effects counteracting plan" (aPPSS). The development of the update is planned for the years 2024-2027.
As explained, the 2021 drought prevention plan focuses primarily on the aspect of counteracting the effects of drought and increasing retention. In the PPSS update (aPPSS), it is also planned to indicate aspects of drought risk management, i.e. to indicate operational actions to be implemented in the event of drought.
– The provisions of the drought effects counteracting plan should be implemented through cooperation, which means that it is necessary to involve the entire society, especially representatives of local government authorities, representatives of scientific communities and entrepreneurs, social organizations and other stakeholders – indicate Polish Waters.
EU funding for pro-retention activities
Increasing water retention and counteracting the effects of drought is a priority action, especially in the era of climate change, which is why – as emphasized – Polish Waters actively applies for financial resources to implement pro-retention tasks. European Funds play an important role here.
The European Union will allocate PLN 7 billion for the development of retention in urban areas in Poland by 2027, and Polish Waters are among the beneficiaries of European funds. The funds obtained can be spent on:
- supporting low retention,
- renaturalization of transformed watercourses and areas dependent on waters,
- construction, reconstruction or renovation of water facilities and accompanying infrastructure to reduce the effects of floods and droughts,
- development and updating of strategic documents in the field of water management, flood risk management and protection of water resources.
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NFOŚiGW: PLN 7 billion for co-financing of small and medium water retention