The level of river and groundwater in Poland has improved considerably in recent months. “The level of these waters throughout the country is in the safe zone and the state of hydrogeological emergency has been cancelled”, reports the Polish Geological Institute (PGI).

“Even at the beginning of this year, in small areas in northern and central Poland, the water level was very low and a “hydrogeological low” (low groundwater levels occurring after a period of rainfall deficit) was observed there. However, the areas affected by this phenomenon were already small, compared to the autumn period, when the “low” was most extensive”, said the PGI experts. By February, the phenomenon had completely disappeared and did not occur in any region of the country.

Persisting for many years subsidence of shallow groundwater levels occurring for natural (precipitation deficit) or anthropogenic reasons (e.g. over-exploitation of groundwater, drainage of wetlands as part of improperly conducted reclamation of grasslands and arable land, mining and construction drainage) is unfavourable because it may initiate or intensify steppification processes.

“Steppification of areas in Poland is not so intensive as to cause desertification, as is the case in Africa or Asia. However, the problem should not be underestimated, as steppification can lead to irreversible changes in natural ecosystems and forests, as well as be the cause of a significant decrease in agricultural crop yields”, remarked the experts.

According to PGI specialists, the demand for drinking water in Poland is much lower than the resources available for development.

“Taking into account the current abstraction of groundwater from both water intakes and drainage, approx. 20 % of groundwater resources, so the reserves of resources in the country are at the level of 80 %”, said experts.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński