More and more fines for water from wells. One mistake can cost up to PLN 7,500. zloty

Not every well owner can withdraw water without restrictions. Polish Waters announces intensification of controls regarding the illegal use of groundwater, and the scale of penalties imposed increases from year to year. In some cases, the sanctions reach hundreds of thousands of zlotys, and additionally, the regulations provide for misdemeanor liability.

Millions of fines for illegal water consumption

According to data from Wody Polskie, the problem of illegal groundwater abstraction is growing, especially in regions affected by drought. Experts indicate that in some parts of the country the amount of unrecorded water may correspond to up to half of the legally registered water consumption.

In 2025, 4,722 administrative decisions were issued regarding illegal groundwater abstraction. In the first months of 2026, there were already 1,798 such decisions. The total value of penalties imposed in 2025–2026 exceeded PLN 14 million, and the highest single penalty amounted to over PLN 766,000. zloty.

A fine of up to PLN 7.5 thousand. zloty

The provisions of the Water Law provide for sanctions not only for water abstraction without the required water permit. Liability also applies to persons who use the well after the permit has expired or been withdrawn or who violate the conditions specified in the issued decision.

In such cases, a penalty of arrest, restriction of liberty or a fine of PLN 1,000 is possible. up to 7.5 thousand zloty. The same consequences apply to failure to fulfill obligations arising from administrative decisions.

Why are there more and more controls?

Polish Waters explains the increase in the number of inspections with the deepening drought and the increasing deficit of surface waters. As a result, interest in the use of groundwater is growing, and with it the number of cases of illegal abstraction.

In 2025, 201 field inspections were carried out regarding the use of groundwater, which constituted nearly one fifth of all inspections conducted by Wody Polskie. In 2026, the share of such activities is expected to increase to approximately 25%.

When can you use a well without permission?

The applicable regulations allow water abstraction without obtaining a water permit only in certain cases. This applies to intakes up to 30 meters deep, from which a maximum of 5 cubic meters is taken. water per day.

Experts point out that during periods of long-term drought, some owners decide to drill deeper wells or increase consumption beyond the permissible limits. It is such cases that most often become the subject of control and may result in severe financial penalties.