Waterworks at the limit of capacity. Limit on water consumption from your own well 2026

In many Polish municipalities, the water supply network is at the limit of capacity. Increasing water consumption in summer causes pressure drops and local supply interruptions.

It turns out that the amount of water you can draw from your own well is already limited, and exceeding the limit may result in a severe financial penalty, even exceeding PLN 100,000. zloty.

Water is more important than shelter. Alarming messages to residents

The water problem in Poland mainly concerns the central lowlands, i.e. the central and eastern parts of Poland. Several voivodeships are struggling with a lack of sufficient water: Masovia, Łódź, and Lublin.

The authorities of Radzymin ordered controls on water consumption “for purposes other than domestic purposes” – due to drought and heat, a ban on watering gardens was introduced. In Piaseczno near Warsaw and in the Brwinów commune, restrictions on water consumption in summer have also been introduced. Supply interruptions and pressure drops are also related to the modernization of the Water Treatment Plant.

The water disaster concerns Wiązowna, especially the villages of Lipowo and Majdan. Here, local wells are simply drying up and waterworks are working at their absolute limits. The local governments of the villages of Świercze and Nowy Wiśnicz are raising alarm about water problems and are requesting additional funds for efficient water intakes and critical infrastructure. “For 3 years, we have been introducing, in the form of a resolution of the commune councilor, periodic bans on using water for purposes other than domestic purposes, i.e. a ban on watering gardens, washing cars, filling swimming pools,” Adam Misiewicz, the mayor of the Świercze commune, explained to PAP. He appealed to the Prime Minister to use the money for shelters and civil defense to develop the water supply network.

Municipalities in Poland are struggling with drought. Water supply impossible

Hydraulic drought also affects the Wiskitki commune. The authorities sent a desperate message to the residents: “We are aware that the resident is the person who is entitled to the water supply, and the local government is the entity that is obliged to provide this water, however, due to the current climatic circumstances, technical possibilities and the level of demand – the implementation of this obligation may be difficult or sometimes even impossible.”

In the Wiązowna commune (Masovian Voivodeship), the authorities found the culprit – the increase in consumption is mainly due to watering gardens and filling swimming pools. If water consumption does not decrease, the commune will introduce a temporary ban on such activities. It appeals for sparing use of water and announces current announcements.

The authorities of one of the communes near Lublin issued an urgent appeal to the residents: “Water should be used only for domestic purposes. You should refrain from watering lawns, gardens and filling swimming pools. Increased water consumption may cause a decrease in pressure or interruptions in its supply,” the Municipal Utilities Department in Niemce said on social media.

Own well, but not water. Lack of knowledge does not relieve you of responsibility

Poles are convinced that at least you can draw as much water as you want from your own well. Nothing could be further from the truth! The limit is up to 5 cubic meters of water per day, i.e. a maximum of 5,000. liters of water per day, calculated as an annual average. Moreover, water from your own well cannot be used for business or agricultural activities on a larger scale.

The consequences of not complying with these regulations are painful:

• fees calculated back for several years,

• interest,

• withdrawal of the right to use the well or its liquidation,

• fine of over PLN 100,000 zloty!

A farmer from Choszczewo in Podlasie consumed 45 m3 of water per day. The environmental protection inspector not only charged new fees for many years back together with interest – he also added a fine of PLN 100,000. zloty. The excuse of ignorance of the regulations did not help. As the office emphasized, lack of knowledge does not release you from responsibility.