6 Quality Assessment of Water Resources of River in Poland
143
concentrations occurred in the early 1990s. As a result of introducing a hydrotechnical
method for discharging mining wastewater, the chloride content in the Vistula fell to
a level that was, relatively, stable, but still with significant fluctuations of 500–1,300
mgCl/L [7].
6.6 Recommendations
Due to Poland’s water resources being very limited, and the possibility of them falling
further as a result of climate change, further protection of waters against pollution is
extremely important. Water quality can be improved by, among others, increasing the
number of sewage treatment plants and by improving the performance of existing
facilities. At present, in Poland, about 52% of wastewater requiring treatment is
treated using enhanced nutrient removal processes. The increased effectiveness of
treatment is also important because of the potential for more frequent occurrence
of severe and long-term low waters. In some rivers, treated wastewater can be a
significant component of their discharge and can significantly influence water quality
during low water conditions.
Activities aimed at improving water quality are particularly important in areas with
the smallest water resources, which include Wielkopolska and Kujawy. These regions
also have higher levels of water pollution. For this reason, it is advisable to undertake
measures to protect the waters of the Wielkopolska and Kujawy river catchments,
due to the planned long-term governmental “Retention Development Programme”.
Reducing the export of pollutants from catchments, primarily including biogenic
compounds, should limit the negative effects (water blooms) of water storage in the
planned reservoirs, dammed lakes and other small retention facilities.
Acknowledgements The author thanks the employees of the Voivodeship Inspectorates for Environmental Protection for preparing and making available data from monitoring of the state of river
cleanliness according to the Water Framework Directive.
References
1. Kundzewicz ZW, Zalewski M, K˛ edziora A, Pierzgalski E (2010) Water-related threats. Nauka
4(2010):87–96 (in polish)
2. Gutry-Korycka M, Jokiel P (2017) The balance and water resources of Poland: Surface water.
In: Jokiel P, Marszelewski W, Pociask-Karteczka J (eds) Chapter 13.1. Hydrology of Poland.
Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN SA, pp 281–287 (in polish)
3. Krasowicz S, Górski T, Budzy´ nska K, Kopi´ nski J (2009) Agricultural description of Polish
territory. In: Igras, J, Pastuszak M (eds) Contribution of Polish agriculture to emission of
nitrogen and phosphorus compounds to the Baltic Sea. IUNG-PIB Puławy, pp 41–108 (in
polish)
4. GUS (Central Statistical Office) (2015) Environment 2015, Warszawa (in polish)
143
concentrations occurred in the early 1990s. As a result of introducing a hydrotechnical
method for discharging mining wastewater, the chloride content in the Vistula fell to
a level that was, relatively, stable, but still with significant fluctuations of 500–1,300
mgCl/L [7].
6.6 Recommendations
Due to Poland’s water resources being very limited, and the possibility of them falling
further as a result of climate change, further protection of waters against pollution is
extremely important. Water quality can be improved by, among others, increasing the
number of sewage treatment plants and by improving the performance of existing
facilities. At present, in Poland, about 52% of wastewater requiring treatment is
treated using enhanced nutrient removal processes. The increased effectiveness of
treatment is also important because of the potential for more frequent occurrence
of severe and long-term low waters. In some rivers, treated wastewater can be a
significant component of their discharge and can significantly influence water quality
during low water conditions.
Activities aimed at improving water quality are particularly important in areas with
the smallest water resources, which include Wielkopolska and Kujawy. These regions
also have higher levels of water pollution. For this reason, it is advisable to undertake
measures to protect the waters of the Wielkopolska and Kujawy river catchments,
due to the planned long-term governmental “Retention Development Programme”.
Reducing the export of pollutants from catchments, primarily including biogenic
compounds, should limit the negative effects (water blooms) of water storage in the
planned reservoirs, dammed lakes and other small retention facilities.
Acknowledgements The author thanks the employees of the Voivodeship Inspectorates for Environmental Protection for preparing and making available data from monitoring of the state of river
cleanliness according to the Water Framework Directive.
References
1. Kundzewicz ZW, Zalewski M, K˛ edziora A, Pierzgalski E (2010) Water-related threats. Nauka
4(2010):87–96 (in polish)
2. Gutry-Korycka M, Jokiel P (2017) The balance and water resources of Poland: Surface water.
In: Jokiel P, Marszelewski W, Pociask-Karteczka J (eds) Chapter 13.1. Hydrology of Poland.
Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN SA, pp 281–287 (in polish)
3. Krasowicz S, Górski T, Budzy´ nska K, Kopi´ nski J (2009) Agricultural description of Polish
territory. In: Igras, J, Pastuszak M (eds) Contribution of Polish agriculture to emission of
nitrogen and phosphorus compounds to the Baltic Sea. IUNG-PIB Puławy, pp 41–108 (in
polish)
4. GUS (Central Statistical Office) (2015) Environment 2015, Warszawa (in polish)