376
K. Kubiak-Wójcicka and M. Kielik
technical infrastructure related to water intake and sewage disposal [6]. In some
countries, due to the existing water shortage, the possibility of buying water is being
considered, and water is becoming a product for which there is demand. On the other
hand, countries with large water resources are interested in selling water. There are
already international water markets around the world that deal with the transport and
supply of water for areas with water shortages [7, 8]. In the near future, water shortage
will be noticeable in a larger area due to population growth, economic growth and
climate change. That is why many water managers and decision-makers are actively
implementing supply and demand management strategies [9]. Both developed and
developing economies are facing an imbalance of water supply and demand, which
will potentially affect the price of water, especially during a water shortage [10–
13]. Only optimal water prices can ensure sustainable consumption, production and
protection of water [14, 15]. Water is therefore a product for which there is a high
demand, but it cannot be treated solely as a product for sale.
In most European countries, there applies the Water Framework Directive, which
treats water in a special way. As the Water Framework Directive says, “Water is
not a commercial product like any other, but rather an inherited good that must
be protected, defended and treated as such …” (from the preamble of the Water
Framework Directive). Poland became a member of the European Union on May 1,
2004. That required adaptation of national regulations in the area of water resources
management to the principles applied in the Water Framework.
Poland has small renewable surface water resources compared to other European
countries [16, 17]. In addition, water resources in Poland are characterized by high
variability in time and space, which requires rational management of water resources
[18]. The variability of water resources over time results from climate change that has
been observed in recent years. Droughts appear more and more often [19]. Spatial
variability results from the uneven distribution of both, the hydrographic network
and the amount of precipitation [20].
Water and sewage management is an important element of the national economy
in Poland. It is implemented both at the local and regional level. Water management
in Poland is carried out by specific entities. Their organization, skills and equipment
as well as external conditions (environment) affect the rationality of this management
[21]. In terms of water and wastewater management, extremely important changes
took place as a result of Poland’s accession to the European Union on May 1, 2004.
Poland was preparing for this process a few years earlier, among others by amending
the Water Law in 2001. Upon accession to the EU, there began the implementation
of national provisions, taking into account the provisions of the Water Framework
Directive. Accession also meant access to EU funds to finance both government and
local government investments in the field of water and wastewater management.
The purpose of this study is to present the state of water and wastewater management in Poland in the years 1999–2015. A detailed analysis of the state of water and
wastewater management was presented for 16 voivodships in 3 selected years: 1999,
2007 and 2015. These years reflect the state of water and wastewater management
before Poland’s accession to the European Union (1999), in the initial period of
K. Kubiak-Wójcicka and M. Kielik
technical infrastructure related to water intake and sewage disposal [6]. In some
countries, due to the existing water shortage, the possibility of buying water is being
considered, and water is becoming a product for which there is demand. On the other
hand, countries with large water resources are interested in selling water. There are
already international water markets around the world that deal with the transport and
supply of water for areas with water shortages [7, 8]. In the near future, water shortage
will be noticeable in a larger area due to population growth, economic growth and
climate change. That is why many water managers and decision-makers are actively
implementing supply and demand management strategies [9]. Both developed and
developing economies are facing an imbalance of water supply and demand, which
will potentially affect the price of water, especially during a water shortage [10–
13]. Only optimal water prices can ensure sustainable consumption, production and
protection of water [14, 15]. Water is therefore a product for which there is a high
demand, but it cannot be treated solely as a product for sale.
In most European countries, there applies the Water Framework Directive, which
treats water in a special way. As the Water Framework Directive says, “Water is
not a commercial product like any other, but rather an inherited good that must
be protected, defended and treated as such …” (from the preamble of the Water
Framework Directive). Poland became a member of the European Union on May 1,
2004. That required adaptation of national regulations in the area of water resources
management to the principles applied in the Water Framework.
Poland has small renewable surface water resources compared to other European
countries [16, 17]. In addition, water resources in Poland are characterized by high
variability in time and space, which requires rational management of water resources
[18]. The variability of water resources over time results from climate change that has
been observed in recent years. Droughts appear more and more often [19]. Spatial
variability results from the uneven distribution of both, the hydrographic network
and the amount of precipitation [20].
Water and sewage management is an important element of the national economy
in Poland. It is implemented both at the local and regional level. Water management
in Poland is carried out by specific entities. Their organization, skills and equipment
as well as external conditions (environment) affect the rationality of this management
[21]. In terms of water and wastewater management, extremely important changes
took place as a result of Poland’s accession to the European Union on May 1, 2004.
Poland was preparing for this process a few years earlier, among others by amending
the Water Law in 2001. Upon accession to the EU, there began the implementation
of national provisions, taking into account the provisions of the Water Framework
Directive. Accession also meant access to EU funds to finance both government and
local government investments in the field of water and wastewater management.
The purpose of this study is to present the state of water and wastewater management in Poland in the years 1999–2015. A detailed analysis of the state of water and
wastewater management was presented for 16 voivodships in 3 selected years: 1999,
2007 and 2015. These years reflect the state of water and wastewater management
before Poland’s accession to the European Union (1999), in the initial period of