394
K. Kubiak-Wójcicka and M. Kielik
and education of decision-makers, employees, society and other groups that can help
local governments meet the challenges related to drinking water supply [39–41].
Reducing water consumption requires not only individual restrictions but systemic
solutions of water consumption adapted to living conditions and using the latest technology in households. An effective tool is a proper management of water consumption, and water consumption at home should be seen in the context of social practices
rather than individual behavior [12, 42, 43]. Unfortunately, the provisions in force
in Poland do not have preferential conditions for plants or residential buildings that
have installations for the recovery of technical water. In addition, the relatively low
cost of water does not encourage its users to save water. The lack of a subsidy system
for plants that want to invest in modern installations in the field of technological
water recovery and its re-use causes the lack of interest in it. This issue should be
resolved in a systemic way.
16.8 Conclusions
In recent years, progress in improving the condition of water and wastewater management has become visible. The main reason for this is the implementation of the WFD
regulations, which resulted from Poland’s accession to the European Union on May
1, 2004. This gave the opportunity to benefit from the EU funds, which in the first
place constituted support for the construction of water and sewerage infrastructure.
The analysis shows that the availability of water supply and sewerage infrastructure in Poland is not sufficient. The disproportion between the length of the water
supply system and the sewerage system is particularly evident. Despite a significant
improvement in the condition of the infrastructure, which consisted in the increase
in the length of the sewerage network and the population served by sewage treatment
plants, the process is slow and does not completely solve the problems associated
with sewage disposal. This is particularly evident in the countryside. It should be
kept in mind that the problem will increase as the population of people who live
in rural areas grows, which is partly a result of the natural growth, but also of the
systematically increasing migration from urban to rural areas. In the next financial
perspective, emphasis should be put on building sewerage infrastructure in rural
areas, but also on modernizing the existing infrastructure in urban areas. That is
why systemic solutions should play an important role, which will allow to introduce
rational water management at the commune level, without limiting expenses from
the budget for other activities.
The second major challenge is to adapt water intake to climate changes. Despite
the moderate climate in Poland, water stress is a growing challenge, especially in the
years with low precipitation. Individual and collective consumers should be included
in a system of incentives to save water and invest in the installation of modern
technologies for its recovery. Such actions require the intervention of the state and
efficient demand management in line with the expectations of society and directions
of economic development.
K. Kubiak-Wójcicka and M. Kielik
and education of decision-makers, employees, society and other groups that can help
local governments meet the challenges related to drinking water supply [39–41].
Reducing water consumption requires not only individual restrictions but systemic
solutions of water consumption adapted to living conditions and using the latest technology in households. An effective tool is a proper management of water consumption, and water consumption at home should be seen in the context of social practices
rather than individual behavior [12, 42, 43]. Unfortunately, the provisions in force
in Poland do not have preferential conditions for plants or residential buildings that
have installations for the recovery of technical water. In addition, the relatively low
cost of water does not encourage its users to save water. The lack of a subsidy system
for plants that want to invest in modern installations in the field of technological
water recovery and its re-use causes the lack of interest in it. This issue should be
resolved in a systemic way.
16.8 Conclusions
In recent years, progress in improving the condition of water and wastewater management has become visible. The main reason for this is the implementation of the WFD
regulations, which resulted from Poland’s accession to the European Union on May
1, 2004. This gave the opportunity to benefit from the EU funds, which in the first
place constituted support for the construction of water and sewerage infrastructure.
The analysis shows that the availability of water supply and sewerage infrastructure in Poland is not sufficient. The disproportion between the length of the water
supply system and the sewerage system is particularly evident. Despite a significant
improvement in the condition of the infrastructure, which consisted in the increase
in the length of the sewerage network and the population served by sewage treatment
plants, the process is slow and does not completely solve the problems associated
with sewage disposal. This is particularly evident in the countryside. It should be
kept in mind that the problem will increase as the population of people who live
in rural areas grows, which is partly a result of the natural growth, but also of the
systematically increasing migration from urban to rural areas. In the next financial
perspective, emphasis should be put on building sewerage infrastructure in rural
areas, but also on modernizing the existing infrastructure in urban areas. That is
why systemic solutions should play an important role, which will allow to introduce
rational water management at the commune level, without limiting expenses from
the budget for other activities.
The second major challenge is to adapt water intake to climate changes. Despite
the moderate climate in Poland, water stress is a growing challenge, especially in the
years with low precipitation. Individual and collective consumers should be included
in a system of incentives to save water and invest in the installation of modern
technologies for its recovery. Such actions require the intervention of the state and
efficient demand management in line with the expectations of society and directions
of economic development.