8 Groundwater Resources of Poland
157
given to the conservation of the already existing ecosystems which depend on these
water management regions. The estimation of groundwater resources is understood
as hydrogeological research and calculations whereby approximation methods of
assessing renewable groundwater resources are applied, using model-based verification of the permissible level of the hydrodynamic field conversion and groundwater
circulation balance. The water needs of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems dependent
on groundwater resources are taken into account in a simplified manner, without
numerical modelling of groundwater flows. However, they are duly considered by
preserving the resources of groundwater outflow to rivers on the level of hydrobiological flows inviolable in gauge profiles and by accepting the groundwater run-off
to rivers as the basis for determining disposable resources. It has been accepted that
the difference between renewable aquifer resources and the groundwater run-off to
rivers constitutes a reserve to cover the evapotranspiration groundwater drainage in
meadow and swamp ecosystems typical of river valleys.
The fieldwork above and model research work constitute elements which identify
renewable resources and determine disposable groundwater resources. Conducting
this research work has made it possible to attain a high degree of accuracy during
resource assessment, which in turn has enabled making authoritative administrative decisions concerning water management. This applies in particular to reviews
and approvals of projects involving groundwater intakes, groundwater exploitation
resources intakes, reviews of of applications regarding groundwater intake permits
and formulations of hydrogeological recommendations concerning groundwater
exploitation for the whole catchment basin (GWB).
The comparison of values of available groundwater resources with their current
extraction figures constitutes the basis for sustainable management of groundwater
in river basins groundwater bodies (GWB) and water management plans for regions.
8.4 Conclusions
1. Poland’s accession to the European Union took place on May 1, 2004. The
intensive preparatory process for the accession had been conducted since 1999,
shortly before Water Framework Directive was enforced. Taking into consideration the necessity to implement considerable changes in the area of water
management, water resource conservation, water status reports as well as taking
coordinated action in all these fields, the idea was conceived to organize properly
the institution of Polish hydrology within the framework of national service.
2. There is rising pressure on groundwater resources exploitation according to the
expanding needs of water supply at present. Water-works enlarge the volume
of potable water exploitation from groundwater resources. At present more than
70% of the total community is supplied by groundwater. The important factor for
groundwater protection is the phenomena of droughts and high water occurrence
in the last 25 years and also proper recognition of old dumping sites and hidden
(wild) storage yards.
157
given to the conservation of the already existing ecosystems which depend on these
water management regions. The estimation of groundwater resources is understood
as hydrogeological research and calculations whereby approximation methods of
assessing renewable groundwater resources are applied, using model-based verification of the permissible level of the hydrodynamic field conversion and groundwater
circulation balance. The water needs of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems dependent
on groundwater resources are taken into account in a simplified manner, without
numerical modelling of groundwater flows. However, they are duly considered by
preserving the resources of groundwater outflow to rivers on the level of hydrobiological flows inviolable in gauge profiles and by accepting the groundwater run-off
to rivers as the basis for determining disposable resources. It has been accepted that
the difference between renewable aquifer resources and the groundwater run-off to
rivers constitutes a reserve to cover the evapotranspiration groundwater drainage in
meadow and swamp ecosystems typical of river valleys.
The fieldwork above and model research work constitute elements which identify
renewable resources and determine disposable groundwater resources. Conducting
this research work has made it possible to attain a high degree of accuracy during
resource assessment, which in turn has enabled making authoritative administrative decisions concerning water management. This applies in particular to reviews
and approvals of projects involving groundwater intakes, groundwater exploitation
resources intakes, reviews of of applications regarding groundwater intake permits
and formulations of hydrogeological recommendations concerning groundwater
exploitation for the whole catchment basin (GWB).
The comparison of values of available groundwater resources with their current
extraction figures constitutes the basis for sustainable management of groundwater
in river basins groundwater bodies (GWB) and water management plans for regions.
8.4 Conclusions
1. Poland’s accession to the European Union took place on May 1, 2004. The
intensive preparatory process for the accession had been conducted since 1999,
shortly before Water Framework Directive was enforced. Taking into consideration the necessity to implement considerable changes in the area of water
management, water resource conservation, water status reports as well as taking
coordinated action in all these fields, the idea was conceived to organize properly
the institution of Polish hydrology within the framework of national service.
2. There is rising pressure on groundwater resources exploitation according to the
expanding needs of water supply at present. Water-works enlarge the volume
of potable water exploitation from groundwater resources. At present more than
70% of the total community is supplied by groundwater. The important factor for
groundwater protection is the phenomena of droughts and high water occurrence
in the last 25 years and also proper recognition of old dumping sites and hidden
(wild) storage yards.