14
M. Nasr et al.
climatic change [2]. The increases in social practices, agricultural activities, and
industrialization have also contributed to the rise in water consumption [3, 4].
The status of water in Poland can be described as follows [5]:
– In 2017, water precipitation in depth = 600 mm per year, corresponding to an
annual volume of 187.6 billion m
3 .
– In 2017, renewable water resources = 61 billion m
3 /year, providing a yearly water
resource of 1585 m
3 per capita. However, the average freshwater availability in
Poland is considered one of the lowest values in Europe.
– In 2016, the percentages of water utilization were 19% for municipal use, 71%
for industrial use, and 10% for agricultural use. These percentages were covered
by a total water withdrawal of 10.58 billion m
3 .
– In 2015, about 1.7% of the population in Poland had no access to safe drinking
water.
This chapter provides an overview of the trends and statistics of water resources
(e.g., surface water and groundwater) in Poland. Moreover, the chapter includes
sufficient information on the institutional affiliations, countries, and funding agencies
and sponsors, concerning the management of water bodies in Poland.
2.2 Rivers in Poland
The river system in Poland is recognized as an essential source of drinking, domestic,
and agricultural purposes [6]. The river system has also played an important role in
the growth and development of Poland’s economy and civilization. Vistula River is
the most important river in Poland [7], having a total length of about 1022 km. The
river is associated with a basin area in Poland, equivalent to 168,868 km
2 . Warta
River is the second largest river in Poland, with a total length of 795 km and a basin
area = 54,520 km
2 . Another important river in Poland is known as Oder, representing
a length of 726 km and a basin area = 106,043 km
2 in the country. These rivers are
followed by Bug, Narew, and Note´ c, having lengths of 590, 443, and 391 km in
Poland. However, the rivers have recently received untreated and/or partially treated
wastewater; hence, several parts of the river water became unfit for direct potable
use.
2.3 Lakes in Poland
Lakes are recognized as large water bodies (either fresh- or salt-water) surrounded by
land. ´
Sniardwy Lake is the most important lake in Poland, with an area of 113.8 km
2
and a maximum depth of 23 m. This lake is followed by Lake Mamry with an
area of 104 km
2 and Łebsko Lake (71.4 km
2 ). Other lakes in Poland include Lake
Jamno, Lake Wigry, Lake Gopło, Lake Orzysz, Lake Karwowo, Lake Kara´ s, Lake
M. Nasr et al.
climatic change [2]. The increases in social practices, agricultural activities, and
industrialization have also contributed to the rise in water consumption [3, 4].
The status of water in Poland can be described as follows [5]:
– In 2017, water precipitation in depth = 600 mm per year, corresponding to an
annual volume of 187.6 billion m
3 .
– In 2017, renewable water resources = 61 billion m
3 /year, providing a yearly water
resource of 1585 m
3 per capita. However, the average freshwater availability in
Poland is considered one of the lowest values in Europe.
– In 2016, the percentages of water utilization were 19% for municipal use, 71%
for industrial use, and 10% for agricultural use. These percentages were covered
by a total water withdrawal of 10.58 billion m
3 .
– In 2015, about 1.7% of the population in Poland had no access to safe drinking
water.
This chapter provides an overview of the trends and statistics of water resources
(e.g., surface water and groundwater) in Poland. Moreover, the chapter includes
sufficient information on the institutional affiliations, countries, and funding agencies
and sponsors, concerning the management of water bodies in Poland.
2.2 Rivers in Poland
The river system in Poland is recognized as an essential source of drinking, domestic,
and agricultural purposes [6]. The river system has also played an important role in
the growth and development of Poland’s economy and civilization. Vistula River is
the most important river in Poland [7], having a total length of about 1022 km. The
river is associated with a basin area in Poland, equivalent to 168,868 km
2 . Warta
River is the second largest river in Poland, with a total length of 795 km and a basin
area = 54,520 km
2 . Another important river in Poland is known as Oder, representing
a length of 726 km and a basin area = 106,043 km
2 in the country. These rivers are
followed by Bug, Narew, and Note´ c, having lengths of 590, 443, and 391 km in
Poland. However, the rivers have recently received untreated and/or partially treated
wastewater; hence, several parts of the river water became unfit for direct potable
use.
2.3 Lakes in Poland
Lakes are recognized as large water bodies (either fresh- or salt-water) surrounded by
land. ´
Sniardwy Lake is the most important lake in Poland, with an area of 113.8 km
2
and a maximum depth of 23 m. This lake is followed by Lake Mamry with an
area of 104 km
2 and Łebsko Lake (71.4 km
2 ). Other lakes in Poland include Lake
Jamno, Lake Wigry, Lake Gopło, Lake Orzysz, Lake Karwowo, Lake Kara´ s, Lake