Poland is losing water at an alarming rate. The latest data from 2026 shows that 30% of the country's area is already at risk of desertification. What actions are the government and local authorities taking to stop the crisis – and what can we do on our own?
The scale of the problem: Poland is drying up
According to a report by the Polish Geological Institute from April 2026, over 30% of Poland's surface area is at risk of steppe formation or desertification. The most vulnerable regions are the Łódź, Greater Poland, Masovian, and Lubusz provinces, where groundwater levels have dropped by 1.5–4 meters over the last five years. The Institute of Meteorology and Water Management warns: 2025 was one of the driest years on record, with precipitation deficits reaching 40% in some regions.
The main causes are climate change (a temperature increase of 1.5°C since 1951), intensive land drainage, urbanization, and ineffective water policy. In 2026, only 10% of original wetlands remain intact, and 40% of urban areas are impermeable to water.
What are institutions doing?
The government and local authorities are introducing retention programs, but the pace of action raises concerns. As part of the "Stop Drought!" program (2021–2027), 500 small retention reservoirs are to be built by the end of 2026, and farmers are receiving subsidies for drip irrigation. In Łódź, the "Blue-Green Network" project is being implemented, and in the Greater Poland region, the Ślesin–Gopło canal is under construction, which is expected to increase water retention by 20 million m³ annually.
Despite this, experts criticize the lack of a coherent strategy. The Supreme Audit Office (NIK) in 2024 pointed to a lack of coordination between institutions and low water prices for agriculture, which encourage waste.
What can you do?
Individual actions also matter. Here are proven methods for small-scale retention:
- Garden ponds and reservoirs – even small reservoirs increase retention and biodiversity.
- Green roofs and rain gardens – they reduce water runoff by 50–90%.
- Permeable surfaces – paving stones with gaps allow water to soak into the ground.
- Drip irrigation – saves 30–50% of water compared to traditional methods.
You can find more proven solutions in our post on eco-friendly habits.
Future projections
Scientists warn: by 2050, the temperature in Poland could rise by 1.5–2.5°C, and droughts will occur 3–4 times more frequently than they do now. Without effective retention, Poland could lose up to 40% of its water resources by the end of the century. An optimistic scenario assumes that increasing retention by 20% could compensate for half of the water deficit.
Will Poland manage to cope with the crisis? Everything depends on the pace of action – both at the government and individual levels.
Sources
- https://youtu.be/PNq74gruSLc?si=OmnHNOMRbkU6IXOI
- https://www.pgi.gov.pl/
- https://www.imgw.pl/
- https://stat.gov.pl/
- https://www.gov.pl/web/infrastruktura
- https://www.wody.gov.pl/
- https://www.lodzkie.pl/
- https://www.wielkopolska.pl/
- https://www.sejm.gov.pl/
- https://www.iung.pulawy.pl/
- https://www.gdansk.pl/
- https://www.ipcc.ch/
- http://www.fao.org/
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