WATER LAW FOR RAINWATER 2018

Rainwater and water law. What do we need to know about it?

On July 20, 2017, Members of Parliament adopted the new Water Law.

The government assures that the regulations will not increase the costs of water abstraction for residents. However, the opposition denies this, claiming that everyone will pay for water more: farmers, industry and inhabitants. The provisions of the amended Water Law enter into force at the beginning of 2018.

According to Journal of Laws 2017 item 1566 Act of July 20, 2017. - The Water Law applies the rules that the user and the absolute polluter pays. The fees for water services consist of: a fixed fee having the nature of „a a kind of environmental subscription” and variable fee depending on the size of the parameters.

Why do we need a new Water Law?

Poland is obliged to meet the conditions of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) and to adapt national regulations on water management.

Lack of amendment by 31 July this year would get impose a fine on Poland by the European Commission.

The work carried out is also to be used for full implementation the so-called „catchment policy water management” and adjust the applicable regulations to the requirements resulting from climate change. Moreover, the aim is to correct and organize some of the currently binding provisions of the Act of July 18, 2001, Water Law. It should be noted that the draft of the new Water Law retains most of the legal solutions currently in force.

Who will manage it?

An institution will be established in Poland, dealing with water management and responsible, inter alia, for the protection of flood safety, drought or investments as well as more effective management of water resources - the State Water Farm "Polish Waters".

For whom may the fees increase?

Acording to the act, among others farmers with large farms, energy industry, beverage producers, fish farmers or other entrepreneurs who use large amounts of water for production are to be covered new fees for the use of water.

What about our bills?

The government said households, small farmers and entrepreneurs would not pay more for water this and next year. In turn, according to the Chamber of Commerce, in 2018, a 2 + 2 family will pay about PLN 20-40 more than in the previous year. It depends on the so-called a fixed fee introduced the rational management of water resources. The maximum price of water permitted by the act is PLN 4.23/m³, and after the adoption of the act, the price will increase by no more than PLN 0.70/m³. Currently, the fee is PLN 1.15/m³ and, according to the opposition deputies, also drinks, e.g. beer, may become more expensive, because their producers will have to pay more for water – „Polish brewing will lose a lot of it. The production of one liter of beer carries eight to ten liters of water used.”

What will be the fees for water and sewage companies?

The draft of the new Water Law also provides for maximum fees for water and sewage companies. Depending on the size of the agglomeration, the rate will vary from 15 (in towns with up to 50,000 inhabitants) to 40 groszy per cubic meter of surface or underground water. However, in 2017 and 2018 they will remain at the level of 2016, i.e. around PLN 0.08 per cubic meter.