Hydrogeological situation of Poland in September 2023

The State Hydrogeological Service (PSH), responsible for monitoring and reporting on the state of groundwater in Poland, has issued a new announcement. What is the hydrogeological situation of Poland in September 2023? InWater Matters, we traditionally summarize information from the latest report.

What is the monitoring of groundwater status in Poland?

The State Hydrogeological Service collects data from representative measurement points scattered throughout the country. In each, he checks, among other things. groundwater level, which is the depth at which water can be found occurring in the first aquifer. The collected data is subjected to additional analysis and comparison with statistics from previous years and the status of groundwater reserves. Then, they are collected into a report. It is issued as an official communiqué with information such as:

• abundance and locations of survey points where measurements were taken;
• The location of the groundwater table at each point;
• states of reserves of groundwater variable resources in each region;
• Information on the status of hydrogeological hazards.

Hydrogeological situation in Poland in September

The latest communication from the National Hydrogeological Service, which describes the country’s current hydrogeological situation, was issued on October 13, 2023. The report covers the state of groundwater in Poland from September 1 to 30. The following are the most important lessons learned from it.

Declines in groundwater levels in 71 percent. measuring locations

The current hydrogeological situation does not look good. Unfortunately, the hot end of summer, accompanied by a drought resulting from scanty rainfall, contributed to declines in groundwater levels in the ca. 71 percent. measurement points. At more than half of these sites, the depressions were insignificant and ranged from 0 to 0.1 meters – so their causes should be attributed mainly to weather conditions. However, this does not change the fact that even such small decreases can cause a hydrogeological emergency, which is the case in some areas of Poland.

Status of hydrogeological hazards in central and northern Poland

In September 2023. The state of hydrogeological emergency, which is said to occur when groundwater levels fall below the established warning value, persisted mainly in the central and northern parts of the country. At 22 percent. sites included in the PSH analysis, more specifically, 37 measurement points, experienced hydrogeological lows, which can cause, among other things. Problems with water supply from shallow farm and municipal intakes.

Lack of reserves of groundwater resources in 9 percent. points

Speaking of resources, the hydrogeological situation in Poland does not look optimistic due to the fact that the percentage of places where a lack of groundwater reserves has been reported has increased. In August, it was found in 9 percent. points, indicating an increase of 2 percent. relative to August values. Below is a list of localities found to lack reserves of groundwater resources:

• Rogóźno (Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship);
• Sulejów (Lodz province);
• Białobrzegi, Łęg Starościński and Sypniewo (Mazowieckie Voivodeship);
• Morgowniki (Podlaskie Voivodeship);
• Lysomiczki, Maszewko and Miechucino (Pomeranian Voivodeship);
• Kobulty, Kosmidry (Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship);
• Czaplinek, Gądno, Międzyzdroje and Turowo (West Pomeranian Voivodeship);
• Czachurki (Greater Poland Voivodeship).

Summary

In summary, the hydrogeological situation of Poland in September 2023. was not the best. Groundwater levels have dropped at most measurement points. The lows occurred in nearly ¼ of them. The percentage of sites reporting a lack of reserves of groundwater resources has also increased. Hopefully, the situation will improve in autumn, and the increasing amount and frequency of rainfall will contribute to the restoration of Poland’s groundwater resources.