Local Partnerships for the Future. Water (LPW)

The role of water, the need for access to an adequate quantity of water and the preservation of its quality has been widely discussed for many years. To address these challenges, it is essential to implement, especially in agriculturally used areas, a catchment approach and involve all stakeholders in the process of planning, management and rational use of water.

The predatory use of environmental resources has resulted in a decline in the natural retention capacity of catchments, climate change, and a successive reduction in access to water resources. In recent years, Local Water Partnerships have been established in rural areas to mitigate water management problems. Water (LPW). The essence of these boards is to create a platform for cooperation between all entities that have an impact on the water resources of a given basin/region. However, for organizational reasons, the district – represented by the entities operating in its territory (including local government units) – was adopted as the LPW’s area of operation.

LPW Objectives

The purpose of the LPW is to identify issues related to water resources management and governance, establish and strengthen cooperation among all stakeholders, take legal initiatives by proposing amendments to the minister responsible for water resources. water management.

LPW members

Membership of the LPW is open to individuals and entities involved in water management in the district. Farmers, representatives of water companies, local governments (municipal, district, provincial), local bodies of Polish Waters, State Forests or NGOs are encouraged to actively participate in the Partnerships.

The role of the Agricultural Advisory Centre within the LPW

In order to ensure a uniform way of carrying out tasks arising from water management, the Agricultural Advisory Center in Brwinów (CDR) has been involved in the preparation and creation of LPW. In addition, agricultural advisory centers in the provinces have appointed coordinators for the agricultural sector. water. At the CDR, specialists in the field have been selected. water and provided training, instruction and informational materials.

CDR’s partners are: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Agency for Restructuring and Modernization of Agriculture, and Polish Waters.

Activities to date regarding the establishment and operation of the LPW

The pilot partnerships began their activities in 2020.

The experience of the first eighteen Local Water Partnerships is being used to implement appropriate solutions in the remaining counties. Ultimately, it is planned to establish LPWs in each of them.

List of LPWs currently in operation.

Plans for development of rural water management for 2022 – 2030

As part of LPW’s efforts to date, a model “Rural Water Management Development Plan for 2022 – 2030” has been prepared.

It is assumed to include the following data/information for the district:

• Description of the district and characteristics of the entities and individuals that make up the partnership, including:
  • locations – location in the province, number of municipalities (rural, urban, urban-rural, RZGW, catchment management, etc.);
  • general characteristics of the district, basic information (share of arable land, permanent grassland, forests, naturally valuable areas);
  • Characteristics of agriculture on a district scale (livestock production, crop production, including soil conditions – soil type, class);
  • characteristics of the partnership (who is part of the LPW), in particular fu

• A list of current strategic documents relating to municipalities and the district, the contents of which are relevant to water management. At the same time, the diagnosis of the area, identification of needs and problems should be in line with strategic documents.

• Diagnosis of water resources including the following information:
  • hydrological characteristics of the district area (rivers, lakes, reservoirs, natural/regulated watercourses, meliorated areas);
  • Description of water resources from the natural, economic side (water demand), including showing the strengths and weaknesses – in the investment context;
  • Current water resources, locations and status of water infrastructure (based on data from the Regional Water Board/water boards, water companies).

• Identification of county water management needs and problems including, but not limited to:
  • Agriculture (information on expectations of farmers/other agricultural entities to carry out investment activities; list of problems);
  • environment (information on river restoration needs in the district, e.g., from the National Surface Water Restoration Program; information on water management in the district’s forest areas based on data from forest districts; information on opportunities to preserve, restore, restore better functioning wetlands, floodplains, bogs, marshes);
  • The public (information on the demand for drinking water; the extent to which the area is piped and sewered);
  • Other needs/problems (e.g., does the drainage of road projects not affect the flooding of agricultural areas; does the drainage of settlements not reduce the active capacity of rivers
• Determination of strategic goals based on diagnosis and identification of needs.
• A list of investments and local activities to be undertaken in the district:
  • investments proposed by LPW for implementation (after taking into account and analyzing already planned investments by other local water management entities);
  • approximate valuation of each activity based on data for analogous activities conducted in the province;
  • A rough analysis of the environmental impact of the investment (in particular, in terms of the impact on habitats and migration of organisms associated with the aquatic environment);
  • Identification of the stakeholders of each activity;
  • The deadline for the implementation of the project in question;
  • monitoring of the effectiveness of actions (each action on the list should have an indicated monitoring focused on quantitative or qualitative assessment of the resolution of problems by the actions taken).

• LPW development plan in the district – proposals for further action adopted by LPW members.

More information about LPW

For more information on LPW, you can contact Agricultural Advisory Centers, LPW coordinators or the Agricultural Advisory Center in Brwinow. Detailed information can be found on the website of the Agricultural Advisory Center and at The pages of the Local Partnerships for the Promotion and Protection of the Environment. Waters.