United by the Vistula. Is Poland ready for a future without water?

Water. A simple H₂O molecule, yet so fundamental to our existence that we often take it for granted. It flows from the tap, runs through rivers, falls from the sky. But what if this indifference condemns us to lose the most precious resource of all? Climate change, once thought of as a problem of the future, is already a painful reality. The average global temperature has surpassed 1.5°C, and this is only a preview of what lies ahead. In Poland, we feel it firsthand, experiencing destructive droughts and floods in turn. This is not a distant forecast – it is happening now.

Freshwater resources account for only 3 percent of the Earth’s hydrosphere, and most of it is locked in glaciers that are melting at an alarming rate. Groundwater levels are falling, while rivers, lakes, and wetlands – the lifeblood of our country – are drying up and losing biodiversity. Do we really want our children to associate the Vistula not with a national symbol but with a dry, polluted riverbed? These challenges will be discussed by experts during the United by the Vistula conference – on September 11 in Warsaw.

The supreme audit office report as a mirror reflecting our failure

A real shock came with the Supreme Audit Office’s report on the state of Poland’s waters. Like a doctor delivering a diagnosis, the report directly points to the dire state of cleanliness in our rivers and lakes. Only 10 percent of monitored surface waters achieved good chemical status, and when it comes to ecological status, the situation is only slightly better. These figures prove that our water management system requires immediate and profound reform.

The report reveals a painful truth: the main problem is not water scarcity, but its quality and the way it is managed. The audit showed that the biggest sources of pollution remain industrial wastewater – including saline mine water – and insufficiently treated municipal sewage. The Vistula, crystal clear at its source, reaches the Baltic after a month in a disastrous state. This shows that every one of us – especially industry and agriculture – has a direct impact on the quality of our rivers.

Retention and grassroots actions – a light at the end of the tunnel

Are we doomed to such a terrifying scenario? Absolutely not! We must change our perspective and stop treating water as something guaranteed forever. It is time for action, both global and local.
We must start with ourselves. Think globally, act locally – this motto has never been more relevant. Consider rainwater, which instead of rushing into the sewer system could be stored in rain gardens, simple retention barrels, or green roofs. Such solutions, known as Nature Based Solutions, already allow Poland to capture millions of cubic meters of rainwater today. Small-scale retention is a big step toward restoring groundwater resources.

An inspiring example of grassroots initiatives is the Small Retention Map created by the Climate Manifesto. This tool impressively visualizes how numerous small retention projects – from simple ponds to larger reservoirs – already collect over a million cubic meters of rainwater. It is living proof that each of us has the power to make a difference in this struggle.

United by the Vistula conference

To join forces and discuss the future of our waters, I warmly invite you to the “United by the Vistula” conference, which will take place on September 11 in Warsaw. It will be a unique opportunity to meet experts, activists, and enthusiasts to collectively search for solutions for Polish rivers. During the event, we will discuss how to grant legal personhood to the Vistula, which could be a groundbreaking step in protecting our longest watercourse. More information and the conference program can be found at www.laczynaswisla.pl.

Because water is life. It is our ecosystem, our economy, and our health. We are like connected vessels. A polluted river means polluted wells, polluted food. A clean river means a clean ecosystem, healthy crops, and a better future. The choice is ours. It is time to take responsibility for this gift before it is too late. Because water has the power not only to give life but also to destroy it – if we fail to protect it.