Just a few days before the floods, we were still talking about the problem of drought. According to the Chief Inspectorate for Environmental Protection, there is about 1,500m3 of water per inhabitant in Poland annually. This is very little, since, according to the UN, an annual volume of water resources of less than 1.7 thousandm3 per inhabitant causes so-called “water stress. Water stress, i.e. a situation in which there is not enough water to meet the needs of people and the environment, or it is unfit for drinking. To counteract this critical situation, it is worth starting to manage water rationally.
Why is it important to manage water?
As the hydro.imgw.pl portal, run by the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management – National Research Institute, points out, during the summer months we permanently find ourselves in a situation where large parts of the country are affected by low river water levels. This is the so-called. The third stage of drought – hydrological drought – which can lead to, among other things. to a hindered supply of drinking water, increased levels of water pollution, problems in agriculture and, consequently, an increase in food prices. Paradoxically, just a few days before the flood, the problem particularly affected the southern, eastern and central provinces: the Lower Silesian (e.g., Nysa Luzycka and Bóbr); Silesian (e.g., Olza); Lesser Poland (Dunajec, Raba or Vistula); Lublin (Bug); Mazovia (Vistula, Świder, Pilica); or Greater Poland (e.g., Warta), where we observed very low water levels. There, drought is a fact of life basically every year.
In cities, on the other hand, we are experiencing increasingly persistent heat waves. Elevated air and ground surface temperatures, which create an atmospheric or surface urban heat island, are responsible. Moreover, this phenomenon is also observed in the underground environments of many cities around the world, including groundwater. Poland, unfortunately, is no exception. This is because the paved area (buildings, squares, streets), commonly known as concretosis, is steadily increasing, while at the same time reducing the share of urban green areas. Concrete or asphalt absorbs more of the sun’s rays than it reflects, and then gives off energy, increasing the ambient temperature. This affects our health – cases of heat stroke are on the rise, and the course of chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases is exacerbated, especially in the elderly.
What is water resilienceand why is it so important?
In the context of water, resilience simply means water conservation and integrated water management. Water is not just a commercial product, but also a finite resource that must be used in a sustainable manner, both in terms of quality and quantity.
This is important because water resources are under increasing pressure from various sectors, such as agriculture, industry, tourism, transportation and energy. Therefore, taking care of them is a common task for all users – individual, farmers, local governments and businesses. Synergy of actions and implementation of locally adapted tasks at the micro scale will translate to the macro scale.
We need measures to increase the national water retention rate and better adapt Poland to climate change. Meanwhile, lack of water (drought) or excess water (floods) only exacerbate these problems. The answer is sustainable water management, which involves the rational use and proper management of resources.
Let’s start at the micro scale. What are the best practices in water management?
- Collect rainwater. Rainwater has a myriad of uses, it can be used for domestic use and for irrigation in agriculture or industry. Rainwater and snowmelt help replenish groundwater supplies and reduce reliance on external sources, thereby increasing water security.
- Let’s install a shower instead of a bathtub. Let’s stock up on water-saving showerheads, timers and low-flow aerators, which are inexpensive and easy to install yourself. When showering, let’s use water judiciously, turning off the shower while soaping up.
- Wash when you have a full cartridge, and if you load the washing machine only partially, remember to adjust the level of water intake according to the weight of the dirty clothes. Avoid the continuous cycle, which consumes an additional 20 liters per rinse.
- Irrigate plants only when necessary. It’s a good idea to use water when it’s really necessary. Just stick to pre-determined watering days and water preferably before 9:00 am, as this will allow the water to penetrate the plant’s roots. It’s also a good idea to make sure your sprinklers and irrigation system are working properly. In home gardens, grow drought-tolerant plants.
- Let’s support water activism. Let’s educate, let’s provide information about proper water management. Remember that every action counts – at the individual level, the functioning of a settlement or municipality, industry or agriculture.
Good practices at the macro level. What to expect from local and national governments?
- Let’s make sure to recycle water. Let’s look for ways to make better use of so-called “grey” water. gray water, i.e. non-potable water. It can be used for irrigation, industrial processes or toilet flushing. On a larger scale, water treatment technologies can be implemented for safe and sustainable reuse of wastewater.
- Let’s take care of water retention in cities. Retaining water in the city is the responsibility not only of local authorities, but also of all groups of urban stakeholders – businesses, cooperatives and housing communities or, finally, individual residents. Ultimately, the idea is to transform our cities into so-called “sponge cities. The goal is to transform our cities into so-called “sponge cities” (sponge cities). According to this concept, urbanized areas should be adapted for water retention and detention, such as through the construction of green roofs and cooperative gardens, as well as large retention reservoirs (which additionally protect against flooding), scattered throughout the urbanized area.
- Let’s introduce integrated water resources management. A comprehensive approach that considers the entire water cycle, including surface water, groundwater and rainwater harvesting helps optimize water allocation, reduce waste and protect ecosystems.
- Use nature-based solutions. These are measures that increase natural retention, such as wetland restoration and water renaturalization, including restoring natural floodplains or installing green roofs.
- Support sustainable agricultural practices that reduce water use. These include precision irrigation techniques, agroforestry and the cultivation of more drought-tolerant crop varieties. It is also important to encourage farmers to use efficient irrigation systems and tailor water management to local conditions.
- Let’s improve infrastructure and water management. Let’s invest in water infrastructure, including pipelines, reservoirs and treatment plants, to reduce water losses and improve supply efficiency. Let’s ensure efficiency, appropriate regulations and stakeholder engagement to ensure equitable water distribution.
- Let’s establish international cooperation. Partnerships, including at the local government level, make it possible to meet the challenges of transboundary water issues. Collaborate on water sharing agreements, data sharing and joint initiatives to promote sustainable water management across borders.
Reliable knowledge – where to get it from?
The Hydroportal of the State Water Management Company Wody Polskie (PGW WP) is a comprehensive source of information on broad water issues for our country. The portal has numerous functionalities and publishes extensive information, such as an overview of data on flood risk, drought prevention and related to water management plans.
The development of the Water Scarcity Program, which presents opportunities and directions for water retention development activities, is also an invaluable source. The Program is complementary to other planning documents in the field of water management – water management plans, flood risk management plans, drought plan and waterway development programs, and the activities contained in it are complementary to the tasks arising from these documents. It indicates, among other things. examples of initiatives aimed at increasing reservoir retention, trough retention, in forested, agricultural and urbanized areas. The document also includes proposals for educational, informational and promotional campaigns to strengthen public awareness in this regard.