Polish towns roll out new water‑retention projects to boost flood protection

The municipality of Kocmyrzów‑Luborzyca will build two modern retention basins in Karniow and Dojazdowo. The larger basin will cover 512 m² and reach 3 m depth, the smaller 243 m² at 2 m depth. The combined capacity of 1 900.5 m³ is slated for completion within 430 days, at a total cost of 3.74 million zł, with roughly 85 % financed by European Union funds.

In the Upper Silesian city of Racibórz, newly completed retention tanks on Ocicka and Opawska streets were tested during heavy rainfall. The Ocicka basin (2 142 m², 2 030 m³) successfully captured runoff, while the Opawska basin filled but caused localized flooding at a nearby Biedronka entrance. The investment cost 1.18 million zł and prompted plans for an additional basin (W1) to protect vulnerable streets and a national road.

The city of Toruń has launched a revitalisation of the Kaszownik reservoir, allocating almost 10 million zł, including more than 6 million zł from EU infrastructure and climate funds. Works will deepen the lake, repair hydrotechnical equipment, upgrade accessibility, and improve surrounding greenery, enhancing flood‑mitigation capacity.

Separately, WWF Poland experts highlighted the recent Bóbr River disaster as a systemic failure of water‑management governance, urging that water resources be overseen by a single competent ministry to prevent similar incidents.