Poland grants amnesty for illegal farm wells under new water law

Polish President Karol Nawrocki signed a temporary amendment to the water law that allows owners of unregistered underground wells to legalise them without paying the usual 6,600‑zł fee or facing penalties, provided a complete application is submitted by 31 December 2027. The measure targets farms that have increasingly relied on private wells amid growing drought concerns. Previously, illegal extraction could be punished with fines up to 1 million zł and retroactive penalties.

At the same time, a separate draft bill nicknamed “Lex smród” is being prepared to protect farmers from nuisance complaints by shifting the burden of proof to nearby residents. The proposal, backed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, has not yet been adopted by the Sejm and remains under public consultation.