Poland introduces amnesty for illegal groundwater wells

New amendments to the Polish Water Law have introduced an amnesty period for the legalization of unregistered groundwater wells. Effective from August 17, 2026, the measure allows owners of wells constructed without the required water law permits or notifications prior to the new regulations to regularize their status without paying legalization fees or administrative penalties.

Estimates suggest there may be between 20,000 and 40,000 illegal wells across Poland. The amnesty aims to improve the accuracy of groundwater resource management and water-economic balances, which is critical for managing water scarcity and drought conditions. By inventorying these wells, authorities can better assess the pressure on underground resources.

The amnesty applies to all property owners, including individual farmers and users of allotment gardens, provided the wells were installed before the law change. However, the legalization is not automatic; authorities will still examine technical parameters and the impact of each well on water resources. In some cases, decisions may still be made to liquidate specific installations if they pose a risk to water supplies.

Note that wells with a depth of up to 30 meters used for ordinary water use do not require permits, provided the average daily withdrawal does not exceed 5 cubic meters. Wells exceeding these limits or constructed after the deadline remain subject to standard sanctions and penalties.