Poland introduces water law amnesty and usage regulations

New regulations and legal updates regarding water usage and well ownership have been introduced in Poland. An amendment to the Water Law, effective August 18, 2026, provides a temporary amnesty for owners of groundwater extraction devices constructed without the required water law permits or notifications. This amnesty allows owners to regularize their legal status without paying the standard legalization fee, which is set at 6,601.67 PLN for 2026. This exemption applies specifically to devices built without permission prior to the law's entry into force and may also exempt owners from administrative fines.

However, the amnesty does not cover all violations; it specifically targets the illegal construction of devices rather than the unauthorized use of water. Unauthorized water extraction remains subject to penalties. Additionally, certain wells do not require formal notification if they are used for ordinary purposes, have a depth of less than 30 meters, and do not exceed an average annual extraction of 5 cubic meters per day.

Regarding residential water billing, consumption for properties without a main water meter is determined by average norms established by the Ministry of Infrastructure. For buildings connected to a sewage network, the norm is 3.00 m³ per person per month, while buildings using non-sanitary septic tanks are calculated at 2.40 m³ per person per month. Monthly costs include a base rate per cubic meter plus an additional subscription fee for paper or electronic invoicing.