Poland: Water retention and runoff regulations for landowners

In Poland, farmers and landowners must adhere to specific regulations regarding water management and retention to avoid legal issues and environmental damage. When implementing water retention measures on protected areas—such as national parks, nature reserves, landscape parks, or Natura 2000 sites—landowners are required to notify the relevant Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection (RDOŚ). Under Article 118 of the Nature Conservation Act, works that alter water or soil-water conditions may require a 30-day waiting period following notification, during which the RDOŚ may issue an objection.

Additionally, the Water Law prohibits property owners from altering the direction or intensity of rainwater and meltwater runoff if such changes cause damage to neighboring lands. Activities such as paving driveways with concrete, raising the level of a plot, or changing the terrain's slope can lead to legal disputes. Local authorities, including mayors or municipal presidents, have the power to order a property owner to restore the land to its previous state or install necessary safeguards to prevent flooding of adjacent properties. Legal proceedings regarding such damages must be initiated within five years of the owner becoming aware of the harmful impact.