Polish officials and landowners address rainwater runoff and drainage rules

Councilor Marek Zborowski‑Weychman asked Suwałki’s mayor to adopt green‑area solutions for excess rainwater, such as roadside lawns and dedicated drainage zones, arguing that the current system, which routes all runoff to sewers, cannot handle heavy rains. Mayor Czesław Renkiewicz replied that the city already employs retention measures in new street projects and renovations, using retention‑dispersal tanks, infiltration boxes and designed curbs to direct water to adjacent green spaces, while noting that each site requires individual analysis based on soil, groundwater level and traffic load.

Separately, Polish water law (Art. 234 of the 2017 Water Act) prohibits any alteration of the direction or volume of rainwater flow that harms neighboring land. Legal guidance advises owners affected by neighbour‑induced flooding to first seek an amicable solution, then send a written demand, collect evidence, and, if necessary, request the local mayor, wójt or burmistrz to open a formal proceeding. Compensation is pursued in civil courts, as municipalities do not provide direct indemnity.