2005 - 2006 - Pinsent Masons Water Yearbook 2012

POLAND PART 2: COUNTRY ANALYSIS
Poland
Economics (2003)
GDP per capita US$5,280
GDP per capita (PPP) US$11,210
Agriculture 3%
Industry 31%
Services 66%
Laws and spending
Polish water law has been revised to bring water and sewerage laws in line with EU standards by
2002. A second National Environment Plan, launched in 2000, drew up longer term targets. These
call for suitable levels of service, provision of increasing treatment standards with time, financial
incentives for the private sector and protection of consumer interests. Tariffs are to be established by
water companies and approved by the local community with yearly revisions and the prospect of
differential charging.
There are 700 water utilities, 300 of which serve urban areas. In 2000, the average water price was
US$0.84 per m 3 . Environmental spending was US$2.1 billion in 1998, up from US$0.8 billion in 1990,
with 40% of this going to water (equivalent to 0.6% of GNP). In 2000, estimates by the Government
point to US$700 million per annum being spent on water related work in Poland. Some 5% of this is
currently coming from foreign investment. The compliance costs for water and wastewater upgrading
and extending for EU accession has been variously estimated as between €18 and €40 billion in 1998,
with US$2.6 billion required for sewage treatment works and US$4 billion for sewerage. Poland was
granted derogation until 2015 for complying with the UWWTD because of the estimated cost of
compliance. For example, in 2000, 11% of the rural population was served by wastewater treatment
plants.
Investment on wastewater treatment and water management, 1992-2000
PLN million 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000
Wastewater 663 1,002 2,161 3,426 N/A
- Treatment plants N/A N/A 969 1,326 1,902
- Sewerage systems N/A N/A 963 1,567 1,902
Water 633 766 1,415 1,748 1,653
- Supply systems N/A N/A 881 936 852
- Treatment plants N/A N/A 207 214 197
In 2003, the Government cut the levies that water suppliers pay for using water resources. From April
2003, the levy per m³ of surface water taken to produce drinking water, or water for domestic
purposes, will be PZN0.03 (US$0.7), down from PZN0.042. This is intended to water suppliers to
reduce their prices.
Population
Total (2003, million) 38.2
Total (2015, million) 37.9
In urban areas (2003) 63%
In urban areas (2015) 64%
In urban agglomerations (2015) 18%
Pollution and problems
Polish data is on the harsh side because the worst performing parameters are used as definitive.
Surveys using biological criteria point to up to 88% of rivers being of class 4 quality in 1990 and 96%
in 1995. In 2000, this had fallen to 61% of rivers, but class 1 & 2 rivers still only accounted for 3% of
the total. Class 4 rivers are those which are biologically dead and whose water cannot be used for
agriculture or industry.
158 Pinsent Masons Water Yearbook 2005 – 2006