State of hydrogeological threat in Poland: Warning for October

The State Geological Service has issued an official hydrogeological warning, which is valid from October 1 to October 31. The state of threat covers as many as 15 voivodeships: Lower Silesia, Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, Lublin Voivodeship, Lubuskie Voivodeship, Łódź Voivodeship, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, Masovian Voivodeship, Opole Voivodeship, Podkarpackie Voivodeship, Podlaskie Voivodeship, Pomeranian Voivodeship, Silesian Voivodeship, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, Greater Poland Voivodeship and West Pomeranian Voivodeship. Additionally, local problems may also appear in the central part of the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship.

As the Polish Geological Institute emphasizes, the forecasts for October assume the persistence of unfavorable weather conditions, primarily the rainfall deficit. In recent months, the level of shallow groundwater in many regions of Poland has decreased significantly, and in many measurement points it has dropped below the lowest values ​​recorded in many years.

According to forecasts, in October, the shallow groundwater table may be below the low warning level in a large area of ​​the country. This may mean serious difficulties in supplying water from shallow water intakes, such as wells.

The first aquifer, which reacts quickly to weather changes, is most at risk. Deeper intakes used by waterworks are less susceptible to short-term rainfall shortages.

The state of hydrogeological threat has been present in Poland since spring, and its scope is systematically increasing. In May, the warning concerned 7 voivodeships, in June and July 14, and from August as many as 15 regions. The same coverage also applies in September and October.

Hydrogeological low flow is a situation in which the groundwater table drops below the low warning level. The Polish Geological Institute determines this threshold based on minimum annual water levels observed over many years. This phenomenon can lead to serious problems with access to water, especially in rural areas and in places using shallow wells.