The current state of water resources in Poland - possibilities of water reuse and management by the circular economy
Dominika Szołdrowska, Marzena Smol
Abstract
Climate change, population growth, and urbanisation increase pressure on natural resources. One of the resources under the greatest pressure is water, which is necessary and used in every sector of the economy. To protect water resources the European Commission (EC) has been launching several regulations aimed at sustainable water management. In recent years, these regulations have mainly been related to the implementation of the circular economy model (CE), in which used water should be recycled and reused. The paper presents an overview of water resources in Poland and discusses ways of accelerating the usage of reclaimed water, according to the CE concept. The scope of the paper includes a comprehensive analysis of water resources, supported by a SWOT analysis of the possible implementation of the CE concept in water management. The SWOT analysis reveals strengths in existing infrastructure and policy support, weaknesses in public awareness and technological adoption, opportunities in innovation and EU support, and threats from climate change. Practical examples from Poland demonstrate the benefits of integrating CE principles in water management, such as improved resource efficiency, reduced environmental impact, and enhanced economic resilience. The study's results highlight the substantial potential for water reuse in various sectors in Poland.