A 7,500 PLN fine for such water use. Unannounced inspections.

• The obligation to obtain a water permit applies to wells with a depth exceeding 30 m.
• Failure to obtain a water permit for a well may result in a fine of up to PLN 7,500.
• However, if our water permit is withdrawn or limited, we are entitled to compensation.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Water Law Act, a water permit is required for the construction of water facilities for the abstraction of groundwater for the purposes of normal use of water from intakes deeper than 30 m and when the average annual abstraction from this well is more than 5 m3 per day .

This means that building a well deeper than 30 meters on your property for household or agricultural purposes requires obtaining a water permit from the water authority . Such a permit is issued for a period of no longer than 30 years , after which it expires.

It's possible that our water permit will be revoked or restricted. In such a case , we'll be entitled to compensation.

As indicated in Article 417 paragraph 1 of the Water Law Act, a water permit may be withdrawn or limited in return for compensation if this is justified by the public interest or important economic reasons.

Compensation is due from:

• Polish Waters - if the withdrawal or limitation of a water permit is justified by the public interest;
• an establishment that benefited from the withdrawal or limitation of a water permit - if the withdrawal or limitation of a water permit is justified by important economic reasons of that establishment.

Polish Waters may also impose on landowners the obligation to close down inactive wells if these wells are located on land within an indirect protection area and pose a threat to the quality of the water taken.

Using a well after the deadline for which the water permit was issued or after the permit has been withdrawn may result in financial penalties . Pursuant to Article 476, Section 1 of the Water Law Act, anyone who uses water or performs water facilities or other activities requiring a water permit in violation of the conditions specified in the water permit is subject to arrest, restriction of liberty, or a fine of PLN 1,000 to PLN 7,500 . The same penalty applies to anyone who fails to fulfill the obligations specified in the decision confirming the expiry or withdrawal of a water permit .

Water inspectors can conduct inspections even without prior notice . They check whether a water permit has been issued and also how the water is being used.

The fee for issuing a water permit is PLN 318.60. Multiple water permits may be issued in a single decision. The fee is multiplied by the number of water permits. The maximum fee cannot exceed PLN 6,372.27.

The fee must be paid into the bank account of Wody Polskie (Polish Waters), and proof of payment must be attached to the water permit application. If the water permit process is not initiated, a refund application may be submitted. The deadline for submitting such an application is five years from the end of the year in which the payment was made.

Importantly, Polish Waters may increase the fee if it does not cover the actual costs of conducting the procedure. In such a case, together with the water permit, Polish Waters will provide information on the procedure costs, as well as the deadline and method of payment.

1. a water-legal report meeting the requirements specified in Article 409, indicating the date of its execution, together with a description of the intended activity, not containing any specialist terms;
2. decision on environmental conditions, if required;
3. an extract and a map from the local development plan, and in the absence thereof - a decision on determining the location of a public purpose investment or a decision on development conditions, if required;
4. water-legal assessment, if required;
5. extracts from the land register or simplified extracts from the land register for real estate located within the range of influence of the intended use of water or within the range of influence of the planned construction of water facilities;
6. confirmation of effective notification referred to in Article 118 paragraph 1 of the Act of 16 April 2004 on nature conservation, if required.

To the application for a water permit for the collection of groundwater and for the drainage of a mining plant or construction facility

hydrogeological documentation is attached, if required.