Starting May 21, 2026, amended Polish regulations implementing an EU directive will impose new water quality monitoring and social support obligations on municipalities, water companies, and building owners.
Legislative Process and Implementation
Poland is implementing an EU directive on the quality of water intended for human consumption. Although the original deadline was January 12, 2023, the amended act was finally published and will take effect on May 21, 2026.
The first version of the act was vetoed by President Karol Nawrocki due to concerns regarding excessive market regulation and administrative burdens. The final version was introduced as a parliamentary initiative by the Civic Coalition to accelerate the legislative process.
Water Quality Control and Supplier Obligations
Water and sewage companies must now regularly monitor water quality and conduct detailed risk assessments from the intake stage throughout the entire distribution system, addressing biological, chemical, and infrastructural threats.
The State Sanitary Inspection (Sanepid) will see its supervisory powers expanded. Additionally, Wody Polskie and the ministry responsible for water management will be tasked with assessing water losses and preparing plans to reduce resource waste.
New Requirements for Property Owners
Housing associations, cooperatives, and property owners are now required to conduct risk assessments of internal water installations to identify potential health hazards, with particular attention paid to older systems.
The law also regulates the certification of materials used for water treatment and distribution to limit products that do not meet safety standards. This may result in additional costs for property managers for technical expertise and modernization.
Addressing Water Poverty and Exclusion
Municipalities must identify residents lacking access to drinking water—including the poor, homeless, and those in infrastructure-poor areas—and take actions to ensure they can utilize basic water services.
Paweł Sikorski, President of the Polish Waterworks Chamber of Commerce, noted that while this is an organizational challenge, social welfare centers and municipalities already possess partial knowledge of residents requiring support.
Public Infrastructure and Transparency
The amendment enables the creation of public water collection points and drinking fountains in city centers, parks, and stations. While not mandatory for every municipality, the law provides the legal basis for developing such infrastructure.
Consumers will gain easier access to detailed data on water quality, pricing, and consumption. These changes aim to increase trust in tap water and reduce plastic waste by decreasing the consumption of bottled water.
