Starting May 21, 2026, Poland will implement a new law on collective water supply and sewage disposal to align with EU directives on drinking water quality and accessibility.
Legislative Path to Implementation
The amendment implements an EU directive on drinking water quality and imposes new obligations on municipalities, water companies, and building owners. Although implementation was due by January 12, 2023, the process was delayed for over three years.
After being vetoed in autumn 2025 by President Karol Nawrocki due to concerns over market over-regulation and administrative burdens, the law returned to the Sejm as a parliamentary project by the Civic Coalition. This path bypassed lengthy government consultations, and the document has now been published in the Journal of Laws.
Enhanced Quality Controls and Provider Duties
Water and sewage companies must now regularly monitor drinking water quality and conduct detailed risk assessments across the entire distribution system. This includes analyzing biological, chemical, and infrastructural threats to ensure consumer safety.
The State Sanitary Inspection (Sanepid) will see expanded oversight powers, while Wody Polskie and the water economy ministry will be responsible for assessing water losses and creating plans to reduce waste in networks where losses currently exceed ten percent in some cities.
New Obligations for Property Owners
Housing communities, cooperatives, and property owners are now required to conduct risk assessments of internal plumbing installations. This involves checking the condition of pipes and materials to ensure they do not degrade water quality, especially in older buildings.
The law also regulates the approval of materials used for water treatment and distribution to limit the use of non-compliant products. This may result in additional expenses for technical expertise and network modernization for property managers.
Addressing Water Exclusion
Municipalities must now identify and support residents lacking access to drinking water, including the poor, the homeless, and those in areas with infrastructure deficits. Local governments will play the primary role in organizing support systems to combat “water poverty.”
Paweł Sikorski, President of the Waterworks Poland Chamber of Commerce, stated that while this is a significant organizational challenge, municipalities and social assistance centers already possess some of the necessary data on residents in need.
Public Water Points and Fountains
The amendment creates the legal framework for municipalities and water companies to establish public drinking water points and fountains in city centers, parks, and stations, mirroring practices common in other EU countries.
While not a mandatory requirement for every municipality, industry representatives suggest exploring social funds or water tariffs to finance these solutions, provided costs do not excessively burden individual consumers.
Increased Consumer Transparency
Water companies must now provide consumers with more detailed information regarding water quality, pricing, and consumption levels to increase transparency and public oversight of infrastructure.
By improving information and expanding public access points, the EU directive aims to increase trust in tap water, thereby reducing the consumption of bottled water and the resulting plastic waste.