SMALL WATER RETENTION IN LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROGRAMS OF WARTA RIVER MUNICIPALITIES

• Main Authors: Arnold Bernaciak, Marcin Spychała, Mariusz Korytowski, Pamela Powolna
• Format: Article
• Language: Polish
• Published: Polish Society of Ecological Engineering (PTIE) 2015-10-01
• Series: Inżynieria Ekologiczna
• Subjects: small water retention; local environmental protection program; water relations; storm water
• Online Access: http://www.journalssystem.com/ie/-MALA-RETENCJA-WODNA-W-PROGRAMACH-OCHRONY-SRODOWISKA-GMIN-NADWARCIANSKICH,60036,0,2.html

Municipalities according to existing environmental law ought to have regularly updated local environmental protection programs. Part of the municipalities in Poland, unfortunately, does not comply this requirement. In a changing and contrasting climate with increasing frequency of rainfall absence periods, the problems related to small water retention are becoming increasingly relevant and important. The aim of the study was to identify the actions assumed by municipalities in the area of the water protection and management in the local environmental protection programs. Municipalities lying in the immediate vicinity of the Warta River should treat these issues as particularly important. On the basis of the analysis, it was found that the area of water management is dominated by the tasks related to construction of wastewater treatment plants and sewerage systems. None of the analysed programs has a small water retention as priority, and only one program has a small water retention as a goal, but with regard to flood protection. A small water retention is included in environmental programs in relatively large numbers as the tasks, but it is only 5–6% of all tasks. This may suggest a slight degree of actual attention given by local authorities to the area of ​​small water retention, or not recognizing this type of action, as carried out by other entities. One of the main potential causes of small water retention marginal treatment in local environmental protection programs may be the treatment of the construction or expansion of the sanitary network and construction of sewage treatment plants as the priority due to the National Urban Wastewater Treatment Program realisation.