Water rights certificates are an essential part of water resources management, They form the basis for obtaining a water permit in many engineering and construction projects. They are an indispensable tool when making decisions on wastewater discharge, water abstraction or rainwater management.
Water right certificates - legal basis
The legal basis regulating the issues related to the water law operators in Poland is the Act of 20 July 2017. - Water Law. This document is the foundation for all activities related to the management and protection of water resources in the country. Under its provisions, a water rights operation is required in a number of situations that may affect the status of water or aquatic ecosystems. The law specifies when and to what extent an operation must be drawn up, and defines the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved in water rights processes.
What are water rights reports?
Water permit - what is it? It is a specific type of technical-legal document, the main purpose of which is to define the rules for water management in a specific area. The water permit regulates not only the use of surface water, but also of groundwater. It is developed by the relevant state authorities and is aimed at the protection and sustainable use of water resources in a given area. Among other things, we can distinguish between a water supply operation for:
groundwater abstraction,
rainwater drainage,
sewage disposal,
water abstraction.
This document is required by law, especially in situations where human activities may affect the water status.
When is a water supply operation required?
A water supply operation - when is it required? In a number of specific cases where human activities may affect the water environment. According to the regulations, a water supply notification is necessary when, among other things, it is planned to:
the construction of a pier of a certain size, the berthing of vessels in flowing waters with residential or service uses,
the routing of overhead power and telecommunications lines through waters other than inland waterways,
creation of bathing sites.
for permanent dewatering of construction trenches,
construction of drainage facilities, drainage of water from excavations,
when creating small ponds filled with rainwater or groundwater.
In situations where the implementation of more than one of these projects exceeds established standards, a formal water permit is required. Any works that may alter groundwater status are also subject to these regulations. When a water permit is required in other situations is detailed in the Water Law Act.
Thus, the Water Law Operative becomes a document that enables activities that affect water resources to be carried out legally.
Where do I obtain a water supply operation?
The execution of the water supply operation is organised according to the hierarchy and specificity of the activities affecting the water environment. The responsibility for issuing these consents lies with the various bodies of the Polish Waters:
The Director of the Regional Water Management Board is responsible for: issuing permits related to the use of water services and the operation of water facilities for major environmental projects, permits for surface and groundwater reclamation, decisions on specific interventions such as the introduction of substances into water,
The Director of the Catchment Board is responsible for issuing water permits in minor cases that are not listed in the duties of the Regional Director,
The Head of Water Supervision is tasked with the preparation of a water rights report for less complex projects.
Water law act - who can carry out the water law act if the applicant is Wody Polskie? In that case, the minister responsible for water management is responsible for processing the application. This process is in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Administrative Procedure, which ensures that procedures are transparent and reliable.
What does the water supply operation contain?
The Water Law Operative is not a uniform document. We can distinguish in it several elements that determine its correct elaboration and indirectly affect the protection of water resources:
actual water status - information about the quality, quantity, flow and current use of a waterbody,
water use rules - based on current legislation and regulations,
water demand forecast - developed with a perspective of several years,
proposed solutions - planning investments and infrastructure projects related to water management,
Ecological impact assessment - analysis of the impact of investments and activities on the aquatic environment and its biodiversity,
Protection of habitats and species - taking into account the need to preserve the ecological functions of the area,
Recommendations on water management - gaining knowledge on how to align operations with current environmental standards.
What else is worth knowing?
Water licences have a role in protecting water resources and ensuring that all economic activities are carried out in a sustainable and legal manner. These documents also ensure that construction projects do not have a negative impact on the environment, which is critical in the context of increasing environmental demands and public expectations.
The following can assist in obtaining a water rights certificate environmental consulting provided by EKOPRO Group. We encourage you to familiarise yourself with our offer.
