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New water agency chief takes office as Poland gears up for heavy rainfall

08.07.2025 12:00
Mateusz Balcerowicz has taken over as head of Poland’s water agency as the country braces for days of extreme rain.
Mateusz Balcerowicz has replaced Joanna Kopczyńska as head of Polands Water Authority, the government agency for managing the countrys water resources.
Mateusz Balcerowicz has replaced Joanna Kopczyńska as head of Poland’s Water Authority, the government agency for managing the country’s water resources.Photo: PAP/Szymon Pulcyn/RZGW

Balcerowicz has been appointed to lead Wody Polskie, the state body responsible for managing water resources. He replaces Joanna Kopczyńska, who had held the post since 2024.

The politician previously served as her deputy for investment and flood and drought protection, and was a long-time director in the Environment Ministry’s Water Department. He has also been associated with the Polish Academy of Sciences.

Speaking to TVN24 on Tuesday, Infrastructure Minister Dariusz Klimaczak confirmed the leadership change but denied it was linked to recent extreme weather or flood preparations.

The minister said he had disagreed with Kopczyńska on some issues and emphasised plans to decentralise the agency, which is responsible for maintaining and modernising flood embankments.

Flood reservoirs ready as heavy rain looms in Poland

Poland’s state water authority said flood reservoirs remain stable and are being closely monitored ahead of forecast heavy rains.

⛈W ciągu najbliższych dni #IMGW prognozuje intensywne opady deszczu. Pracownicy #WodyPolskie przygotowują się do...

Opublikowany przez RZGW w Warszawie Wtorek, 8 lipca 2025

Many reservoirs are holding extra capacity due to widespread drought conditions across much of the country. Officials said dry reservoirs, which normally remain empty, are ready to absorb runoff from the expected downpours.

Forecasters from IMGW, Poland's national meteorological institute, warn that a low-pressure system moving from the Mediterranean could bring days of intense rain to southeastern Poland.

‼️UWAGA - NOWE OSTRZEŻENIA HYDROLOGICZNE ‼️ Powiększa się obszar wystąpienia wezbrań z przekroczeniem stanów...

Opublikowany przez Instytut Meteorologii i Gospodarki Wodnej - IMGW PIB Wtorek, 8 lipca 2025

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Source: X/@MI_GOV_PL/RZGW/IMGW