The report highlights the effectiveness of the anti-filtration barrier and the reduction in the rate of water level decline in its vicinity

- reads the statement on the Czech Geological Survey’s website.

Thanks to the effective measures taken following the signing of the agreement, the risk to the operation of the drinking water intake for local communities has also been eliminated. This is ensured by the water supply infrastructure built using funds provided by Poland and PGE as part of the so-called ‘Turów Fund’. 

Czech experts point out that, in order to limit the inflow of water into the mine from the south, the Polish side has constructed a filtration barrier, and the mining area on the south-western slope has been adapted and reduced in size. Further joint Polish-Czech monitoring and research work aimed at gaining a better understanding of groundwater dynamics in deeper aquifers will be continued by teams of geology and hydrogeology experts from both countries. 

Link to the Czech Geological Survey’s statement. 

The agreement between Poland and the Czech Republic on mitigating the negative environmental impact of the Turów Lignite Mine was signed in 2022. Since then, PGE has carried out a number of projects designed to ensure, among other things:

• reduction of noise emissions by erecting noise barriers and replacing the noisiest equipment;
• reduction of light pollution by replacing light sources;
• improvement of air quality by reducing dust levels; and
• limitation of the decline in the level of groundwater by constructing an underground barrier. 

The company has also invested in the construction of an earth embankment, complete with planting, to separate the mine site from the Czech border. The total cost of the project on the Polish side exceeded PLN 14 million.

Another important element of support for the region is the Turów Fund (Small Projects Fund), which is used to fund local projects (water supply systems, water storage and improvements to the region’s green infrastructure).