Flooding risk in urban areas is particularly high, due to the high population density and property values, including those of transport, residential, service and industrial infrastructure, among others. There are many reasons for flooding in urban areas; among them, direct heavy rainfall can cause special problems in risk management. In the case of random heavy rainfall, flood risk management can be supported by information about the morphology of the terrain and the degree of its sealing. In this study, we analyse methods for determining the risk of flooding in urban areas using digital terrain model (DTM) and geographic information system (GIS) tools. Predictors of precipitation floods in urban areas are defined, including the determination of flat areas, areas without outflow (non-drainage) and with large terrain height differences. The main source of information about historical rainfall floods relates to interventions by fire brigades, which constitute the basis for verifying the areas of occurrence of rainfall floods, as determined on the basis of morphological analysis of the area. Identifying the locations of rainfall flooding areas and developing accurate maps based on them are crucial for spatial planning and flood management at the local scale.

This article covers the analysis of the impact of agricultural and municipal pollution on surface waters in a selected pilot section of the Dunajec River in Poland. The analysis was performed using the dynamic Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program (WASP) model. The operational use of the WASP allows the assessment of current and future changes in water quality and the planning of measures to reduce adverse impacts on surface waters. Based on the acquired and processed data, the model simulated the impact of the pollutant supply on the water quality in the selected section. The simulations were carried out in three developed scenarios. The results of the simulations of the spread of pollutants in the riverbed show that the adopted scenarios, including an increased supply of pollutants and unfavorable hydrological conditions, will not adversely affect the operation and efficiency of the water intake. Thus in the considered cases, the risk will not reach an unacceptable level. However, a serious threat may be caused by the failure of the sewage treatment plant located in the vicinity of a water intake. The conducted analyses indicate that the WASP may have significant application potential in the risk assessment for surface water intakes.

Due to the fact that water management responds to changing natural and socio-economic conditions its future perspective, depending on multiple and variable factors, is difficult to predict using traditional prognostic methods. The examined hypothesis shows that the scenario development process is a useful method for long-term strategic planning in the water management sector. Research was completed on the basis of expert assessments and panel discussions and structured as a scenario for the development process. The IPCC Emission Scenarios constitute the future development context. The results show that this predictive method is effective. Sensitivity of the results of the applied techniques of development scenarios shows a need for further research.

Climate change causes a problem for the energy system in Poland, which is based on the availability of water resources throughout the year. In situations of water scarcity resulting from increased demand or due to water deficits caused by the phenomenon of drought, it is necessary to develop efficient management methods that take into account the needs of all stakeholders and obtaining approval for new investments. The principles of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) enable this efficiency to be achieved. The research used 51 questions in 3 surveys to assess the potential for IWRM implementation in 3 catchments located in an area of southern and south-western Poland with different topography, regional and socio-economic characteristics, i.e., the Białka (tourism domination), the Nysa Kłodzka (potential for hydropower) and the Widawa (lowland character). In order to interpret the results, the author’s method of grouping survey questions from different sources was applied. The results of the study showed that there is considerable social potential and willingness to develop cooperation between different stakeholder groups but there are barriers related to the state of knowledge and its transfer between stakeholders. It is important not to ignore the stakeholders whose resistance can effectively delay investment processes.

Water is a fundamental resource needed for human life and functioning and the environment. Water management requires a comprehensive, adaptive approach that also considers the dynamics of changes in the water management system. This is particularly important in areas where different groups of stakeholders intertwine, whose needs often contradict, which hampers effective water management, particularly in places of high natural value. This research aimed to analyze selected issues in water management in the Białka River Basin in Southern Poland. The analysis was based on a review of scientific publications, internet sources, and a survey on water management in the basin. Our research shows that the dominant issues in the study area are the flood risk and water pollution related to, among other factors, the intensive development of tourism. Moreover, the effective management of water resources is hampered by poor communication between the administration and stakeholders, which results in a low level of knowledge, negative attitudes towards nature protection, and the emergence of conflicts. The main conclusion of this paper indicates that, despite the existing social potential for implementing comprehensive water management methods, the lack of an appropriate legal framework prevents the implementation of concepts such as Adaptive Water Management.