Surface runoff (overland flow) is the main element of the water cycle and is also crucial in the delivery of phosphorus and nitrogen from catchments to water bodies. Watercourses and reservoirs in agricultural catchments are particularly vulnerable to the delivery of biogenic compounds via surface runoff. Forested riparian buffers are considered effective in reducing nutrients and sediment loads in runoff from agricultural areas. Regrettably, the concentration of surface runoff may significantly limit the buffering capacity of vegetation strips, as channelised overland flow tends to avoid buffers without making optimal use of their ability to retain nutrients and sediment. The aim of the undertaken research was to delineate surface runoff pathways from surrounding areas to a drinking water reservoir as well as to identify potential concentration spots of overland flow. The research was conducted for the Dobromierz drinking water reservoir (GPS N: 50°54′27″, E: 16°14′37″). The reservoir is situated in a submountain catchment, where rainfall is an important factor taking part in driving diffuse P and N loads from land to water. Presented GIS-based method using high resolution Digital Terrain Model obtained from Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) allowed to determine areas with a tendency for high accumulation (concentration) of overland flow in the direct catchment of the reservoir. As main surface runoff areas, three sites each exceeding 100 ha were designated. The analysis of spatial data also allowed to establish the risk of agricultural diffuse pollution transfer via channelised overland flow to the reservoir from individual accumulation areas. It was found that in the forested part of the catchment (serving as a riparian buffer) there is no visible tendency for concentration of surface runoff, but simultaneously the vegetation strip does not prevent the transfer of runoff waters from agricultural areas through the privileged pathways of concentrated flow.

In recent years, a dynamic increase in environmental pollution with textile waste has been observed. Natural textile waste has great potential for environmental applications. This work identifies potential ways of sustainably managing natural textile waste, which is problematic waste from sheep farming or the cultivation of fibrous plants. On the basis of textile waste, an innovative technology was developed to support water saving and plant vegetation- biodegradable water-absorbing geocomposites (BioWAGs). The major objective of this study was to determine BioWAG effectiveness under field conditions. The paper analyses the effect of BioWAGs on the increments in fresh and dry matter, the development of the root system, and the relative water content (RWC) of selected grass species. The conducted research confirmed the high efficiency of the developed technology. The BioWAGs increased the fresh mass of grass shoots by 230-420% and the root system by 130-200% compared with the control group. The study proved that BioWAGs are a highly effective technology that supports plant vegetation and saves water. Thanks to the reuse of waste materials, the developed technology is compatible with the assumptions of the circular economy and the goals of sustainable development.

The drought event of 2018–2019 significantly affected most of Central Europe. In this study, the development and intensity of drought in the Lusatian Neisse river catchment were evaluated, based on the indices of SPI, SPEI, and low flow periods related to hydrological drought. Furthermore, multiannual variability in the drought indices, as well as the trends for air temperature and precipitation totals, were examined for 1981–2020. In the catchment, deficit of precipitation was noticed from autumn 2017 to spring 2020, additionally accompanied by a high thermal anomaly. In the summer seasons, heat waves occurred, which intensified evaporation and increased water deficit. The meteorological drought already appeared in spring 2018, developed in the following months, and became more intensive. The frequency of days with discharges >Q_70% exceeded 55%. According to SPI12 and SPEI12, the episode of 2018–2019 can be assessed as the longest period of severe drought in the whole of 1981–2020. The drought caused various consequences in the region. The deterioration of water quality and selected biological indices was one of the effects. In the sector of agriculture, yield reduction in corn and wheat amounted to 33% and 18% in 2018 and 22% and 9% in 2019. In addition, decrease in hydropower generation by more than 30% was noticed.

Surface waters polluted by nutrients from agricultural sources or sewage can change their trophic state into high productive and rich in nutrient content. In particular, phosphates are often regarded as the main hazard because they may activate eutrophication. This article presents the studies conducted in order to understand better the process of phosphate build-up in surface waters of Strzegomka River at the inflow and outflow from Dobromierz Reservoir, Lower Silesia, Poland, Central Europe. The Dobromierz Reservoir is the source of drinking water for over 25,000 people. Daily changes in phosphate concentrations were analysed during the hydrological year XI 2000–X 2001 and in the long-term monthly changes over the period of 15 years (2000–2014). Phosphate concentrations monitored in Strzegomka River showed great changeability. Peak phosphate concentrations reaching 1.70 mg /L were noted in the catchment in the autumn of the hydrological year 2000/2001. The mean concentration of phosphates on the inflow to the Dobromierz Reservoir (2000–2014) was 0.33 mg /L. No statistically significant decreasing trends were detected for phosphorus compounds concentrations at the inflow of the Dobromierz Reservoir. This means that the problems with the quality of water collected from the reservoir and with the treatment thereof are continuing. Additionally, the research results indicated that treatment processes take place during water flow through Dobromierz Reservoir. A significant reduction of phosphate concentrations up to 66% was confirmed and the possibility of eutrophication of the Dobromierz Reservoir was pointed out. The analysis shows that the most important factors influencing P-PO₄ loads in the Strzegomka River are precipitation and thus also water discharge.

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.