What Led to the Disaster on the Bóbr River? MEP Seeks European Commission Intervention

The ecological disaster on the Bóbr River is also to be investigated by the European Commission. On September 9, MEP Anna Zalewska filed a complaint concerning the pollution of the river, which occurred at the turn of June and July 2026 in connection with works carried out at the Pilchowice Reservoir. The document points to possible violations of several EU directives and the need to clarify whether all decisions and actions preceding and accompanying the water release complied with the law.

The authors of the document claim that the Bóbr was polluted, including with toxic substances and heavy metals, and that groundwater was also contaminated. They also point to a threat to human life and health, as well as damage affecting animals and protected elements of nature.

European Commission to investigate compliance of actions with EU law

The complaint concerns several areas of European Union law. MEP Anna Zalewska requested an investigation into whether the dam renovation and the resulting damage involved violations of, among others, the Water Framework Directive, the Habitats Directive, the Birds Directive and regulations concerning environmental impact assessments of projects.

One of the key questions is whether the risk of deterioration of the Bóbr’s water status was properly assessed before the works began and whether appropriate preventive measures were applied.

“This concerns protecting the condition of the waters, as well as the entire legally protected Natura 2000 area, including fish and bird habitats” – Anna Zalewska explains.

The MEP also wants it established whether human health and the risk of failures and disasters were taken into account when decisions were made about releasing the water. A separate part of the complaint concerns the legality of the release itself. (According to the findings, the water permit for the works expired in December 2024).

Natura 2000 and protected species

The disaster’s impact on protected areas is particularly significant in this case. The complaint points to the direct proximity of Natura 2000 protected areas, including the “Ostoja nad Bóbr” habitat site and the “Sudety Wałbrzysko-Kamiennogórskie” bird site, as well as the event’s potential impact on protected habitats and species.

“The post-inspection report of the Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection indicates the destruction of many protected species” – the document states.

The MEP is seeking to establish whether the required environmental procedures were properly conducted before the works began. In particular, this concerns whether the project’s impact on water, biodiversity, human health and the risk of failures and disasters was properly assessed.

Nearly 30 kilometres of closed river

The consequences of the disaster were not limited to environmental losses. According to the MEP’s office, at the height of the tourist season, an approximately 30-kilometre section of the Bóbr remained closed—from the Pilchowice Dam to the Rakowice Reservoir.

The disaster also severely affected local tourism. According to the data presented, the number of tourists may have fallen by as much as 90 percent. Agritourism farms, campsites, companies organising canoe and raft trips, restaurants and other businesses connected with tourism are among those suffering losses.

“The Bóbr Valley is an important tourist region of Lower Silesia and a source of livelihood for many of its residents. At the same time, it is an exceptionally valuable natural area protected under Natura 2000” – Anna Zalewska emphasises.

According to the MEP, the ecological effects may be felt for many years. The need to restock the river will generate further costs, while rebuilding populations of fish and other aquatic organisms may take years.

Prosecutorial investigation in the background

The Lwówek Śląski District Prosecutor’s Office is also investigating the pollution of the Bóbr. As indicated in the complaint, an investigation is being conducted into environmental pollution on a considerable scale under Article 182 of the Criminal Code.

Earlier, information about the threats was reportedly provided by, among others, environmental organisations and representatives of the Polish Angling Association. The WIOŚ in Wrocław conducted inspections and published information concerning the river’s pollution.

Anna Zalewska announced that she would also monitor the progress of the national proceedings.

“Never again should there be similar tragedies—on the Bóbr or on any other Polish river. If no consequences are drawn and no lessons are learned for the future from this disaster, similar events may happen again” – the MEP says.

The application submitted to the European Commission includes, among other things, a request to verify whether the actions of the Polish authorities complied with regulations concerning the protection of waters and Natura 2000 areas, environmental impact assessments and liability for environmental damage.