It is prohibited to use the waters of the Oder River until 18 August. The West Pomeranian Voivodeship Governor has issued an ordinance

Voivodeship Governor Zbigniew Bogucki has prohibited direct contact with the Oder waters in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship in connection with the pollution. He has also prohibited the utilisation of these waters.  The prohibition covers the Szczecin Lagoon, the East Oder and the West Oder below Widuchowa, together with the connecting canals.

The prohibition was imposed up to and including 18 August and came into force on the day it was published in the Official Journal of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship (i.e. 12 August 2022 at 5:12 p.m.)

The prohibition applies to drinking water, entering water, bathing, fishing, eating fish, feeding the water to livestock or pets, using water for domestic purposes, including watering, and other activities involving direct contact with the waters of the Oder River, including the Szczecin Lagoon, the East Oder and the West Oder below Widuchowa.

By decision of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship Governor, the prohibition does not apply to activities such as emergency management, construction work, water maintenance, maintenance work, navigation and the removal of trapping tools, fyke nets and gillnets.

Legal basis: Article 60(1) of the Act of 23 January 2009 on the voivodeship governor and local government administration in voivodeships.