PiS demands resignations and EU complaint after 15 tonnes of fish die in Bóbr River
Poland's opposition Law and Justice party has called for the climate minister's resignation and announced an EU environmental complaint after 15 tonnes of dead fish were pulled from the Bóbr River following a dam drainage.
The die-off
Mass fish deaths were first observed in the Pilchowice reservoir and the Bóbr River below the dam at the start of last week. The event followed the draining of the reservoir, which was completed at the end of June to allow renovation of the over 100-year-old Pilchowice dam. A total of 15 tonnes of dead fish have been removed so far, though some reports suggest the figure could be as high as 19 tonnes.
This is a massive ecological disaster, not a natural one like the Oder a few years ago. It results from a complete lack of oversight over Tauron's activities.
Political fallout
On Monday, PiS vice-president Przemysław Czarnek, MEP Anna Zalewska and local MPs held a press conference at the dam. Czarnek called for the immediate resignation of Climate Minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska and her deputy Urszula Zielińska, accusing them of failing to supervise the renovation work. He announced that PiS lawmakers would launch inspections in ministries and offices to expose what he called the government's incompetence.
At least two EU directives have been violated here, the Habitats and Birds Directive and the Water Framework Directive.
Zalewska said she would file an environmental complaint with the European Commission. The party also urged the government to support local businesses whose trade has collapsed along the Bóbr Valley.
Water quality and investigation
Results published on Friday by the Voivodeship Inspectorate for Environmental Protection showed mercury concentrations 50% above the legal limit and phosphorus levels 80 times the norm. In one sample, dissolved oxygen was just 8%, indicating extreme hypoxia lethal to aquatic life. The District Prosecutor's Office in Lwówek Śląski opened an investigation on Saturday under Article 182 of the Penal Code, which covers crimes against the environment.
Dam renovation background
The Pilchowice dam, the highest stone-arch dam in Poland, was built in 1912 and damaged during the 2024 floods. A 93 million PLN renovation began in January, led by owner Tauron Ekoenergia, with completion planned in two years. Tauron had warned before the drainage that fish die-offs were possible and stressed that all work followed administrative permits and environmental standards. The company has announced a Social Council for the Bóbr River and Pilchowice Lake, to operate as a round table under the starost of Lwówek.
- Pilchowice dam, the highest stone-arch dam in Poland, opens.
- Dam damaged during floods.
- 93 million PLN renovation begins, led by Tauron Ekoenergia.
- Water drained from reservoir to enable renovation work.
- Mass fish die-off observed; 15 tonnes of dead fish collected.
- Prosecutor in Lwówek Śląski opens investigation under Article 182 of Penal Code.
- PiS press conference at dam; Czarnek calls for resignations, announces inspections and EU complaint.
Current status
The Lower Silesian Voivodeship Office said on Sunday that the situation is stabilising. No further dead fish were found during field inspections, and water quality monitoring and laboratory tests continue. A ban on using the river water from the dam to the Rakowice reservoir remains in place. Tap water supplied to residents is safe, drawn from deep wells and under increased surveillance.
