Soil drought, dried-up wells, and rising water bills are prompting more and more single-family homeowners to look for ways to retain rainwater on their own property. The nationwide Microretention 2026 program addresses this problem by subsidizing individual water microretention – under the program, it is possible to receive a grant for the purchase, installation, and commissioning of systems used for collecting, storing rainwater and using it. In this article, we explain what rainwater microretention entails under the government program, based exclusively on official information published by the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management on the gov.pl portal – and then present six submersible and deep-well pumps from IBO and IPRO that can be used for managing rainwater collected in a household storage tank.
What is the Microretention 2026 program?
The Microretention program aims to increase the retention of rainwater and snowmelt around single-family buildings. In other words, it supports retaining rainwater directly on the property instead of discharging it into the stormwater drainage system. According to information from NFOŚiGW, water microretention helps protect local water resources, mitigate the effects of drought, and prevent flooding. The program is financed by the European Funds for Infrastructure, Climate and Environment (FEnIKS) 2021–2027 program, and its total budget is PLN 173 million.
Key dates and amounts:
- Maximum grant amount: up to PLN 8,000 per project
- Funding level: up to 90% of eligible costs
- Announcement of calls by WFOŚiGW: June 1, 2026
- Start of application submissions: June 22, 2026
- Eligible costs: incurred from July 1, 2024
Applications are submitted directly to the Voivodeship Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (WFOŚiGW) responsible for the property's location – each regional fund announces and conducts the Microretention application call separately, in accordance with the national program's rules.
Who can benefit from the funding
Eligible applicants are individuals who own, co-own, or hold perpetual usufruct rights to a property containing a single-family residential building intended for permanent or temporary residence. The program therefore primarily supports individual water micro-retention on private properties and does not cover systems used for business or agricultural activities. In other words, individual water micro-retention under this program means an investment carried out independently by the homeowner, rather than as part of a housing association or commercial project.
Important limitation: the program operates on a reimbursement basis and applies only to investments that have already been completed. The agreement concluded with the grant recipient also serves as the settlement of the project. Funding is also unavailable for systems or their components that were previously financed with funds from WFOŚiGW or NFOŚiGW, for example under the “Moja Woda” program.
What the grant covers
According to the program description on the gov.pl website, funding covers the purchase, installation, construction, expansion, and commissioning of systems in four areas—from collecting rainwater and storing it to using rainwater on the property:
- Rainwater collection – systems collecting water from roofs, sidewalks, and other impermeable surfaces.
- Soil retention – soakaway wells, drainage systems, infiltration crates, open tanks, and permeable surfacing.
- Storage in tanks – watertight tanks with a total capacity of at least 2 m³ for collecting rainwater.
- Rainwater use – pumps, sprinklers, and central water distribution systems for garden irrigation and household purposes.
It is precisely the program’s fourth area—use of stored water—where a properly selected submersible or deep-well pump becomes part of an entire water retention system. The system must enable water to be retained or used on the property without the need to discharge it into the sewage system, except in emergencies.
Note: Detailed lists of eligible costs, regulations, and required documents are determined individually by each WFOŚiGW for its respective voivodeship. Before purchasing equipment, it is advisable to check the current call regulations of the relevant regional fund.
How to submit an application – step by step
- Complete the investment – install a rainwater collection, storage, or retention system and keep all invoices and documents confirming costs incurred from 1 July 2024.
- Check the call for applications in your region – visit the website of the WFOŚiGW responsible for the property’s location and review the call regulations and list of required documents.
- Submit an application to the WFOŚiGW – compile the documents and submit the application in accordance with the rules of the call for applications announced by the regional fund.
- Sign the agreement and receive the grant – after your application is positively assessed, you sign an agreement with the WFOŚiGW, which also serves as the settlement of the investment; the grant is paid after the documents have been verified.
Full information about the programme, including contact details for the individual WFOŚiGW funds, is available on the official website: gov.pl/web/nfosigw/mikroretencja.
IBO and IPRO pumps for using collected rainwater
Since pumps are one of the installation components covered by the Mikroretencja 2026 programme, we present six models from Dambat’s range that are suitable for watering gardens, supplying homes with water from a tank or ring well, and other applications related to rainwater management.
NEPTUN 50/60 – submersible pump for ring wells
NEPTUN is a series of submersible pumps designed for ring wells and equipped with a cooling jacket—therefore, the pump does not require full immersion or the use of a protective pipe. It operates with clean water within a pH range of 6.5–8.5, with a permissible sand content of up to 40 g/hl.
NEPTUN 50/60 model specifications: power 0.5 kW, 1~230 V/50 Hz power supply, maximum head 50 m, flow rate up to 60 l/min, 1″ outlet, IP68 protection rating, insulation class B, approximately 2,850 rpm, maximum immersion depth 7 m, and a 10 m H07RN-F power cable. The pump has a built-in float switch to protect against dry running, but it does not have automatic start/stop control—in a system with a pressure tank, it is advisable to use a pressure switch or a suitable controller. Warranty: 24 months.
Application: supplying a domestic water system from a ring well, watering the garden from a water intake, and operation with a pressure tank.
Multi DIVE 6-45 – central submersible pump with float switch
Multi DIVE 6-45 is a central pressure unit designed to supply households with water, irrigation systems, and rainwater harvesting systems. It is equipped with a float switch that protects it against dry running.
Specifications: power 0.75 kW, power supply 1~230 V/50 Hz, maximum capacity 115 l/min, maximum head 45 m, motor speed approx. 2850 rpm, current draw 5.5 A, weight 15.2 kg.
Application: installation in a rainwater tank as a central pump supplying the domestic and garden water systems, including pumping water containing small amounts of chlorine.
IBOPROM 1000 INOX – compact submersible pump
See product: IBOPROM 1000 INOX
The IBOPROM series consists of compact submersible pumps for pumping clean water, operating fully submerged with a high IPX8 degree of protection. The INOX version uses stainless steel components, increasing corrosion resistance and enabling intensive use.
IBOPROM 1000 INOX model specifications: power 1000 W, power supply 230 V, maximum head 37 m, maximum capacity 100 l/min, 1″ outlet, S1 operating mode (continuous), speed approx. 2800 rpm, maximum medium temperature 35 °C, maximum immersion depth 7 m, weight 20.6 kg.
Application: supplying water outlets, garden irrigation, emptying rainwater tanks and ponds, and periodically draining flooded rooms. The pump is not intended for domestic wastewater, flammable or chemically aggressive liquids, oils, greases, or thick suspensions.
Dive INOX 1300 – high-pressure submersible pump
Dive INOX 1300 belongs to the series of high-pressure submersible pumps designed for pumping clean and slightly contaminated water free of abrasive elements such as sand. The jacket-cooled design means that the pump does not need to be fully submerged.
Specifications: power 1.2 kW, power supply 1~230 V/50 Hz, current draw 5.5 A, motor speed approx. 2850 rpm, weight 10 kg. The pump is equipped with a float switch that controls its operation and protects it against dry running, as well as thermal protection built into the motor winding. Warranty: 24 months.
Application: garden irrigation, supplying a home with water from a dug well, pumping clean water out of flooded rooms – also in conjunction with a rainwater tank.
IBO MULTI IP 1200 INOX – submersible pump for professional applications
See the product: MULTI IP 1200 INOX
MULTI IP 1200 INOX is a high-pressure submersible pump with an AISI 304 stainless steel housing and a motor cooling jacket that enables operation even when partially submerged. It is suitable for water supply and irrigation systems based on dug wells and natural water intakes, while the built-in float switch automatically protects the unit against dry running.
Parameters: power 1.2 kW, power supply 1~230 V/50 Hz, current 4.8 A, maximum head 44 m, maximum capacity 105 l/min, speed approx. 2850 rpm, insulation class B, protection rating IPX8, connection 1×1½″, 10 m power cable. Warranty: 24 months.
Application: irrigation systems on horticultural farms, water supply from open tanks and dug wells, draining flooded rooms, circulation systems, and water cascades.
RQE AUTO-C (IPRO) – pump with automatic irrigation control
RQE AUTO is a range of high-pressure pumps from the premium IPRO series, designed for irrigation and equipped with a built-in automatic control system. Opening a valve or tap starts the pump, while closing it switches the pump to standby mode, maintaining constant pressure in the system. The cooling jacket used means that the pump does not have to be fully submerged. The model also features an anti-blocking system: if it is not used for more than 24 hours, it automatically starts for two minutes every 24 hours, preventing blockage caused by sediment.
Parameters: power 1.0 kW, power supply 230 V.
Application: direct installation in a rainwater tank to supply the garden with water, supplying a home from a dug well, irrigation systems, use in ponds, and at water intakes where the water table is close to the surface of the tank. Thanks to its automatic start/stop function, the RQE AUTO-C is an especially convenient solution for people who want to use collected rainwater without manually switching on the pump.
How to choose a pump for a rainwater tank
When choosing a pump for an installation submitted under the Mikroretencja program, it is worth paying attention to several parameters:
- Head height – should account for the difference in elevation between the tank and the water outlet, as well as pressure losses along the length of the installation.
- Capacity (L/min) – depends on the number of water outlets (e.g., several sprinklers operating simultaneously) and the intended use of the water (watering the garden, supplying a toilet or washing machine, etc.).
- Automation – models with a built-in automatic controller, such as RQE AUTO-C, switch on and off automatically in response to the opening and closing of a valve, which is convenient for domestic installations. Models without automation, such as NEPTUN, require an additional pressure switch or controller.
- Construction material – INOX versions (AISI 304 stainless steel) offer increased corrosion resistance and are suitable for intensive, long-term use.
- Dry-run protection – the built-in float (present in all models shown) protects the pump motor if the water level in the tank drops.
Frequently asked questions
Is a rainwater pump an eligible cost under the Mikroretencja 2026 program?
According to the program description on gov.pl, the grant covers, among other things, pumps used to utilize collected rainwater. However, the detailed list of eligible costs and the conditions for settling them are determined by the territorially competent Voivodeship Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management, so it is worth checking the current call regulations for your voivodeship before purchasing.
When can applications for funding be submitted?
Applications opened on June 22, 2026. Calls are announced by the Voivodeship Funds for Environmental Protection and Water Management, each according to its own rules within the framework of the nationwide program.
Can I apply for an installation I have already completed?
Yes—the program operates on a reimbursement basis and covers only completed investments for which eligible costs were incurred from July 1, 2024.
What is the maximum funding amount?
Up to PLN 8,000 per project, which may cover up to 90% of eligible costs.
Information about the Mikroretencja 2026 program comes exclusively from the official website of the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management: gov.pl/web/nfosigw/mikroretencja. Before submitting an application, check the current call regulations of the relevant Voivodeship Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management.
