Studnia na działce ROD – prawo, przepisy i dobór pompy

A well on an ROD allotment – laws, regulations, and pump selection

Droughts that occurred only sporadically a decade ago now return every season. ROD water-supply networks were not designed for the peak loads of hot weather – and it shows. Access to your own water is not a luxury or a preference, but often the foundation of maintaining a garden. Consequently, more and more allotment holders are considering installing their own well – the problem arises when it is unclear whether such a well may be dug, whether it must be reported, how much water may be drawn and, finally, which pump to choose so that it operates seasonally, efficiently, and without problems. In this article, we answer these questions step by step, from the perspective of a water-pump manufacturer.

As a manufacturer of water pumps, we speak every day with installers and users looking for solutions for their own water intakes. Allotment holders are a particular group: their needs are seasonal, wells are usually shallow, and their equipment budget is moderate. That is why we have brought together everything you need to know about legally using wells in allotment gardens and choosing a pump that will reliably supply water to your garden for years.

Note: The following article is for informational and illustrative purposes only. It does not constitute legal or administrative advice. The rules for installing a well may vary depending on the ROD regulations, location, and other factors not covered in the article. We always recommend consulting the ROD management board, geological works designers, or the relevant Polish Waters authority.

A well on an ROD allotment – is it permitted at all?

This question comes up very often among allotment holders, especially those who do not yet have experience with life on allotments. The answer is brief: yes, a well on an ROD allotment is permitted – provided that it meets the formal and technical requirements arising from national regulations and the ROD regulations.

The legal basis is the Water Law Act of July 20, 2017. It defines two key thresholds that determine whether a well requires formal approval:

Well depth above 30 meters – drilling deeper than 30 m requires a water-law permit. On a typical ROD allotment, a ring well usually reaches 5–12 m, so in practice this threshold rarely applies to allotment holders.
Daily water consumption above 5 m³ – regardless of the well’s depth, if you draw more than 5 m³ of water per day (i.e. 5,000 liters), a water-law notification or permit is required. For a single allotment garden plot, even intensive watering of a vegetable garden rarely exceeds this amount.

A well less than 30 meters deep from which you draw less than 5 m³ of water per day falls under the definition of so-called ordinary use of water and requires neither a permit nor a water law notification to the Polish Waters authority. Most wells in allotment gardens in Poland fall within this scope.

Note: even if your well does not require a water law permit, formal obligations may arise from the Allotment Garden Regulations and decisions of the garden management board. Before digging a well on a plot, always check whether the statute and regulations of the garden permit private water intakes, whether the allotment garden has a water supply network (a plot connected to the water supply network may have its own rules for using individual water intakes), and whether the garden management board's consent is required to drill the well. The Allotment Holders' Association and individual garden management boards have regulatory powers in this matter that cannot be ignored.

What distances must a well maintain on a recreational plot?

Even when a well does not require a water law permit, it must meet the minimum sanitary distances. This is an absolute requirement, regardless of whether it concerns a family allotment garden or another private property.

5 meters from the plot boundary – this distance protects groundwater from contamination from a neighboring property and is a sanitary requirement protecting both sides of the fence. In some cases involving allotment gardens, this distance may be reduced after obtaining the appropriate consent from the neighbor.
15 meters from waste containers – this applies to septic tanks, watertight wastewater tanks, composters, and sewers. In allotment gardens, where shared or individual septic tanks are often used, this distance is particularly important.
7.5 meters from the centerline of a roadside ditch – drainage and roadside ditches can be potential routes for surface pollutants to flow. The well must maintain a safe distance from the centerline of such a ditch.

In practice, on a typical recreational plot measuring 300–500 m², finding a location that meets all three conditions at once can be challenging. Before you start digging, it is worth preparing a work plan under the supervision of a licensed specialist, who will verify information such as distances from protected areas or the Main Groundwater Reservoir (GZWP). Meeting all formal requirements can be challenging, and outsourcing this task to a dedicated well-drilling company saves time and protects against unintentionally breaking the law.

Ring well for an allotment garden – what you should know before buying a pump

One type of water intake dominates in allotment gardens: a ring well, also known as a dug well. It is a classic structure made of concrete rings with an internal diameter typically of 80, 100, or 120 cm. Its depth rarely exceeds 10–12 meters, and its water resources come from the first, shallow aquifer.

Such a well has distinctive characteristics that directly affect the choice of pump:

Seasonal fluctuations in the water level – the water level in ring wells is highest in spring (after snowmelt and rainfall) and lowest in midsummer. It is precisely in summer, when irrigating an allotment with vegetables, strawberries, or fruit trees is most intensive, that the well has the fewest resources.
Wide casing – unlike a narrow deep borehole, a ring well has a large internal space. This means that a borehole pump (designed to operate in a narrow pipe, where water flows around and cools the motor) is not the best choice here without an additional protective pipe.
Risk of mechanical contamination – sand, silt, and fine suspended particles are more common than in deep boreholes. The pump must be suitably equipped to handle them.

Before choosing a specific pump model, measure or determine:

the total well depth from the cover to the bottom ring,
static water level (measured after at least 2 hours without drawing water),
dynamic water level (during continuous pumping—crucial for protection against dry running),
water quality (whether it contains sand, turbidity, or sediment),
water demand – watering a flower garden, a vegetable garden, or topping up a pond involves different requirements than supplying a house.

Which pump should you choose for a well on an allotment?

This is a question we hear very often at Dambat—especially in spring, when allotment gardeners return to their plots, and in summer, when pressure in the allotment network drops and the management introduces watering restrictions. The answer depends on several factors, but in the vast majority of cases, two types of devices from our range work best for a ring well on a recreational allotment: a submersible pump with a float or a surface pump.

IBO submersible pump – the most popular choice for an allotment

A submersible pump operates fully submerged in water, lowered into the well on a rope. Its greatest advantage in allotment conditions is the built-in float, which automatically switches the device off when the water level falls below a safe level and starts it again when the water replenishes. This is exactly the operating mode required by a ring well with a seasonally fluctuating water level.

Advantages of a submersible pump with a float:

Protection against dry running without additional probes or controllers—the float is a simple and practical mechanical safeguard.
Simple installation and servicing—the pump is lowered on a rope and requires neither precise vertical positioning nor a specialized casing pipe.
Low total installation cost—no additional equipment required for a deep-well pump installed in a dug well.
Suitable for typical allotment-well depths—where the head rarely exceeds 20–25 m, a submersible pump is more than sufficient.

Our IBO range includes submersible pumps for clean and slightly contaminated water, powered by 230 V—which is standard on allotments with access to electricity. If your electrically powered plot has a single-phase supply, you do not need anything else to connect the pump. Models from our range designed for ring wells achieve hydraulic parameters that fully meet the needs of a typical recreational plot—whether it has vegetables and tomatoes or ornamental shrubs and fruit-tree plantings.

Surface garden pump—when the well is shallow

If the water level in your well does not fall deeper than approximately 7–8 meters below ground level, a surface pump is a particularly practical solution for an allotment. It is installed above the well—in a cottage, gazebo, or utility box—and unlike a submersible pump, it does not need to be removed from the well before winter. Simply drain the suction pipe and store the device indoors.

In our IBO range, we offer garden pumps for this purpose with a built-in ON/OFF switch and a carrying handle—something that makes a real difference on a plot where the pump often moves between the gazebo and the water-draw point. For most allotment gardens, the IBO GARDEN 1000 or IBO PJ 60/45 will be sufficient—they can easily handle sprinklers, a hose, and topping up a pond at the same time. If the plot is larger or you want to supply several irrigation sections at once, choose the IBO JSW 150 GARDEN—a more powerful alternative with higher capacity and head. Each of these models is also available as a kit with accessories, which significantly simplifies starting up the system without plumbing experience.

Pressure tank – is it necessary?

A pressure tank (a diaphragm tank with pressure-switch control) is not strictly necessary for seasonal garden irrigation, where the pump operates briefly and under constant supervision. However, if you are planning a more extensive installation – watering several zones, supplying a hose and sprinklers simultaneously, or having the pump start automatically when the tap is turned on – a pressure tank significantly reduces the number of motor start cycles, extending the device’s service life.

For a typical installation on an ROD allotment garden, a small 8–24-liter diaphragm tank with a pressure switch is sufficient. On our website, you will find a range of tanks and vessels designed to work with IBO and IPRO pumps.

A deep-well pump on an allotment – when does it make sense?

A deep-well pump is designed to operate in a narrow borehole pipe, where the flow of water cools the motor. In a wide ring well, installing a deep-well pump without a casing pipe causes the motor to overheat and shortens the device’s service life – to as little as a few months instead of several years.

A deep-well pump makes sense when:

the well depth exceeds 15–20 m,
the required water head exceeds 30–40 m,
you need a higher flow rate than surface and submersible pumps can provide.

In such conditions, a deep-well pump may be the right choice. Our range includes a pump specifically designed for this task, the 2" STING – compact in size, with a built-in capacitor and protection against motor overheating. However, for a typical dug well on an allotment garden, we definitely recommend a submersible or surface pump. Learn more about deep-well pumps in our article Is a deep-well pump suitable for a ring well?

Winterizing a pump on an allotment – how not to damage the device before the season

Unlike users of domestic installations, allotment gardeners use the pump seasonally. An incorrect winterization procedure can often be the cause of failures.

Basic rules for winterizing a pump on an allotment garden:

Remove the submersible pump from the well before the first frosts. Water frozen inside the pump can permanently damage the housing and impeller.
Drain the water from the pump, dry it, and store it at a temperature above 0°C – preferably in the summer cottage or an insulated box.
Disconnect and drain the suction and discharge pipelines. Water in the pipes and pump can cause serious damage during freezing temperatures.
Check the condition of the mesh filter before the next season. A clogged filter can cause the motor to overheat and become damaged when the pump is restarted.

Mauser on an allotment – rainwater as a second water source

IBC tanks – commonly known as Mausers – are becoming an increasingly common sight in allotment gardens. Placed by the gutter of a garden shed or cottage, they collect rainwater throughout the year, which is ideal for watering vegetables, shrubs, and plantings. However, to use the collected water effectively, a Mauser requires a pump – preferably a submersible pump for clean or slightly contaminated water.

For this application, we recommend pumps from the IBO IP series – compact, submersible, with a built-in float switch and 230V power supply. The pump is lowered directly into the tank, a hose or irrigation system is connected, and it is ready to use. The float switch automatically turns the device off when the water level in the Mauser drops too low – eliminating the risk of dry running. For smaller allotments, the IP 400 or IP 550 is sufficient; for larger areas, choose the IP 750 or IP 900.

A Mauser and a well can complement each other on an allotment. Rainwater is suitable for everyday watering for most of the season, while the well serves as a reserve during periods of drought – when the tank is already empty and the demand for water is highest. This combination reduces the load on the water source precisely when the water level in the ring well is naturally at its lowest.

If you are unsure which pump is right for you, contact our technical department – details can be found on the Dambat contact page.

Dambat – a trusted manufacturer of pumps and hydrotechnical equipment with quality certifications.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) – well and pump on an ROD allotment garden

Does a well on an ROD allotment require notification to the Polish Waters authority?

A ring well up to 30 m deep, from which no more than 5 m³ of water is taken per day, falls under ordinary water use and does not require a water permit or water-law notification. Typical wells on allotment gardens meet both conditions. However, remember that the ROD regulations and a decision by the garden management may impose their own requirements—check before constructing the well.

What minimum distances must a well on a recreational allotment maintain?

Sanitary regulations require a distance of at least 5 m from the plot boundary, 15 m from sewage containers (septic tanks, composters), and 7.5 m from the centerline of a roadside ditch. These distances apply regardless of the well’s depth and cannot be reduced without obtaining an individual exemption, which is very difficult in practice.

What is the best pump for a ring well on an allotment garden?

In the vast majority of cases, the best choice is a float-equipped submersible pump—easy to install, with built-in dry-run protection, and suited to the seasonal operating pattern typical of allotment gardens. For very shallow wells, where the water table is consistently less than 7–8 m below ground level, a surface pump is a good alternative and is easier to store for the winter.

Is a water tank better than a well?

Neither one nor the other—a water tank and a well work best as two complementary water sources. For most of the season, rainwater from the tank is fully sufficient for watering and does not put any strain on the well. The well remains a reserve for periods when the tank is empty. By using rainwater first, you save the well’s resources for the summer drought, when groundwater levels are lowest and every liter is more valuable.

Is an IBO submersible well pump suitable for a ring well on an allotment?

A submersible well pump is designed to operate in a narrow borehole, where the flow of water cools the motor. In a ring well without a casing pipe, the submersible motor overheats and fails prematurely. For a typical dug well on an ROD recreational allotment, we recommend a submersible or surface pump. We use an IBO submersible well pump in a ring well only with a properly selected and installed casing pipe.

Where can you buy IBO and IPRO pumps for a well on an ROD allotment?

As a manufacturer, we do not sell directly to end customers. IBO and IPRO pumps are available from our authorized trade partners, plumbing and sanitary wholesalers, and online distributors throughout Poland. You can find the list of partners and the full product catalog on the website dambat.pl.