Residents of the Wilczyn region of Poland claim lignite ( brown coal ) mining operations are depleting the local lake system , drying out farmland , and reducing revenues from agriculture and tourism . Although known as one of Poland 's driest areas , residents , environmental NGOs , and scientists insist three water - intensive lignite mines are the reason Lake Wilczyńskie 's water levels have fallen five metres in as many years and continue to lose 4 centimetres per week . Water has reportedly been diverted for the open - pit mines and dumped in the river system , rather than cleaned and returned to the lake , which would cost more . The mines are operated by KWB Konin , an arm of ZE PAK , the second largest lignite energy producer in Poland , which admits to using ground water but denies responsibility for any environmental damage .
Residents of the Wilczyn region of Poland claim lignite (brown coal) mining practices are depleting the local lake system, drying out farmland, and reducing revenues from agriculture and tourism. Although recognised as one of Poland's driest areas, locals, environmental NGOs, and scientists insist three water-intensive lignite mines are the reason Lake Wilczyńskie's water levels have fallen five metres in as many years and continue to lose 4cm per week. Water has reportedly been drained for the open-pit mines and dumped in the river system, rather than cleaned and returned to the lakes, which would cost more. The mines are operated by KWB Konin, an arm of ZE PAK, the second largest lignite energy producer in Poland, which admits to using ground water but denies responsibility for any environmental damage.