Summary:

Over recent years, the structure and rate of water consumption in Poland has exhibited significant changes. In urban areas has been observed a substantial decrease in water demand, whereas in rural areas the general trend has been the opposite. The aim of this work was to investigate the consequences of changes in area of water and sewage management in Bydgoski, Toruński and Włocławski counties, paying special attention to the rate and structure of water consumption. In this study were used data from the Central Statistical Office of Poland (GUS). The data included information concerning the length of waterworks system, and the rate and structure of water consumption in individual communes of the investigated counties. In 22 out of 28 examined units was recorded an increase of total and individual water consumption. Selected communes and rural areas have significant differences in rate and structure water consumption. The main cause of these changes are indicated to be an increase in population (migration from cities) accompanied by an expansion of waterworks.