Map covers the territory of whole Poland. It is constructed in cartographic projection "1942". The first sheets of HMP was prepared in 1989. Since 1996, the map is systematically constructed in Polish, in accordance with the approved instruction. The completion of the map is expected in 2005. The HMP is financed by the National Fund of Environmental Protection and Water Management.

The aim of the map is the synthetic presentation of the hydrogeological conditions, useful aquifers and characterisation of groundwater resources, their dynamics, quality and hazards. The map gives also necessary information on groundwater to local administration and helps programming the hydrogeological investigations carried for territorial planning purposes.

Map consists of:

• main sheet, presenting distribution, quantitative characteristics, quality and hazards of fresh groundwater,
• explanatory text, together with tables, hydrogeological cross-sections and complementary maps,
• documentation map and documentary materials.

There is a rule that a map should cover larger areas, for instance, hydrogeological units. Construction of single sheets is performed in exceptional cases, only.

Polish Geological Institute is the chief maker of HMP. Subcontractors are selected on the competition basis. Presently, 23 companies are co-operating in the HMP project. Maps are prepared by persons with hydrogeological licences.

HMP co-ordination system includes:

• Commission of Cartographic Works, representing the Ministry of Environment, accepting the final map version in the digital form,
• a team of HMP Chief Co-ordinator, situated in PGI,
• 7 teams of regional editors.

HMP data base content:

• SURFACE WATER: classes of stagnant water quality; classes of river water quality in sections of groundwater risks: water gauges (in the documentation map); European watershed; watershed; confluence;
• WATER-BEARING CAPACITY; description of the hydrogeological unit; extent of the hydrogeological unit; useful aquifer (UA): thickness, transmissivity, depth; potential discharge of a well;
• QUALITY OF GROUNDWATER: fresh and mineral waters appearance; classes of groundwater quality; exceed indicator of water quality in UA;
• HYDRODYNAMICS: hydroizohypses; direction of water flow in UA; depression cone; reprisal cone;
• GROUNDWATER INTAKE: spring, classes of water quality in springs; dug well, classes of water quality in dug well; hydrogeological borehole; classes of water quality in borehole; medicinal water intake; hydrogeological borehole without sampling; gallery; shaft; collector well; intake drain; hydrogeological test borehole; PGI points of groundwater stationary observations; points of groundwater sampling for map preparation purposes; groundwater intake from many boreholes; groundwater intake from many boreholes - infiltration type; mining area of medicinal and mineral waters;
• HAZARDS: risk degree (5 categories); waste disposals of solid materials; sewage discharges; communal sewage discharges; industrial sewage discharges; emission of dusts and gases; storage of liquid fuels; sewage treatment; chemical plant, metallurgic plant, agriculture - food or other industry; mining depository, mining heaps with description;
• OTHERS: mining area of mineral deposits; faults; impermeable wall; regional documentation - its extent; hydrogeological cross-section; national border.

Contact persons:

• Chief Co-ordinator of HMP - Dr. Piotr Herbich
  Tel. 849 53 51 ext. 396;

• Attendance - Zofia Ćwiertniewska, M.Sc.
  Tel. 849 53 51 ext. 345; e-mail: zcwi@pgi.waw.pl

• HMP computerisation - Marek Fert, M.Sc.
  Tel. 849 53 51 ext. 576; e-mail: mfert@pgi.waw.pl

Principles of accession:

HMP is not printed. HMP map sheets are available according to general principles of distribution for publications in digital form, see: accession.