The Moja Woda (“My Water”) 2026 programme comes up in conversation very often, but one thing is worth clarifying straight away: in official announcements, the new round of support is currently running under the name Microretention. For homeowners that means one thing – subsidies for domestic rainwater retention systems are on the way again, covering tanks, pumps, filters and soakaway solutions.
If you are planning to buy a rainwater tank in 2026, now really is the moment to start preparing. Once the programme opens, prices and installation lead times can change quickly. And then, instead of calmly matching a system to your plot, you end up working under pressure.
Moja Woda 2026 is back, but in a new form
In practice many people still search for information under the heading “Moja Woda 2026”, simply because that name has stuck in the market. The new programme, however, is described as Microretention and is to be financed from European Funds. That is good news for the owners of detached houses, because domestic retention is once again backed by real support rather than mere announcements.
The most important point is that the funding is to cover systems that retain rainwater on your own property and then put it to sensible use. In other words, it is not just about the tank itself, but about the whole set-up and whether it works in practice.
How much could the grant be in 2026?
As things stand, everything indicates that support for private individuals could be as much as PLN 8,000. That is considerably more than people associated with earlier editions of Moja Woda, so interest is likely to be high.
In practice this means you can think not only about the simplest tank, but about a complete set – for example a tank with a pump, a filter and the fittings needed to water the garden.
Item What we know today Programme budget PLN 173 million Grant level for private individuals up to 90% of eligible costs Maximum amount of support up to PLN 8,000 Minimum tank capacity at least 2 m³ in total
What will Microretention 2026 cover?
This will not be a programme purely for “a barrel under the downpipe”. The scope of support looks set to be broader, which makes sense: for retention to work, a tank on its own is often not enough.
The funding is expected to cover, among other things:
- above-ground rainwater tanks,
- underground retention tanks,
- systems of several interconnected tanks,
- filters, leaf catchers and rainwater collectors,
- pumps for drawing and distributing rainwater,
- soakaway crates and tunnels,
- soakaway wells and in-ground retention components,
- sprinklers or other equipment for using the water collected.
In short, what should count is the whole system that lets you collect, store and use the water, rather than simply channelling it away from the house.
Who can apply for funding?
At this stage the programme is aimed primarily at private individuals who own, co-own or hold in perpetual usufruct a property with a residential building on it. That matters, because many people are looking for information on whether such a purchase can be financed “through a business” or for commercial use. As things stand, that does not appear to be the model here.
It is also worth remembering that the programme is intended for installations at residential buildings and for solutions serving the household, the garden and retention on your own property.
When will applications open for homeowners?
The key point here is simple: there is not yet a single nationwide date for all homeowners. The first call was held for the regional funds, and only afterwards will the individual WFOŚiGW offices announce their own regional calls.
So there is no point checking random sites with clickbait headlines every day. It is better to follow your own regional fund and NFOŚiGW announcements. That is where the specifics will appear.
Which tanks are worth considering?
Underground tanks
If you want to do the job once, properly and without a large container standing next to the house, the usual choice is an underground tank of 2,000 l, 3,000 l or 5,000 l. That kind of capacity already makes a real difference, particularly if the water is destined for more than a watering can – for watering the garden or cleaning around the house.
The advantages of an underground tank are its appearance, the greater capacity and a more stable water temperature. The drawbacks, of course, are the excavation, the installation work and the need to plan the whole set-up sensibly.
Above-ground tanks
This is a good solution for anyone who wants to get started at a lower cost. An above-ground tank can be installed faster and expanded more easily, and if need be several units can be linked into a single system.
An example? Four 500-litre tanks give a total of 2,000 litres, or 2 m³. That may already meet the minimum capacity threshold, if one is kept in the final rules of the programme.
Tank + pump + fittings package
This is usually the most practical option. The tank stores the water, but it takes a pump and well-chosen fittings before the rainwater actually gets used. And that, after all, is the whole point.
In everyday use, the packages that work best are those that let you conveniently connect:
- a garden tap,
- a watering hose,
- a drip line,
- sprinklers,
- a simple set-up for cleaning jobs around the house.
Soakaway tunnels, crates and wells – are they worth it?
Yes, particularly where a tank alone may not be enough. With a larger roof or heavy rainfall it is good to have an emergency overflow and an additional soakaway element. That way the water does not go straight into the sewer but stays on your plot.
This matters not only from the programme's point of view, but simply in practice. Well-planned microretention reduces the risk of waterlogged ground, overloaded drainage and problems after heavy downpours.
Why does rainwater retention really pay off?
Because it is one of those investments that combine common sense with savings. Retained rainwater comes in useful more often than many people expect.
- You can use it to water the garden.
- You can use it for cleaning jobs around the house.
- It reduces mains water consumption.
- Your plot copes better with sudden rainfall.
- The water stays where it fell instead of disappearing straight down the drain.
And that is exactly why microretention is back on the agenda. It is not a passing fashion but a response to very specific problems: drought, sudden downpours and increasingly expensive water.
What is worth doing now, before applications open?
- Choose the type of installation. First decide whether you want an above-ground or an underground system. That determines the budget, the scope of the work and the way you will use it.
- Work out the capacity you need. Do not buy a tank by guesswork. A system for a small roof is put together quite differently from one for a house with a large roof area and regular garden watering.
- Check the installation site. Distances, the option of running pipework, ground conditions and space for an emergency overflow all matter.
- List the components of the package. Tank, filter, pump, collector, quick couplings, pipework, soakaway – only the complete picture shows the true cost of the investment.
- Keep your paperwork in order. If you buy in advance or are preparing an application, hold on to invoices, product descriptions and specifications. It genuinely makes the settlement easier later on.
What to watch out for
The most common mistake is buying a random tank simply because “it might qualify”. That usually ends with a system that performs poorly or has to be rebuilt soon afterwards.
The second issue is not thinking about the overflow, the filtration and how the water will later be drawn off. Storage on its own, without sensible use of the rainwater, is often just a half-measure.
The third point: it is unwise to rely solely on unverified posts from the internet. The conditions of the programme may yet be refined, so it is better to keep an eye on things and check the official announcements.
Is it worth waiting before you buy?
That depends on your situation. If you have already chosen a system and want to move quickly once applications open, it pays to prepare in advance: get a quotation, work out the capacity, check the installation. But it is best not to get ahead of the programme's rules with the final purchase if you are not sure which documents and cost dates will be required.
Put simply: preparing now is worth it, buying blind is not.
Dom i Woda – how can we help?
We select above-ground and underground tanks, put together the fittings, and help you build a sensible package for your particular plot and budget. Where necessary we also advise on what is worth including in the specification and in the documents for the later settlement.
If you are planning an installation under the Moja Woda 2026 / Microretention 2026 programme, get in touch with us. It is better to plan it properly once than to rework the whole system after the first heavy rain.
FAQ – frequently asked questions
Has the Moja Woda 2026 programme already opened for homeowners?
There is not yet a single nationwide date for homeowners. The calls are to be announced by the regional environmental protection funds.
Can you get a grant for the tank alone?
The programme covers microretention systems, so in practice it is worth thinking about the whole package: the tank, filtration, water draw-off and, where relevant, soakaway.
What tank capacity will be required?
Current assumptions point to a minimum of 2 m³ of total tank capacity, but the final rules for homeowners still need to be checked in the WFOŚiGW announcements.
Does an above-ground tank make sense too?
Yes. It is often the simplest and cheapest way to get started, especially if you want to expand the system in stages.
