EN
The paper shows some ecological aspects of rural areas development in Poland, which arc important for the integration process with the European Union. Compared with Western Europe. Poland is one of the European country which has the highest level of biological diversity. The other elements which distinguish the Polish agricultural areas are: the high quality of soils for ecological production and slight transformations of rural land-scape. especially large river valleys, mountains and lakelands. The most weakness of rural environment is the poor quality of surface and underground wa-ters. A growing problem in recent year has been posed by untreated sewage from rural areas. Wastewater of less than 10% rural populations is directed by sewerage system to treatment plant, while about 80% population have got water supply. Further factors decreasing quality of water are: unsatisfying state of equipment in animal excreta tanks and the lack of complex system of solid waste management. The agricultural pollutants are connected with runoff of fertilizers and organic substanccs from soils to surface waters, too. Poland is working towards integration with the European Union. Same ecological priorities which arc particularly important in the integration process are: - continuing efficient work towards improvements in water quality, improving sanitary living conditions, particularly in rural areas, protecting strategic underground water resources, solving the utilisation problem and reducing the amount of produced wastes.