After the entry into force the ordinance by the President of the State Nuclear Agency, discharges of water with the radium isotope ²²⁶Ra exceedings 0,7 kBq/m³ is not permitted. Due to this, Piast coal mine in Bieruń (Silesia District) was obliged to reduce concentrations of radioactive substances in the water discharged into the waterways. A central radium removal facility has been in operation since May 1999. It is the first such an installation worldwide. The article presents the operation of the facility and related issues.