Water conditions of the Polesie Region have been shaped by climatic and landform factors, which include primarily varying ground permeability levels, poorly developed surface relief, low precipitation and evaporation which, in places, attains the potential values. The components of the environment (the geological structure and surface relief) determine drainage pattern and density of the water network and the depth at which groundwater tables occur, as well as the development and abundance of water-bearing horizons. Atmospheric supply ranging from 500 to 600 mm/year accounts for the low value of runoff and for a strong dependence of water resources on the meteorological conditions. It is reflected in the occurrence of prolonged raised-water stages in spring when there is water excess, and deep low-flows during dry periods. The Polesie Region is characterised by a dense network of surface waters, extremely shallow groundwater and presence of lakes, swamps and marshy grounds of all kinds, which makes a impression of water abundance in the region. These features are linked to the shallow occurrence of impermeable layers which impede water circulation and result from the poor land dissection. Inconsiderable hypsometrical variation produces small hydraulic gradients and a very low (natural) rate of water circulation. Water from the Polesie Region is collected by the Wieprz and the Bug rivers in the western part, and the Dnieper and the Desna rivers in the eastern part. The Prypeć is the main river in the region. Its numerous tributaries flow both from the south and from the north. In a regional perspective, the runoff index ranges from 140 mm in the zone of the northern boundary of the region to 70 mm in the south-eastern part. What is characteristic of the region is a strong connection between shallow groundwater's and surface waters and dependence of water resources on atmospheric supply. The natural water exchange in the Polesie Region is a slow process. However, intense melioration, river channel engineering and urbanisation have considerably accelerated water circulation which has led to the shrinking of peat land and wet! and areas. Therefore, stern measures need to be taken in order to slow down runoff and increase retention, preserve quantity and quality of water and check degradation of the geographic environment.