Physical and chemical properties of geothermal waters and their use in medicine with particular focus on well PIG/AGH-2 in Uniejów

Temperature of groundwater was its earliest recognized healing property and indication for using it for therapeutic bath and other treatments. Later on the chemical composition of water was found to have influence on human body by intensifying the thermal impact of water. The chemical composition may also reduce the suitability of water for general use. Geothermal waters were used in Poland for therapeutic bath until the end of the 20th century, mainly in Cieplice, Lądek-Zdrój, Ciechocinek i Ustroń Śląski. As a result of geological research carried out during the last 20 years, geothermal waters having temperature > 90°C were found in several places, mainly in Polish Lowlands (also in the vicinity of Łódź). Fairly large resources of these waters and their diversity in terms of chemical composition create possibilities of their exploitation for many purposes, especially if water intakes are placed near large cities or in areas attractive for tourists. Uniejów – the youngest thermal spa in Poland and the only such health resort in Łódź voivodship – is an example of using thermal water for balneotherapeutic purposes