Sweden: Low water levels put pressure on water supplies

The Geological Survey of Sweden, SGU, has expanded its warning for low groundwater levels in southeast Sweden. In addition to Gotland, Skåne, Blekinge and Kronoberg, Kalmar and Jönköping counties are now also at risk of water shortage. At the same time, measurements from the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) show low surface water flows in Götaland. Sweden is not used to water shortages, but due to climate change projections drought was expected in southeast Sweden after 2030.

According to these predictions the rest of Sweden will become wetter. This year the water supply in large parts of southern Sweden is already extremely strained in May. Water producers and authorities in Skåne are appealing for reduced water use, but despite several calls from municipalities, the Skåne County Administrative Board and Sydvatten, water use is not being reduced in western Skåne. At the same time, groundwater levels are very low all the way up to Jönköping.

Water use restrictions

“We believe that many people still do not understand the serious situation we are in. Water use needs to be reduced across society, and it actually makes a big difference if individuals shorten their shower time and stop watering their gardens with a hose or sprinkler. Every liter and every drop counts,” says Mattias Leijon, CEO of Sydvatten, in a press release. Sydvatten produces water for 17 municipalities in Skåne. Leijon urges frugality. “We need to limit water use and stop wasting it. From now on, we will have to make do with the water that is currently in the lakes. There will be no replenishment in the lakes until the end of October or the beginning of November,” Mattias Leijon continues.

Temporary waterworks to support water supply

SGU’s latest weekly comparison, where the average is taken from the last 64 years of surveys, shows groundwater levels ‘much below normal’ in large groundwater reservoirs, in an area that covers all of eastern Sweden stretching in a line from Lidköping down to Vellinge and further east. At the same time, SMHI reports low flows in Götaland throughout April, especially in the eastern part and on Gotland. At SMHI’s measuring stations in Hörsne on Gotland and Ellinge in Skåne, the water flow was very low. A warning regarding the risk of water shortage in the Ronnebyån in Kronoberg has been in place since 5 May. On Gotland, those responsible will be assisted by a temporary waterworks at Visby, which will be put into operation in June. The facility will support the water supply for northern Gotland until permanent solutions for Visby’s future water supply are in place.

Reduce vulnerability

“Thanks to long-term and intensive work from many committed employees and partners, we have managed to implement several important measures to strengthen the water supply and reduce vulnerability. We are not at the finish line, but we have come some way towards more sustainable drinking water production. I would like to extend a big thank you to everyone who has worked purposefully and committedly for a long time to manage the situation. Everyone’s efforts have been crucial in ensuring that we are a little better equipped today, despite the fact that the situation on Gotland remains tense and that we still have major challenges ahead of us”, says Patrik Johansson, head of the Water and Waste Management Department at Region Gotland.

This article was published first by the Swedish platform for water professionals cirkulation.se

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