Stockholm residents have successfully reduced water consumption by 15% following an urgent conservation appeal due to water supply issues. Despite the improvement, the call to save water remains in place as challenges persist. Meanwhile, Gotland faces its own water crisis after a major power outage.
Stockholm's Water Crisis: Residents Respond to Urgent Conservation Call
Stockholm's Water Crisis: Residents Respond to Urgent Conservation Call
The message was clear: Conserve water – it's a critical situation. Now, the results are visible.
– We are very grateful, says Alexandra Ohlsson Fleetwood from Stockholm Water and Waste.
Meanwhile, Gotland residents are urged to be extra frugal following Saturday's extensive power outage.
In mid-August, residents of Stockholm and eleven neighboring municipalities were alerted to problems with the water supply.
Due to this, people were urged to save water by taking shorter showers, not filling pools, and avoiding car washes.
This appeal has only been issued once before in the area – during the record hot and dry year of 2018.
Clear Trend Reversal
A little over a week later, the results are evident – Stockholmers are using about 15% less water than usual for this time of year, according to Stockholm Water and Waste.
– Stockholmers have really helped, says Alexandra Ohlsson Fleetwood, press officer at Stockholm Water and Waste.
Exactly what residents have saved on is not visible in the statistics, but according to Alexandra Ohlsson Fleetwood, it is likely a combination of several factors.
– We know it's a high consumption period this week. Many return from vacation with suitcases full of dirty laundry, perhaps fill the pool, and start watering the garden. But this year, various measures have been taken to avoid waste.
Call Not Yet Withdrawn
The reduction in water consumption has allowed the area to get through this particularly challenging week.
– We are very grateful that people have taken this to heart.
Despite this, the call will not be withdrawn – yet.
– The same rules still apply, people should think about how they consume water. We will review the situation next week and provide an update.
The background to the water appeal is that the production capacity of water plants has recently decreased, and the plants have not been able to purify water at the required speed. The fact that Lake Mälaren, where drinking water is sourced, has become particularly warm this year has contributed to the challenge of purification.
Challenges on Gotland
A major power outage paralyzed Gotland on Saturday evening.
The island was without electricity for several hours. According to the electricity company Geab, disturbances in the power cable to the mainland caused the outage.
The large outage led to water disruptions on the island, which is already struggling with historically low water levels.
“Be very frugal with drinking water,” was the message from Region Gotland on Saturday evening.