Sweden faces a potential system collapse due to water shortages, with Stockholm experiencing acute water scarcity. The warm water in Lake Mälaren is affecting purification processes, prompting increased sales of water containers. Svenskt Vatten highlights the need for significant investment in infrastructure to prevent future disruptions.
Warning of System Collapse Amid Water Shortage in Sweden
Warning of System Collapse Amid Water Shortage
Svenskt Vatten raises alarms about poor infrastructure and warns of a potential system collapse. – We have persistently shouted ourselves hoarse about this, says CEO Pär Dalhielm to TN. Meanwhile, sales of water containers are increasing.
Last Friday, Stockholm Water and Waste issued an alert: there is an acute water shortage in Stockholm, and everyone must help conserve.
The reason is that the water in Lake Mälaren, from which 95 percent of Stockholmers get their tap water, is unusually warm, affecting purification processes.
Water Problems in Several Areas
And it's not just Stockholm facing water issues. In May, the Geological Survey of Sweden warned of water shortages in several regions, stating it was "a poor starting point for the summer."
Pär Dalhielm, CEO of the industry organization Svenskt Vatten, is not surprised.
– We have persistently shouted ourselves hoarse about this, but it is still too rarely discussed that we have neglected infrastructure. And this despite it being crucial for water supply to function, he tells Tidningen Näringslivet.
This Puts Pressure on Water
According to him, there are four main factors pressuring Sweden's water supply: climate change, preparedness, increased regulatory requirements, and aging infrastructure.
– All of this boils down to us underinvesting 10 billion kronor annually in Swedish water supply. The total investment need amounts to 560 billion, which corresponds to almost 10 percent of Sweden's GDP, says Pär Dalhielm to TN.
He believes we have been poor at planning for the future and says that if it doesn't improve, we will see more disruptions, such as burst water pipes, in everyday life – and in the worst case, a system collapse.
– It's not that everything will stop working overnight, the infrastructure is still robust, but the system will slowly but surely deteriorate.
Increased Sales of Water Containers
In Stockholm, residents have listened and consumption has decreased, but Stockholm Water and Waste urges to "continue using water sparingly in the coming weeks." Meanwhile, people have been buying water containers, and at Clas Ohlson in the Stockholm area, sales have increased by 50 percent.
– We have seen a clearly increased sale just over the weekend, says Sandra Nilsson, deputy store manager at Clas Ohlson in Liljeholmen, to TV4.
She continues:
– We always see a clear connection to when something has been broadcast on TV, if it's something we have in our range. This time it's water containers, and previously it has been crank radios and other items.
Stockholm Water and Waste, however, states that they have not seen any "hoarding effect."