Gotland urges tourists to bathe in the sea amid water shortage

Gotland, a popular Swedish tourist destination, is grappling with a severe water shortage, prompting local officials to propose an unusual solution: bathing in the Baltic Sea.

The island's water company has already reduced water pressure in taps due to the deficit, exacerbated by dry winter and spring seasons and water-intensive limestone extraction. To combat this, authorities are encouraging tourists and residents to use the sea for washing.

Special eco-friendly soaps, made with coconut oil and honey, are being distributed in Visby, the island's main city, at tourist information centers and some hotels. A demonstration even showed how to replace a shower with a sea bath, with officials calling it a "fantastic experience."

Local authorities estimate that one sea bath can save 60 to 90 liters of water, the average amount used in a single shower. This campaign mirrors similar water-saving efforts in other parts of Sweden, such as Malmö, highlighting a growing concern over water scarcity across the country.

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It's a fantastic experience!