Sewage or the Sea: How to Secure Drinking Water in Sweden

Swedish municipalities are grappling with securing a stable supply of drinking water amidst a changing climate and aging infrastructure. Pär Dalhielm, CEO of Svenskt Vatten, highlights that climate change brings both excess and scarcity of water at the wrong times and places. This necessitates exploring innovative solutions beyond traditional methods. Desalination plants, which draw and treat seawater, are emerging as a viable option, with several already in operation and pilot projects underway. Lysekil, for instance, plans to produce 10,000 cubic meters of potable water daily from seawater by 2032. Another approach involves recycling treated wastewater, as demonstrated by Kalmar Vatten's circular plant intended for irrigation and industrial use. Large-scale water diversion projects are also being considered, such as a 36-kilometer tunnel from Lake Vättern to secure water for several municipalities. This project aims to provide a future-proof water supply, less affected by warmer climates. The need to collect and reuse water, including shower and roof water, is also becoming increasingly important for both industrial and domestic users. However, the aging infrastructure poses a significant problem, with 17% of drinking water lost to leaks last year alone. Dalhielm estimates that SEK 560 billion is needed by 2040 to replace outdated pipes and treatment plants, which were largely built in the mid-20th century. These necessary investments are expected to lead to substantial price hikes, potentially tripling or quadrupling water costs over the next 15 years.

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Climate change is almost equated with water change. There is too much and too little water, in the wrong place at the wrong time.