Stockholm is facing an acute water shortage, with residents in the Swedish capital and 12 surrounding municipalities urged to immediately reduce tap water consumption. The warning was issued by Stockholm Vatten och Avfall, the city’s water and waste utility, due to unusually high water temperatures in Lake Mälaren, the main source of drinking water.
High lake temperatures disrupt water production
The ongoing heatwave has raised Lake Mälaren’s temperature to levels that have disrupted the capacity of Stockholm’s water treatment plants. According to the utility, production is currently limited, making it essential for both households and businesses to cut down on water use.
The situation is particularly sensitive as many residents are returning from summer holidays, a period that typically sees an increase in water demand.
Municipalities affected by the shortage
The conservation appeal applies to Stockholm as well as Huddinge, Strängnäs, Nynäshamn, Lidingö, Nacka, Tyresö, Haninge, Botkyrka, Salem, Värmdö, and Ekerö — all of which receive their tap water from Stockholm Vatten och Avfall.
Residents are asked to avoid watering gardens, take short showers instead of baths, and refrain from letting water run unnecessarily while brushing teeth or washing dishes.
Long-term concerns over water supply resilience
While the current shortage is linked to an exceptional weather pattern, it has also raised questions about water supply resilience in Stockholm and the surrounding region. Climate change projections suggest that prolonged heatwaves and altered precipitation patterns could make such situations more frequent in the coming decades.
Local authorities have not yet introduced mandatory restrictions, but the utility has indicated that stronger measures could follow if voluntary savings prove insufficient.
