Drinking water supply
Drinking water is often referred to as our most important foodstuff, and a good water supply is a cornerstone of a well-functioning society. Tap water is used for drinking, for hygienic purposes such as bathing, washing and toilets, and for fire extinguishing. Good drinking water is also a prerequisite for the functioning of other food industries, such as dairies, slaughterhouses and breweries. As a societal function, water supply is characterised by its large scale and complexity. At the same time, it must be robust enough to function twenty-four hours a day, day after day, month after month, year after year.
Common EU rules for water
Drinking water producers are responsible for ensuring that drinking water is safe. Half of the municipal water in Sweden comes from surface water in lakes and rivers. A quarter is groundwater in the ground and the rest is groundwater that is reinforced by infiltration of surface water. Municipalities are responsible for water supply in urban areas, either directly or through their own companies. They operate waterworks, wastewater treatment plants and manage pipelines.
Quality requirements and other rules on drinking water are developed jointly by the Member States within the EU and transposed into Swedish legislation by the Swedish National Food Agency, among others. The Swedish Food Agency's rules apply to large-scale drinking water supplies, such as municipal drinking water, and to drinking water used in commercial and public activities, such as schools, hospitals and food companies. The rules do not apply to individual wells.
Regulatory control of drinking water is carried out locally by municipalities and coordinated regionally by county administrative boards. The Swedish National Food Agency coordinates the control nationally, which includes providing guidance and information.
Own wells
Around 1.2 million Swedes get their drinking water from their own wells. About the same number have their own wells for holiday homes. About 40 per cent of the country's dug wells have excessive levels of microorganisms or nitrates in the water at some point during the year. If you have your own well, you are responsible for your drinking water supply. Read more about how to prepare for drinking water shortages here.
National Water Disaster Group
Several types of events can affect the availability of fresh water, such as floods, major leaks, power cuts and accidents that contaminate water sources. These events can be difficult for an individual municipality to manage.
To help municipalities during crises that affect drinking water, the Swedish National Food Agency has formed a national water disaster group, VAKA. VAKA consists of representatives from drinking water producers, environmental offices, emergency services and analysis experts.
VAKA can assist in all types of crises that seriously affect or threaten to affect the safety or ability to distribute drinking water to consumers. All administrations have the possibility to receive this support, which can be anything from coaching or expert support by phone to support at the site of the crisis. The group is contacted via SOS Alarm.
Today, there are national stocks of emergency water supply equipment in six locations in the country. The equipment can be called off by municipalities during crises. This is done by contacting the VAKA group.
In the event of waterborne outbreaks, the Swedish Food Agency, in collaboration with other authorities, has an outbreak hotline that local control authorities can contact and seek support from.
The information comes from the Finnish Food Authority (Livsmedelsverket).
