On Monday, 18 municipalities had introduced some form of irrigation ban, according to the trade organization Svenskt Vatten.
- It's worrying even though it's not as bad as last year, says Dan Löfgren.
What do the bans mean?
- It can be a little different designed. A common limitation is that you are not allowed to water with a hose or water sprinkler. You can water with a jug.
- Our most important call is to keep track of what restrictions you have locally. It varies.
Fewer bans
In May 2018, SVT News reported that 27 municipalities had introduced irrigation bans. A further 72 municipalities had called on the inhabitants to save water.
Since the heat came later this year, fewer municipalities have introduced irrigation bans - so far. But the situation is still worrying.
- In the long term, water scarcity is a major and growing problem, says Löfgren.
difficult to control
The legislation is not sharp enough, Swedish Water believes. In practice, this means that if someone breaks a water ban, you have two weeks to turn off a water spreader.
- Many chiefs have not issued an explicit ban because it is difficult to control.
On Monday, SMHI stated that there is a risk of water shortages in 15 of 21 counties. But the problem is not just a shortage of water reservoirs. Some waterworks also lack capacity.
Dan Löfgren says that in some places water consumption increased by 50 percent during the heat wave 2018.
"You can't drive more than 100 percent," he says.
Climate and population
Swedish Water states that it is a combination of climate change, population growth and facilities that are not being expanded to the extent needed that is the cause of the lack of water.
- Many have expanded well, but others have not developed as well at all. Finally, we have come to the end of the road. Then you need to invest in new capacity.