In addition to inserting wider pipes during the construction of new areas, in some places they are changed to larger dimensions when repairs take place.
It also looks at flow charts to follow flows downstream in the pipeline networks, in order to have a plan for when the downpours will come.
However, it is clear that such heavy rain that fell in Gävle last summer would not be able to cope with the pipeline networks in Västerås either.
Flood surfaces
Therefore, more and more so-called flood surfaces are being built.
These are areas designed to be flooded during extreme rainfall.
There, the water is allowed to temporarily flood over a green area, a playground, a square, a football field or the like.
This is to be able to control the floods and direct the water there instead of damaging houses, other buildings or infrastructure.
During heavy rain in the summer of 2021, such an area on Öster Mälarstrand in Västerås flooded.
Activity area on Öster Mälarstrand which was flooded in August 2021 after heavy rain.
They are one of the areas that should be flooded completely according to plan when the pipe networks are full of water during heavy rains.
Photo: Ludwig Vesterström / SVT