Sweden faces water crisis without national plan.

Sweden is facing a growing water shortage, aging pipes, and higher demands for emergency preparedness. Yet no single authority is responsible for securing the country’s water supply. That is unsustainable, says Pär Dalhielm, CEO of the industry group Svenskt Vatten. Svenskt Vatten estimates that Sweden needs to invest 590 billion Swedish kronor to fix the problem. The figure covers repairs to old water networks and upgrades needed to handle future shortages and crises. Dalhielm says the lack of clear national leadership makes the situation worse. Local municipalities manage water, but they cannot solve the issue alone. He argues that without a central plan, Sweden will struggle to guarantee clean water for homes, hospitals, and businesses. The warning comes as climate change increases the risk of drought in some regions. At the same time, many water pipes are decades old and leak large amounts of treated water. Svenskt Vatten calls for a national strategy to define who is responsible and how the money should be spent. Until then, the gap between what is needed and what is done will keep growing.