Demand for well drilling has increased significantly across southern Sweden, as far north as Dalarna and Gästrikland, says Mattias Gustafsson.
One of our members spoke to a local newspaper and said there is three times as much work as usual. Others have said they do nothing but go around inspecting wells.
Lack of precipitation
Groundwater levels were low this spring, and a lack of precipitation and snowmelt has meant that reservoirs have not filled up as usual.
Although it’s great that we have a lot to do in the industry, we still hope that levels will recover.
About 10 percent of Sweden’s population has a private water supply, as do about the same number of holiday homes. The pressure on the industry has meant that work has to be prioritized: homeowners come before summer cottages, while agriculture - where wells need to be drilled - is given top priority.
It is difficult to estimate the cost of a new well and a completed installation, but Mattias Gustafsson says people can expect to pay around 100,000 kronor (about $9,500).
At the same time, it is an investment in the property. If you have a house without access to water, it limits its use quite radically.
Interest in geothermal energy
It is not just water levels that matter. Awareness of the importance of water for preparedness has increased, prompting more people to check their wells. Interest in geothermal heating also increases in the autumn, further adding to the pressure on the industry, says Mattias Gustafsson.
It’s the same machines and the same workers.
At the same time, he expects demand for well drilling to ease in the coming months.
It is now, in October, that levels in southern Sweden are naturally at their lowest. As it gets colder, evaporation will decrease and trees and vegetation will die back, allowing more water to become groundwater. So levels will naturally rise from now until spring.
There is a risk of water shortages due to low groundwater levels in the following 12 counties: Uppsala County, Örebro County, Stockholm County, Västmanland County, Södermanland County, Västra Götaland County, Östergötland County, Jönköping County, Kalmar County, Kronoberg County, Skåne County and Blekinge County.
Source: SMHI (Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute)
