Severe water shortages continue in southern Sweden as groundwater levels remain low in Skåne

Although there was some rain in June, which had a certain positive effect on the groundwater level, there was no break in the trend.

The reporting has been the same all spring. If there is to be an abrupt break in the trend, it will have to rain a lot in July, says Eva Hellstrand.

Unusual location

Skåne now has major problems with low surface water and groundwater levels. This is shown by SGU's latest measurement of groundwater levels in the country.

It is unusual that we have such very low groundwater levels; especially in Skåne and Gotland, but also in other parts of southern Götaland, says Eva Hellstrand.

She points out that Blekinge, Kronoberg and Jönköping also have a clear deficit in their groundwater reservoirs after poor replenishment last winter.

The levels in the reservoirs began to drop rapidly during May when it was so dry. More rain in June had a small effect in the fast-reacting smaller groundwater reservoirs, but the effect stopped.

Multiple scenarios

In a few months' time, SGU is looking at different weather scenarios for dry, normal and wet weather. In a month's time, regardless of weather development, SGU sees unusually low levels in the southern parts of Götaland and especially Skåne.

If we get normal or dry weather, basically all of Götaland and parts of Svealand will have low or unusually low levels, continues Eva Hellstrand.

Even with a wet scenario, Skåne and southern Götaland will have low groundwater levels in a month's time.