Water security is a growing sustainability and security concern. On the Swedish island of Gotland, the lack of water is an especially pressing issue. Low precipitation, high seasonal demand and unique geological conditions threaten water security. This working paper maps ways to strengthen water security through a systemic approach. It highlights the importance of combining nature-based and technical solutions – both in society and in landscapes. (Working paper in Swedish).
Water is a fundamental resource but one of the most complex to manage. With a changing climate, growing communities, and increasing competing needs, water issues are becoming increasingly interconnected. Although often managed separately, the movement of water through societies and landscapes forms an interconnected system that influences access to, use of and distribution of a sufficient volume of water with adequate quality. This is particularly true on the island of Gotland in Sweden, with its unique geology requiring unique solutions. Gotland’s challenge with water security.
The island’s geological conditions affect both the quality and quantity of water. Precipitation in the winter is not always enough to replenish groundwater levels, dry summers can put pressure on the municipal water system and private wells, and tourism further increases the strain on Gotland’s fragile water resources. Together, these factors create significant seasonal variations and clear challenges for the island’s long-term water security.
Findings from the working paper
This working paper maps different solutions to water security on Gotland. Through insights from three workshops with local actors, it explores perspectives from the personal, practical and political sphere, as well as looking at provision, retention, use and circulation of water.
By taking a systems perspective, the working paper explores how both technical and nature-based solutions can strengthen water security on Gotland. Technical measures, such as desalinating seawater, can increase supply of water, while separating drinking water from lower-quality water can reduce the demand for dwindling fresh water resources. Nature-based solutions offer benefits for both society and ecosystems. For example, restoring wetlands can create recreational spaces, enhance biodiversity and reduce the need for drinking water in agriculture.
Solutions for water retention especially need to have a more strategical focus on Gotland. It is not always enough to ask where the water should come from, but how it can be retained better, used more efficiently and circulated more in regional and local water cycles.
Read the full working paper to explore more solutions on water security through personal, practical and political interventions! (In Swedish).
