Sustainable water supply for Sweden’s growing population

Published on: May 15, 2025

Sweco is planning a new water supply facility for Gävle and Älvkarleby municipalities in Sweden. The facilities will increase the region’s water capacity and improve security and sustainability for a growing region. 

Water is society’s most fundamental commodity. In a changing world and with growing populations, many municipalities are facing challenges in which security and capacity issues are crucial for a secure water supply. 

Today, around 40 litres of water per second are drawn from Älvkarleby’s water catchment in the groundwater reservoir on the eastern bank of the Dal River. With a new water supply in Mon, with a production capacity of approximately 200 litres of drinking water per second and 175 litres of technical raw water per second, the facility will meet the needs of residents and businesses.  

“A secure water supply is essential as municipalities face growing populations and new requirements for resilience. We are proud to be instrumental in Gävle and Älvkarleby’s sustainable solution for their residents,” says Martina Söderström, Division Manager Environment & Planning, Sweco Sweden. 

In total, this represents a capacity to deliver the equivalent of around 40,000 bathtubs of water every day, which will help the entire region grow and develop.  

The project is focused on creating redundancy and security in the water supply. The technical raw water will be used for a variety of purposes, such as cooling water and snow making, providing the region with a flexible and sustainable solution.  

Sweco is responsible for detailed design work and co-ordination of all parties. The project, with an order value of SEK 28 million, includes a range of disciplines, from project planning management and digital project management to sustainable water treatment.  

The project, which started in August 2024, is scheduled for completion in December 2025. The initiative is a collaboration between Gävle Vatten AB and Älvkarleby Vatten AB and highlights the opportunities that arise when municipalities join forces to meet tomorrow’s water challenges.