Drinking water

The quality of drinking water in Sweden is generally very high, but contamination and shortages may still occur.
Uppdaterades

Water shortage

If there is a shortage of drinking water, the municipality ("kommunen") will provide drinking water to the public. Information about where drinking-water tanks are set up will normally be published on the municipality’s web site and announced through local public radio (”Sveriges Radio P4”).  

In case of power cuts, make sure to bottle and save drinking water, as the tap water may stop running in your home as a consequence. Have some bottled water or other ready-to-drink beverages at home. One person will need between two and five litres of water a day.

Contaminated water

Drinking water may be contaminated for a number of reasons. Floods caused by heavy rain is one. If the local authorities suspect that tap water could contain bacteria, viruses, or parasites, a boiling recommendation for drinking water (“kokningsrekommendation”) may be issued. This means that all tap water should be boiled before being used for consumption. Such information is normally communicated on the municipality's web site and through press releases to local media.