Extreme amounts of drinking water have been consumed in the last 24 hours in parts of Båstad municipality. Now the municipal water company is urging residents to be extra restrained.
– If we do not break the trend we see now, there is an obvious risk that the taps will be empty this afternoon, says CEO Jonas Håkansson.
It was during Thursday afternoon that Nordvästra Skånes Vatten och Avlopp (NSVA) noticed a huge increase in water consumption in several places in Båstad municipality. At first, the company suspected that it could be a leak.
– We had a normal behavior until half past three yesterday, then began a completely crazy consumption that ended at midnight. Then the same trends started again this morning. This is not how a leak behaves, says Jonas Håkansson, head of the Drinking Water department at NSVA.
– It has to do with the heat. It is obvious that many people come to their summer cottages where they plan to celebrate Midsummer and think that you can use the drinking water exactly as you want, it is not at all strange. But then it is clear that you leave the irrigation on constantly, he continues.
Waterworks at maximum capacity
Due to the increased consumption, the waterworks run at maximum capacity and the recovery in the system is slower, which can lead to the water tower being emptied. If consumption continues at the same rate, the municipality may introduce an irrigation ban during Midsummer’s Eve or Midsummer’s Day.
The areas most affected are Hemmeslöv, Östra Karup, Eskilstorpsstrand and central Båstad. NSVA urges everyone who uses the municipal drinking water to be extra restrained.
– If we do not break the trend we see now, there is an obvious risk that the cranes will be empty this afternoon, says Jonas Håkansson.
The rescue service may be affected
But this is not the first time that such an increase in water consumption has occurred suddenly in Båstad municipality. According to Jonas Håkansson, it happens every summer when the heat hits.
– We have been propagating and informing for several years now that this behavior is not sustainable, even the rescue service can be affected in these situations. One feels a great deal of frustration and disappointment that people do not take greater individual responsibility.