2005 - 2006 - Pinsent Masons Water Yearbook 2012

SWEDEN PART 2: COUNTRY ANALYSIS
Sweden
Economics (2003)
GDP per capita US$28,910
GDP per capita (PPP) US$26,710
GDP in Agriculture 2%
GDP in Industry 28%
GDP in Services 70%
A purist approach
Given that the water flowing from Stockholm into the sea is regarded as fit to drink, it is evident that
environmental compliance in Sweden follows the country’s singularly purist agenda rather than
allowing itself to be held back by the ambitions of other nations. The country remains understandably
content to plough its own furrow and is set to remain committed to municipal water ownership and
management for the short term. This approach has been a twin edged sword commercially, with
entities such as Stockholm Water being forbidden from seeking international privatisation contracts
despite their service delivery record at home and the high regard in which their consulting work abroad
is held.
Population
2003 (million) 9.0
2015 (million) 9.0
Urbanisation in 2003 83%
Urbanisation by 2015 84%
In urban agglomerations, 2015 20%
Water provision
There is no shortage of fresh water in Sweden. The total volume of fresh water used is 3.3billion m 3
per annum. The use of fresh water in households in 1994 was as follows: personal hygiene; 30%,
cooking; 5%, cleaning and car washing; 10%, sanitation; 20%, laundry; 15% and dish washing 20%.
Nearly 100% of the drinking water from the urban municipality water plants is more or less treated. In
contrast. Sweden's official water distribution losses are seen as being in the region of 20-22%.
Urban Data
Served by piped water 100%
Access to sewerage 100%
With sewage treatment 100%
Structure of ownership
The 300 water suppliers in Sweden are either municipalities or municipally owned and have a
monopoly in their respective areas. The water and sewerage sectors are seen as parts of the
municipalities. In addition, Sweden has some 800,000 private wells.
Freshwater
Annual availability (2000) 178.0km³
Per capita 19,977m 3
Annual withdrawal (1995) 2.7km³
Domestic (1984) 35%
Industrial (1984) 30%
Agriculture (1994) 4%
Financing services
Every landowner has the right to groundwater resources below his property and small lakes are
likewise private, but larger ones are in the public domain. For agricultural use there is no pricing
policy. In the case where the water is delivered by the municipality, the industry will pay for the
production of water, the delivery and the treating of wastewater at cost price. Where the water is
delivered by the municipality the households pay for distribution and treatment of water and
wastewater at cost. Overall, almost all cost for water production, delivery and wastewater treatment
190 Pinsent Masons Water Yearbook 2005 – 2006