Water stations to ensure supply and save on drinking water
Gästrike Vatten is to use water stations with raw water to provide new options for controlling water use where it’s needed the most. The solution will ensure more hygienic tapping and relieve the mains water supply. FVB has been contracted to identify the most strategically advantageous sites for the new stations.
Gästrike Vatten is responsible for drinking water supplies in Gävle, Hofors, Ockelbo, Älvkarleby and Östhammar. There are currently eight water stations spread across three municipalities, but water and fire hydrants are also used to access water.
“If you do not have the right equipment when connecting to a water or fire hydrant, there is a risk of contaminating drinking water – something we obviously want to avoid,” says Tobias Kudermann, Senior Project Manager at Gästrike Vatten.
“Drinking water is piped down into a cistern at the water stations, with an air gap between the cistern and outlet valve. This prevents the risk of contaminating the water in our mains network. Water stations give us a solution that guarantees hygiene along with control at the outlet valve and for billing,” explains Kudermann.
The existing water stations initially only contained drinking water, but the new stations will also contain raw water. This has several advantages.
“Drinking water is our most important nutrient, but we also need to find ways to cut consumption as a result of climate change. We now see periods of heavier precipitation, but also periods with much drier weather. Measures such as hosepipe bans will therefore become more common to save drinking water,” says Patrik Andersson, Head of the Water Division at FVB. He continues:
“The water stations will be a way to reduce drinking water consumption by making use of raw water. In that way, we can make better use of drinking water and for much longer.“
Raw water will be taken from the Dalälven river and passed through a simpler purification process than that required for drinking water. It is then distributed in a separate pipe network and the water stations become outlet points for such uses as irrigation, refuse collection vehicles, drain cleaning vehicles and for the fire service.
To be able to use water from the water stations, the user signs up for a subscription and is provided with an electronic tag to access the station. But for the public, there will be a tap on the outside from which they can tap up to four litres of drinking water at a time free of charge. The idea is that this option will mainly be used in emergency situations when water supplies are disrupted and Gästrike Vatten is unable to supply drinking water in the normal way.
“Our aim is to have strategically placed water stations around Gävle. We contracted FVB to survey the most suitable sites. They have also looked at suitable locations for a water station in Älvkarleby,” says Kudermann.
“Finding the best sites is always a compromise. We have applied an extra strong consumer perspective in this instance and have been in contact with a range of consumers who will use the water, including the fire service. I believe that this is the right concept for the water stations to achieve maximum use,” adds Andersson.
Gästrike Vatten has now taken a draft decision for new water stations according to the proposed sites in Gävle municipality. But in Älvkarleby municipality, a more detailed survey of the sites that may be relevant will be conducted.
For further information please contact:
Patrik Andersson, +46 26 14 88 64.
