Sustainable water usage

Sweden has a long tradition of safeguarding the quality of water, but we have traditionally not been forced to regard water as a limited resource.

Climate change and extreme weather with drought or heavy rainfalls are becoming more common, affecting both the quality and quantity of the water resource.

Despite this, little research in the Swedish context have been done on measures for sustainable water management and usage on the watershed level, which could alleviate water shortage as well as conflicts.

This study contributes to create a system-change in Sweden within the water governance structures by closing research and knowledge gaps and implementing integrated water resources management in a specific case study, the Kävlinge river catchment.

Via policy lab method, the project showcases the main barriers and possibilities in relation to water management in general and water fees specifically, but also how the relationship between water councils, municipalities, County Administrative Boards, the Regional Water Authority, national agencies and the Land and Environment Court eventually could be developed.