What actually happened to the water on Gotland?
For almost two months, 58,000 residents of Visby could not drink their tap water. This story is a clear warning sign for anyone with a private well.
It began with a warning on December 3rd. A few weeks later came the news no one wanted to hear – parasites had been found in the drinking water. Suddenly, something we take for granted every day was no longer safe.
58 days without drinking water
Imagine having to go out into the cold every day to fetch water for your workplace. Having to shut off sinks so that elderly residents wouldn't accidentally drink the water. Having to boil 300 liters of water daily in large pots, just to keep your restaurant running.
That was the reality for Visby residents for almost two months. And the reason? Parasites that can make thousands of people sick.
Region Gotland remembers all too well what happened in Östersund in 2010, when 27,000 people suffered from stomach illness caused by the Cryptosporidium parasite. The societal cost? 1.7 billion SEK. Many still had stomach problems ten years later.
Will it happen again?
The unpleasant answer is: probably. Six out of ten Swedish water producers are already seeing changes in their ability to extract water. One third perceive that the quality has deteriorated.
Margareta Lundin Unger, chair of the Water Supply Group, is clear: "It's getting drier, wetter, and warmer. And all three of these factors affect water resources."
What does this mean for you with a private well?
Gotland's situation concerns municipal water, but the problems are the same for private wells – perhaps even worse. Municipal waterworks have continuous monitoring and rapid response. Your well? You control that yourself.
Heavy rains can carry bacteria from sewage, fertilizer, or contaminated land down into the groundwater. Long dry periods concentrate pollutants. Parasites like Cryptosporidium and Giardia can also be found in well water, and they cannot be detected by taste, smell, or appearance.
Three things to consider
1. You don't always notice the problem
Parasites, bacteria, and chemicals are invisible. When Gotland discovered the problems, it was already too late – the water had been used for weeks.
2. It can happen quickly
From the water being safe to being contaminated can take less than 24 hours during heavy rain or flooding.
3. Regular checks are not excessive
The Swedish Food Agency recommends testing at least every three years. But after events like the one on Gotland, many are wondering if it shouldn't be more frequent.
What can you do?
The simplest thing is to test your water regularly. A microbiological analysis checks for bacteria and provides an answer as to whether the water is free from fecal contamination. If you want a more comprehensive picture, we recommend one of our safety packages that also checks chemical parameters and metals.
And if you live in an area where PFAS contamination is known – near fire training sites, industries, or contaminated areas – it may be worth conducting a PFAS analysis.
We hope that Gotland's situation was a one-off event. But it is likely that we will see more similar cases in the future. In that case, it is better to be prepared.
Are you considering testing your water? All our analysis packages include a sampling kit, laboratory analysis, and a clear report. You will receive an answer within approximately 10 business days.