Water in balance - Transition Lab creation during 2026-2028

Water balance according to SMHI, the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute

Project Overview

A resilient water supply and management system is essential for a functioning society. Climate change is reshaping water availability, bringing more frequent and prolonged droughts and water shortages, as well as heavier rainfall and flooding. In recent years, low precipitation has caused water scarcity in several regions of Sweden.

When water becomes scarce, conflicts over water use emerge—particularly in areas with multiple withdrawals and sensitive resources—highlighting that Sweden’s water resources are not unlimited.

Current systems based on static, non-time-limited permits and regulatory water rights, which follow a “first come, first served” principle rather than “greatest societal benefit,” hinder fair distribution and sustainable water management.

Why Change Is Needed

To establish water budgets, we need:

• Coordinated data on water resources
• Supplementary data and new knowledge
• Advanced calculation models

This information must be communicated to water users and decision-makers. A cost-effective and prioritised allocation of water should be supported by laws, regulations, and economic instruments that reflect local and regional priorities—ensuring resources are not overexploited.

Our Approach

The project will create a Transition Lab to develop solutions and contribute to the Water Wise Societies goals, particularly Resilient water supply and management, which includes securing water provision and handling.

Key Findings from the Pre-study

The pre-study (Autumn 2024–Spring 2025) revealed major knowledge gaps:

• No consolidated data on water resources
• Existing data on quality, quantity, flows, climate scenarios, and geometry is scattered across authorities, councils, and organisations
• Data availability and quality vary by region
• Critical gaps in actual water withdrawals (both permitted and unpermitted), which the EU Commission has requested Sweden to address
• Lack of collaboration between authorities and expert bodies on data coordination

Desired Outcome

By the end of the project:

• Consolidated water resource data will be accessible
• A value model for responsibility in review, quality assurance, and data management will be proposed
• Necessary data will be available for local and regional water budgets, while sensitive information is protected
• Gap analyses will identify missing data, and methods will be developed to obtain it
• Systems for secure information sharing among authorised actors will be in place

Focus Areas

• Case studies in Skåne and the Gothenburg region
• Scalable methods for national implementation
• Transparent modelling tools and variables that account for uncertainties
• Continuous dialogue with local water users, municipalities, councils, regions, and national authorities

The Goal

A coordinated, transparent, and resilient water management system that ensures fair distribution and sustainable use—both under normal conditions and during crises.

Transition Lab

By the end of the initial project, a thematic Transition Lab will have been established, focusing on information and data processing related to water resources as the foundation for water budgets and decisions on water withdrawals. The Transition Lab and its participants will continue working together on ongoing and new development projects, policy labs, and research studies, all aimed at achieving a vision of simplified and structured decision-making for water resource allocation—based on needs and aligned with the natural water cycle—in line with the development areas identified in the pre-study.

Building on the consolidated information and methods, the results of the initial project will serve as a basis for further studies on how to achieve fair water distribution and sustainable water management within the Transition Lab. This requires policy development for governance structures and working methods to implement and replicate the project’s outcomes.

Through the Transition Lab, there is an opportunity to design and test new proposals for sustainable and fair allocation in selected areas. Which of today’s policy instruments can be used to achieve this goal? Where is there a need to review regulations and economic incentives? This work must take place in dialogue with water users and decision-makers and reflect both normal conditions and crisis situations.

New approaches and behaviours for sustainable water use—based on an understanding of water’s value—must be anchored and established among water users, decision-makers, and the general public.

Project Partners – Key Stakeholders

Göteborg Region Association of Local Authorities (GR)

GR plays a coordinating role for its member municipalities in water and wastewater issues as well as regional planning. In this project, GR contributes with project management, coordination, and development of collaborative processes. Participation is based on a long-term political commitment to the subject area. GR also serves as the secretariat for the water councils of Mölndalsån, Säveån, and Göta älv.

Region Skåne

Region Skåne participates to foster innovation in collaborative processes and to strengthen the knowledge base for water management, supporting regional physical planning. The topic is highlighted in the Regional Development Strategy (RUS), the Regional Plan 2022–2040, and the business and skills strategy under political review in September 2025.

Sydvatten

The regional drinking water producer contributes to innovation in collaboration processes, calculation models, and improved knowledge for water management. Participation aligns with Sydvatten’s strategic plan for upstream work, water management development, and water balance. Sydvatten is active in water councils such as Kävlingeån.

Kristianstad Municipality

Representatives from the Water and Wastewater Department and the Sustainability Unit participate to support innovation in collaboration processes and improved knowledge for water management. Kristianstad coordinates the Groundwater Council for Kristianstadslätten.

Kungsbacka Municipality

Kungsbacka contributes to innovation in collaboration processes and improved knowledge for water management. The municipality also leads the water council for Kungsbackaån.

Solution Providers, Enablers, and Administrators

Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI)

SMHI contributes expertise in methods for assessing water volumes and adaptive water management, as well as implementation and maintenance of results. SMHI produces decision support and conducts applied hydrology research to promote sound spatial planning, reduce societal vulnerability, and achieve environmental quality objectives.

Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU)

SGU strengthens knowledge on groundwater, supports innovation in collaboration processes, and contributes to the development of calculation methods and modelling linked to water management.

RISE – Research Institutes of Sweden

RISE participates in project management and provides expertise in research and innovation for collaborative processes in water management. This aligns with RISE’s mission to support public sector renewal and address societal challenges in partnership with industry.

County Administrative Board of Västra Götaland & Water Authority for Västerhavet

These authorities contribute to innovation in collaboration processes, improved knowledge bases, and implementation strategies for water management.

Svenskt Vatten

The Swedish Water & Wastewater Association represents water utilities across Sweden and supports innovation and anchoring of collaborative processes, particularly concerning drinking water producers and industrial water use.

Chalmers University of Technology

Chalmers contributes to the development of decision-making processes and improved knowledge for sustainable water management, as well as quality assurance of method and model development. Participation aligns with the university’s research strategies.

Reference Group

The reference group provides additional perspectives and helps anchor project results. Members include:

• City of Gothenburg – Department of Recycling and Water
• Federation of Swedish Farmers (LRF) South
• Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (HaV)
• Lund University – Faculty of Engineering (LTH)
• County Administrative Board of Skåne
• Water Authority for the Southern Baltic Sea District