Brief intro to the WaterMan pilot measure

The starting point for the pilot measure in Västervik Municipality was a large multi-purpose pond in Gamleby, which collects surface runoff from a catchment area of 80 hectares. It helps prevent flooding and, by adding a tap point, provides water for various uses in the surrounding area, including the irrigation of football fields and plantations, as well as the production of artificial snow for cross-country ski trails. Maintaining the pond’s ecological balance supports natural purification processes, making it possible to use the water drawn from the pond directly.

Building on this experience, a new generation of “multi-dams” was developed and tested. Compared to the Gamleby concept, these newer systems are smaller in scale. The goal: to place these “mini-multis” closer to potential users – where the water is needed – since transporting water over long distances turned out to be a major obstacle to broader use.

In addition to reducing groundwater consumption, multi-dams offer ecological benefits such as enhancing biodiversity and reducing nutrient loads, contributing to more sustainable water and land management.

Type of pilot measure: Real-world implementation
Location: Västervik (Sweden)
Water source: Stormwater collected in “multi-dams”
Type of treatment: Natural purification process in the pond ecosystem
Target water quality: Water class D (EU Regulation 2020/741)
Utilisation: E.g. irrigation of football and other green spaces, production of artificial snow for cross-country ski trails
Return to natural cycle: Infiltration, discharge into the natural system and stormwater system
Responsible: Västervik Municipality
Operational & open for visitors: Since August 2023

“A Multi-Perspective Shift” - read the full story behind the pilot measure

In the Swedish municipality of Västervik, the initially simple idea of building rainwater retention ponds has evolved into the concept of “Mini Multi-dams”: making rainwater directly usable and creating many small basins wherever there are users for the water. This is because groundwater is at times scarce in this region, and such periods are becoming more frequent, while stormwater is not. Read more...

In-depth information on the pilot measure

Pilot measure overview (final status) These slides present the final shape of the pilot measure, including its context, implementation, and key lessons learned.

Download slides

The evolution of the concept (until today) These slides give an account of the work process behind the chosen technical-organisational concept, incl. considerations, recommendations and decisions taken at different stages. Scroll through the slides to chronologically follow the iterative “development journey” of the pilot measure step-by-step, from the initial idea to its present status!

Download slides