The future water supply of Växjö municipality – evaluation of different alternatives

The water supply in Växjö municipality has since 1887 been based on surface water from Lake Helgasjön. A water treatment plant was built in 1957 and was extensively reconstructed in 1969 but there are still problems to accomplish with drinking water quality, mainly related to temperature, smell and taste, manganese and aluminium rest. The present water consumption has periodically approached the water treatment plant maximum capacity. A performed risk analysis showed that catastrophic consequences for the water supply could occur due to an accident in a nearby traffic route or discharges from an industrial area. In 1997 Växjö municipality decided to perform a comprehensive investigation of different alternatives for future water supply. Seven alternatives were evaluated including remedial measures at the present water treatment plant. The chosen alternative was based on supply and conveying ground water from the Berga Esker in Ljungby municipality. Re-infiltration of ground water will be used to guarantee the required water quality and quantity and will be implemented in autumn 2008 with a planned supply of 200 l per second delivered to about 70,000 persons in the municipalities of Växjö and Alvesta. The article describes the different alternatives, motives for the chosen alternative and the evaluation procedure.This paper is an English translation of: Al-Najjar, N. (2007). Framtida vattenförsörjning för Växjö kommun – bedömning av olika alternativ, Vatten, 63:4, 299-311.