Danish water utility struggles to meet demand amid heatwave

Kaløgvig Vand, a water utility on Denmark’s Djursland peninsula, is warning that extreme consumption during the current heatwave is straining supply, with some households in Ugelbølle experiencing low pressure or empty taps as of Tuesday evening.

The utility has since restored service to affected customers, but chair Preben Christensen told DR that demand is now so high that the system is operating at near-capacity. “We can just about manage, but barely. We’ll be under pressure for the coming days,” he said.

On its website, Kaløgvig Vand states that the system is under unusual stress and that efforts are underway to stabilise supply. It cautions that high demand may lead to reduced pressure and discoloured water, and advises against running taps until water clears, instead urging customers to cut usage.

Two weeks ago, during the last heatwave, industry body DANVA warned of potential local shortages if consumption did not fall. At that time, water use rose by 25–30% above normal and up to 50% in the hardest-hit areas, according to DANVA water supply specialist Dorte Skræm.

Christensen said current consumption is already excessive, driven by garden watering and pool filling. He advised that any essential watering be done at night. Calls about dry taps came in around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, though shortages can occur at any time of day.