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Water Saving Strategies in Copenhagen

An Effective Practice

This practice has been Archived and is no longer maintained.

Description

Since 1989 Copenhagen Water has initiated information and consultancy projects in order to reduce water consumption. The strategy is mainly target-group oriented:

-Information on consumption habits and the value of drinking water to the public.
-Special information initiatives for school children and children in kindergartens, including a water workshop on a permanent basis.
-Meetings with property owners, co-operative housing societies, and tenants.
-Meetings with firms, industry and trade.
-Systematised leak detection in the public distribution system.

Goal / Mission

The main goal of the project was to reduce water consumption.

In the Greater Copenhagen area 98% of the water supply is based on ground water. However, the reliance on ground water means that the municipal water company has to face an increased number of environmental problems as the statutory water control order demands greater control and supervision of water supply plants. In consequence, Copenhagen Water had to face serious challenges concerning ground water pollution and the reduction in total wells available.

Results / Accomplishments

Between 1989 and 1997, water consumption in Copenhagen fell by 22%. The City of Copenhagen had a total water consumption of 36 million cubic metres in 1997 compared to nearly 46 million cubic metres in 1989. Domestic consumers are the main water users, with approximately two-thirds of the total water supply in Copenhagen.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Copenhagen Water
Primary Contact
Svend Sidenius
Copenhagen Water Supply
Studiestaede 54
P.O. Box 372
DK - 1554 Copenhagen V
45/33/42 52 62
Topics
Environmental Health / Toxins & Contaminants
Organization(s)
Copenhagen Water
Source
The European Academy of the Urban Environment
Date of publication
8/21/2001
Date of implementation
1989
Geographic Type
Urban
Location
Denmark
Healthy Marin