Water shortage forces cafe to close - Vombsjön's levels lowest in over 50 years

There was an hour left until closing at the cafe in Harlösa when the water suddenly disappeared.

- We rarely look into the well. You are used to water only coming out when you turn the tap, says Io Skogsmyr.

Ten days later, the fridge is empty and the cake trays are cleaned. There is a sign by the road: "Closed. Lack of water. Opening as soon as possible".

The couple renovated the old 19th century barn for several years. The cafe had only been open for a couple of months when the well dried up.

- What should we do now? How will we survive financially? That's the type of crisis management we engage in, says Io Skogsmyr.

On the other side of the road is Lake Vombsjön, Skåne's "crane". Together with Bolmen in Småland, it supplies one million inhabitants with drinking water.

Already at the end of February, the municipality-owned drinking water producer Sydvatten sounded the alarm. Then the lowest water level in the lake was measured since measurements began in 1969.

Sandbanks that are usually under water are now open along the shores of Lake Vombsjön.

According to Mattias Leijon, CEO of Sydvatten, the lake continues to sink by one centimeter every day.

- The water level is a couple of centimeters lower than it usually is this time of year. The rainfall that has come has so far made no difference, he says.

He says that the whole society must now readjust.

- Of course we are looking at the possibility of obtaining a new raw water resource - but that is not enough. We need to get used to a greater variability in water availability to be able to handle this.

Before the summer, the Scanians were urged to save water: "Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth!" "Only run with full dishwashers!".

According to Sydvatten, the residents have taken to heart the alarms. Measurements show that water production has decreased compared to previous years.

In a survey conducted by the water company, 80 percent state that they will continue with their new behavior.

- All in all, it is quite obvious that water use has been lower than it would otherwise have been, says Mattias Leijon.

When there is no rain, the groundwater also drops - which is noticeable in private wells, among other things. In the garden cafe on the northern shore of Lake Vombsjön, Stuart Stone buries the well cover. Deep down there rests the water mirror.

- It is a couple of meters below the level it usually lies at, he says.

The depleting well has major consequences.

- We don't make any money when it's closed, says Io Skogsmyr.

She is convinced that the water shortage is connected to climate change.

- But it is not that simple that it will always be dry. Last year we had major floods, she says.

Instead of drilling for more water, they are now thinking about how the business can be adapted to a changing climate. Perhaps the cafe will simply have to close earlier in the season in years when the groundwater is insufficient.

- There will surely be more years like this. Then we'll have to take it and close it. After all, the groundwater comes back.

Right now, they are putting their hope in the weather gods to be able to open the business again.

- Next week it looks like it will rain. But I don't think it's enough for us to be able to open, says Io Skogsmyr.