Water and wastewater infrastructure rarely gets noticed – until it stops working.

Otto Norling, Head of Division at Dahl Mark & VA, on the maintenance backlog, climate preparedness and why the water sector needs a meeting place.

Water and wastewater issues rarely reach the top of the political agenda. Yet ageing pipelines, extreme weather and a growing focus on preparedness have made water and wastewater one of society’s most critical long-term challenges. In September, Sweden Water Expo will be held for the first time. The new regional meeting place for the water and wastewater sector will focus on investment, innovation and the infrastructure systems of the future. Dahl Mark & VA is one of the exhibitors.

“Sweden Water Expo has a good focus for us, with the right industry and relevant customers. At the same time, we are of course interested in new technology, new ideas and in understanding the market even better,” says Otto Norling.

Dahl is a wholesaler within the construction sector and works with everything from smaller installers to large contractors and municipalities. Otto Norling sees the expo as an opportunity to gather the industry around shared challenges.

“I believe the expo can provide good opportunities for dialogue. It is valuable to come together and discuss the market, challenges and the application of products – in order to find the best solutions together.”

A recurring concept within the water sector is the maintenance backlog – meaning that infrastructure is ageing and that maintenance has not kept pace. Otto Norling describes wastewater systems in particular as neglected.

How do you view the maintenance backlog in municipalities?

“We see deferred maintenance in both water supply and wastewater systems. There has been a restrictive approach to necessary investments, which has created a pent-up and growing need.”

What is the biggest obstacle – lack of awareness or short-term economic thinking?

“Over the years, the costs of dealing with this have become so large that municipalities are reluctant to make the investment. Probably no one wins an election by investing in this politically. But at the same time, perhaps the one who addresses this issue could actually gain trust?”

The water issue is increasingly also about preparedness. Water and wastewater are fundamental public services that must function even under strain – whether due to extreme weather, natural disasters or a more uncertain global situation.

What type of preparedness is most important right now?

“Primarily climate impacts and the disasters we have experienced with flooding, extreme heat and extreme cold that put infrastructure at risk. But you also do not want to be caught unprepared in a conflict situation.”

For Dahl, the challenges within the sector have very concrete consequences in everyday work. When municipalities upgrade their water and wastewater infrastructure, high demands are placed on delivery capability, expertise and flexibility.

“As a wholesaler we of course see a business opportunity. At the same time, it requires the right materials, the competence to provide good advice and the logistics to handle the projects. It is not uncommon that excavation begins and you discover that reality does not match the drawings – or that drawings are missing entirely.”

What is most important for the customer in a water infrastructure project?

What is most important for the customer in a water infrastructure project?
“Cost is always important, of course, but so is functionality. You do not want to make a major investment and then have to dig everything up again because of a leak.”

What would you say to a municipality or client who hesitates to invest in water infrastructure?

“Do not take shortcuts. It pays to get things right from the outset and to understand the value of the investment. During Covid, people stockpiled toilet paper like there was no tomorrow. But if the wastewater system stops working, it does not matter how much toilet paper you have. Sewage systems may not be particularly glamorous or exciting, but they are essential – and if they fail, we are in serious trouble.”