Suspected sabotage

Patrik Johansson, Unit Manager of Water and Sewerage, talks about the suspected sabotage and how Region Gotland works with information and security.

Questions and answers

What has happened?

Over the weekend, a discrepancy was detected at one of Region Gotland’s water treatment facilities. The system indicated that there had been interference with a raw water pump. Operational technicians inspected the site, found that someone had broken into a cabinet, and that the power to the pump had been cut off. The damage was repaired over the weekend, and the pump is now back in operation.

How serious could it have been?

We assess that there were no direct consequences for the public. However, we take the fact that someone interfered with our equipment very seriously. We are working with the police and awaiting the results of their crime scene investigation.

Are there any other incidents that have not yet been discovered?

The police have conducted a crime scene investigation both at the location and in nearby areas and have not found any additional incidents.

What do you think about the delay in information coming from the region?

In hindsight, we see that we could have shared information earlier, stating that we had no more confirmed information to provide and that we were investigating the incident.

We needed time to ensure that the information we provided was accurate and did not cause unnecessary concern. Since this involves critical and protected information under the confidentiality law (OSL 2009:400), we cannot share details about the location or production.

People are worried. What are your thoughts on that?

We understand that people are concerned and that this is an important issue. We are working to provide the most accurate information possible, and we need to take the time to ensure that no misinformation spreads. We want the public to feel confident that the information we provide is correct.

Why can’t you provide more details about what happened?

We must ensure that sensitive information does not fall into the wrong hands and cause public disturbances. Therefore, we cannot share details about where drinking water is supplied from, where our facilities are located, the equipment and capacity we have, or information about suppliers and backup power. This is done to ensure that clean drinking water is always available to the public.

Region Gotland's guidance on information security Pdf, 249.8 kB. (Pdf, 249.8 kB)

Are Region Gotland’s security measures sufficient?

Our water and sewage systems follow guidelines for security and robustness. We work with physical protection, information security, and protection for our staff. We prioritize preparedness and security, particularly in our operations. We have staffing all hours and the ability to supply water from different locations.