2025-11-052025/26:CU3 · p.1CUCivil law & housing
State efforts for public water services
Government efforts on public water and sewage services
What's at stake: The decision concerns how well the state supports and supervises municipalities' responsibility to deliver safe drinking water and functioning sewage services, including preparedness for water-related crises across the country.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The question is whether parliament should call on the government to act on the recommendations of an audit report on government efforts regarding public water and sewage services, or whether the government's ongoing and announced work is sufficient.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee agrees that an audit report is an important contribution to making government efforts toward municipalities more effective, but notes that the government is already taking the necessary steps through an ongoing agency assignment, county administrative boards' reporting requirements, and continued handling of a preparedness-inquiry report, and therefore rejects the motions.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 1 (V)
The reservation (V) considers the government's inaction in response to the audit report unacceptable and wants the government to task relevant authorities with deepening cooperation on public water services, task an authority with guiding and following up municipalities' water-service plans, ensure county administrative boards' oversight covers municipalities' full responsibility under the Water Services Act, and ensure the boards get the powers and resources needed for more effective oversight. The reasoning is that access to clean water is fundamental and requires effective near-term action on maintenance and investment.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 1 by V.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
What each plan points to — and how the party voted
For each party: the vote its own election manifesto and party programme point to in this case, next to how the party actually voted. A plan can only point to Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| Plan | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | No 0/19/0/3 | follows the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| S | No | Yes 91/0/0/15 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| MP | No | Abstain 0/0/15/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| C | No | Yes 19/0/0/5 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| L | No | Yes 14/0/0/2 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| KD | No | Yes 16/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| M | Yes | Yes 58/0/0/10 | follows the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| SD | No | Yes 61/0/0/11 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
Committee proposal
Parliament rejects the motions 2024/25:3432 by Andreas Lennkvist Manriquez et al. (V) claims 1-4 and 2024/25:3438 by Märta Stenevi et al. (MP) claims 1 and 2.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2024/25:3432 av Andreas Lennkvist Manriquez m.fl. (V) yrkandena 1-4 och 2024/25:3438 av Märta Stenevi m.fl. (MP) yrkandena 1 och 2.
Riksdag decision: Parliament has treated a submission from the government. It concerns the National Audit Office's review of whether the state's efforts toward municipalities regarding their responsibility to provide public water services are effective. Public water services means water supply and sewage. The National Audit Office's overarching conclusion is that the state's responsibility is lacking in several respects. The National Audit Office recommends the government to, among other things, instruct the relevant authorities to deepen their cooperation. The government largely agrees with the National Audit Office's problem description and considers that the measures proposed by the National Audit Office are well motivated. In the submission, the government refers to the fact that it through the Maritime and Water Agency's mandate, the county administration board's reporting requirement and the continued handling of the Water and Sewage Emergency Committee's report takes necessary measures to, in accordance with the National Audit Office's recommendations, enhance the state's efforts for public water services. Parliament laid the submission to files, that is, concluded the matter.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants to ensure that county administrative boards have the powers and resources for more effective supervision of municipalities' water service responsibilities. (V) — Reservation 1
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The plan does not address supervision of municipal water services, but it requires a robust society built to handle different sorts of crises and establishes that the state has the overarching responsibility for welfare and that services shall function everywhere.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan does not address supervision of municipal water services, but it requires a robust society built to handle different sorts of crises and establishes that the state has the overarching responsibility for welfare and that services shall function everywhere. Sharpened guidance, supervision and resources to the county administrative boards are a way to realise that state responsibility. The conclusion is derived from the plan's principles and is therefore uncertain.
Original (Swedish)
Planen behandlar inte tillsynen av allmänna vattentjänster, men den kräver ett robust samhälle byggt för att klara olika slags kriser och slår fast att staten har det övergripande ansvaret för välfärden och att servicen ska fungera överallt. Skärpt vägledning, tillsyn och resurser till länsstyrelserna är ett sätt att förverkliga det statliga ansvaret. Slutsatsen är härledd ur planens principer och därför osäker.
- the state's overarching responsibilitydecisive»Staten har det övergripande ansvaret för välfärden.« (party programme ↗)“The state has the overarching responsibility for welfare.”
- robust crisis preparedness»Vi vill se ett robust samhälle som är byggt för att klara olika sorters kriser.« (party programme ↗)“We want to see a robust society built to handle different sorts of crises.”
- welfare throughout the country»Välfärden måste vara till för alla och finnas överallt.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Welfare must be available to all and exist everywhere.”
flags: citat_migrerat
The plan requires a toxic-free environment with clean water throughout Sweden and greater state responsibility for equivalent conditions, and the election manifesto establishes that the state shall be present throughout the country.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires a toxic-free environment with clean water throughout Sweden and greater state responsibility for equivalent conditions, and the election manifesto establishes that the state shall be present throughout the country. Sharpened assignments to the authorities, guidance of municipalities' water supply plans and county administrative boards with authority and resources for more effective supervision follow from this. The counter-proposal is supported.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver en giftfri miljö med rent vatten i hela Sverige och ett större statligt ansvar för likvärdiga förutsättningar, och valmanifestet slår fast att staten ska finnas närvarande i hela landet. Skärpta uppdrag till myndigheterna, vägledning av kommunernas vattentjänstplaner och länsstyrelser med befogenheter och resurser för effektivare tillsyn följer av detta. Motförslaget stöds.
- clean water throughout the countrydecisive»Giftfri miljö med ren luft och rent vatten i hela Sverige.« (party programme ↗)“Toxic-free environment with clean air and clean water throughout Sweden.”
- greater state responsibility»Större statligt ansvar för likvärdiga förutsättningar i hela Sverige.« (party programme ↗)“Greater state responsibility for equivalent conditions throughout Sweden.”
- present state»Staten ska finnas närvarande i hela landet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The state shall be present throughout the country.”
- municipal climate adaptation»Vi vill fortsätta de stora investeringarna så att kommunerna kan klimatanpassa lokalt.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to continue the major investments so that municipalities can adapt to climate locally.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan states that access to clean drinking water is a human right and that more water sources must be protected against exploitation and pollution.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan states that access to clean drinking water is a human right and that more water sources must be protected against exploitation and pollution. The counter-proposal's demands for deepened inter-agency cooperation, guidance and monitoring of municipalities' water service plans and stronger supervision by the county administrative boards are means to that end. The plan also requires stable funding for climate adaptation measures.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att tillgång till rent dricksvatten är en mänsklig rättighet och att fler vattentäkter måste skyddas mot exploatering och föroreningar. Motförslagets krav på fördjupad myndighetssamverkan, vägledning och uppföljning av kommunernas vattentjänstplaner samt starkare tillsyn hos länsstyrelserna är medel för just det. Planen kräver också stabil finansiering av klimatanpassningsåtgärder.
- clean water as a rightdecisive»Tillgång till rent dricksvatten är en mänsklig rättighet« (party programme ↗)“Access to clean drinking water is a human right”
- protected water sources»vattentäkter skyddas mot exploatering och föroreningar.« (party programme ↗)“water sources are protected against exploitation and pollution.”
- protection of drinking water»stärka skyddet av våra dricksvattentäkter och se till att det finns fungerande reservvattentäkter« (2022 manifesto ↗)“strengthen protection of our drinking water sources and ensure there are functioning backup water sources”
- stable funding for climate adaptation»till att viktiga klimatanpassningsåtgärder får stabil finansiering.« (party programme ↗)“to ensure important climate adaptation measures receive stable funding.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan wants to save lakes, watercourses and seas and demands close and reliable public services throughout the country and a prepared civil protection system.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to save lakes, watercourses and seas and demands close and reliable public services throughout the country and a prepared civil protection system. Deepened inter-agency cooperation, guidance on municipalities' water services plans and supervision with adequate resources are means for precisely this. However, the plan does not comment on the supervision of water services, which is why the support is derived and uncertain.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill rädda sjöar, vattendrag och hav och kräver en nära och pålitlig offentlig service i hela landet samt en rustad samhällsberedskap. Fördjupad myndighetssamverkan, vägledning kring kommunernas vattentjänstplaner och en tillsyn med tillräckliga resurser är medel för just detta. Planen uttalar sig dock inte om tillsynen av vattentjänster, varför stödet är härlett och osäkert.
- clean lakes and watercoursesdecisive»Rädda Sveriges sjöar, vattendrag och hav. Våra barn ska kunna bada utan att utsättas för gifter, nedskräpning eller algblomning.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Save Sweden's lakes, watercourses and seas. Our children should be able to swim without being exposed to toxins, litter or algal blooms.”
- reliable social services»Offentlig service ska vara nära och pålitlig i hela landet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Public services shall be close and reliable throughout the country.”
- cooperation between authorities»Statliga myndigheter måste samverka och arbeta marksnålt när man tar ny mark i anspråk för väg, tåg, el, etc.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“State authorities must cooperate and work cost-effectively when taking new land for roads, railways, electricity, etc.”
- strengthened civil defence»Även det civila försvaret är livsviktigt. Vi måste rusta civilförsvaret och samhällets beredskap inför krig och kris.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Civil defence is also vital. We must strengthen civil defence and civil protection in the face of war and crisis.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan establishes that everyone has the right to clean water and that drinking water supply must be secured, and it wants supervision to be improved and sanctions strengthened in the environmental area.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that everyone has the right to clean water and that drinking water supply must be secured, and it wants supervision to be improved and sanctions strengthened in the environmental area. The counter-proposal's requirements for deepened inter-agency cooperation, guidance and follow-up of municipalities' water service plans and stronger supervision from the county administrative boards address this. The plan also requires urban planning to manage the consequences of climate change.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att alla har rätt till rent vatten och att dricksvattenförsörjningen måste säkras, och den vill att tillsynen förbättras och sanktionerna skärpas på miljöområdet. Motförslagets krav på fördjupad myndighetssamverkan, vägledning och uppföljning av kommunernas vattentjänstplaner samt starkare tillsyn hos länsstyrelserna svarar mot detta. Planen kräver också samhällsplanering för att klara klimatförändringarnas följder.
- secured drinking water supplydecisive»Alla har rätt till rent vatten. Dricksvattenförsörjningen måste säkras och fler yt- och« (party programme ↗)“Everyone has the right to clean water. Drinking water supply must be secured and more surface and”
- improved supervision»Tillsynen behöver förbättras och sanktionerna skärpas.« (party programme ↗)“Supervision needs to be improved and sanctions strengthened.”
- climate-adapted planning»Det behövs samhällsplanering för att klara klimatförändringarnas« (party programme ↗)“Urban planning is needed to manage climate change's”
- cleaner seas and water»Kampen mot övergödningen ska fortsätta« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The fight against eutrophication should continue”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The party programme identifies access to clean water as a threatened renewable resource and requires that larger communities take responsibility for what smaller ones cannot manage appropriately.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme identifies access to clean water as a threatened renewable resource and requires that larger communities take responsibility for what smaller ones cannot manage appropriately. The counter-proposal's requirement for clearer authority cooperation, guidance of municipalities' water service plans and supervision with sufficient authority is such state support. Follow-up and quality control are according to the plan moreover an important political task.
Original (Swedish)
Principprogrammet pekar ut tillgången till rent vatten som en hotad förnybar resurs och kräver att de större gemenskaperna tar ansvar för det som de mindre inte klarar på ett ändamålsenligt sätt. Motförslagets krav på tydligare myndighetssamverkan, vägledning av kommunernas vattentjänstplaner och en tillsyn med tillräckliga befogenheter är ett sådant statligt stöd. Uppföljning och kvalitetskontroll är enligt planen dessutom en viktig politisk uppgift.
- clean water as a threatened resourcedecisive»tillgång till betes- och jordbruksmark, till rent vatten och ren luft samt fiskemöjligheter som är hotad.« (party programme ↗)“access to grazing and agricultural land, to clean water and clean air as well as fishing opportunities that are threatened.”
- subsidiarity as a support principle»De uppgifter som de mindre gemenskaperna inte på ett ändamålsenligt sätt klarar av ska de större gemenskaperna ta ansvar för.« (party programme ↗)“The tasks that smaller communities cannot manage appropriately shall larger communities take responsibility for.”
- follow-up and quality control»Politikernas uppgift är i första hand att ta tillvara medborgarnas intresse. Utvärdering, kostnadsuppföljning och kvalitetskontroll är därför viktiga politiska uppgifter.« (party programme ↗)“Politicians' task is first and foremost to look after citizens' interest. Evaluation, cost follow-up and quality control are therefore important political tasks.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan is built on decisions being taken at the lowest effective level and that agencies' activities shall be made more efficient and less bureaucratic, not built out with new tasks, guidance roles and expanded state oversight of municipalities.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan is built on decisions being taken at the lowest effective level and that agencies' activities shall be made more efficient and less bureaucratic, not built out with new tasks, guidance roles and expanded state oversight of municipalities. The counter-proposal's demands for deepened cooperation, expanded oversight and new powers for regional authorities go in the opposite direction. The plan therefore speaks against the counter-proposal's demand.
Original (Swedish)
Planen bygger på att beslut ska fattas på lägsta effektiva nivå och att myndigheternas verksamhet ska effektiviseras och avbyråkratiseras, inte byggas ut med nya uppdrag, vägledningsroller och utökad statlig tillsyn över kommunerna. Motförslagets krav på fördjupad samverkan, utvidgad tillsyn och nya befogenheter till länsstyrelserna går i motsatt riktning. Planen talar därför emot motförslagets krav.
- decisions at the lowest leveldecisive»Det politiska systemet ska bygga på att beslut fattas på lägsta« (party programme ↗)“The political system shall be built on decisions being taken at the lowest”
- more efficient agencies»Inrätta ett effektiviseringskansli som ska gå inom alla myndigheters ekonomi för att frigöra resurser till försvaret« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Establish an efficiency office that shall go through every agency's finances to free up resources for defence”
- reduced bureaucracy»Ta bort en tredjedel av företagens administrationskostnader och en tredjedel av regelkrånglet« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Remove one-third of businesses' administrative costs and one-third of regulatory burden”
The plan states that water distribution is of central strategic importance and should be under strong societal control, and that municipalities must be given increased support and assistance in environmental work.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan states that water distribution is of central strategic importance and should be under strong societal control, and that municipalities must be given increased support and assistance in environmental work. The counter-proposal's requirement for deepened authority cooperation, guidance of municipalities' water service plans, and more efficient supervision is an application of this and of the plan's requirement for planning for major crises. The plan, however, does not directly address the design of supervision.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att vattendistributionen är av central strategisk betydelse och bör stå under stark samhällskontroll, och att kommunerna måste ges ökat stöd och hjälp i miljöarbetet. Motförslagets krav på fördjupad myndighetssamverkan, vägledning av kommunernas vattentjänstplaner och effektivare tillsyn är en tillämpning av detta och av planens krav på planering för stora kriser. Planen behandlar dock inte tillsynens utformning direkt.
- stöd till kommunernas miljöarbetedecisive»Kommunerna måste ges ökat stöd och hjälp i miljöarbetet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Municipalities must be given increased support and assistance in environmental work.”
- samhällskontroll över vatten»Även andra sektorer av central strategisk och säkerhetspolitisk betydelse, såsom el- och vattendistributionen, bör stå under stark samhällskontroll.« (party programme ↗)“Other sectors of central strategic and security policy importance, such as electricity and water distribution, should also be under strong societal control.”
- krisplanering»Analysera och planera för olika typer av stora kriser« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Analyze and plan for different types of major crises”
- vattnets betydelse»Våra vatten är livsnödvändiga för att möjliggöra liv.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Our water is essential for enabling life.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2025/26:CU3)
- Committee report full text (HD01CU3)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2024/25:3432 — med anledning av skr. 2024/25:173 Riksrevisionens rapport om tillgången till kommunalt vatten och avlopp av Andreas Lennkvist Manriquez m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2024/25:3438 — med anledning av skr. 2024/25:173 Riksrevisionens rapport om tillgången till kommunalt vatten och avlopp av Märta Stenevi m.fl. (MP)
- Regeringens skrivelse 2024/25:173 — Riksrevisionens rapport om tillgången till kommunalt vatten och avlopp
Source: The Swedish Parliament