Maintenance becomes both easier and cheaper. The investment cost is significantly lower, while the problem of water leakage disappears.

“We only see advantages,” says Lars Ålander, the driving force behind the innovative investment in steel-built water cisterns in Uddevalla.

At Underhållsmässan, the Swedish Maintenance Fair which takes place 10–13 March 2026 at the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre in Gothenburg, attention will be focused on what could be a revolutionary solution for the maintenance-heavy water and wastewater sector.

Until very recently, building water reservoirs out of steel instead of concrete was an unheard-of concept in Sweden. Västvatten, the water services company in Uddevalla, is changing that with its initiative, which is completely unique from a Swedish perspective.

The project manager is Lars Ålander:

– I come from the petrochemical industry, where metal tanks are the norm. So for me, it was a natural path to take, he says.

New facilities at a rapid pace

Four cylindrical steel water reservoirs with a total volume of 11,000 cubic metres were constructed at four locations in the municipality of Uddevalla between 2020 and 2024.

One of them has replaced a concrete reservoir from the 1950s, which was located underground at Brattåsberget and had exceeded its technical lifespan.

– Such a reservoir cannot be inspected from the sides, which makes it difficult to repair cracks and leaks. Maintenance work must be carried out via hatches on the top, which is both strenuous and costly, Lars notes.

No one knows for certain how much unmetered water was lost in the old reservoir.

Maintenance requirements are minimised

The new Brattås reservoir is located in a cavity in the rock, which was formed when the old concrete structure and surrounding rock were blasted away. It can be inspected from all sides.

Lars points out:

– This way, any leaks can be detected and repaired immediately. However, we have not had any leaks so far.

In a traditional concrete reservoir, extensive renovation may be required every fifteen or twenty years to maintain good water quality. At the same time, leaks can also occur in the reservoir, via joints and leaking roofs.

– We avoid that problem entirely. So maintenance costs are significantly lower.

Low investment cost

The investment cost will also be significantly lower, according to Lars Ålander:

– A traditional water tower costs between SEK 75 and 100 million to build. The equivalent cost for a circular stainless-steel reservoir with a diameter of around 20 metres is SEK 17 to 25 million. In other words, it is four times cheaper.

In addition, the volume of the cistern can be increased if necessary.

– It is possible to cut it and insert another sweep, i.e. raise it, using the same method that was used to build it. This can be done in a completely different way from a concrete structure.