At four o'clock on Sunday morning, someone forced open the door to Helsingevatten's high-water reservoir in Bollnäs. Staff and police were quickly on the scene and cordoned off the area.
The water company's CEO Ylva Jedebäck Lindberg rules out the possibility that the break-in was a prank or a spontaneous idea from passers-by. The water tower is located in a remote area and there is only one road leading to it.
You need to bring tools with you and spend some time on it. There are bars and locks and alarms when the outer door is opened.
Suspected sabotage
The police have launched a preliminary investigation into suspected sabotage and have conducted a technical examination of the site. No one has been arrested after the break-in.
According to Ylva Jedebäck Lindberg, it is unclear whether those who broke in made it as far as the drinking water pool. As a precautionary measure, residents are advised to boil their water.
Boiling will kill bacteria and viruses. By the smell, it has been possible to rule out that the water is contaminated with petroleum products.
Awaiting test results
Helsingevatten states that they will maintain their boiling recommendation throughout Monday. The first test results are expected to arrive no earlier than Sunday evening, but before the recommendation can be lifted, additional test results need to come in.
When it comes to bacterial tests, they will arrive at the earliest on Monday evening, says Ylva Jedebäck Lindberg at Helsingevatten.
The incident has led to Bollnäs hospital going into emergency mode, reports Ljusnan. For the time being, the hospital is boiling all water intended for food and drink.
Initially, it was announced that Ovanåker municipality was also affected, but this was later withdrawn as it was incorrect.
The warning to boil water has been sent out as a VMA, an important message to the public.
