Researchers investigate the ice dam

In the fall of 2025, the local government commissioned a comprehensive condition analysis of the drinking water source.

In the article "SINTEF to contribute to secure water supply in Longyearbyen External link.," we can read more about the collaboration between SINTEF, Unis, and the Longyearbyen local government:

After several weeks of empty store shelves and delays in food supplies, the long-awaited cargo ship arrived in Svalbard at the end of January. The incident served as a reminder of how vulnerable the supply lines to the archipelago actually are.

Now attention is turning to another critical resource: drinking water.

Only one source of drinking water

The ice dam is Longyearbyen's only source of drinking water, which makes the situation vulnerable. In the fall of 2025, the local government commissioned a comprehensive condition analysis of the drinking water source.

The analysis is part of the local government's work to ensure a safe and stable water supply to Longyearbyen in the face of both climate change and increased geopolitical tension in the Arctic.

"We will contribute to establishing a solid knowledge base for how water quality, water quantity, and the dam structure itself may develop in the coming years," says research manager Hanne Kvitsand at SINTEF.

SINTEF is leading the work, which is being carried out in close collaboration with researchers from the University Center in Svalbard (UNIS) and the University of Bergen (UiB). The report from the investigations is expected to be ready during the second quarter of 2027.

"The water project in Longyearbyen has developed from being a limited purchase of desalination equipment to becoming a much more comprehensive project. Today, it includes both a reserve water solution, firefighting water capacity, pipe systems, and securing our main source," says local council leader Terje Aunevik (V).

"In the midst of this work, we have also experienced extreme fluctuations in manganese levels, among other things, which has meant that we are now distributing drinking water outside the regular water supply. This underscores the seriousness of the situation.

Why is the water changing?

There are many unanswered questions about what is actually happening in and around Isdammen. In recent years, the manganese content in the raw water has increased, among other things, without the cause being clear.

"We need to find out where the water in Isdammen actually comes from. To what extent is it surface water, groundwater and/or inflow from old mine tunnels?" says Kvitsand.

The researchers' concerns are particularly related to the permafrost, which is gradually thawing. If the ground around the pond thaws, the water in the subsoil may take new paths.

"When the permafrost thaws, we don't know for sure how water flows and water quality will change. We need to investigate this thoroughly," she explains.

Read also: The water situation: Status, research, and the way forward

Fieldwork, samples, and future scenarios

The research team will conduct both literature studies and extensive field surveys. This includes analyses of water quality, the use of stable isotopes to identify water sources, and eventually mapping of permafrost and hydrology in the catchment area, as well as investigations of the ground conditions under the dam structure itself.

"The first goal of the project is to characterize the current raw water quality, calculate the water balance and understand the inflow, and assess the technical stability of the dam. Once the knowledge base is in place, we can develop models for future scenarios based on different climate projections," says Kvitsand.

Important work for a secure future

Finally, the researchers will make recommendations on the measures needed to secure the water supply in line with the requirements of the Drinking Water Regulations – and with Longyearbyen's own ambitions for preparedness and safety.

This is about technology and preparedness. But it is just as much about understanding the slow but powerful changes in nature in the Arctic.

"Climate change makes it crucial to know what we can expect in the coming decades. The ice dam is the lifeblood of Longyearbyen's water supply, and we must ensure that it continues to function in the future," says Kvitsand.

As is well known, Svalbard is the place on Earth that is currently experiencing the fastest temperature changes.

"In many areas, what is happening here may be a preview of what is to come for other communities. We are committed to thorough approaches and fact-based decisions. That is why contributions from the research community are so crucial for us," says Aunevik.

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