The Swedish Lifesaving Society has again certified Borås as a Water Safe Municipality. The certification applies to systematic work with, among other things, swimming skills, trained bathing personnel, information about water and ice and safety equipment for the public. Borås received its first certification in 2022 and a certification period is valid for four years.
What happened?
The City of Borås announced on August 14 that the Swedish Lifesaving Society approved a new certification period. The municipality describes the work as long-term and year-round, because Viskan, lakes, swimming areas and winter ice entail different safety needs. The efforts include training, information and access to equipment. Several municipal administrations, the emergency services, Borås Energy and Environment and the lifesaving society's regional organization participate.
Location
Borås, Västra Götaland
Impact and significance
The certification is based on six criteria. The municipality must have clear responsibilities according to the act on protection against accidents, work with students' swimming skills and emergency situations at water, have a plan for adults' swimming skills, trained staff at swimming facilities, ongoing information about water and ice safety and equipment such as life jackets and ice spikes for loan. The notice shows that the criteria have been assessed as being fulfilled during the re-certification.
Background
Borås was certified for the first time in 2022. Chairman of the Leisure and Public Health Board Håkan Eriksson (C) describes the new announcement as a receipt for several years of work. The Swedish Lifesaving Society's secretary general Mikael Olausson emphasizes the municipality's preventive responsibility. The statements come from the organizations that operate and have carried out the certification. The article does not publish a separate review report or statistics on drowning incidents, so the WUA does not draw any conclusions about changing accident rates.
Latest update
The re-certification is complete and applies according to the certification model's normal four-year period. Mona Carlbom, the director of the bathing operations, says that the municipality must continue to preserve and develop the work. For up-to-date information about bathing areas, ice conditions, equipment loans and safety advice, residents need to use the municipality's and responsible authorities' current information. This summary is based on the stated public source and describes the state of affairs when the WUA reviewed the material on 17 August 2026. It does not replace the authority, municipality or organizer's own practical information. If dates, times, conditions or execution have changed, the later information on the original page shall be used.
Sources
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Reviewed: 2026-08-16. Independent editorial content. WUA Sverige is not affiliated with any political party.