Nordic-Baltic Drinking Water Conference Agenda
Dates: October 22–24, 2025
Location: Hotel Reykjavík Grand, Meeting room: Hvammur.
Theme: Drinking Water as Food and Critical Infrastructure – Strengthening Preparedness and Resilience
Day 1 – October 22: Opening and Strategic Framing
|
Time |
Topic |
Speaker |
|
9:00 |
Meet at Grand Hotel Reykjavík, travel by bus to Hellisheiðarvirkjun |
|
|
9:30–11:30 |
Field visit Hellisheiðarvirkjun |
Guided tour. Bryndís Björnsdóttir and Hrefna Hallgrimsdottir, Veitur |
|
12:00–13:00 |
Registration & Welcome Lunch, Grand hotel Reykjavík |
|
|
13:00–13:30 |
Opening Remarks and Terms of Reference / Mandate for the Network Nordic cooperation, focusing on the Nordic Council of Minister’s political priorities |
Egill Þorri Steingrimsson MAST Trine Grønlund, Nordic Council of Ministers |
|
13:30–14:15 |
Security and Emergency Preparedness in the Water Supply – Norwegian perspective |
Ole Fjetland |
|
14:15–15:00 |
Supplying safe drinking water during volcanic eruptions Case studies from Suðurnes and Suðurland, Iceland |
Sigrún Guðmundsdóttir South Iceland Env.m. and Health Local Authority and Ásmundur Þorkelsson Suðurnes Local Authority |
|
15:00–15:15 |
Coffee Break |
|
|
15:15–16:00 |
Preparedness and Resilience – NATO and National Requirements
|
Thorgrim Une Norwegian Armed Forces |
Day 2 – October 23: EU Frameworks and National Practices
|
Time |
Topic |
Speaker
|
|
08:00–09:00 |
Risk-based management and monitoring for safer and more resilient water supply
|
Rory Moses McKeown WHO Europe Online speaker. |
|
09:00–12:00 Coffie when needed |
Country presentations |
|
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Iceland: Wildfires in Heiðmörk – impacts on drinking water / PFAS monitoring in Reykjavik
|
María J. Gunnarsdóttir University of Iceland |
|
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Finland: Current themes related to water safety and security in Finland. |
Johanna Herttuainen |
|
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Latvia: Drinking Water Safety in Latvia – management and surveillance practices up to now and future steps. |
Dace Bumane and Normunds Kadikis Health Inspectorate of Latvia |
|
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Estonia: |
Aleksandra Rammul Health Board |
|
|
Anders Bekkelund and Tora Ziesler Norwegian Institute of Public Health Elisabeth H. Madslien FHI Norway |
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Lithuania: The Value of Water: From Infrastructure Protection to Mindful Use
|
Ernestas Mikulis Vilniaus vandenys |
|
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Sweden: Preparedness and civil defence for drinking water resilience Sweden
|
Paulina Eriksson Swedish Food Agency |
|
|
12:00–13:00 |
Lunch |
|
|
13:00–13:30 |
New project idea about Strengthened Nordic Cooperation on Drinking Water Security. |
Trine Grønlund, Nordic Council of Ministers |
|
13:30-14:00 |
Surveillance structure and inspection challenges of small water supplies in the Nordic region
|
Maria J. Gunnarsdóttir University of Iceland Thorsteinn Narfason West Iceland LCA |
|
14:00–14:45 |
Terms of Reference / Mandate – Finalization |
Egill Steingrimsson |
|
14:45-15.00 |
||
|
19:00–21:00 |
Conference Dinner in Reykjavík. Loction: Veitingastaðurinn Fiskimarkaðurinn. Aðalstraeti 12, Reykjavik |
Hosted by The Association of Health Control Areas in Iceland |
Day 3 – October 24: Projects Summary and Closing
|
Time |
Topic |
Speaker |
|
9:00-10:00 |
Country presentation if not finished. |
|
|
10:00-11:00 |
Discussions: How to strengthen cooperation in the Nordic Baltic region in order to increase resilience and preparedness. Working in groups or panel. |
Egill Steingrímsson |
|
11:00–12:00 |
Key Takeaways & Closing Remarks
|
Egill Steingrímsson |
|
12:00-13:00 |
Lunch |