Taking to the Seas / WATER IN THE DANISH DNA
OCTOBER 11, 2018 / 3 minute read
Geography + History
With a coastline that wraps almost entirely around the whole country, it is no wonder why Danes feel so closely connected to water. Citizens around the world flock to Danish beaches on holiday (year-round), come to compete in aquatic sports (water-ski quarter pipes anyone?), and even bathe in the clean waters of the Copenhagen harbor (safe enough to drink, but I think I’d still advise against it). How do Danes value water, and how has it played a role in how their cities and towns have been developed?
Due to its geography of 446 islands (?!) and over 7,300 kilometers (4,536 miles) of coastline, most parts of Denmark are within a short distance to some body of water. Whether it is the sea such as the North Sea and Skaggerak, or harbors like the Øresund and Kalo Vig, almost every part of the country has great access to water. In fact, no part of Denmark is less than 52 km (32 miles) from a body of water. That’s closer than my apartment to the Sea-Tac Airport, and I thought that was pretty good.
Historically, this meant that it felt very natural for Danes to take off to the sea for exploration, notably the Viking exploration of the North Atlantic (Water Culture). Due to this access, we can see the clarity of village and city development in their proximity to water. Cities such as Copenhagen, which was once a small fishing village in the 10th century, maintained high quality water for fish and was a great area for trade (Copenhagen literally means “trade harbor”). In this sense, the Danes have always relied on water as a means of survival, including food, commerce, and sense of exploration.
Clean Water Jackpot
Now, I recognize that Denmark has fantastic expertise when it comes to water collection and treatment, but I think it’s also important to note that Denmark is extremely privileged in its physical place in the world. Because it is so surrounded by water, the best source for potable water is underground. Water passes through a sand filter and is then distributed to taps - there is very little to no chemical treatment that the water has to go through. This is especially unique, as it is enough to provide for the whole country. In an interview with Susanne Knøchel, a professor at the Department of Food Science at the University of Copenhagen and president of the Council for Better Hygiene, she highlights how water in Denmark stands apart from the rest of the world: “Compared to many other countries, Denmark still has easy access to good quality groundwater, as well as regular and substantial rainfall. Altogether we have been very spoiled in a global context, even in comparison with many of our neighboring countries in Europe” (Bernsen, Markus). Water utilities have even started to compete against each other over who has the best water. Since there is little treatment to the water, the taste changes depending on the region of Denmark where one resides. Each year these utilities compete in the Danish Water Grand Prix, where professional wine tasters choose the tastiest water. This is an example of Danish pride in its water quality; an understanding that clean water enhances life quality and therefore spend much of their resources on maintaining as well as celebrating it. Clean water is the basis for a healthy and active life, which Denmark truly values.
So aside from Denmark appearing to have hit the geographic lottery, how have they managed to leverage this commodity for maximum benefit? How has this embedded, positive relationship helped shape Danish daily lives? What can other countries without as much access to water learn from Danish practice? By recognizing that water belongs to everyone, and that clean water is a basic human right, both the public and private sectors of government have invested in making sure healthy water is maintained. More on this topic next time.
SOURCES
Bernsen, Markus. "A Land Enriched by Water." Denmark.dk. January 2012. Accessed October 9, 2018. http://denmark.dk/en/green-living/sustainable-projects/a-land-enriched-by-water.
Water Culture - Danish School of Happiness #2. November 28, 2014. Accessed October 10, 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEQTodH2_b4.