The Water Wall - Visual Storytelling

Water is an essential part of all our lives, from our own personal use to the environment around us. In Iceland, water shapes our lives in a number of ways, from glaciers and rivers to geothermal springs and the ocean surrounding the island.

The abundance of water in Iceland has allowed us to power the country with renewable energy sources – 70% of electricity production comes from hydropower and 30% from geothermal, both of which depend on water for energy production. Roughly 90% of all buildings and homes in the country are heated with hot water running through radiators or pipes in floors.

In addition to energy production, water plays an important role in the culture of the country, allowing us to enjoy swimming outdoors year-round thanks to heated pools and hot tubs. Fishing has been an important part of life in Iceland for centuries, which would not be possible without the ocean. We also use water for snow melting and agriculture.

Despite being surrounded by water every day in one form or another, it is easy to overlook the many ways that water connects and supports us. The LIFE Icewater project seeks to address many water issues, including increasing knowledge about the usage and conditions of water in Iceland.

The LIFE Icewater project received funding from the EU in 2025 to address this and other issues including improving water management and quality, and educating people about important water issues. The project has 5 years of funding and is a cooperation of 21 local companies, municipalities, and organizations, including Reykjavík Energy and ON Power and Veitur.

At the Geothermal Exhibition, we talk about water with our visitors every day. Our Water Wall was created to support educational efforts about water, creating visible connections to strengthen public awareness on how we use, encounter, and depend up the water that surrounds us.

The rotating images on the wall show water in different forms and locations. It shows everyday interactions alongside the less visible, but equally important, aspects of water systems, like pipes, sewage, and energy production. These images invite visitors to see how water is woven into daily life and think about where it comes from, how we use it, and how it might be changing.

The Water Wall is used alongside displays about the water cycle and geothermal energy production at ON Power’s Hellisheiði Geothermal Plant for visitors of all ages to explore.

You can read more about the project on their website