Wastewater Regulation
The new wastewater regulation brings changes to wastewater treatment in sparsely populated areas. The new law concerning wastewater treatment came into force in Finland in 2017, and the deadline for making changes to wastewater systems based on it was in October 2019.
Wastewater Regulation – What Does It Mean and Who Does It Affect?
In summary, the purpose of the decree clarifying the law is as follows: if your property located in a sparsely populated area meets the required conditions, you must arrange compliant treatment for household wastewater, for example with a wastewater treatment system.
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Proper Wastewater Treatment Improves the Cleanliness of Nearby Water Bodies
The long-prepared law is based on the idea of efficient, safe and environmentally sound wastewater treatment. If wastewater were not treated properly, it could end up polluting nearby water bodies and, for example, groundwater. Good planning of wastewater treatment therefore protects the nature around us.
Careless wastewater treatment can lead, for example, to contaminated well water and eutrophication of swimming beaches. The aim of wastewater treatment is therefore to keep your own water and the waters around you safely clean and usable.
Who Does the New Wastewater Regulation Affect?
The new wastewater regulation applies to properties in sparsely populated areas that use mains water and meet the following conditions.
The wastewater system must be renewed if your property is located no more than 100 meters from water bodies or the sea, or in a groundwater area. The building can be, for example, a residential house, summer cottage, lakeside sauna, agricultural building, or a holiday cottage or camp center used for business purposes.
In some cases, the regulation also applies to other properties located outside shoreline and groundwater areas in connection with major renovations. If, for example, you are installing a flush toilet or doing other plumbing work requiring a building permit, the wastewater system must be renewed at the same time.
According to the law, action must be taken by October 31, 2019, if the conditions are met.
When Does the Wastewater Regulation Not Need to Be Considered?
Renewing the wastewater system does not affect all residents of sparsely populated areas. The law specifies the conditions under which you do not need to make changes to your wastewater treatment.
You do not need to renew your wastewater system if
- Your property does not use mains water. In other words, if you only have an outdoor toilet or you carry water to your cottage and sauna from a well, you do not need a wastewater system.
- Your property is not located in a groundwater area or on a shore (and you are not renovating its water pipes).
- Your building permit was granted in 2004 or later, as it already takes the requirements of modern wastewater treatment into account.
- You already have a compliant, working wastewater system.
- If you are connecting your building to the sewer network, you naturally do not need a wastewater system.
You can also receive an exemption from renewing the wastewater system
- due to old age: if you were born before 9 March 1943, you do not need to renew your wastewater system.
- for social reasons: if it is considered that you do not have the means required to renew the wastewater system, it does not need to be renewed.
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Our wastewater products, such as the Biopurifiers, are award winners in their field and domestic Key Flag products.
Domestic wastewater systems
Wastewater planning
Also Consider the Municipality’s Wastewater Treatment Recommendations
The wastewater regulation specifies the wastewater act, which defines wastewater treatment as a whole. The act and the regulations are issued at state level, while the municipality issues its own public regulations on wastewater treatment.
Some Finnish municipalities have their own environmental regulations or recommendations that may require more efficient wastewater treatment than the basic level. A municipality may, for example, recommend a certain level of treatment for organic matter, phosphorus and nitrogen in wastewater. You can ask your municipal authority for more information; they can also tell you, for example, how to carry out a wastewater report.
My Property Meets the Criteria Required by the Wastewater Regulation. What Should I Do?
If you meet the above-mentioned wastewater regulation conditions, you must renew your wastewater system.
Implementing your wastewater system requires
- a wastewater plan, which sets out, among other things, the sizing and location of your wastewater system, the products required and their operating and maintenance instructions.
- wastewater treatment products that are installed on your plot.
According to the wastewater regulation, in shoreline and groundwater areas, blackwater, i.e., toilet water, must be directed to, for example, a septic tank, which prevents wastewater from entering nature uncontrolled. Greywater, i.e., wash water, can be treated locally with a greywater filter. The filter effectively purifies the wastewater and discharges it into nature in a controlled manner.
Vestelli’s wastewater systems meet both all the requirements of the wastewater regulation and strict environmental and safety requirements. Our products have undergone numerous independent tests that verify high treatment efficiency and environmental friendliness.
Questions About the Wastewater Regulation?
Still wondering whether the wastewater regulation applies to your house or cottage? Our customer service will help you determine whether your property meets the new wastewater regulation requirements.