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State of groundwater is generally good in Finland

Finland has plenty of high-quality groundwater. The risks associated with groundwater are acknowledged and efforts are made to prevent them. However, local cases of contamination still occur.
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Droplet on a water surface.
© Levi XU on Unsplash.

Groundwater is formed in Finland about ten times more than it is used. Groundwater is naturally of high quality, and its quality is monitored at around 90 groundwater stations established in various parts of the country. Water supply utilities also closely monitor the quality of the groundwater they use as raw water.

Although the overall groundwater situation nationwide is good, there may be local scarcity of groundwater. In major urban areas, groundwater does not form enough to meet all needs. Several factors can also jeopardize the quality of groundwater.

State of groundwater areas is mostly good

Productive groundwater formations throughout Finland are designated as groundwater areas. These areas are suitable for water supply or have significant importance for ecosystems due to their groundwater. There are approximately 5,000 groundwater areas in total, and status assessments have been conducted for 3,900 of them. For over 90% of the assessed areas, the groundwater quality is good, and there are no significant risks to the quantity or quality of water.

Even in risk areas, groundwater quality is generally good

About one-tenth of the assessed groundwater areas are classified as risk areas. In the majority of these areas, the groundwater quality is currently good but may deteriorate without protection measures. Out of the risk areas, over a hundred are classified as having poor quality. Even in these areas, groundwater is often still usable, but the quality — or in a few cases, the quantity — is compromised due to risks.

Groundwater risks are most common in urban areas

Groundwater areas at risk are particularly found in urban areas where various activities take place within the groundwater areas. The quality of groundwater can be threatened by activities such as industrial facilities, petrol stations, as well as waste and wastewater treatment. Oil and chemical spills and accidents pose a significant risk to groundwater. The salting of roads has in some places increased the chloride concentrations in groundwater.

Several contamination cases are reported annually

Groundwater damages in Finland generally remain relatively limited because groundwater occurrences are mostly small. However, local impacts can still be significant. In the groundwater areas, a total of 330 significant contamination cases were identified between 1976 and 2001. Of these, approximately 60 had an impact on water supply; 45 resulted to the permanent closure of water intake points.

Risk of groundwater contamination is acknowledged

The environmental protection act prohibits the pollution of groundwater. This absolute prohibition of pollution, along with the risks of contamination, is widely recognized. Attention is paid to the protection of groundwater in road maintenance, industry, and other high-risk sectors. Groundwater damage resulting from small-scale activities - households, small businesses, and farms - is prevented through waste management regulations, as well as information and education.

Protection plans are developed for groundwater areas

Activities located in groundwater areas are regulated more strictly than usual. Many important groundwater areas also have protection plans in place. In plans developed by municipalities, identify the risk factors and recommend measures to reduce these risks. The plans are important source material for, among other things, land-use planning.

More on groundwater

Publisher

Finnish Environment Institute (Syke)