Wastewater treatment in rural areas
| |
|
 |
|
© Tiina Paju
|
| |
New wastewater treatment requirements came into force
The treatment of wastewater in rural areas of Finland with no centralized sewerage system will be improved greatly over the coming years, thanks to legislation in the Onsite Wastewater System Decree (209/2011), which came into force on 15.3.2011. The Decree sets minimum standards for wastewater treatment and the planning, construction, use and maintenance of treatment systems. Protecting the environment
According to Finland´s Environmental Protection Act, wastewater in areas not connected to any centralized sewerage system must be treated so that it does not pollute the environment and there is no risk of pollution. Treatment facilities to meet new requirements by 2016
The requirements in the Decree apply immediately to all new buildings, while wastewater treatment systems of buildings completed before 1.1.2004 must in most cases be upgraded to fulfill the new standards by 15.3.2016.
If only very small amounts of wastewater are generated, 'grey wastewater' from kitchens and bathrooms may be simply released into the ground untreated. This wastewater may not contain toilet waste, or represent any other type of pollution risk.
Subsidies for improvements of onsite wastewater treatment systems are available from the State on social grounds. Residents can also claim tax deductions for the work done to improve wastewater systems. Some local authorities also provide support for improvements of wastewater systems in unconnected properties. Reducing environmental impacts
About a million people, some 20% of the population of Finland, live in houses that are not connected to centralised sewarage systems. This means that about 350,000 permanent residences and a further 450,000 holiday homes must treat their own wastewater treated 'on site'. The treatment systems in very many cases are obsolete or otherwise ineffective. It has been estimated that the new legislation will speed the upgrading of facilities at 200,000-250,000 properties by 2016.
Phosphorus loads in wastewater from rural homes contribute considerably to the eutrophication of rivers, lakes and the sea. In 2000 the phosphorus loads per inhabitant entering watercourses were 6-8 times higher for the residents of homes unconnected to sewarage systems than for people living in areas with centralized sewers. The diffuse load from houses not connected to centralized sewerage system accounts for about 10% of all of the antropogenic phosphorus emissions to waters in Finland - and are the second largest source of phosphorus emissions overall after agriculture.
It is hoped that the new regulations will lead to a reduction in the total phosphorus load in the wastewater from the unconnected homes of a million people from the current level of almost 400 tonnes a year to less than 150 tonnes within 10-14 years.
The Finnish Environment Ministry's Action Plan for the Protection of the Baltic Sea and Inland Watercourses (2005) sets a target that by 2018 all onsite wastewater systems should be equipped with best available treatment techniques. Public information on treatment options
The Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) collects reliable information on wastewater treatment equipments and methods that are generally available in Finland, and provides that information for the public on the Institute's website in Finnish. Fact sheet - best practises
|