1. An example of Finland's approach to wastewater treatment for households in rural areas
Kimmo Tiilikainen
Minister of the Environment
Finland

2. 2. Finland’s phosphorus discharge into watercourses from industry,
Communities and fish farming sources (tonnes) *

3. 3. Development of water protection policies
Four National Water Protection Programmes have been adopted since early 1970`s
The 1961 Water Act was not effective enough in decreasing the load from non-point sources
The 1998 National Water Protection Programme included targets for rural wastewaters
The 2000 Environmental Protection Act included provisions for controlling small discharges
Finnish Government’s Programme for the Protection of the Baltic Sea in 2002 included water protection actions in rural areas

4. 4. Onsite wastewater treatment in Finland
The Government Decree on Treating Domestic Wastewater in Areas Outside Sewerage Networks was approved in June 2003
The main objective of the Decree is to reduce domestic wastewater discharges
The Decree covers onsite wastewater systems that receive domestic or similar wastewater from individual homes, small businesses, and communities with a population equivalent of less than 100

5. 5. Requirements of the Decree
Untreated wastewater should generally be treated to remove 90% of the organic material (BOD7), 85% of the phosphorous content and 40% of the nitrogen content.
Wastewater treatment systems already in operation before 2004 have until 2014 to meet the new requirements.

6. 6. Consideration of the local conditions
The municipality may accept lower rates of treatment on less sensitive and vulnerable areas.
However, the pollution load must also be reduced in these areas by at least 80% for organic matter (BOD7), 70% for total phosphorus and 30% for total nitrogen.
The municipalities are encouraged to define different zones in their areas based on how vulnerable these areas are to pollution.

7. Normal areas Less sensitive areas Special areas Areas served by
7. Definition different zones based on how vulnerable these areas are to pollution
Normal areas
Less sensitive areas
Special areas
Areas served by
sewer networks

8. 8. Other requirements
Proper plans for a wastewater system must be included in the application for a building permit.
There must be up-to-date operational and maintenance instructions for each wastewater system.

9. 9. Development of treatment systems
There is a growing interest among the Finnish manufacturers to bring new products to the market.
It is a challenging task to introduce technology which is user-friendly, affordable and easy to maintain and operate.
The Finnish Environment Institute collects independent, reliable and up-to date information on commonly used treatment methods and performance of such methods.

10. 10. Different solutions are needed
The costs of improving wastewater treatment systems vary greatly according to local conditions.
In some cases, less expensive systems such as septic tanks with a soil adsorption system can be used. In many cases, more expensive prefabricated systems are needed.
The investments can amount to between 1000 to 8000 euros per property.

11. 11. Implementation and impacts of the Degree
Phosphorus loads will reduce by around 300 tonnes a year by This amounts to an overall reduction of 6–8% in total anthropogenic phosphorus discharges in Finland.
Subsidies for onsite wastewater treatment systems are available from the State for rural residents with low income.
Residents can 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.
The Government can finance the construction of some connecting networks from rural areas to urban wastewater treatment plants .

12. 12. Further information
The web side of the Ministry of the Environment
(Government Decree on Treating Domestic Wastewater in Areas Outside Sewer Networks (542/2003)
HELCOM recommendations