Wastewater treatment in sparsely populated areas

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In sparsely populated areas, water supply and wastewater treatment for properties are mainly based on property-specific solutions. Inadequately treated wastewater from such areas increases the environmental load. A well-functioning wastewater system, on the other hand, improves the amenity of the property and the condition of nearby water bodies, and creates the conditions for good-quality well water.

Every property owner must be familiar with the structure and operation of their own sewage system. A report on the system must be drawn up and kept on the property. When ownership of the property changes, the report must be presented to the new owner and, upon request, to the authorities.

Properties located within the service areas of water supply and sewerage companies must, as a matter of priority, be connected to the company’s water and sewerage networks.

When is it not necessary to replace the sewage system?

Under the regulations gove ing wastewater in sparsely populated areas, there is generally no need to replace a property’s wastewater system if

• The property has only a water carrier and an outhouse,
• the sewage system already complies with the regulations, i.e. if the building permit was granted in 2004 or later,
• the occupier of a property intended for permanent residence was bo before 9 March 1943 or
• The property is currently being connected to the sewerage network.

However, this is subject to the condition that the property’s wastewater does not pose a risk of environmental pollution.

A system built before 2004

If a sewage system that was granted a permit before 2004 does not meet the requirements of the Environmental Protection Act, it must be rectified immediately when

• the property is located no more than 100 metres from a body of water or
• The property is situated in a groundwater area suitable for water supply.

A temporary exemption may be granted, upon application, for the repair of a sewage system for a maximum of five years at a time, on the grounds that the required measures are unreasonable or that the volume of wastewater is significantly small. An exemption permit is granted by the environmental protection authority upon written application. A fee is payable for the processing of an application for an exemption permit. The amount of the fee is set out in the current schedule of charges of the environmental protection authority.

For properties located in other areas, the renewal of the sewage system will be due during the next major renovation, when

• a water closet is being installed, or repair and alteration work is being carried out on water and drainage systems, involving the replacement or complete overhaul of the system, or
• carrying out renovation and alteration work requiring a building permit, comparable to the construction of a building.

Points to consider when building a new system or making significant changes to an existing one

The environmental protection regulations of the towns of Keuruu and Mänttä-Vilppula contain additional requirements for new and renovated sewage systems, relating to, amongst other things, safety distances, systems approved for use in shoreline and groundwater areas, and the maintenance of such systems. In the shore zone, i.e. within 100 metres of a water body, toilet waste water must be directed into a sealed tank, treated outside the shore zone, or treated within the shore zone in such a way that the treated waste water is directed outside the zone. Exemptions from environmental protection regulations may be sought from the environmental protection authority. A fee in accordance with the environmental protection authority’s tariff will be charged for processing the application.

Please note that the construction of a sewage system or any substantial alteration to an existing system generally requires a building permit, even if the building itself does not require one (for example, a lakeside sauna). A building permit is applied for electronically via the Lupapiste.fi service from the relevant local authority’s building control department. It is advisable to start the process of replacing a sewage system by contacting an expert designer who can help you choose the most suitable system for your property. The plan for the wastewater system is submitted to the building control department as an attachment to the building application.

Regular monitoring and maintenance of the system is important

To function properly, a sewage system requires regular monitoring and upkeep, as well as maintenance where necessary. The system must be accompanied by up-to-date operating and maintenance instructions, in accordance with which the necessary upkeep and maintenance tasks are carried out. All actions taken and observations made are recorded in the logbook.

The most important maintenance task for most sewage systems is to ensure that sludge is removed frequently and regularly.

• Keuruu: Slurry tank emptying services are provided by the waste management companies L&T Oyj and Linlog Oy. In the outskirts of Keuruu, transport services may also be provided by contractors from neighbouring municipalities. However, please ensure that the transporter is listed in the waste transport register maintained by the regional Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment.
• Mänttä-Vilppula: In Mänttä-Vilppula, sludge removal services are contracted from Pirkanmaan Jätehuolto Oy.

Please contact Keuruu Environmental Protection

Please contact the Environmental Protection Department in Mänttä-Vilppula

This content has been translated using AI