Action plan for water protection in Espoo for the years 2022–2027

The goal of drawing up Espoo’s water protection action plan is to achieve, at minimum, a good state of surface and ground water. In order to achieve the goal, measures to improve the state of the waters are planned and implemented and their effects are monitored.

The Action plan has identified key factors affecting the state of surface and ground water in Espoo as well as measures to address adverse effects of these factors on water bodies.

There are several bodies of water in Espoo whose states have declined due to excessive eutrophication, urbanisation and structures that prevent the free passage of organisms. To improve the state of these bodies of water requires restoration measures in catchment areas as well as in the watershed itself. The Action plan has listed the necessary restoration measures to achieve a good state of surface waters.

In Espoo, the changing environment creates threats to waters, the biggest of which are the increase of harmful substance and nutrient loads, and the reduction in the quality and quantity of the habitation areas for organisms. A great deal of work needs to be done to preserve and restore the diversity of the aquatic environment, because humans are shaping the environment at an ever-increasing rate.

Municipalities have responsibility for promoting and supervising water protection in their own localities. Most of the measures outlined in the action plan are aimed at the Urban Environment Customer Service of the City of Espoo and other public entities. But many actions that promote water protection are voluntary and reply on the cooperation and readiness of various parties to participate in the financing and implementation of the measures. There are also very active associations in Espoo that do valuable work for the benefit of water bodies.