Application for exemption from connecting a property to the water utility’s water main and wastewater sewer

A property located in the service area of a water utility must be connected to the water main and wastewater sewer of the water utility.  The obligation is based on the Water Services Act.(external link, opens in a new window) The purpose of the law is to make use of the water services network built by society, as well as to protect the environment and human health. Unbuilt properties do not need to be connected.

Typically, there is a water main and a wastewater sewer running under the street next to a property within the water utility’s service area. You can check HSY’s map service(external link, opens in a new window) to see whether your property is located within the current service area of the water utility or in an area where water services will be constructed in the coming years (map layers: ‘Vesihuollon toiminta-alue’ and ‘Toiminta-alueen alustava laajeneminen (seuraavat kaksi vuotta)’).

More information about connecting the property to the water main and wastewater sewer is available on Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority’s (HSY) website.(external link, opens in a new window) You can apply for a tax credit for household expenses for the costs of connecting the property to water services. In addition, elderly persons and persons with disabilities can apply for a grant from the Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland (ARA).

The Environment and Building Control Department will grant the property an exemption from the obligation to connect the property to the water main and wastewater sewer if the conditions laid down by law are met. You can apply for an exemption from connecting you property to the water main, the wastewater sewer, or both. The application is made for the entire property at one time, even if the property has several buildings or several owners via a joint ownership agreement.

The exemption may be valid for a fixed period or until further notice. Both types of exemption will end immediately if:

• the number of residents increases
• he use of the property changes in a way that increases the need for the water utility’s services
• the ownership or occupancy of the property changes

Applications are processed in the order in which they are received, and the relevant authorities and neighbours are consulted before a decision is made.

It is important to complete the application form carefully and to include all the required supporting documents. The exemption can only be granted if you can prove in the application that all the conditions laid down by law are met.

The application must include:

• An explanation as to why connecting the property to the water utility’s network would be unreasonable.
• A cost estimate for connecting the property to the network prepared by a professional (e.g. a construction company) if the reason for not joining is excessive costs.
• Also include the following if you are applying for an exemption from connecting your property to the water main:
  • A test result on the quality of well water that is no more than one year old. Required values (Decree relating to the Quality and Monitoring of Water Intended for Human Consumption, 1352/2015): turbidity, colour, odour, pH, iron, manganese, KMnO4, chloride, ammonium, nitrate, nitrite, fluoride, Escherichia coli and coliform bacteria and, for drilled wells, also radon, arsenic and uranium.
  • If a water purification device such as an arsenic filter is in use, take the water sample after purification.
• Also include the following if you are applying for an exemption from connecting your property to the wastewater sewer:
  • A description of the buildings and water fixtures in which wastewater is produced.
  • A description of all wastewater treatment systems on the property.
  • A map drawing showing nearby wells, the location of wastewater systems, and how wastewater is conveyed on the property and discharged from the property into a ditch or water body.
  • Neighbour’s consent if the water treated in the wastewater system is ultimately discharged into a ditch at the property boundary or into a ditch or water body located on the neighbour’s property.

Please also read the instructions provided with the application form, which contain more detailed guidance and examples on how to describe wastewater conveyance and discharge and how to prepare the map drawing.

Send the application to the City of Espoo Registry Office at kirjaamo@espoo.fi or P.O. Box 1, 02070 CITY OF ESPOO.

To be granted an exemption, all of the following conditions must be met (Water Services Act, section 11):

1. Connecting the property to the water utility’s network would be unreasonable to the owner or occupier of the property, taking into account the costs of building the property’s water service equipment, the costs of connection, a minimal need for the water utility’s services, or any other similar special reason.

   Further clarifications:

   • In built-up areas, financial unreasonableness is generally assessed only on the basis of the costs of connection or construction, not on the financial situation of the property owner.
   • Outside built-up areas, the advanced age of the property owner or occupier and other similar life circumstances may be taken into account, as well as long-term unemployment, illness, or another comparable social impediment.
   • The need for the water utility’s services is considered minimal when household water is carried from a well by bucket and there are no water fixtures in use, such as a shower, washing machines, or a pressurised boiler. A minimal need does not mean that the existing wastewater system meets the needs of the property.
   • Another comparable special reason may be, for example, that there are plans to connect the property to the network in a few years when a new building is being constructed on the property.
2. Granting the exemption, either alone or together with other exemptions, must not significantly compromise the economical and appropriate management of water services within the water utility’s service area.
3. A property to be exempted from being connected to the water main must have access to a sufficient amount of domestic water that meets the quality requirements and recommendations specified in the Health Protection Act.
4. A property to be exempted from being connected to the wastewater sewer must be able to discharge and treat wastewater in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Protection Act.