Domestic water in Espoo, Kauniainen and Kirkkonummi is excellent

There are a total of nine water utilities in Espoo, Kauniainen and Kirkkonummi. They produce domestic water by treating raw water in their plants. The largest of the utilities is Helsinki Region Environmental Services HSY. There are also several local water utilities, i.e. cooperatives, without their own water production or treatment facilities in Espoo and Kirkkonummi.

Domestic water is tested for bacteria, metals and chemical compounds, among other contaminants, and there are related quality requirements or quality targets set by law. The quality requirements have been set on health grounds, while the quality targets reflect the general quality and usability of the water.

In 2024, all domestic water samples supplied by the water utilities and cooperatives complied with the microbiological and chemical quality requirements. The microbiological quality targets were met in all but two samples with a high colony count indicating the total volume of bacteria, while the chemical quality targets were met in all but two samples with excessively high iron content. The deviations from the quality targets were not deemed to cause any health hazards.

The authorities take samples from the domestic water samples supplied by the water utilities and cooperatives on the basis of the volume of water supplied and risk assessment results. The sampling frequency varies a great deal: samples are taken from the water supplied by HSY almost weekly, but the water of the smaller water cooperatives is only tested once a year. In 2024, more than 200 samples of the domestic water supplied by the water utilities and cooperatives were taken.

There were a total of 12 domestic water supply disruptions in the water utilities and cooperatives of Espoo, Kauniainen and Kirkkonummi in 2024. In nine of these, Espoo Region Environmental Services set restrictions to water use, and the water quality was verified by taking additional samples before the restrictions were lifted. In case of disruptions, Espoo Region Environmental Health Services always cooperates with the water utilities.

The results of the most recent samples taken by the authorities from water utilities supplying 50 or more persons or at least ten cubic metres of domestic water per day are available at https://www.vesi.fi/vesihuoltolaitosten-tunnusluvut/(external link, opens in a new window) (in Finnish).

Espoo Region Environmental Health Services reminds residents that it is important to let water used for drinking and cooking run from the tap before use, as this improves water quality. The water is ready for use when it is cool and the temperature has stabilised. If the water pipes have not been used for a long time, allowing the water to run for several minutes may be necessary.