Domestic water quality in Espoo, Kirkkonummi and Kauniainen is excellent

In Espoo, Kauniainen and Kirkkonummi, there are a total of five water utilities that produce domestic water by treating raw water in their plants. The largest of the utilities is the Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority HSY. In addition, there are several water cooperatives in Espoo and Kirkkonummi that do not have their own water production or treatment facilities.

Domestic water is tested, among other things, for bacteria, metals and chemical compounds, and there are related quality requirements and 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.

The number of samples taken by authorities varies depending on the utility. Samples are taken from the water supplied by HSY almost weekly, while the water supplied by smaller water cooperatives is only tested once a year or every two years. In 2025, more than 200 samples were taken, and almost 3,000 analyses were conducted.

The microbiological quality requirements were met in all but two samples. Due to the results, Espoo Region Environmental Health Services issued a boil-water advisory, and the network was disinfected. In addition, there were five other domestic water quality issues in the water utilities and cooperatives in Espoo, Kauniainen and Kirkkonummi in 2025, resulting in a boil-water advisory or water use restrictions as a precautionary measure. The quality of the water was verified by taking additional samples before the boil-water advisory was lifted. In case of problems, Espoo Region Environmental Health Services always cooperates with the water utilities.

In terms of the chemical quality requirements, the limits were exceeded in two samples for uranium and in two samples for lead. However, the levels were not considered to cause a health risk, as the water supply was limited and the water was only used occasionally. All samples also met the chemical quality targets, with the exception of a few individual cases where the limits set for iron and manganese were exceeded.

The results of the most recent samples taken by the authorities from water utilities supplying domestic water to 50 or more people or at least ten cubic metres of domestic water per day are available at www.vesi.fi(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 using it, as this improves water quality. The water is ready for use when it feels cool and its temperature has stabilised. If the tap has not been used for a long time, you may need to run the water for several minutes.