• The wells in the region commonly contain fluoride, iron, manganese and radon.
• Fluoride: It is important that the fluoride content of drinking water used by infants and pregnant women does not exceed the health-based limit value of 1.5 mg/l. Water with a fluoride content exceeding 2 mg/l should not be used permanently as drinking water or for cooking. Harm can be reduced by replacing part of the drinking water with low-fluoride water.
• Iron: Iron is commonly found in wells in the region, and it can also be dissolved in water from the property’s own pipes and plumbing fixtures. Iron-rich water can leave rust deposits on plumbing fixtures, stains in laundry and a rusty taste in drinking water. The quality target concerning iron has been set on the basis of technical and aesthetic harm. Iron does not pose a health hazard at concentrations where it is still possible to drink the water based on its appearance and taste.
• Manganese: Well water that contains iron often also contains manganese. The maximum recommendations for manganese are based on aesthetic and technical harm. Excessive manganese causes an unpleasant taste in water, deposits on plumbing fixtures and staining of laundry. According to current data, high levels of manganese also pose a health hazard, especially for children.
• Radon: Well water may also contain radon. Radon is an odourless and tasteless gas that can spread into room air, for example, when taking a shower. Radon increases the risk of cancer, and the radon concentration of water in drilled wells in the region should be tested.
• More information on water treatment: ymparisto.fi(external link, opens in a new window) (in Finnish)

• If your property is connected to the municipal water supply network: Run all taps for about ten minutes and keep an eye on any changes in water quality. If running the taps does not improve the quality of the water, contact the building manager or maintenance company. People living in detached houses are instructed to contact the water supply plant.
• You should get your well water tested every three years, even if the water looks and tastes normal.
• It is particularly important to ensure the quality of well water:
  • before starting to use a new well;
  • if the odour, taste or colour of the water has changed;
  • if you suspect that the water poses a health hazard.
• You should always get the water tested if its quality has changed in a short period of time from normal to abnormal. You should not drink water that has clearly changed. The condition of well structures should also be checked regularly.
• Well repairs and disinfection should be carried out by skilled professionals.

• High-quality drinking water has been tested, tastes good and is clear and colourless.
• The quality of drinking water is monitored, for example, by regularly testing water samples.
• If you have questions related to drinking water, you should first contact your water supplier.
• If you suspect that drinking water has made you ill, you should contact Espoo Region Environmental Health Services.

• You can find information on issues, such as water hardness and possible disruptions, on the websites of water supply plants.
• HSY Water Services(external link, opens in a new window) supplies domestic water to the Espoo and Kauniainen water distribution areas. The Päijänne Tunnel leads raw water from Läke Päijänne to the Pitkäkoski and Vanhakaupunki water treatment plants, and from there, water is conveyed to the water supply network.
• The main water intake building of Kirkkonummen Vesi(external link, opens in a new window) (in Finnish) is located in Myllykylä. The raw water comes from Lake Meiko. Additional water for the network is purchased from HSY and from the water supply plant of Suomen Sokeri Oy. Domestic water in Veikkola comes from two ground water intake buildings in the area as well as HSY.
• In addition, there are several smaller water supply plants and water cooperatives in Espoo and Kirkkonummi.

• If you use a private well, you should get the water tested every three years, even if the water seems normal.
• Well water testing is subject to a fee.
• You can find information on laboratories that test water samples, for example, on the website of the Finnish Food Authority at: https://www.ruokavirasto.fi/laboratoriopalvelut/ruokaviraston-hyvaksymat-laboratoriot/talousvesilaboratoriot/(external link, opens in a new window) (in Finnish)
• You can order or pick up sample bottles directly from the laboratories. You can also pick up water sample bottles upon prior agreement from the service locations of Espoo Region Environmental Health Services (Espoo: Pihatörmä 1 C in Olari; Kirkkonummi: Ervastintie 2, information point at the Town Hall). Each laboratory has its own sample bottles.
• Residents can take their water samples to the laboratory or leave them on Mondays at the service location of Espoo Region Environmental Health Services at Pihatörmä 1 C from 9:00 to 11:00 or at the information point of the Kirkkonummi Town Hall at Ervastintie 2 from 8:30 to 13:00. The samples will then be delivered to the laboratory.
• You should contact the laboratory in advance to obtain sampling instructions.
• Espoo Region Environmental Health Services talousvesivalvonta@espoo.fi

• Households that get their water from a private well are responsible for the quality of its water.
• Well water should be tested:
  • before starting to use a new well;
  • if the odour, taste or colour of the water has changed;
  • if you suspect that drinking the water made you ill.
  • You should get the well water tested every three years, even if the water seems normal.
• You should not drink water that has clearly changed.

• The condition of the well structures should also be checked regularly.

• The municipality monitors the quality of water in order to prevent water-related health hazards and to ensure that the quality of water meets technical and aesthetic requirements.
  
  
• In addition to water supply plants, the municipality also monitors other sites with water intake buildings that are subject to notification obligation under section 13 of the Health Protection Act.
  
  
• Large water supply plants supplying domestic water for the needs of more than 50 people or at least 10 m³ per day are monitored in accordance with Decree 1352/2015 on domestic water. Large water supply plants must draw up a monitoring programme in cooperation with the health protection authority. In addition, the water supply plant must carry out a risk assessment and prepare a plan in case of disruptions.
  
  
• Small water supply plants supplying domestic water for the needs of less than 50 people or less than 10 m³ per day are monitored in accordance with Decree 401/2001 concerning domestic water in small units.
  
  
• The legislation on domestic water was revised in 2023. The amendments to national acts and decrees adopted to implement the new Drinking Water Directive entered into force on 12 January 2023. You can read more about the amendments on the website of the Finnish Water Utilities Association(external link, opens in a new window) (in Finnish).
  
  
• Each water supply plant is responsible for the quality of the water it supplies and must also regularly inform water users of the quality of the water.
  
  
• A water supply plant that supplies domestic water and conducts its own water production or treatment must apply for approval from Espoo Region Environmental Health Services at least three months before starting or changing its operations.
  
  

In the following cases, a written notification of the water distribution area must be submitted to Espoo Region Environmental Health Services no later than 30 days before the start of operations:

• plants supplying domestic water and water cooperatives with purchased water;
• properties’ joint domestic water well (more than 50 users or volume of supplied water at least 10 m³ per day); 
• situations in which domestic water is taken from a water supply network or tank with one’s own devices, such as when installing private water pipes or fittings;
• if the water from a private well is used for public or commercial purposes.