Project examining the state of water services and the structural change to be launched

In February, the project titled State of water services and structural change ("Vesihuollon tila ja rakennemuutos") will be launched as part of Government's analysis, assessment and research activities. The main objective of the project is to provide tools for the water sector for assessing the condition of the water supply and sewerage networks and to estimate the benefits of a structural change and the steering methods required to achieve it.

”The condition of Finland's water supply and sewerage networks is declining because the current rate of renovations is not sufficient. Not all water utilities have enough information on the condition of their networks nor the financial resources for carrying out the necessary renovations. A structural change is required in sector to make sure that the country has reliable water supply and sewerage networks and that the risks related to water services are under control. During this project, we will outline what such a structural change would mean in practice and how it should be implemented”, explains the leader of the project, Professor Riku Vahala from Aalto University. 

As a result, a description of methods suitable for assessing the condition of the water supply and sewerage networks will be created. In addition, an operating model, a timetable and a cost estimate will be determined for estimating the state of the networks and for maintaining data on them. 


The project will also look at alternative scenarios for the structural change in the sector, their impacts on the economy and the environment and identify the most potential methods for implementing the structural change. In the end, pathway to achieving the desired structural change will be outlined. This work will be carried out in cooperation with water sector stakeholders. 


The project is coordinated by Aalto University with its partners Ramboll Oy, Tyrsky Consulting and Keypro Oy.

The survey is implemented as part of the Government plan for analysis, assessment and research for 2018. More information on Government’s analysis, assessment and research activities is available at tietokayttoon.fi

More information

Riku Vahala, Professor, Aalto University School of Engineering
tel. +358 50 588 4237
[email protected]

Kai Kaatra, Director of Water Resources Management, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
tel. +358 295 162 106
[email protected]

Katri Vasama, Senior Officer, Water Resources Management, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
tel. +358 295 162 241
[email protected]