Legislation on water resources and marine protection

Organisation of water resources and marine management

The management of water resources and marine areas is based on the Act on the Organisation of River Basin Management and the Marine Strategy of 2004 and Government Decrees on Water Resources Management, on the Organisation of the Development and Implementation of the Marine Strategy, and on Water Resources Management Regions. The national statutes implement the Water Framework Directive and Marine Strategy Framework Directive of the EU.

Key EU legislation:

Groundwater protection

Groundwater protection is based on the prohibition against groundwater pollution in section 17 of the Environmental Protection Act. 
The prohibitions concerns all groundwater resources. Among the guiding principles is to prevent damage in advance. 

Determination and classification of groundwater areas and protection plans

Provisions on the determination and classification of groundwater areas and on protection plans are laid down in chapter 2a of the Act on the Organisation of River Basin Management and the Marine Strategy (1299/2004, amendment 1263/2014). The regulation is part of the national implementation of the Water Framework Directive (60/2000/EC).

Pollution prevention and building and structures in waters

Provisions on the preventing water pollution are laid down in the Environmental Protection Act that entered into force in 2014. 

Provisions on the emissions and leaching of substances that are dangerous or harmful to the aquatic environment are laid down in the Government Decree where the objective is to protect surface waters and improve their quality.

Provisions on building and structures in waters are laid down in the Water Act that is governed by the Ministry of Justice. 

Wastewater treatment

The Government Decree on Urban Waste Water Treatment applies to the treatment and conducting of urban wastewaters that require an environmental permit under the Environmental Protection Act. The decree is based on the Directive on urban wastewater treatment

Provisions on the treatment of wastewater outside sewerage networks are laid down in chapter 16 (amendment 19/2017) and section 238 of the Environmental Protection Act. Further provisions are laid down in the Government Decree on the Treatment of Domestic Wastewater in Areas Outside Sewerage Networks. 

Provisions on the organisation of water supply and services and the obligation concerning connection to a sewerage network are laid down in the Water Services Act that is governed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Emissions from agriculture into waters

The Government Decree on Limiting Certain Emissions from Agriculture and Horticulture applies to nitrogen fertilisation. This Nitrates Decree, issued under the EU Nitrates Directive, regulates the use and storage of both animal manure and organic fertiliser products. The Nitrates Decree concerns all operators in the agriculture and horticulture sectors in Mainland Finland. The aim is to eliminate and reduce emissions to the environment caused by animal manure and fertiliser products. The use of nutrients is targeted according to the growing season and fertiliser products must be appropriately stored.

Other relevant statutes

The Act and Decree on Environmental Protection in Maritime Transport are governed by the Ministry of Transport and Communications.