Treatment of wastewater in areas outside sewer networks

Shoreline and groundwater areas

  • Properties located in shoreline areas mean buildings that are situated no more than 100 metres from a water body.
  • On shoreline and groundwater areas, the treatment of a property’s wastewater must meet the indicative purification level of 31/10/2019 (City of Vaasa environmental protection regulations).
  • The Finnish Environment Institute has prepared map data of shoreline areas. The map can be found here

Areas other than shoreline and groundwater areas

  • In areas outside the sewer network other than shoreline and groundwater areas, the wastewater treatment system shall be renewed during the next major renovation.

Replacing the system

  1. Find out whether it is possible to connect to the municipal sewer network (Vaasa Water)
  2. Investigate the possibility of a shared system with a neighbour
  3. Obtain a wastewater system designer and an action permit (Building Control)
  4. Carry out the project and maintain the system regularly

Exemptions / exceptions

  • If a property has only carried-in water and a dry toilet, the wastewater system does not need to be renewed. Note! No wastewater may be discharged directly into a water body. Small amounts of greywater may be directed to a stone pit or an infiltration well.
  • The wastewater system does not need to be renewed if the property holder was born on or before 9 March 1943. The age exemption does not apply to holiday homes.
  • The property holder may apply for an exception from wastewater treatment for a special reason (e.g. low volume of wastewater, social reasons, etc.). The authority may grant an exception for a maximum of 5 years at a time. Link to the application and attachments is at the end of this page. A fee in accordance with the City of Vaasa environmental protection authority’s tariff is charged for processing the exception application.

Täytä lomake 1 ja 2. Liitteistä 3A-3D täytetään ne, joiden perusteella poikkeamista anotaan.

    Fill in forms 1 and 2. Of attachments 3A-3D, complete those that form the basis for the requested exception.

  1. Exception application form
  2. Attachment 2. Description of the wastewater system
  3. Attachment 3A. Low volume of wastewater
  4. Attachment 3B. Connection to the sewer network
  5. Attachment 3D. Social reasons