Rakennusvesien

Rakennusvesien, or construction waters, refers to the water connected with building sites. The term in Finnish is commonly used to describe water that is produced, collected, or used during construction activities. This includes dewatering water from excavations, stormwater and runoff from the site, rainwater collected on site, wash water from equipment and concrete operations, and groundwater that is pumped to keep work areas dry. The concept covers both the water used during construction and the water that must be managed after use.

The composition of rakennusvesi can vary, but it often contains suspended solids, cementitious residues, silica, oils, fuels, and chemical additives used on site. Because of potential contaminants, construction waters can impact nearby soils and water bodies if discharged untreated. Therefore, proper management is important to minimize pollution.

Management and treatment typically involve on-site collection in temporary basins, followed by treatment before discharge or reuse. Common treatment steps include sedimentation to remove solids, filtration, and, when necessary, oil–water separation and coagulation-flocculation. In some cases, treated water can be reused for non-potable purposes on site, such as dust suppression or cleaning, subject to quality requirements and regulatory rules. When discharge is needed, it is usually regulated and may require permits and adherence to water quality standards.

Regulatory frameworks around rakennusvesi emphasize pollution prevention, sediment control, spill prevention, and proper handling of contaminated waters. Adherence to best practices protects nearby aquatic ecosystems and aligns with environmental protection objectives.