Vedenlähteenä

Vedenlähteenä is a Finnish expression that means “as a water source” or “in the role of a water source.” It is formed from the noun vedenlähde (water source) with the essive form, used to describe the function or status of something as a source of water. The term is common in hydrology, environmental planning, land use planning, and related regulatory discussions.

The phrase is used to indicate that a particular place or feature can provide water for consumption, irrigation, or other needs. In practice, it appears in descriptions of water supply systems, protection plans, and planning documents where authorities or planners designate or assess a site’s role as a water source. For example, a lake or groundwater area may be described as kaupungin vedenlähteenä (the city’s water source) in official texts, environmental impact assessments, or infrastructure plans. The exact meaning can depend on context, such as whether the area is currently used as a water source or simply designated as such in planning.

Linguistic note: vedenlähteenä is the essive form, expressing “in the capacity of” or “as.” There is also vedenlähteeksi, the translative form, used when something is designated or transformed into a water source. Both forms occur in Finnish texts, with vedenlähteenä focusing on the role, and vedenlähteeksi on the formal designation.

See also water source, water protection, and drinking-water safeguards.