vesienhoidon

Vesienhoito, or vesienhoidon, is a term used in Finland to describe the management and protection of inland waters and their catchment areas. It covers the regulation of water quantity and quality in lakes, rivers and groundwater, as well as the protection of aquatic ecosystems and the sustainable use of water resources. Vesienhoito also involves prevention of pollution, restoration of degraded habitats, and measures related to flood risk management and safe drinking water supply.

The policy is grounded in national legislation such as the Water Act (vesilaki) and the Environmental Protection Act, and is aligned with the European Union Water Framework Directive. Under this framework, Finland prepares river basin management plans (vesienhoitosuunnitelmat) with the aim of achieving good ecological and chemical status for water bodies by set deadlines. The Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) monitors the state of waters and provides data to authorities. Responsibilities are shared among the state (including the Ministry of the Environment and regional authorities), municipalities, water utilities, industry and agricultural sectors, with municipalities often implementing local measures.

Key elements of vesienhoito include pollution prevention, improvements in wastewater treatment, reduction of nutrient and pollutant loads from agriculture and industry, land-use planning that protects water bodies, habitat restoration, and flood risk management. Monitoring, classification of water bodies, and adaptive management under RBMPs guide targeted actions. Public participation and stakeholder involvement are integral to plan development and evaluation, ensuring that measures reflect ecological goals and local conditions.

Challenges in vesienhoito include climate change effects, ongoing eutrophication in some lakes, and balancing ecological goals with economic use of water resources. Continuous cooperation among authorities, communities, and industry is essential for sustaining Finnish water resources.