Vaasan Vesi: A Vital Resource for the City of Vaasa, Finland

Introduction

Vaasan Vesi is the municipally-owned water utility company responsible for providing safe and clean water to the city of Vaasa, Finland. The company sources its water from Lake Närpes, a large lake located about 20 kilometers north of the city. Vaasan Vesi also operates a wastewater treatment plant that treats wastewater from the city before releasing it back into the environment.

Vaasan Vesi is a vital resource for the city of Vaasa. The company's water is used for drinking, cooking, bathing, and irrigation.

History of Vaasan Vesi

The history of Vaasan Vesi dates back to 1888, when the city of Vaasa was founded. At that time, the city's water supply was provided by private wells and cisterns. However, these sources of water were often contaminated, and there were frequent outbreaks of waterborne diseases.

In 1892, the city of Vaasa decided to build a public water supply system. The system was completed in 1894, and it provided clean water to the city's residents for the first time.

Vaasan Vesi has continued to grow and expand over the years. The company now serves a population of over 60,000 people.

Water Treatment Process

Vaasan Vesi uses a multi-step process to treat water from Lake Närpes. The process includes:

• Coagulation: Chemicals are added to the water to cause impurities to clump together.
• Flocculation: The clumps of impurities are allowed to settle out of the water.
• Sedimentation: The settled impurities are removed from the water.
• Filtration: The water is passed through a filter to remove any remaining impurities.
• Disinfection: Chlorine is added to the water to kill bacteria.

The treated water is then stored in a reservoir before being distributed to the city's residents.

Wastewater Treatment Process

Vaasan Vesi also operates a wastewater treatment plant that treats wastewater from the city before releasing it back into the environment. The treatment process includes:

• Primary treatment: The wastewater is screened to remove large objects, such as rags and sticks.
• Secondary treatment: The wastewater is treated with bacteria to remove organic matter.
• Tertiary treatment: The wastewater is disinfected with chlorine.

The treated wastewater is then released into the Gulf of Bothnia.

Sustainability

Vaasan Vesi is committed to sustainability. The company has implemented a number of initiatives to reduce its environmental impact, including:

• Using renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power.
• Reducing water consumption.
• Recycling wastewater.
• Educating the public about water conservation.

Vaasan Vesi is a leader in sustainability in the water industry. The company's commitment to providing safe and clean water to the city of Vaasa while protecting the environment is a model for other water utilities around the world.

Vaasan Vesi