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Groundwater use and policy in community water supply in Finland

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Abstract

Selection between ground and surface water in community water supply has been one of the key strategic questions in Finland since the early 1900s. After some cities failed to find reliable groundwater sources, many turned to surface waters. Since the 1950s the use of groundwater and artificial recharged groundwater have continuously increased. Presently their use is promoted by the government and European water policy through technical advice and financial support. It is obvious that the share of groundwater and artificial recharged groundwater will increase in the future. This requires active public response and transparency in decision-making.

Resumé

Le choix parmi l’utilisation de l’eau de surface ou de l’eau souterraine comme source d’approvisionnement en eau potable est, depuis le début des années 1900, une question stratégique en Finlande. Suite à l’échec de certaines villes à s’approvisionner en eau souterraine, plusieurs se sont tournées vers l’eau de surface. Depuis les années 1950, l’utilisation de l’eau souterraine et la recharge artificielle des aquifères est en constante croissance. Actuellement, leur utilisation est encouragée par le Gouvernement ainsi que par la politique européenne de l’eau qui fournit une expertise technique et un soutient financier. Il est évident que les proportions occupées par l’approvisionnement en eau souterraine et la recharge artificielle vont augmenter avec le temps. Ceci requiert une participation active du public ainsi que de la transparence lors du processus décisionnel.

Resumen

Desde el principio de 1900 una de las preguntas estratégicas clave en Finlandia es la selección entre agua subterranea y de superficie para el suministro de agua de la comunidad. Muchas ciudades renunciaron al agua de superficie luego de haber fracesado en encontrar fuentes de agua subterránea confiables. Desde 1950 el uso de agua subterránea y de agua subterránea recargada artificialmente ha aumentado continuamente. Actualmente los políticas de agua del gobierno y de Europa promueven su uso por medio de asesoría técnica y apoyo financiero. Es obvio que la participación del agua subterránea y del agua subterránea recargada artificialmente va a aumentar en el futuro. Esto requiere una respuesta activa pública y transparencia en el proceso de toma de decisiones.

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Acknowledgements

Financial support from the Academy of Finland is gratefully acknowledged. The authors wish to thank Prof. J. Karhu, several colleagues, the anonymous reviewers and the editor for their helpful and constructive comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tampere University of Technology, Box 541, Tampere, Finland

    Tapio S. Katko

  2. Science Sector, Division of Water Sciences, UNESCO, 1 rue Miollis, 75732 Paris Cedex 15, France

    M. Annukka Lipponen

  3. Water Resources Management Division, Finnish Environment Institute, P.O. Box 140, Helsinki, Finland

    Esa K. T. Rönkä

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  2. M. Annukka Lipponen
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Katko, T.S., Lipponen, M.A. & Rönkä, E.K.T. Groundwater use and policy in community water supply in Finland. Hydrogeol J 14, 69–78 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-004-0351-3

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