Improving the security of water supplies and water management in the City of Oulu – OUVETUR

Introduction

 

The OUVETUR project investigates opportunities to improve the security of water supply in the inner city of Oulu from groundwater deposits in the Oulu area. In 2015, Oulu chose the abstraction of groundwater from the Viinivaara and Kälväsvaara areas in the Pudasjärvi and Utajärvi municipalities as a solution to secure its water supply. The permit process is ongoing and the final outcome is uncertain because the permit has been appealed to the administrative court. Oulu needs to investigate alternative backup water sources in case the Viinivaara water abstraction permit is not obtained or the permit conditions are so strict that the project would no longer be feasible. Even if the Viinivaara permit becomes legally binding under feasible conditions in the next few years, Oulu still needs to increase its reserve water supply.

The geological structural studies of groundwater areas carried out in the proposed project will provide valuable additional information for water supply alternatives in the city of Oulu. In addition to security of supply studies, the project will investigate the adverse effects of a changing climate on the city of Oulu’s water supply and its security of supply. The project aims to 1) enable the increase in the security of supply of water supply in the city of Oulu from class III to at least class II, 2) ensure the availability of good-quality and safe domestic water, and 3) reduce the use of surface water from the Oulu River in water supply.

The research will be conducted in following groundwater areas: Salonselka in Oulunsalo , Kellonkangas in Haukipudas, Hangaskangas in Pikkarala and several areas in Yli-Ii/Tannila region and they will require extensive field research. The project will investigate the realistic water supply potential of the research areas and provide extensive research data to support the water supply of the City of Oulu.

Implementing the project as planned will improve the water safety and security of water supply in the inner city of Oulu. The results of the project will particularly affect the residents of the area and other water users, especially the food industry, agricultural companies and water cooperatives in the area. The results of the project will also be useful for local water supply needs, even if the water volumes are not sufficient to meet Oulu’s water needs. On a general level, the project will increase knowledge and understanding of groundwater resources in northern Finland. The desired impact of the project is to improve the reputation of the city’s tap water. Water is essential for life, and improving the quality of the city’s domestic water, and especially the security of supply class, can also act as an attraction factor for both new residents and businesses.

Partners: Oulu Waterworks

The coordinator of the project: GTK

Funding authority: OUVETUR project is funded by European Regional Development Funds (ERDF) with significant contribution from GTK and Oulu Waterworks.

Contact person: Jari Hyvärinen

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