Changes in stormwater management arising from changes in the legislation from the perspective of Lempaala Water

Finland’s legislation about stormwater management changed in September 2014 and it caused the need to resolve liability issues associated with stormwater and agree on the division of costs. This Master’s thesis was commissioned by Lempaala Water, which is a Lempaala municipality-owned water company. The author works as a managing director of the Lempaala Water.

The purpose was to create a functional and well-organized storm water management system for the municipality of Lempaala. The thesis was limited to the perspective of the water supply plant in the organization of stormwater management.

The research was qualitative. The survey analyzed 14 responses by the water supply plant. On the basis of the questionnaire responses and the author’s own experience a proposal was drawn up for the best practice from the point of view of the water supply plant. Based on the answers it can be concluded that, with a few exceptions, plenty of things remain to be done and agreed on in managing stormwater in order to respond to the demands of changes in legislation. The organization of stormwater management will have major differences in each municipality. The practice is affected not only by local circumstances but also by fees connected with stormwater charged by the water supply plant. Lempaala Water has been in operation since 2005, covering stormwater drains charges. In order for the costs of stormwater management to be fairly covered, one must also take advantage of the water service connection charge.This thesis made it possible to specify interfaces for the municipality and the water supply plant, as well as responsibility for an agreed amount of remuneration for storm water sewerage of public land.

The objectives were successfully fulfilled. Necessary things were prepared for municipal decision-making in the specified time frame.