Welcome to find support for water protection!
Welcome to finding information, examples and practical tips for water protection!
Tools for water protection is a web-based toolbox providing support for implementing water protection actions at local level. It is designed for professionals and experts who do concrete work, strategic planning or make decisions on water protection in cities, municipalities, companies, NGOs or other organisations. The Toolbox provides information and tools that assist with water protection. In addition to practical tips, tools and background information, in the Bank of Actions you can browse actions that local organisations have already implemented for the protection of local waters and the Baltic Sea – and you can also share your organisation’s own actions! This site was established in 2015 by the EU Life+ funded project CITYWATER, in collaboration with the Baltic Sea Challenge. The first tools are based on the results of the CITYWATER project. The site is now managed and updated by the Baltic Sea Challenge. More tools and actions are needed – please contact us and tell us about your ideas! Read more on page About us!
The Baltic Sea Challenge
Action at the local level is the key! Join the network and find ideas, examples, best practices and possibilities for collaboration.
Communication strategy
Find tips and guidelines on how to communicate the benefits of water protection efficiently to get your message through!
Cost-benefit analysis
Learn how the benefits of water protection can be assessed and compared to the costs of implementation!
Storm water solutions
Considering implementing sustainable storm water solutions? Read about solutions, tips and recommendations for practical work!
EXAMPLES OF WATER PROTECTION ACTIONS
Find inspiration and ideas in water protection actions implemented by the Baltic Sea Challenge network.
Browse the Bank of Actions!
Agriculture
Awareness raising
Hazardous materials
Littering etc.
Oil spill prevention
Research and monitoring
Shipping and boating
Stormwater management
Strategies and programs
Wastewater management
Other
Drainage basin
Sustainable storm water management through biofiltration
Actor: City of Helsinki ● Year: 2015 ● Address: Metsäläntie 2, Helsinki, Finland
A sustainable storm water management solution based on biofiltration was realised in Maunulanpuisto Park in Helsinki, in order to purify rainwater and meltwater and improve water quality in the Haaganpuro Brook.
Description
Rainwater and meltwater collected in drains from a lively trafficked drainage area are channelled to a sedimentation basin, in which a large part of the solids sinks to the bottom. The water then continues its journey to the biofiltration area where it is allowed to pool, giving vegetation time to bind nutrients and heavy metals. After this, the water slowly permeates the filtrating sandy layers under the vegetation, during which harmful substances are absorbed by microbiological activity. Finally, the purified water is fed into the ditch via a drainpipe and onwards into the Haaganpuro brook.
Benefits
As the drainage area is heavily trafficked and paved with asphalt, high solid, nutrient and oil levels have occasionally been measured in the rainwater and meltwater entering the Haaganpuro brook. Such contamination is harmful to the fish stocks (e.g. trout) and other organisms in the brook. The biofiltration solution is the first of its kind in Helsinki. In connection to the solution, an info board describing the objectives and functionality of the solution as well as the general challenges that cities face regarding storm waters and their management (increasing rainfall and condensed urban structures) was erected in order to inform local residents on the issue.
Background information
The sustainable storm water solution was implemented within the EU LIFE+ financed CITYWATER- Benchmarking water protection in cities project. The objective of the project (2012-2015) was to facilitate and implement ambitious water protection measures. The solution also supports the City of Helsinki storm water strategy, which aims at changing management towards sustainable solutions and states that storm water should in first hand be infiltrated on spot, where it is created.
Further information
Name: Kajsa Rosqvist ● Email: kajsa.rosqvist (a) hel.fi ● Web page: www.hel.fi
