In the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in New York in 2015, the UN member states committed to promote 17 shared goals aimed at ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring prosperity for all. Turku Region Water is committed to addressing eight of these goals.
The UN sustainability goals that guide everyday work at Turku Region Water are:
6: to ensure the water production and distribution, a sustainable consumption of water and sanitation for all.
Turku Region Water secures the delivery of water with a safe production system. Water quality is monitored using continuously operating automatic measuring devices and water distribution is secured at any circumstances. Turku Region Water produces artificially infiltrated groundwater for the consumption of 300 000 inhabitants, as well as for local trade and industry.
7: to ensure affordable economical, reliable, sustainable and modern energy
13: to build knowledge and capacity to meet climate change
The artificial infiltration of groundwater imitates Mother Nature and is both ecological and efficient: no water gets wasted in the process. This system requires only a tiny fraction of the chemicals used in traditional drinking water facilities. Artificially infiltrated groundwater is pipelined by gravitation into underground reservoirs in the Turku area. The turbine that slows down the flow of clean drinking water produces the majority of the electricity needed for the pumping process from the reservoirs to consumers. Solar energy will be added soon to the pre-treatment plant in Huittinen.
9: to enhance research and upgrade industrial technologies
Turku Region Water utilizes latest research findings and innovations for cost effective and secure production of clean drinking water. The production of artificially infiltrated groundwater is designed and controlled with the use of the 3D hydrogeological model and the 60-layer groundwater flow model of the aquifer. The water distribution network model was developed in order to further optimise and improve the water supply and make it even more energy efficient. The whole system is planned for the long term – at least a century.
11: to ensure sustainable cities and communities
Turku region provides equally reliable and sustainable water supply services for all residents and businesses in the region. The production of clean water can respond to a higher demand. A functioning and high quality water production is the essence of life and thus also all economic activity. The sand and gravel esker area, where clean water infiltrates, is open to everyone for recreational purposes.
12: to ensure responsible consumption and production
The artificial infiltration of groundwater imitates Mother Nature and is both ecological and efficient: no water gets wasted in the process. This system requires only a tiny fraction of the chemicals used in traditional drinking water facilities. The clean water production, and the distribution processes are built to last at least 100 years.
14: to preserve life below water and progress the sustainable use of it’s reserves
The drinking water production process in Turku region significantly enhances the natural yield of groundwater without any negative impact on water quality or the natural flow of groundwater and surface water.
17: to support sustainable development and global partnership
Turku Region Water is active in research collaboration, open communication as well as organizing visits, seminars and education to spread knowledge on a national and global level.