Monitoring of household water
Provisions on the monitoring of household water are contained in Ministry of Social Affairs and Health decrees (1352/2015) and (401/2001). The decree to be applied depends on the size of the water utility. Water used by a food sector company or distributed as part of public or commercial activities is also within the scope of these decrees. Utilities that supply at minimum 10 m3 of water, or for the needs of at minimum 50 persons, must prepare a plant-specific testing programme for regular control.
Regular supervision of utilities that supply household water takes place following the Environmental Health Services’ supervision plan. On inspections of utilities, attention is focused on the control programme and its implementation, assessment of water sample test results, the personnel’s hygiene competence related to household water, status of pumping stations and their surroundings, preparedness for special situations, monitoring of use at the utility, cleanliness and condition of utilities, and the use and storage of chemicals.
In cases where household water becomes contaminated, the Environmental Health Services take command of the situation and issue instructions and orders for preventing or avoiding health harms.
For more information on water quality in your area, visit
In ordinary questions related to the quality of tap water – colour, smell, taste and similar – consumers should primarily contact the utility supplying the water (Kuopion Vesi and other water utilities). The utility also takes command of the situation involving a disruption in water treatment or distribution.
Isto Mononen
Environmental Health Inspector
Environmental Health Services
Matti Ruokolainen
Environmental Health Inspector
Environmental Health Services
Jyrki Hänninen
Environmental Health Inspector
Environmental Health Services