Waste Board Kolmenkierto surveys the transport of sludge generated in housing
The Tuusula waste management authority, the Kolmenkierto waste committee, will investigate the transport of sludge from septic tanks and closed tanks in residential properties in all 13 municipalities within its area of operation during spring 2025.
“The report examines, for example, the availability of transport services, reporting by sludge transporters and environmental impacts,” says Martta Kantele, Waste Management Manager.
Once the report is complete, the waste committee will decide whether sludge transport will continue to be organised by property owners or whether the municipality will take over transport in the area.
− If the criteria set by law for the transport of sludge are not met, the Waste Act stipulates that the transport must be organised by the municipality, Kantele explains.
What types of residential properties does the survey cover?
The report focuses on residential buildings located outside the sewerage network, where domestic wastewater is often discharged into a septic tank or closed tank. These tanks are also known as sludge or cesspools. According to waste management regulations, residents must have their tanks emptied at least once a year.
The availability of the emptying service will be surveyed through a resident survey, which will also ask for information about the price and quality of the service. The electronic resident survey will be launched in February.
What would the change mean?
Currently, residents arrange for the emptying of their slurry tanks with a transport company of their choice. A tanker truck transports the slurry to a wastewater treatment plant.
Switching to transport organised by the municipality would mean that residents would have to arrange sludge transport with Kiertokapula Oy.
Kiertokapula Oy competes for transport contracts organised by the municipality in accordance with public procurement legislation. Both small and large transport companies operating in the area can participate in the transport tender process.
“Contracts that are put out to tender at the same time must be divided into parts so that more than one company can be selected as the service provider,” says Martta Kantele.
Decision-making schedule
Once the report on the status of sludge transport has been completed, statements will be requested from municipalities and other parties. The Waste Management Committee intends to make a decision on the transport system this autumn.
The transition period for a possible change is several years.
The Kolmenkierto Waste Management Board(switch to another service) is the waste management authority for the following municipalities: Hattula, Hausjärvi, Hyvinkää, Hämeenlinna, Janakkala, Järvenpää, Kerava, Loppi, Mäntsälä, Nurmijärvi, Riihimäki, Tuusula and Valkeakoski.
This content has been translated using AI