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Stormwater

Stormwater consists of rainwater and snowmelt that flows along the ground surface and off the roofs and other surfaces of buildings.

Water in the channel

The property owner is responsible for managing stormwater on their own property. The municipality, in tu , is responsible for organising stormwater management as a whole in areas covered by a town plan, as well as for managing stormwater in public areas such as parks and streets. Tuusulan Vesi is responsible for the piped sewer network. In areas where there is no stormwater sewer network, stormwater from plots is directed into ditches.

Stormwater is managed using stormwater drains. However, drains alone cannot manage the floodwaters caused by heavy rainfall. Ditches, depressions and controlled flood areas are also needed. For example, roads and streets serve as flood routes, and the local authority is responsible for their design and maintenance. Property owners also have a responsibility to prevent flood damage. Everyone has a duty to prevent or limit damage in the event of a flood threat.

Stormwater management for properties

Stormwater management must be taken into account already at the planning stage of a construction project. Stormwater must also be managed during construction, as stormwater during construction will pollute waterways if it is directed straight into the stormwater system.

Those planning a construction project must present the principles of stormwater management in the site plan for the building permit or in a separate stormwater plan. Further information on building permit guidelines can be found on the Building Control website.

Disputes conce ing stormwater issues

The Building Control Division acts as the stormwater authority in Tuusula, resolving any disputes (boundaries between properties, etc.).

In case of disputes, please contact us by letter or email:
Tuusula Municipality/Building Control
PO Box 60
04301 Tuusula
Email address: rakennusvalvonta@tuusula.fi

Please note! For matters conce ing stormwater in public areas (streets, parks), please contact municipal engineering planning.

Checklist for property stormwater issues

  • Ensure that rainwater is not directed into the sewer system.
  • Ensure that the ditch used for drainage remains open.
  • Ensure that surface runoff does not flow onto your neighbour's property.
  • Keep the street clean so that rubbish on the street does not block the drains.
  • The surface levelling should slope away from the building wall.
  • If the soil and elevation conditions of the plot allow, roof water and water from green areas must ALWAYS be absorbed on the property.
  • The management of storm water must be presented in the surface levelling plan.
  • In groundwater areas, the surface structures of yards and parking areas used by motor vehicles must be impermeable to water, and surface water must be treated and drained in such a way that it does not pose a risk of soil or groundwater contamination.
  • Oil separators will be installed in the parking areas of apartment buildings as necessary.
  • Recommended methods for stormwater management include above-ground detention and infiltration structures.

Yard renovation and storm water drainage:

  • When renovating the surface, it is advisable to direct clean roof water into the ground where possible or slow down its flow using above-ground systems. Ditches and depressions significantly slow down the flow peak into the sewer.
  • When renovating surfaces, it is advisable to minimise the amount of coated surface.

General guidelines and legislation related to stormwater

General guidelines for design can be found in, for example, the Stormwater Guide (switch to another service)(Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities 2012) and RT cards. Design guidelines can be found, for example, in publication RT103006 STORMWATER STRUCTURES 11/2018, pages 25–28.

The following should be taken into account when planning stormwater management:

  • stormwater management guidelines specified in the environmental permit
  • municipal building regulations (sections 3.3.3 and 7.3)
  • possible planning regulations conce ing stormwater.

The most important laws relating to stormwater are:

  • Land Use Act (752/2023)
  • Water Services Act (119/2001)
  • Water Act (587/2011) 
  • Act on Flood Risk Management (620/2010)
  • Act on Water Resources Management (1299/2004)
  • Environmental Protection Act (527/2014)
  • Nature Conservation Act (9/2023)
  • Act on the Maintenance and Cleaning of Streets and Certain Public Areas (669/1978)
  • Act on Transport Systems and Highways (503/2005)
  • Railway Act (110/2007)
  • Ministry of the Environment Decree on Water and Sewerage Systems in Buildings (also includes obligations related to stormwater).

Connection of existing property to the stormwater drainage system

When a previously constructed property wishes to connect to the stormwater system in a town plan area, the water agreement must be updated with regard to stormwater on the Tuusulan Vesi website. For further information, please contact vesihuoltolaitos@tuusula.fi or call 040 314 3577.

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