Finland. Turun Seudun Puhdistamo Oy

Date of agreement:29 Jun 2018
Country:Finland
Customer:Turun Seudun Puhdistamo Oy
Amount in EUR:EUR 15 million
Maturity:30 years
NACE sector / loan type:Collection, purification and distribution of water

This loan has a positive effect on maritime environments: 100%

Financing from NIB Environmental Bond proceeds

NEB-eligible share: 100%

NEB category: Blue Bond project

Amount disbursed: EUR 15 million

This project has been financed with the proceeds of NEBs issued under the previous framework

Note: For loans in other currencies than EUR, the equivalent in EUR is based on the exchange rate effective for the disbursement. Read more about the NIB Environmental Bonds

Project

The loan has been provided to Turun seudun puhdistamo Oy (TSP) for the construction of a new wastewater removal channel at the Kakolanmäki wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Turku, Finland.

A new effluent removal channel will be constructed underground from the WWTP to the harbour, as the capacity of the existing combined sewer is insufficient and leads to system overflows during heavy rainfall.

The project will separate the wastewater and storm water discharge systems, and thus increase their efficiency. It will enable the plant to use its full capacity during downpours and limit the amount of unrefined wastewater discharged into the Baltic Sea.

The EUR 30 million investment programme, to be implemented during 2018–2021, is aimed at adapting the wastewater and storm water systems to the impacts of climate change.

The Kakolanmäki WWTP processes wastewater from approximately 300,000 residents as well as industries in the Turku region. Its operator, TSP, is a wastewater treatment service provider that is owned by 14 municipalities, with the city of Turku having the largest shareholding (62.3%).

Fulfilment of NIB's mandate

Productivity:
The investment is a significant addition to the company’s tangible assets and will secure the supply of water treatment services in the region in periods of heavy rainfall, which are expected to increase over the coming decades. Further, it will improve zoning flexibility in urban areas, as insufficient capacity in the underground drainage system would require more surface area to be allocated for storm water management.

Environment:
The sufficient effluent removal channel will enable the WWTP to utilize its full water treatment capacity during extreme weather conditions. It will reduce overflows of untreated wastewater as well as the nutrient and microbiological load on the environment.

Moreover, the investment will prevent the systems from flooding in the future, as heavy rainfall is expected to become more frequent and maximum sea levels are estimated to rise.

The microbiological load will be further reduced by installing effluent disinfection units with ultraviolet light technology.

The negative impacts of the construction will be minimized by micro-tunnelling 800 m of the new sewer.

Sustainability summary

No significant negative environmental or social impacts have been identified in relation to the project. The investment is in accordance with the existing environmental permit of the wastewater treatment plant and has been considered in the local master plans.

Press release
29.06.2018

NIB finances wastewater treatment modernisation in Turku, Finland

Press release

NIB rahoittaa jätevedenpuhdistamon modernisointia Turussa