Residents fear water, pollution and energy use from aluminium plant

Residents near Kokkola and Kruunupyy fear the environmental impact of Arctial’s planned aluminium plant, Yle reports. The proposed 4.7 billion euro facility would be built in the Kruunuportti industrial area on the border between the two municipalities.

Opinions submitted by residents, associations and businesses during the environmental impact assessment process show particular concern about groundwater, livestock, children, energy consumption and increased traffic.

Yle obtained the opinions and statements requested from local organisations and authorities through a document request to the Permits and Supervisory Agency. Fewer than 40 opinions were submitted, indicating that opposition to the project remains limited.

Groundwater concerns

The project area is not located on a groundwater area, but three such areas are nearby. The chemical status of the Patamäki groundwater area is already so poor that the Finnish Environment Institute has classified it as a risk area.

Some submissions state that the neighbouring groundwater area lies only 30 centimetres below the surface in places. The Ostrobothnia district of the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation also notes that more than 100 hectares of the area would be covered with asphalt, significantly reducing groundwater formation.

There are groundwater ponds, known locally as sand pits, beside the planned factory area. They are popular swimming spots among local residents.

Flooding and stormwater

During the plant’s operation, stormwater from the factory area is planned to be carried through a pipe into the sea off Kokkola. During construction, before the pipes are in place, stormwater would be discharged into open ditches when necessary.

One proposed route, the Kvikantbäcken stream, runs through Kokkola resident Risto Koljonen’s property less than 10 metres from his house.

“The stream’s capacity is already insufficient in the current situation, and flooding occurs regularly,” Koljonen said. “If the water rises too high, ditch water flows into the foundations of the house.”

The environmental impact assessment estimates that the volume of water in Kvikantbäcken could triple at worst because of stormwater from Arctial’s plant, increasing the risk of flooding.

Koljonen said he had so far been satisfied with how the project has been handled and that local residents had been listened to. He is a Kokkola city councillor and has worked as an environmental authority for more than 20 years. He is currently a chief inspector in the chemical industry supervision team at the Permits and Supervisory Agency, but has recused himself from all matters related to Arctial.

There is also uncertainty about where snow cleared from the factory surroundings would be stored. Residents fear that contaminated meltwater could filter directly into the soil.

Concerns about hydrogen fluoride

Some residents are deeply concerned about the long-term effects of hydrogen fluoride emissions from the plant. The highly toxic molecular compound can cause permanent damage to bones and tissue.

Some fear effects on the development of children living nearby, but the greatest concern involves cattle and horse farms in the area.

Several submissions refer to Icelandic studies indicating that fluoride can accumulate in the bones of ruminants and horses within a radius of up to 20 kilometres from a facility.

Farmers Thomas and Johanna Andtbacka from Kruunupyy, who are known opponents of the project, included a statement from dairy company Valio in their submission. It says research shows that increased fluoride concentrations reduce yields.

The issue is therefore also economic. Many farmers fear not only lost income but the loss of their livelihoods.

The environmental impact assessment does not explain how fluoride and other emissions would accumulate in snow during winter or affect fields and grazing land after the snow melts.

Some submissions call for full compensation for damage caused to agriculture. Arctial is also trying to address the problem financially. One local entrepreneur who submitted a negative opinion refused to be interviewed by Yle.