Farmers seek more than four million euros after wastewater leak

Farmers in Kalanti, Uusikaupunki, are seeking more than four million euros in compensation after a wastewater pipe leaked for a month this spring, Yle reports.

About 4,000 cubic metres of wastewater flowed into a ditch and reached the Niinioja stream, from which local farmers draw irrigation water.

Vakka-Suomen Vesi, which provides wastewater treatment and purification services, has received two compensation claims. One farm is seeking about 109,000 euros, while another is claiming 4.19 million euros.

The claims are based not only on the destruction of the current crop, but also on the farmers’ assessment that they will not be able to cultivate their fields in the future, according to Kim Westerholm, director of the municipal enterprise.

Westerholm said the claims were exceptional in size.

“The leak was large, but the compensation claims are unusual. Sewer leaks are usually blockages that send water into basements, and the sums involved are at most tens of thousands of euros,” he said.

Vakka-Suomen Vesi, which is owned by Uusikaupunki, is investigating the claims with lawyers.

Pipeline capacity more than doubled

The pipeline carries wastewater from Laitila, Kalanti and Pyhämaa to Uusikaupunki. It was originally designed to serve Kalanti, Pyhämaa and Pyhäranta, covering the needs of a few thousand residents.

Wastewater from Laitila was later added to the pipeline, more than doubling the volume of water it carried. When the transfer line contained a large amount of water, it overflowed through a damaged manhole.

“It was in a location that could not be seen from anywhere, so it remained hidden,” Westerholm said.

The leak in the Vironkallionmäki area was repaired immediately after it was discovered.

Water quality has been tested regularly since then. The first samples from Niinioja contained so much coliform bacteria that the water did not meet irrigation-water quality requirements. The situation had improved by June.

The latest samples, taken a few weeks ago, showed that the water was clean. However, the investigations also found indications of discharges from poultry farming and a nearby factory.

“It is clear that wastewater from us entered the ditch. What is now being investigated is whether we are solely responsible or whether someone else is also responsible,” Westerholm said.

Vakka-Suomen Vesi has applied for permission to relocate the wastewater pipeline. The plan is to build a larger pipe along a route where it would remain visible throughout.