Finnish town of Mikkeli witnesses rise in well drilling amid water shortages

In the small Finnish town of Mikkeli, the noises of heavy drilling indicate a growing trend: many households are turning to well drilling due to drying traditional wells. Martti Tuukkanen has endured years of water shortages from his old ring well, which has served him for 30 years but has become increasingly unreliable.

As Tuukkanen observed the drilling work for his new well, he acknowledged the challenges posed by the increasingly erratic water supply. “We have used it carefully, but it still isn’t enough,” he said. The Finnish Environmental Centre reports an uptick in notifications about dried-up wells, attributing the phenomenon to climate change. Chief Development Officer Anna-Kaisa Ronkanen noted that increasing dry periods and shorter winters are impacting groundwater levels.

Drilling companies are now witnessing a rising demand, especially among rural residents and vacation property owners ditching their ring wells in favor of drilled wells that can reach depths of up to 100 meters. According to contractor Aki Purhonen, nearly half of his projects are due to insufficient water in existing ring wells.

Factors contributing to dwindling water supplies include heightened water usage, especially from families with children and grandchildren, and increased vegetation around wells, leading to deeper water absorption by trees. Community construction, such as asphalt and drainage systems, also alters water flow to wells.

Moreover, the war in Ukraine has further intensified interest in self-sufficiency, prompting many to ensure access to clean drinking water. With lake waters contaminated by blue-green algae, people prefer to install wells to guarantee safe water, underscoring a significant shift in water sourcing methods in Finland.