City of Kotka raises concerns over funding for Kirkonmaa water management project

In a peculiar dispute regarding water management, the city of Kotka has raised concerns about the funding allocated to the island of Kirkonmaa. The city suspects that the Friends of the Kotka Archipelago association received financial aid for water supply repairs without sufficient justification. If improvements to the water supply systems on Kirkonmaa and Rankki islands are not achieved, the city may seek to reclaim some or all of the financial aid.

The city has approved €100,000 in grants for the islands’ water infrastructure, but the seawater treatment system has failed to produce potable water, and reports indicate that not all grant funds have been appropriately allocated. The Friends of the Kotka Archipelago is responsible for acquiring the equipment.

For Kirkonmaa, the city provided €50,000, with the association contributing about €38,000 and still owing approximately €9,150, while for Rankki, the city also allotted €50,000, but the association spent around €55,000, leaving about €6,000 unpaid. This raises the total amount owed to about €61,000 for Rankki and €47,150 for Kirkonmaa.

According to the association, the equipment is operational, but drinking water production has not started due to missed winter installations, with completion occurring in summer. They assert it is unrealistic to expect immediate production of safe drinking water. Meanwhile, the area receives potable water from Kymen Water.

The city’s mayor, Esa Sirviö, proposes a three-part resolution: establishing that the association misled the city in its aid application, a deadline of May 1, 2025, for making the system operational, or potentially facing financial penalties, and requesting further details on the water infrastructure costs. The city council will decide on this matter on Monday.