Achieving healthier water quality in urban small rivers of the Baltic Sea catchment by restoration of water bodies and preventing of nutrients and hazardous substances inflow from watersheds.

The project Heawater improved water quality in selected small urban rivers by preventing nutrients and hazardous substances inflow from watersheds to Baltic Sea.

Partners from Estonia, Sweden and Finland developed and tested new technological solutions that were specially designed for small rivers to reduce pollution load. The most suitable solution for each selected small river was tested as part of the pilot investments that were carried out in Tallinn, Söderhamn and Turku. Monitoring data shows reduction in concentration of selected indicators more than 10%.

Another project aim was to raise awareness about the benefits of restoration measures of small urban rivers both for the general public and decision-makers.

The project identified best measures for different stormwater management goals and compiled the information in a tool that support planners, decision makers and private actors looking for the best urban river restoration methods. The decision support tool provides a database with the most common and well-established solutions for urban runoff and river management. The solutions are applicable also in other regions in the Baltic Sea area.

Furthermore, the project conducted a survey in the project three cities to assess the awareness level related to water quality issues and citizens’ willingness to pay for better water quality. Although city streams are often close to people, they can nevertheless receive very little attention. Based on the answers, large proportion of respondents showed interest in managing the urban waters, and a significant proportion of respondents was also willing to participate in improving the situation. The cost benefit analysis published in the summary report demonstrates that overall benefits of improving the state of small waters and sustainable stormwater management would outweigh the costs, at least over a period of several years.

Additional information:
Project video: https://youtu.be/4Algl3gsz94
Project video on Mustjõgi: https://youtu.be/e5mboRLKpXw
Project video on Kuninkoja (In Finnish) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9OVutJ8DPo
Söderhamn video (in English): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TGHP3kMhLM
Project final webinar: https://youtu.be/xNZDXh1znno