Published on: 20.12.2019
Information produced by Finnish Environment Institute
Caring for your local waters

You can influence the condition of your local waters both by your consumer choices and your actions close by the water. Read this page for essential tips.
Avoid unnecessary consumption, and choose Finnish fish and vegetables. Avoid clothes made from artificial fibres and unnecessary chemicals when cleaning and washing your clothes. Do not put food scraps or other inappropriate items down the sewer.
If your house or holiday home is located near water, you should be particularly careful. Make sure that toilet waste and sewage are handled correctly and have your wastewater system serviced regularly. Keep your home shore clean. Do not do you washing by a lake or a river, as detergents used for this purpose should not end up in aquatic environments. Take care to store oils and chemicals appropriately.
When out and about on waters, be careful not to disturb the nests and chicks of birds. Do not leave rubbish out or disturb the peace of nature. Keep the engine of your boat in good working order to make sure it does not leak oil or fuel. Do not use anti-fouling paints. If your boat has a holding tank, use the vacuum pump system in a port to empty it.
If you catch fish or crayfish, comply with the closed periods and minimum sizes for each species. Always disinfect your traps when moving them from one lake to another. Do not use fish caught in a different water area as bait, or move any fish or other species from one water body to another.
Participate in discussions and exert influence! Get involved in water protection activities in your area. By getting it right and showing consideration for aquatic environments you can really help your local waters to thrive.
Image: © Anne Saarinen, Vastavalo