Water quality

Did you know that the domestic water we deliver fulfils all of the quality requirements and recommendations issued by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health with ease? The water flowing from your tap is artificial groundwater produced at Virttaankangas.

The quality of tap water in Turku is excellent

The quality of our domestic water remains constant for all of the parameters examined throughout the year, and the water we lead into the network remains nice and cool even in summer. Tap water can be used in drinking, showering and cooking without any filters or household treatment.

 

Monitoring

 

We monitor the water quality regularly in accordance with a monitoring examination programme which has been approved by the health officers and which meets the requirements of the Decree on domestic water. The water samples defined in the programme are sent to the laboratories of Lounais-Suomen vesi- ja ympäristötutkimus Oy, a testing laboratory accredited by the FINAS accrediting service (T101), for analysis. In addition, our staff monitors the water quality internally, and we participate in many kinds of research projects in cooperation with other actors in the field.

 

Added chlorine

 

In order to maintain the high quality of domestic water in all parts of the network, a small amount of chloramine has been added into the water. The chloramine content is affected by the temperature of the water and the time it stays in the network, for example. Those with sharp senses may observe the scent or taste of chloramine in their drinking water. If the scent or taste seem disturbing, you can store your drinking water in a pitcher for a while to allow the chlorine to evaporate.

 

Hardness of the water

 

Our water is very soft, which should be considered in the dosing of detergents, as even a small amount will suffice. Actually, using more detergent does not guarantee a cleaner result, quite the contrary! So be sure to check the correct amount of detergent, considering the hardness of the water, on the package. You will not need to use water softener or softening salt, either.

 

The pH level of the water is approximately 8.6, which means it is slightly alkaline to prevent corrosion of the pipe materials. The pH level naturally rises to this level due to the calcite in the soil in Virttaanharju, and no additional chemicals are required.

 

Water quality charts

 

The charts are available only in Finnish.

 

Frequently asked questions about water quality

How hard is the tap water in Turku, and what is its pH value?
Expressed in the German hardness units used on detergent packages, the tap water in Turku is 2.8 dH (very soft). The hardness can also be expressed in mmol/l, on which scale the hardness is 0.5.

The pH value of tap water in Turku is 8.5–8.9, meaning that the water is alkaline.
Can warm water be used in cooking?
Warm water is not recommended to be used as domestic water, as there are no quality requirements or recommendations for it. Its quality can be clearly inferior to cold water, as metals can dissolve into it from the building’s pipes and heat exchangers. It can also contain excessive amounts of microbes. If the temperature of the water is insufficient, warm water may also contain harmful bacteria. A suitable temperature for warm water is 55–60 °C.
Why does the water sometimes look cloudy?
The cloudiness is usually caused by air bubbles in the water. The phenomenon is harmless, and the water will clear up rather quickly when left to stand. Hot water is almost always slightly cloudy. Air is removed from the bottom up, which means that the water becomes clearer in the bottom of the container first. If the cloudiness sinks down, the disturbance is caused by something else.
Why does the water sometimes look rusty, yellow, or brown?
Such discolouration is usually caused by layers (iron and manganese) peeling off the property’s or a common water pipe network. This is often caused by temporary changes to the water flowing direction due to repair or change works in the network. This kind of water does not usually cause any health hazards, but drinking the water should be avoided until the water looks normal. Discoloured water may stain laundry and plumbing fixtures. If the water does not begin to look normal after reasonable running, please contact the water management company.
Why does the water look green?
A greenish tint to water coming from the tap may be caused by the breakage of the property’s heat exchanger. A green toner has been added to district heating water as an indicator. Repairing or replacing the heat exchanger is the responsibility of the property owner.
Does Turun Vesihuolto examine the quality of well water?
The company only examines the quality of the water it distributes.