Finnish Water Utilities Association (FIWA)
Finnish Water Utilities Association (FIWA) is a cooperative and membership organization representing Finnish water and wastewater utilities. Established in 1956, FIWA brings together around 300 water utilities, covering approximately 90% of water services in Finland. In addition, FIWA has around 200 collaborating members, including companies, research institutes, and other partners.
FIWA's mission and main functions
FIWA's main purpose is to facilitate an enabling operational environment for its member utilities and support their functions. FIWA works to safeguard and promote the interests of its member utilities and to enhance their professional skills.
Trusteeship and lobbying
The government sets policy guidelines for water utility operations through legislation, regulations, financing and research activities. FIWA through its role as utilities' representative aims at influencing the government, in order to facilitate enabling policy, economic and operational environment for water utilities. FIWA also acts as the office for Water Services Pool, set by the National Emergency Supply Agency. In developing and applying the EU regulations nationally, FIWA works actively in EurEau which is the European Federation of National Associations of Water Services.
Development
FIWA produces for its member utilities' demand various guidelines and recommendations and various technical and administrative publications. FIWA maintains a utility benchmarking database, through which its member utilities can adopt and utilise relevant performance indicators in order to enhance their operations. Water Utilities Development Fund supports research and development projects which are relevant to develop utilities.
Training and education
FIWA enhances its member utilities' and their staff's professional skills through providing versatile training, water services specific courses and water services days. FIWA is the biggest provider of short-term training courses in the water services sector. FIWA organises national water services days annually in May-June and also regional water services days. Every second year FIWA organises the Infrastucture Technology (YT) -fair in co-operation with four other associations.
Member services
Member services offered to FIWA's member utilities include advisory and guidance services through telephone and email and through written statements. FIWA publishes its member newsletter once a month, member bulletins, and Vesitalous -magazine. In addition member utilities receive a free copy of almost all FIWA publications.
International activities and co-operation
FIWA works actively in the co-operation association of the EU and ETA countries, EurEau. The mission of EurEau is to influence development of common European regulations, including the EU directives. In its decision-making EurEau aims at a consensus and each member country has one vote. EurEau Annual Report 2025.
FIWA has its representative in the EurEau General Assembly and two representatives in each of the three EurEau Committees. The specific areas of the Committees are: EU1 Drinking water, EU2 Waste water, and EU3 Legislation and economics.
The Nordic national associations for water and wastewater utilities maintain close co-operation and contact both between the Managing Directors and among the various expert groups. Nordic associations also co-operate closely within EurEau. FIWA also has close co-operation with the national association in Estonia (EVEL).
FIWA represents jointly with Water Association Finland in IWA (International Water Association). Water Association, Finland operates as the national committee of IWA.
Contact information
Finnish Water Utilities Association (FIWA)
Visiting address:
Aleksanterinkatu 44 A,
00100 Helsinki
Finland
email vvy(at)vvy.fi
Personnel
Riku Vahala
Managing Director
general management, trusteeship, development, international issues
riku.vahala(a)vvy.fi
Mika Rontu
Deputy Director
deputy of MD, expert services in network and plants issues, director of the YT fair
mika.rontu(a)vvy.fi
Heli Ala-Pohja
Coordinator
office secretary, membership registry
heli.ala-pohja(a)vvy.fi
Katri Henttonen
Training Manager
planning and arrangement of training event
katri.henttonen(a)vvy.fi
Eeva Hörkkö
Information Officer
eeva.horkko(a)vvy.fi
Joonas Jännäri
Lawyer, Chief of Legal Issues
expert services in issues related to economy, management and administration and legal matters of water utilities
joonas.jannari(a)vvy.fi
Riina Liikanen
Chief of Preparedness
riina.liikanen(a)vvy.fi
Paula Lindell
Senior Adviser
expert services in issues related to storm water, quality of waste water and sludge and research
paula.lindell(a)vvy.fi
Julia Lähteenmäki
Training Coordinator
planning and arrangement of training events, registration for training
julia.lahteenmaki(a)vvy.fi
Maura Paajanen
Training Coordinator
planning and arrangement of training events, registration for training
maura.paajanen(a)vvy.fi
Reetta Stjerna
Drinking Water Expert
expert services in issues related to drinking water
reetta.stjerna(a)vvy.fi
Saijariina Toivikko
Development Manager
saijariina.toivikko(a)vvy.fi
Infratech exhibition
More informtion about Infratech exhibition: https://yhdyskuntatekniikka.fi/en
Explore our publications in our online store. A limited selection is available in English: online store.