Stormwater management
The City of Vaasa arranges stormwater management within the local detailed plan areas of Vaasa. Stormwater refers to rainwater or meltwater that accumulates on the ground surface, on building roofs, or on other surfaces, as well as foundation drainage waters. Stormwater management also includes the prevention of flood damage and flood control.
Stormwater management as a whole consists of the municipality’s stormwater system, which includes the structures and facilities for stormwater management that are under the municipality’s responsibility.
The municipality is responsible for the prevention of flood damage and flood control on properties it owns, as well as on road, street, water, and green areas. The municipality is also responsible for ensuring the continuity of its own service provision, maintaining infrastructure, and supporting rescue operations when a flood situation threatens and during such events.
Property owners or tenants, as well as residents, must protect themselves and their property using the means available to them. They must, for their part, prevent the occurrence of flood damage and prepare for the damage prevention and protective measures required in flood situations.
Stormwater management within the local detailed plan area is overseen by Public Utility Services of the City of Vaasa.
Connecting to the Stormwater Drainage System
Property owners are responsible for managing stormwater and must connect to the municipal stormwater drainage system when it is available in the area. Connecting ensures that stormwater is properly directed, reducing potential harm to both the property and the surrounding environment.
More information about connecting your property to the stormwater drainage system can be found here (in Finnish): Liittyminen hulevesijärjestelmään
The stormwater fee
The stormwater fee is an annual public-law charge used to cover the costs of conveying and treating rainwater and meltwater, as well as maintaining the stormwater system within the city area. The fee is based on Section 103 n of the Finnish Land Use Act and on the stormwater tariff (pdf, in Finnish) approved by the City of Vaasa (KYLA, 12 November 2025, Section 141). The revised tariff entered into force on 1 January 2026.
The stormwater fee is charged to the owner or holder of a built property located within the stormwater system service area, which covers the local detailed plan areas of Vaasa. Properties are considered built not only when buildings exist, but also when yards, parking areas or storage areas are paved.
The fee is determined based on:
- Property use (e.g. detached houses, semi-detached houses, other properties)
- Property area, measured as the geometric area within the property boundaries.
The amount of the fee is independent of property-specific stormwater solutions and applies regardless of whether the property is directly connected to the municipal stormwater system, as the system also provides area-wide flood protection benefits.
Examples of Annual Fees (from 1 January 2026)
- Detached houses: €42
- Semi-detached houses: €84
- Other properties: €126–€2,200, depending on property size
The fee is billed annually based on ownership or possession information valid on the first working day of the year (in 2026: 2 January). The stormwater fee is VAT-exempt and directly enforceable without a court ruling under Section 103 o of the Land Use Act.
Under 103 o § of the Land Use and Building Act, the recipient of an invoice has the right to lodge a complaint within 14 days of receiving an invoice through the following channels:
Property owners or holders may submit a billing objection or inquiry regarding the fee. A formal objection must be submitted within 14 days of receiving the invoice:
- Electronically via the stormwater fee contact form (in Finnish).
- By submitting a written objection to the following address:
- City of Vaasa, Public Utility Services
Environmental Engineer, Stormwater Management
P.O. Box 2, 65101 Vaasa
- City of Vaasa, Public Utility Services
Annex letter to the 2026 stormwater fee (pdf, in Finnish and Swedish).
Questions and answers
What does stormwater mean?
Rain and melt water that is diverted from the ground, building roofs or other similar surfaces (Stormwater handbook, Local and Regional Government Finland (Kuntaliitto).
What does the stormwater fee cover?
The stormwater levy is intended to cover the costs of maintaining and developing the city’s stormwater system. The stormwater system consists of pumping stations, street drainage pipes and ditches, stormwater ponds, park drainage solutions and regional stormwater solutions that together serve the city residents. The development and better maintenance of the city’s stormwater system also seeks to anticipate and minimize the effects of flooding.
We collect all the rainwater ourselves, why should we still pay the stormwater fee?
The stormwater system is citywide and also covers snow melt waters. In exceptional circumstances, such as storms, property-specific stormwater management is inadequate. The purpose of the stormwater system is to manage potential urban flooding risks throughout the city plan area, so that traffic connections, for example, can still operate during exceptional circumstances.
A neighbour’s stormwater flows into my yard, what can be done about it?
Priority must be given to agreeing with the neighbour on stormwater treatment that is mutually satisfactory. If this does not work, you can contact the Building Control Authorities (Rakennusvalvonta). Pursuant to Article 103f (1) of the Land Use and Building Act, stormwater must not run off site.
What can be done when a neighbour is washing rugs and cars in their yard and the washing water runs into our yard?
Water from washing rugs (mats/carpets etc.) and cars should be drained off. The city also has special places for washing rugs. First and foremost, try to come to an arrangement with your neighbour. If this does not work, you can contact the Building Control Authorities (Rakennusvalvonta).
Can I drain stormwater into a sewage drain?
Discharging stormwater into sewage drains is prohibited under Section 17d of the Water Services Act.
Data protection at the City of Vaasa
The City of Vaasa complies with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as well as national data protection legislation. Personal data is processed in a secure manner that ensures the protection of customers’ privacy.
Read more about data protection on the page Data Protection at the City of Vaasa.