For earth and for us
The Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) produces impartial and objective research data and services in support of decision-making in industry, academia, and wider society to accelerate the transition to a sustainable, carbon-neutral world. GTK employs more than 400 experts specializing in the mineral economy, circular economy, solutions related to energy, water and the environment, as well as digital solutions. GTK is a research institution governed by the Finnish Ministry of Employment and the Economy, operating in Finland and globally.
Water management is one of GTK’s strategic focus areas
Sustainable use of water resources is one of the largest issues affecting the wellbeing of people and the global ecological carrying capacity. The main themes of our water management research are water management in mining and groundwater management. In addition, our water management research provides expertise to environmental impact assessment, final disposal of nuclear waste, and geothermal energy solutions.
We base our solutions and expertise on scientific research, including thorough understanding of the processes of the hydrogeological cycle, information gathered in the field and extensive datasets. Our competence can be used in manifold water management issues such as determining the impact of climate change on groundwater conditions. We engage in international collaboration related to sustainable water management, support local competence development, and produce hydrogeological data
Examples of our activities
As the world’s population grows, land use and housing become denser, and climate change progresses, the role of groundwater protection becomes even more critical. In 2020, GTK launched the Hydrogeology and the Global Change (HYGLO) project, in which we produce new research data for groundwater questions related to changing climate, and respond to the challenges presented by the global change both in Finland and throughout the world.
In the EU-funded regional collaboration RAINMAN project (Towards higher adaptive capacity in urban water management), we developed and implemented solutions for safeguarding the good status of surface waters and groundwaters in the changing climate. The project focused on urban runoff, the management of urban flooding, and the protection of water resources.
GTK has also exported and shared its water competence in development cooperation. Currently, GTK has ongoing groundwater projects, funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs through the Institutional Cooperation Instrument (ICI), in Nepal, Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) is an environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution for sustainable water management in areas where natural groundwater reserves are not sufficient. Globally, we are studying solutions for MAR in the ICI Viet MAR project in Vietnam.
Methods for safe drinking water supply are being developed in the ICI NeAs project in Nepal. The aim of the project is to increase the competence of Nepal’s water sector operators in relation to the use and sharing of information on groundwater arsenic concentrations and reducing the risk of arsenic in drinking water.
Meet us at the WWCE 2022
· 10 September at 10:00-12:00, Helsinki Side Event
Jaana Jarva, Geological Survey of Finland GTK: Managed aquifer recharge (MAR)
· 13 SEP at 12:30-13:00, Nordic Pavilion, Nordic Lunch Seminars
Jussi Ahonen/Jaana Jarva, Geological Survey of Finland GTK: Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) solutions for sustainable water managemen