Dozens of areas at risk of flooding found in Helsinki

Environment Centre listed risk areas in case the sea level rises 2 metres

print this

The City of Helsinki’s Environment Centre has conducted a survey on potential high-risk areas where seawater flooding could cause a danger of contamination. The list contains several dozens of such places.
     
A total of 12 locations with contaminated land, compost fields, and other places causing nutrient loading were found in the areas at risk of flooding, while the number of old landfill pits was four.
      In addition, the capital has 27 at-risk locations with a harbour, a dockyard, and winter storages for boats, as well as two garbage disposal units and 20 fuel and chemical depots that could face flooding.
      Moreover, the number of overflow places where water is passing directly into the sea from wastewater treatment plants is 14.
     
The substances causing environmental risks mainly consist of oil, heavy metals, organic hazardous substances, solvents, garbage, nutrients, and bacteria.
      During a flood, some operations may release emissions into the environment.
     
Helsinki’s Environment Centre has established the location of those operations which could cause environmental hazards in case a flood occurs. The survey is based on the situation in 2009.
      Furthermore, the aim is to gather quality information on emissions to be used by the authorities, in order that it will be possible to reduce harmful effects on the environment and health as well as to start emergency response measures more promptly.
     
In January 2005, the sea level rose +1.51 metres, which is the highest level on record.
      According to climate change forecasts, the sea level could reach a new record in the course of the next 100 years.
      In the survey, the starting point was that the sea level would rise +2.0 metres.
      A flood rising up to this level is less likely to happen than once in a hundred years.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Metro station flood highlights poor state of Helsinki municipal plumbing (10.11.2009)
  Serious water damage could close Helsinki´s busiest Metro station for months (9.11.2009)
  Helsinki makes provision for future floods caused by storms (12.1.2007)

Links:
  Winter storm raises sea levels on Finnish coast to record highs (10.1.2005)
  The City of Helsinki´s Environment Centre

Helsingin Sanomat