Mikkeli Water Week highlights the importance of water

The Water Week program consists of numerous events, including a water-themed orienteering game using a mobile app, the Finnish Lakeland Forum seminar, and the international Emerging Trends in Water Treatment conference with its accompanying events. Additionally, on Saturday, September 21, the Mikkeli Main Library will host a family event, where the significance of water will be presented in a fun and educational manner. The event will feature expert talks, crafting activities, a quiz, an art workshop, and storytelling. In the afternoon, attendees will have the chance to watch the nature film Järven tarina, which was filmed at Lake Saimaa and Lake Puula. The director, Marko Röhr, will also be present to discuss the film.

A water-themed orienteering game, designed for families, offers an opportunity to learn about the importance of water independently through a mobile game. The orienteering can be completed at your own pace throughout the week, making it a great activity for the whole family. To play, you’ll need a smartphone with internet access and location services enabled. The game will be available starting September 16 on the Seppo game platform at play.seppo.io, and more detailed instructions can be found at mikkeliwaterweek.fi. Prizes will be drawn among the participants.

During Mikkeli Water Week, residents will also have the chance to visit Mikkeli’s wastewater treatment plant. Tours will take place on Friday, September 20, 2024, and are limited to the first 100 registrants. Registration for the tours will open on Monday, September 16, at 9:00 AM, and you can sign up at mikkeliwaterweek.fi/fin. The tours are conducted only in Finnish.

Why is Water Week held in Mikkeli?

Mikkeli is a pioneer in water expertise. In this “capital of clean water,” expertise surrounding water has been built ambitiously and consistently over the years. This involves education, research, and development, which yield new solutions for water management and business opportunities, ultimately contributing to vitality and well-being. The city also boasts a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant that improves the water quality of Lake Saimaa with its discharge. Adjacent to the treatment plant is a unique test environment for new water technology.

In the fall of 2023, a master’s program in water technology began in Mikkeli, bringing together students from around the world. The program is offered through the Mikkeli campus of LUT University. Water technology experts play a key role in solving the crucial societal issue of ensuring clean water. In addition to water purification, they understand how wastewater can be used to create added value during the treatment process. Wastewater is treated as a resource and raw material. Close cooperation with the wastewater treatment plant allows students to explore opportunities for utilizing modern technologies.

Mikkeli is also home to top-quality water research conducted by LUT University and South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (Xamk). LUT’s research focuses on separation technology, developing water treatment methods, and creating resource-efficient technological solutions and business models. The unit’s modern separation technology equipment can be used for laboratory- and pilot-scale research. Its expertise includes biological water treatment, a large algae laboratory, and comprehensive analytical capabilities.

Additionally, Xamk offers education related to water expertise. For instance, the environmental technology (BSc) program emphasizes water expertise, covering areas such as water chemistry, water sampling, natural waters, water supply, water treatment, and the provision of clean water. All Xamk programs make use of the Environmental Laboratory and collaborate with research and development activities.

For more information about the event week, visit: mikkeliwaterweek.fi

Photo: Teemu Leinonen.