The water quality classification system in Finland consists of three different sub-systems: a quality-based classification of watercourses for recreational purposes, a raw water (for domestic use) classification and a quality classification of watercourses for fishing. As a combination of these three sub-systems a general water quality classification has been widely used since 1988. However, there is a need to improve this system to be more sensitive in classification e.g. in the occurrence of harmful substances, especially organic chlorocompounds originating from pulp bleaching, and the early stages of eutrophication in very oligotrophic lakes. Also the quality classification of small rivers, very typical for Finland, needs more data about the biocoenosis, the living part of the river. Some ideas to improve the classification system in these respects are presented.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
Research Article|
November 01 1994
The development of a new water quality classification system for Finland Available to Purchase
P. Heinonen;
P. Heinonen
*Water and Environment Research Institute, P.O. Box 250, 00101 Helsinki, Finland
Search for other works by this author on:
S. Herve
S. Herve
**Water and Environment District of Central Finland, P.O. Box 110, 40101 Jyväskylä, Finland
Search for other works by this author on:
Water Sci Technol (1994) 30 (10): 21–24.
Citation
P. Heinonen, S. Herve; The development of a new water quality classification system for Finland. Water Sci Technol 1 November 1994; 30 (10): 21–24. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.1994.0507
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Client Account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Could not validate captcha. Please try again.
eBook
Pay-Per-View Access
$38.00