Introducing the SIWat Partnership: Five Organisations Driving Circular Water Use Across Finland and Estonia

The SIWat project brings together five Finnish and Estonian partners with a shared goal: to make industrial water reuse a practical, scalable and cost-effective solution in the Central Baltic region. Over the past weeks, we have introduced each partner individually over at our LinkedIn profile (https://linkedin.com/company/siwat-sustainable-industrial-water). This article brings those highlights together and shows how their combined expertise forms the foundation for SIWat’s cross-border work.

MikseiMikkeli: Leading the Work and Piloting New Solutions in Finland

As the project’s lead partner, Mikkeli Development Miksei coordinates SIWat and connects research, companies and public actors across borders. Together with the Blue Economy Mikkeli (BEM) Centre of Excellence, MikseiMikkeli leads the Finnish pilot that demonstrates how reclaimed municipal wastewater can replace drinking water in industrial processes. Their role also includes project wide communication, regulatory reviews, stakeholder engagement and the organisation of joint trainings and events.

Xamk: Ensuring Water Quality and Safety for Industrial Reuse

South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (Xamk) brings more than 25 years of applied research experience in environmental safety and water technology. In SIWat, Xamk monitors reclaimed water quality, evaluates suitable treatment technologies and maps potential industrial applications. Their work ensures that reclaimed water produced at the pilot sites meets the technical needs and safety requirements of different industrial sectors.

LUT University: Advancing Next-Generation Water Treatment Technologies

At the Mikkeli pilot, LUT University develops and tests a 3D printed advanced oxidation reactor that further refines MBR treated wastewater into high quality reclaimed water. Their expertise in separation processes, catalytic materials and advanced oxidation supports SIWat’s aim to make wastewater reuse technically feasible for industries that require high water purity. LUT’s work connects laboratory innovation directly to real operating conditions at the Mikkeli WWTP.

TalTech: Bringing Regulatory Understanding and Analytical Expertise

Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) provides essential insight into regulations, quality requirements and the wider policy context for water reuse. TalTech maps the current situation of industrial water consumption, analyses global, EU and Estonian guidelines, defines quality parameters and conducts chemical analyses of reclaimed water. They also coordinate training activities in Estonia and play a central role in the project’s visibility and communication efforts.

Loo Vesi: Turning Water Reuse into Practice in Jõelähtme

Loo Vesi, the local water utility in Jõelähtme municipality, connects SIWat’s research with everyday operations. The company is developing an advanced pilot that treats domestic and industrial wastewater into reclaimed water for local use, especially for laundry services and other water intensive activities. Loo Vesi aims to raise the share of reclaimed water to 40–50 percent in the coming years. This ambition goes beyond the municipality’s official target and shows how circular water systems can operate in practice.

A Cross-Border Partnership With Practical Purpose

Together, the SIWat partners will:

• map regulatory and industrial needs for water reuse in Finland and Estonia
• test practical water reclamation solutions at two wastewater treatment plants
• analyse technical and economic feasibility
• train water utilities, operators and companies
• share results widely across the Central Baltic region

This cooperation supports EU and Central Baltic priorities related to the circular economy, resource efficiency and sustainable water use. Each partner contributes a specific role that ranges from piloting and analytics to regulation, technology development and stakeholder engagement. Combined, these strengths create a strong cross-border effort and impact.