

Global water demand is increasing due to population growth, industrial expansion, and climate change, placing growing pressure on freshwater resources. In the EU, industrial water use accounts for a disproportionately high share—up to 96% in some countries—highlighting the urgent need for alternative and sustainable water sources. The SIWat project addresses this challenge by piloting the treatment and reuse of municipal wastewater and industrial process water as reclaimed water for industrial applications in Finland and Estonia, aiming to reduce reliance on drinking water and promote sustainable water management in line with EU regulations.
In the SIWat project, potential industrial and municipal actors that could benefit from reclaimed water will be identified, and practical testing will be conducted in Mikkeli (Finland) and Loo (Estonia) to validate water reuse in real operations. The outcomes of these pilots will be evaluated based on both ecological and economic criteria. Cross-border cooperation and real-environment piloting will enable the wider adoption of sustainable water practices, strengthening water security and industrial competitiveness across the Baltic Sea Region, while preserving clean water sources.
In the SIWat project, potential industrial and municipal actors that could benefit from reclaimed water will be identified, and practical testing will be conducted in Mikkeli (Finland) and Loo (Estonia) to validate water reuse in real operations. The outcomes of these pilots will be evaluated based on both ecological and economic criteria. Cross-border cooperation and real-environment piloting will enable the wider adoption of sustainable water practices, strengthening water security and industrial competitiveness across the Baltic Sea Region, while preserving clean water sources.
Duration 01.08.2025 - 31.07.2028
Total budget
Programme priority
Improved environment and resource useProgramme objective
PO3 - Joint circular economy solutionsLead partner
Mikkeli Development Miksei Ltd.
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