There are currently 13 rug washing sites in Helsinki, 12 of which feature rug washing piers. The City’s rug washing site plan proposes that all existing rug washing piers be gradually decommissioned as they reach the end of their service life, and that in the future, carpets only be washed at dry-land washing sites. At the moment, the only dry land-washing site is in Pukinmäki.
In 2011, the City Board decided to abolish rug washing in the sea and switch to dry-land rug washing sites. Over the years, there has been a desire to do away with rug washing piers, e.g. for environmental reasons, as the wash water ends up in the sea without going through any treatment.
New lounging and swimming areas
As the existing rug washing piers are gradually decommissioned, those in suitable locations could be converted into lounging or swimming areas. According to the plan, it would be possible to convert the rug washing piers in Humallahti, Katajanokka, Merisatama and Tervasaari into swimming areas when their use for rug washing ends.
The conversion of a rug washing pier for swimming use requires that the water at the site meets the City’s swimming water quality requirements and that the site is otherwise safe for swimming. Furthermore, the feasibility of constructing a swimming area is affected by factors such as the ice load and wave activity of the location.
Four new rug washing sites
The City’s plan is to have a total of five rug washing sites in the future. They would all be located on dry land.
The construction of a new washing site requires the location to be easy to access by different modes of transport, and to feature existing municipal infrastructure. The new sites are planned to be located in Kelkkapuisto in Kontula, Konalanpuisto, Laukkaniemi in Lauttasaari and Suomensuonpuisto in Laajasalo. The fifth site would be the existing dry-land rug washing site in Pukinmäki.
The Urban Environment Committee will discuss the rug washing site plan and washing site network plan on 3 February.
