Notification of cleaning contaminated soil

Notify us of cleaning contaminated soil if you are digging or cleaning contaminated soil and utilising the soil excavated in connection with the cleaning or sending it forward for processing. Sometimes, the activities may also be subject to an environmental permit.

Notify the City of Helsinki Environmental Services at least 45 days before the work phase essential to cleaning begins.

The work may begin once a decision has been made regarding the notification. Once 45 days have passed since filing the notification, you may begin the cleaning work at your own risk.

The City of Helsinki environmental protection authority is the competent authority in matters related to contaminated soil and the purification of groundwater. The head of the Environmental Monitoring unit will make the decision on the notification. The processing of the notification is subject to a fee.

  • Map and layout plan marked with the location of the properties to be cleaned as well as locations significant to the processing of the matter
  • Plan map
  • Detailed information regarding the contamination of the soil and groundwater
  • Cleaning plan
  • Environmental monitoring plan for the duration of the cleaning work and/or estimate of monitoring need after the completion of the work
  • Contact details for neighbours of the area to be cleaned
  • Permits regarding the activities and statements from authorities

Processing of the notification and payment

  • If necessary, we may ask for statements regarding the notification from, for example, the landowner or authorities.
  • The head of the Environmental Monitoring unit will make the decision on the notification.
  • Decisions regarding notifications will be announced publicly on the city’s website.
  • Those entitled to make appeals regarding the decision are considered to have received knowledge of the decision on the seventh day from the day the announcement was published.
  • The appeal period is 30 days, and the decision is legally valid after the appeal period if no appeals are filed.

Go to Publications and announcements (In Finnish)

The City of Helsinki will charge a fee in accordance with the rate of the City of Helsinki Environmental Protection Authority for processing the notification. 

Rates of the City of Helsinki Environmental Protection Authority (in Finnish, pdf)