The prices of water services and waste management will increase for 2026 – due to, among other things, necessary investments

As of 1 January 2026, HSY will increase the metered charges of water services by an average of 5 per cent and the basic rates of water services by 13 per cent. The increases are necessary due to the investments required to renovate the ageing water network. In waste management, the fees for emptying waste containers at properties will increase by 5.4 per cent for mixed waste and by approximately 2 per cent for biowaste and packaging waste. The increase in the general level of costs is reflected in the price increases of both water services and waste management. The Board of Directors of HSY decided on the prices for 2026 in its meeting on 10 October 2025.

Reliable water supply in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area is ensured with water rates. The water network will require extensive renovation work in the near future. The current water rates are not sufficient to cover the growing need for investments required by future renovation work. In addition, the balancing of HSY’s finances requires reducing the debt taken for investments in previous years. According to the Water Services Act, the rates must cover both the costs of operations and investments in the long term.
 
Poorly-functioning water pipes and sewers are susceptible to disruptions. In addition to the harm caused by water supply cuts, leaking or poorly-functioning sewers can cause flooding in properties or situations in which untreated wastewater leaks into the environment.
 
"A significant amount of our water pipes and sewers were built 50–60 years ago and are about to reach the end of their life cycle. At the same time, we are preparing for the needs of growing cities, as well as heavy rains and floods caused by climate change. Through renovation investments, we will continue to guarantee a reliable water supply for residents in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area and prevent harm to the environment," says Tommi Fred, Executive Director of HSY.

In HSY’s member municipalities, the metered charges and basic rates of water services will increase as follows (including VAT):

• water rate per cubic metre from EUR 2.05 to EUR 2.15
• wastewater rate per cubic metre from EUR 2.40 to EUR 2.52
• the unit price of the basic rate per floor square metre from EUR 0.0311 to EUR 0.0351. 

Water services' customer fees are based on the metered charge based on the amount of water used by the property and the basic rate, the amount of which depends on the size of the property and the purpose of use. A one-time connection fee is charged when a customer joins HSY’s network. For example, for a 150-square-metre detached house with an annual water consumption of 180 m3, the total increase in metered charges and basic rates is less than EUR 6 per month.

Water services' service fees, such as the fees charged for connecting to the water network, have also been updated to reflect the increased costs. The service fees will increase by 3.6 per cent for labour. Water services' connection fees will be increased by 2 per cent for all property types. The aim is to better cover the costs of building a new water network with connection fees in the future. The sprinkler fees will be increased by 5 per cent. 

Increases in waste fees more moderate than in the previous year

HSY continues to invest significantly in securing the circular economy and smooth services. The price increases are more moderate than before due to, among other things, successful cost savings and a decrease in the level of investments. For example, in a housing company with 10 apartments, the apartment-specific waste management costs will increase by an average of EUR 6.90 per apartment per year for 2026.

The fees for emptying waste containers at properties will increase as follows: mixed waste 5.4, packaging waste 2.4 and biowaste 2%. The rental fees for waste containers were not increased for the current year, but the prices will increase by 5.4 per cent for 2026. Unnecessary collection has been added to the price list as a new fee, which is charged when the property's only waste container for an individual waste type is missing, empty or contains incorrect waste. 

"Residents can have a significant impact on the waste costs of the property. Mixed waste is the most expensive waste type, so efficient sorting is key to controlling costs. When the amount of mixed waste decreases, the property's waste management costs also decrease. Savings are also made by selecting the sizes and collection frequencies of waste containers to match the waste volumes. When the refuse truck empties the containers less often and the waste fits inside the container, the operations are both cost-efficient and environmentally friendly. Incorrectly sorted waste and excess waste left outside the container result in additional costs," says Tommi Fred.

Only minor changes to the prices for private customers at Sortti Stations

The number of customers visiting HSY’s Sortti Stations has increased to approximately 600,000 per year. Household customers can bring carton and cardboard, container glass, metal, paper, electrical appliances and domestic hazardous waste to the stations free of charge. The reception of these will continue to be free of charge. 

For household waste that is subject to a charge, the price of pressure-treated wood will be increased by 5.62 per cent and the price of garden and brushwood waste by 3.92 per cent due to changes in the treatment fees of waste. The prices of other waste types that are subject to a charge will be increased by 2.11 per cent, excluding plastic, coated wood, wooden pallets and clean wood as well as asbestos, the prices of which will not change. 

The price list for corporate customers will increase by an average of 8 per cent for 2026. The increases are particularly targeted at aggregates, pressure-treated wood and non-combustible mixed waste.

The increased use of nitrous oxide is also reflected in the reception of waste. A separate price has been specified for it in the price list for hazardous waste from companies.

Prices will remain largely unchanged at the Ämmässuo eco-industrial centre

The Ämmässuo eco-industrial centre mainly accepts truck loads. The price of construction and demolition waste and mixed waste will be increased by 5.71 per cent and the price of final-disposal waste by 4.76 per cent. The largest increase of 40 per cent will be targeted at the fee for animal waste due to the price increase made by the operator treating the waste.

Waste management fees are used to cover all related expenses, such as the transport and treatment of waste, the operations of Sortti Stations and the Ämmässuo eco-industrial centre, investments and free services, such as the collection of domestic hazardous waste and collection vehicle tours, as well as the statutory communications and counselling. Everyone concerned was given the opportunity to influence the preparation of the price list. Only one statement was received for the preparation. 

More information on the water services' need for renovation
Price lists for water services and waste management