- Dispelling Myths About Water Services

by Tapio S. Katko, Jarmo J. Hukka, Petri S. Juuti, Riikka P. Juuti, and Eric J. Nealer

Illustrations: Pertti O. Väyrynen

IWA Publishing
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2166/9781789064162

Is bottled water better for you than tap water? Is the pollution created by wastewater treatment plants a major issue? Is privatisation the best solution for more efficient water use? These are just a few of the myths busted in Dispelling Myths About Water Services.

In any society, water and wastewater systems are of fundamental importance to the development of communities and the wellbeing of both people and the ecosystem. Unfortunately, this fact has been reinforced by the COVID-19 pandemic, by all manner of natural disasters, and by recent armed conflicts around the world. In such situations, clean water and sanitation are among the first things that need to be organised.

In this book, internationally renowned experts examine 21 common misconceptions regarding water supply and wastewater services, dispelling the myths by drawing on their global insights and avoiding technical jargon, while simultaneously raising questions of concern relating to water services.

Access to clean water and safe sanitation is essential for life. Without it, our time on this planet becomes dangerously short. People do not necessarily think about the challenges relating to water services, but the message is clear: to build sustainable water services, proper rules, accountable and responsive leadership, and well-informed stakeholders are vital, alongside resilient organisations and robust physical systems.

Originally published in Finnish, this English edition has been completely rewritten and includes examples and references from countries across the world. Original illustrations bring the content to life.

Whether you’re a water professional, policy maker, or environmental enthusiast, Dispelling Myths About Water Services helps sort the fact from the fiction regarding our most vital resource: water.

The book is published by IWA Publishing, London on 5 September, 2025. The ebook will be available open access, and printed copies will be available for sale, both at iwaponline.com.

SOCIAL IMPACT AND VISIBILITY listed 20 March 2026

Book Reviews/Kirja-arviot

Little R.G. 2025. Dispelling Myths About Water Services. Journal of Critical Infrastructure Policy. Vol. 6, Issue 2. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jci3.70001

Mattila H. 2025. Dispelling myths about water services -kirja pitäisi laittaa päättäjille jakoon. Kirjallisuusarvio. Vesitalous. 66, 6: 60–61.

Expected (at least)
EH.Net
Journal of Sustainability Research
Water Alternatives
Water International
Water History
Water Security
Water Utility Journal
World Futures Review

suomeksi tulossa / Expected in Finnish
KulutusNYT
RIA-lehti
Terra
Yhdyskuntasuunnittelu

Papers; Reseach Notes; Perspectives; Discussion Notes

Katko T. 2025. Myths on Water Services. 5 Dec 2025. Water Alternatives. The Water Dissensus. https://www.water-alternatives.org/index.php/grid/misconceptions

Katko T. 2025. Vesihuoltoon tarvitaan monipuolisempaa osaamista. Rakennustekniikka. 81, 3: 43. https://ril.fi/rakennustekniikka/

National presentations/ esitelmät Suomessa

2.4.2025 Katko T. Vesihuollon myytit, Tampere, Plevna, Pirkanmaan tietokirjailijat

26.8.2025 Katko T. Puhdas vesi: miten vesihuollon kriiseihin voidaan varautua ja niissä toimia? RUK–139 kurssitapaaminen. Hattula.

29.8.2025 Katko T. Vesihuollon myytit murskaksi, TED-talk, Heureka, Tikkurila.

13.11.2025 Vesihuollon myytit Suomessa ja globaalisti. Suomen Rooman klubin yhdistys (Roksy, etänä)

20.3.2026 Katko T., Juuti R.* & Juuti P. Vesihuollon myytit Suomessa ja maailmalla. Maailman vesipäivä. Vesiyhdistys, Helsinki.

International conferences and presentations

5 Sept, 2025 Book launching event, Tampere University. Katko T. Dispelling Myths About Water Services; Pearth A. IWA Publishing; Leo Heller, one of the reflectors (Brazil)

29 April, 2025 Juuti P., Juuti R., Katko T., Hukka J., Dillon P. 2025. Long history of MAR in Finland – Engaging with stakeholders proved vital for uptake of managed aquifer recharge in community water supplies. ISMAR 12, Stellenbosch, South Africa.

13 June, 2025. Katko T., Hukka J., Juuti P. & Juuti R. 2025. Institutional Diversity and Cooperatives in Water Services Production. ICA CCR Europe Research Conference 2025, , Helsinki.

25 Sept, 2025. Katko T., Hukka J., Juuti P. & Juuti R. 2025. People’s Beliefs vs. Realities on Providing and Producing Sustainable Wastewater Services. NORDIWA 2025, Oslo, Norway,.

Katko T., Hukka J., Juuti P., Juuti R., Nieler E. 2026 (proposed). Shattering Widespread Misconceptions of Water Services. IWA 2026, 4-8 Oct, Glasgow, Scotland.

Interviews in Media

Garlo-Melkas N. 2025. Dispelling Myths About Water Services. 3/2025 Maintworld, 8–9. https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/70772365/maintworld-magazine-3-2025

Aukia P. 2025. Vesihuollon vuosisadat. Loimu 5/2025. ss. 18–20. https://www.loimu.fi/verkkolehden-artikkeli/vesihuollon-vuosisadat/

Blogs

2025 12 10 Rural Water Supply Network -Blog: New Book: Dispelling Myths About Water Services. RWSN Secretariat.  https://rwsn.blog/2025/12/10/new-book-dispelling-myths-about-water-services/

Verkostouutiset /networks news

2025 09 10 Vesilaitosyhdistyksen Uutiskirje 15/2025. https://www.vesilaitosyhdistys.fi/ajankohtaista/uutiset/dispelling-myths-about-water-services-kirja

Suomen Vesiyhdistyksen ajankohtaisia asioita 25.9.2025. Suomen Vesiyhdistys ry bc-suomen-vesiyhdistys@broadcast.floapps.com

2025 11 05 Vesitalouden kuukausikirje Narvanne J. 2025. Uusi teos Dispelling Myths About Water Services. https://vesitalous.fi/2025/11/uusi-teos-dispelling-myths-about-water-services/

2025 12 05 CIB W062 Bart Bleys bart.bleys@buildwise.be  forthcoming newsletter 7.12.2025

2025 12 16 TUNI. Nyt murretaan vesihuollon myyttejä. Rakennetun ympäristön Momentti -uutiskirje momentti@tuni.fi

2025 09 Vatten, Tidskrift för vattenvård. Litteratur. Recension. 81, 4: 141. (Rolf Larsson). https://www.tidskriftenvatten.se/