The Versatility of the Hot Water System Came as a Surprise – The City of Lapua Invests in Environmentally Friendly Green Area Maintenance
Lapua is known as a forward-looking, human-scale cultural city that invests in well-being, vibrant villages, and entrepreneurship. In the development of the city’s green areas, the focus is on high-quality, well-maintained environments and active resident participation.
Aliisa Kiviniemi, seasonal site supervisor for the northern green area maintenance district, is responsible for the practical green area work of the City of Lapua together with her team. She and her team have tested the Eco Weedkiller machine extensively in various locations and now share their experiences.
“We carry out green maintenance work in street green areas, parks, and green spaces around properties. Playground equipment in both parks and properties is also part of our responsibility,” Kiviniemi explains.
The need to reduce the use of pesticides
The acquisition of the Eco Weedkiller became relevant when the city wanted to reduce the use of plant protection products and find a safer, more environmentally friendly alternative for maintaining paved areas and playground equipment.
“We came across the Eco Weedkiller machine at the Jyväskylä Green Days event at the Hautala Service stand. We were immediately interested because the solution directly met our needs,” Kiviniemi says.
The city uses the Eco Weedkiller PRO10 model, which is equipped with a wheeled water lance (25 cm), a ground spike, and a pressure washer.
“The machine was procured in accordance with the city’s public procurement principles. We needed a versatile solution for weed and invasive species control as well as for washing playground equipment and street furniture.”
Washing playground equipment is easy and safe with the EWK PRO10 multifunctional machine
Versatile applications from weed control to washing
In Lapua, the Eco Weedkiller has been used in a wide range of environments: paved surfaces, sand-based areas, and artificial turf. The hot water system has also proven useful for washing playground equipment, street furniture, and traffic signs.“The results of washing playground equipment were visible immediately. The surfaces became clean and the work progressed quickly. Weed control has also worked well. Deep-rooted plants such as dandelions and creeping thistle can be eliminated after a couple of treatments. In these areas, time-consuming manual mechanical weeding has no longer been necessary,” Kiviniemi explains.
Although user experience has so far been gathered from only the first summer, feedback has been entirely positive.
An easy-to-use and ergonomic solution
Users have found the Eco Weedkiller easy and ergonomic to operate. Hautala Service Oy provided training with the delivery of the machine, after which city employees have guided new users themselves.
“I created separate start-up instructions for the machine, which are kept with it and serve as reminders of important points. The machine is also easy to modify, for example by adding additional water tanks,” Kiviniemi says.
Commissioning of the new EWK PRO10 multifunctional machine in Lapua
Environmental friendliness guides operations
Environmental responsibility is a key part of all green area maintenance in the city.
“Environmental friendliness is important to us, and we strive to keep the use of pesticides to a minimum. Chemical-free weed control has attracted positive attention, and for example on social media the feedback has been encouraging,” Kiviniemi notes.
Fast service and a reliable partner
The Eco Weedkiller has operated without major issues for the city. On the one occasion when the machine required servicing, the spare part was delivered quickly and work was able to continue without significant interruption.
“We have been satisfied with the performance of the machine and the service we have received. Hautala Service’s maintenance and support have worked extremely well,” Kiviniemi praises.
Jokilaakso Visitor Garden awarded the Green Flag Award
The Jokilaakso Visitor Garden in Lapua has been awarded the Green Flag Award for the seasons 2023–2024 and 2024–2025, reflecting the park’s high quality and pleasant environment. The garden is known for its diverse plantings, demonstration areas for edible plants, and beautiful riverside walking paths. The EWK PRO10 enables chemical-free, tidy, and weed-free maintenance of the Jokilaakso area.
Looking ahead
The City of Lapua plans to expand the use of the Eco Weedkiller to invasive species control.
“Our intention is to test the machine particularly for controlling lupine and false spirea. Last summer, the machine was in use for only a couple of months, but next summer will be the first full test season. Even now, we can say that we are satisfied with the investment,” Kiviniemi concludes.
Lapua is an excellent example of how the Eco Weedkiller Pro combines environmental friendliness, efficiency, and versatility as part of the modern maintenance of public green spaces.
Lapua is a city in South Ostrobothnia that includes, in addition to the town centre, several vibrant villages, beautiful river landscapes, and extensive agricultural and forest areas. The city has approximately 14,000 residents and offers a pleasant living environment with functional services and good transport connections between Seinäjoki and Vaasa.