Reservoir Tanks Solve Water Supply Challenges in Levi, Finland

Ensuring Reliable Water Supply for Levi Ski Resort’s Growing Tourism

Levi Ski Resort, nestled in the heart of Finnish Lapland, is one of Finland's premier destinations for cross-country skiing and slalom. Each winter, this idyllic location draws over 600,000 visitors to Kittilä, a municipality with just 6,600 permanent residents. As the host of the Alpine Skiing World Cup every November, Levi's popularity has skyrocketed, but the surge in seasonal visitors brings unique challenges—especially for its water infrastructure.
 

Addressing Seasonal Water Demand

To meet the sharp fluctuations in water demand during peak tourist seasons like New Year and Easter, Levi's main water intake plant, Kirakka, underwent a major renovation in 2024. This project, managed by Levi Water Supply, focused on enhancing the plant’s capacity and reliability.

As part of the renovation, Uponor supplied two reservoir tanks designed to store and manage potable water effectively during high-demand periods. These tanks act as a critical buffer, storing water during off-peak hours and releasing it during spikes in consumption, such as evenings when skiers return from the slopes.

The Kirakka Plant

The Kirakka water intake plant is one of six facilities serving the Levi region. While the area's groundwater quality is excellent, its availability is limited. CEO of Levi Water Supply, Petri Laiho, explains,

"Water consumption fluctuates significantly depending on the time of day and season. Uponor's tanks have greatly improved our ability to meet these varying demands."
The new reservoir tanks are particularly vital during holidays, ensuring a consistent supply of clean water even during infrastructure disruptions or peak demand periods.

Behind the Scenes of the Renovation

The €1 million project spanned from May to September 2024, involving a complete overhaul of the Kirakka plant's piping, pumps, and automation systems. Uponor's contribution included two massive lower water tanks, each 25 meters long and 3 meters high. Delivering these tanks required meticulous planning, including clearing forest roads and adjusting power line heights.

The Flowise tanks are engineered to meet Levi’s unique requirements, including:

 

• Flexible water storage for fluctuating seasonal demand.
• Enhanced operational reliability during disturbances.
• Robust anchoring solutions for high groundwater levels.

Jouni Siironen, Area Manager for Northern Finland at Uponor, emphasized, “The Flowise tanks are built to withstand Levi’s challenging conditions and are essential to supporting the region’s growing tourism.”

Securing Levi's Future

With tourism continuing to expand—new hotels are being built almost yearly—Levi’s water infrastructure faces ongoing pressure. Tourists now make up 90% of the area’s population during peak seasons. The collaboration between Uponor and Levi Water Supply is a vital step toward ensuring the region's water distribution system can keep pace with this growth.

"Increasing water distribution capacity is an ongoing process," concludes Laiho. "Uponor's Flowise solution is a critical step toward a more reliable and flexible water distribution system.” This project underscores the importance of tailored infrastructure solutions in managing seasonal demand, securing Levi’s drinking water, and supporting its status as one of Finland’s top winter destinations.