Uponor Flowise drinking water solution to Levi's tourism mecca,
Levi,
Finland

The Kirakka water intake plant is one of the six water intake plants in Levi and the main source of raw water in the area. The quality of groundwater in the area is good, but its availability is limited. 

"Water consumption varies considerably, depending on the season and time of day. For example, in the evening, when skiers return from the slopes during the peak season, water use rises. Uponor's tanks are creating a buffer for this variation," explains Petri Laiho, CEO of Levin Vesi.

Especially during New Year and Easter, a lot of drinking water is consumed in the evenings when saunas are used frequently. Correspondingly, at night and during otherwise quieter periods, water can be stored in tanks so that there is enough water available during consumption peaks. The tanks also provide operational reliability in possible disturbances, such as problems at water intake plants.

Challenging starting points require careful planning
The renovation project was carried out under the project management of Levin Vesihuolto, and Uponor was selected as the solution supplier through a competitive tendering process. The reservoir tanks supplied by Uponor were supplied with water from six intake wells in the Kirakka groundwater area. The piping, pumps and automation of the water intake wells were renovated at the same time.

The starting point was challenging, as the tanks are remarkably large, 25 metres long and 3 metres high. It required special transportation. The winding forest road leading to the water intake also had to be partially cleared in order to get the tanks safely to their destination. The sufficient height of power lines in construction site conditions also had to be ensured in advance.

"Such projects require tailor-made solutions and careful planning, but with Uponor everything proceeded as agreed and the schedules were kept. Uponor's representative was involved in the installation of the tanks, and cooperation went well. There is always something small to fix, but the fixes were made quickly," Laiho praises.
In addition to the deliveries, Uponor was responsible for their anchoring solutions and plans, while Levin Vesihuolto was responsible for the installations. 

"Uponor Flowise tanks are designed to withstand the conditions in the Kirakka area of Levi, where groundwater is close to the ground and anchoring of the tanks is necessary,"  adds Jouni Siiroinen, Area Manager for Northern Finland at Uponor.

Securing the water supply is an ongoing process
The growth of the Levi area and the increase in tourism will continue to put pressure on the water supply in the future. Tourists make up about 90% of the area's residents, and new hotels are built almost every year.
"Increasing water distribution capacity is a continuous process, and Uponor's Flowise solution is an important step towards a more secure and flexible water distribution system," Laiho says with satisfaction.