In Tampere, there is growing concern over a series of incidents where people have fallen through the ice into Lake Pyhäjärvi, prompting an investigation into potential causes.
In Tampere, authorities are concerned about an unusually high number of individuals falling through the ice of Lake Pyhäjärvi, with nine people reported to have fallen in six separate incidents early this year. This is a significant increase compared to last year when only two incidents were reported. The local rescue service suggests that a recently installed discharge pipe from the Sulkavuori wastewater treatment plant may be altering water currents and weakening the ice in the area.
The Sulkavuori wastewater treatment plant is currently looking into the matter. They have commissioned ice thickness measurements from KVVY Research Oy, a local firm specializing in aquatic research. Jukka Meriluoto, the CEO of the treatment plant, emphasized the importance of clarification on the issues raised by the media regarding the safety of the ice, suggesting that public speculation necessitates a thorough investigation.
The warm water being released from the treatment plant, which is approximately 12 degrees Celsius, could be contributing to the unstable ice conditions. The treatment plant discharges around 800 liters of water per second, amounting to 72,000 cubic meters per day. As the investigation continues, authorities are hopeful that it will provide insights that could enhance safety measures and preventive actions to avoid further accidents on the ice.
