The district heating leak that occurred in Rovaniemi on Tuesday was traced back to a torn drain valve, which detached from the heating pipe due to corrosion. This incident resulted in a significant disruption to the heating and hot water supply for almost 400 customers, who were without service for several hours. The leak was first detected before 7 PM when a large steam plume was observed, signaling the extent of the problem.

Joni Hemmilä, the manager of the district heating business, explained that such leaks are considered normal and typically occur due to frost damage. He noted that this winter has posed particular challenges for the district heating system, with fluctuating temperatures, heavy snowfall, and shifting soil conditions impacting the infrastructure. Fortunately, the energy and water company, Napapiirin energia ja vesi, managed to restore normal heating and hot water service by approximately 11:30 PM that same evening.

The incident highlights the importance of routine maintenance and the preparedness for such occurrences, which average about 10-20 leaks annually in Neve Oy’s district heating networks. The local rescue service also participated in the incident management and damage control efforts, underscoring the collaborative response to infrastructure challenges during harsh weather conditions in the region.