Underwater pipe damage leaves Korpilahti under boil-water notice

An underwater water pipe was damaged in Lake Päijänne near Korpilahti, a district of Jyväskylä, and divers confirmed the leak on Tuesday evening, Yle reported. Water supplies have been restored, but residents must continue boiling drinking and cooking water.

Alva water services manager Atte Pakkanen said the leak is in Kirkkolahti, near Korpilahti harbour. The possibility that the damage was underwater emerged on Tuesday afternoon, and divers confirmed the location before nightfall.

The pipe was leaking directly into the lake, which made the damage more difficult to locate than usual. Repair planning is continuing, and the work is expected to take several days. The pipe may either be replaced completely or lifted to the surface so the damaged section can be repaired with a new pipe or connector.

The cause of the break is not yet known. Pakkanen said the damaged pipe is believed to be several decades old.

Water supplies were cut off across a wide area of Korpilahti on Monday and Tuesday, leaving more than 700 water-use locations without water at the worst point. Supplies were restored to all households on Tuesday evening.

The boil-water notice remains in force in Korpilahti and also applies to the Moksi and Kärkisten water cooperatives. It does not apply to the areas served by the Etelä-Korpilahti, Putkilahti or Oittila water cooperatives. Test results from tap-water samples are expected by Friday at the latest.

Residents can still collect clean cooking and drinking water in their own containers from a distribution point in central Korpilahti.