The unique aquifer system of Kurikka
Under our feet in Kurikka lays a massive, ancient valley, like a Grand Canyon that has been filled up with various soil types over millennia. The valley and its thick overburden encase a rare deep groundwater reserve. High-quality international research collaboration has emerged around the deep groundwater and soil of Kurikka, with many participating Finnish and international geologists and hydrogeologists. Kurikka’s aquifer system is very durable against the impacts of climate change. Furthermore, Kurikka’s water reserve opens countless new possibilities, as potable water is a prerequisite of life.
Sustainable development
1. Groundwater will only be pumped to the extent that can be replaced with precipitation. The water reserve reaches over a hundred metres, while the water is pumped from more than 60 metres at the deepest wells. Furthermore, the level of groundwater surface is monitored with continuous level sensors.
The ‘Grand Canyon’ underneath
2. Underneath the ground of Kurikka lays a massive, ancient valley that has been filled up with various soil types over millennia. The underground valley of Kurikka encases a rare aquifer system with enough deep groundwater to fill 40,000 Olympic-size swimming pools! Some places even contain clean spring water that does not require any kind of purification.
Researchs and the future
3. The research project on the deep groundwater and aquifer system of Kurikka involves many Finnish and international geologists and hydrogeologists who have conducted and are still conducting research collaboration on Kurikka’s aquifer project on a high-quality, international level. Our vision for the future includes the Hydrogeological Institute of Kurikka, a centre for field-related competences and an education and research environment for the students and researchers of hydrology, geology, and hydrogeology.
4. A waterpipe for the supply of Kurikka’s groundwater to Vaasa is being planned. When the waterpipe is built in the future, a biogas pipeline could also be created, which, in turn, introduces new opportunities in terms of energy operations.
5. Kurikka is planning a biogas ecosystem where agricultural producers play a key role. Biogas is used to replace four million litres of traffic fuel, reducing over 8,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
6. The extensive and comprehensive research has laid the groundwork for connecting natural science studies of Kurikka’s upper secondary students to the aquifer project. This, in turn, can be used to strengthen the connections and collaboration between teaching, higher education, and international research. Kurikka Upper Secondary is planning to incorporate the aquifer theme to natural science classes.
Water in Kurikka
Water project in Kurikka high school’s teaching
The world’s oldest buried valley in Finland – research revealed a rare water treasure
An ordinary groundwater deposit in Kurikka gradually began to reveal itself as something completely different – how was an ancient buried valley found in Finland, and how can it produce cleaner water than traditional groundwater deposits? Niko Putkinen, a special expert at the The Geological Survey of Finland (GTK), is interviewed. The city of Kurikka, the city of Vaasa, and their water utilities are aiming to draw water from the deep groundwater deposit in the next few years.
