The Urbanista

In this episode of Infra Stories, we dive into Espoo’s pioneering stormwater management project in collaboration with Ramboll Finland. Espoo leads the way as the first city in Finland to install the Uponor Vortex Stormwater Separation Chamber, a cutting-edge solution to address urban flood risks and reduce maintenance costs amid rapid development and climate change.

Installed at a high-flood-risk site in Espoo, the chamber uses centrifugal force to keep debris out of water systems, minimizing maintenance requirements. As rainfall intensity increases, this innovation positions Espoo as a leader in resilient urban planning.
Tune in to discover how this groundbreaking solution sets a new standard for sustainable stormwater infrastructure.

Infra Stories is a segment of The Urbanista podcast, where we explore impactful infrastructure stories from across the Nordics, showcasing innovation and sustainable solutions that make a difference in local communities.

Thank you, Urbanistas, for listening to our stories!

The Urbanista is a production of Uponor Infra Oy, produced and edited in Helsinki by Sara Söderström.


What is The Urbanista ?

The podcast for urban designers and city planners who want to know more about city water management and sustainable urban development.

Welcome to infra stories, stories about places all across Nordics where infrastructure projects with significant impact for the local communities have been built, stories about innovative and sustainable solutions.
In today's episode, we explore the latest advances in stormwater. Statement. We're highlighting Espoo, the second largest city in Finland, and their partnership with Ramble Finland to introduce a new approach to managing stormwater. Espoo was the first city in Finland to use the Uponor Vortex storm water separation chamber. This Chamber helps separate solids from stormwater aiming to reduce maintenance costs and prevent pollution. Action. The vortex chamber was installed in February 2024 at a construction site in calculate Espoo. This site has struggled with flooding, especially as new housing developments have sprung up nearby. Laura Karhumäki, project manager at the city of Espoo, noted that stormwater issues have worsened in recent years. The new chamber adds to two earlier underground stormwater retention areas built in the same surroundings. Urban planners emphasize the increasing importance of stormwater management as cities grow denser, reducing natural areas that can absorb rainwater. With climate change expected to bring more heavy rainfall, stormwater management becomes even more critical. The city of Espoo’s, working closely with Ramble Finland is committed to improving stormwater systems to lower maintenance costs. Laura Karhumäki explains that the vortex chamber is easier to maintain than retention tunnels as it removes solids and debris before they reach the water system. Annie or Geneva unit manager at Ramble Finland, adds that this system helps reduce the maintenance needed in tunnels, which often collects sand, leaves and litter. The vortex chamber works by using centrifugal force to push solids to the edges and bottom where they settle. A flow control plate traps any floating debris. Maintaining the chamber is simple, requiring just an annual visit from a suction truck. Unlike the more labor intensive cleaning needed for stormwater basin. Espoo, officials praised the system for its simplicity and efficiency. The design was a collaborative effort and the manufacturer, Uponor Infra has noted growing interest in stormwater solutions. Ramble Finland contacted Uponor a year before the installation to begin planning the vortex Chambers implementation. The Chamber installed in Espoo is large, with a diameter of more than 1 1/2 meters and a trench depth exceeding 3 meters. Despite its size, the lightweight material makes it easy to install. Marcus T Honan, site manager at Peab Asfalt, confirmed that the installation process went smoothly. Once installed, the Chamber is barely visible with only its lid noticeable. The surrounding area has also been improved, with new roads, parking lots and landscaping. This project sets a new standard for stormwater management, showcasing how innovative solutions can help cities address similar challenges. Stay tuned for more updates on environmental projects like this one.
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