Municipal wastewater, 2009

This is revealed in the new report Municipal wastewater: Expenditures, investments, discharges, treatment and disposal of sewage sludge 2009 – Wastewater fees 2010 (in Norwegian only – English abstract).

Chemical/biological treatment as opposed to mechanical treatment has the ability to remove more of the pollutants from the wastewater before being discharged into rivers and water systems. This applies in particular to phosphorous and organic material.

Furthermore, the statistics show that 20 per cent of the population was connected to mechanical or other types of treatment, 4 per cent had direct discharges and the remaining 17 per cent of the population were connected to small wastewater facilities (less than 50 pe).

A total of 2 755 wastewater facilities

Estimates for 2009 show that a total of 2 755 municipal wastewater facilities (capacity 50 pe or more) were in operation for the whole or part of the year. These wastewater facilities treat wastewater for approximately 83 per cent of the population, which is around the same level as last year.

Discharges of phosphorous stabilised

For 2009, the discharges of phosphorous (tot-P) from municipal wastewater sector have been estimated to 797 tonnes, which is around the same level as last year. Per inhabitant connected this discharge corresponds to 0.20 kilogramme.

The phosphorous treatment efficiency of the wastewater sector as a whole has been estimated at 70.6 per cent. This constitutes an increase of 0.5 per cent for phosphorous compared to 2008. Because of the variation in critical levels to withstand pollutants by the water recipients, regional differences in treatment legislations have been set up by the government. Thus, as can be expected, treatment efficiencies differ significantly depending on where you are in the country.

78 per cent of sewage sludge to soil improvement

In 2009 a total of 116 300 tonnes of dry weight sewage sludge was used for various purposes, whereof 56 per cent was used as soil improvement in agriculture, 7 per cent was used in parks and green spaces and another 16 per cent was delivered to soil producers. This gives a total of around 78 per cent to soil improvement. The remaining amounts were applied as cover on landfills, deposited or have other use.

Slight decrease in costs of wastewater services

Wastewater fees are determined by the municipalities in accordance with the full cost principle. Local conditions such as patterns of built-up areas, topography, bedrocks in the ground, the need for pumping stations and treatment requirements are factors behind the variation in fees.

In 2009, the total cost for all municipalities was NOK 5.15 billion. This constitutes a decrease of 1.5 per cent compared to the year before. The costs related to the wastewater sector are made up of capital costs and operating costs. The decrease mentioned is mainly due to a decrease in capital costs. The figures for the entire country are calculated based on the data reported in KOSTRA, with estimates for data missing. The estimates are based on data reported last year and average figures from the groups of municipalities in KOSTRA.

The income from fees does not cover all the costs

A total of 42 per cent of the population live in municipalities with a contribution margin ratio of less than 100 per cent, which means that the incomes from fees are below the fee calculation basis.

At the same time, a total of 67 per cent of the municipalities have a full cost ratio between 98 and 102 per cent, and these municipalities are home to 75 per cent of the population. A major part of the population lives in municipalities where the costs for wastewater services are covered by fees.

The full cost ratio reflects the relationship between the income from fees and the fee calculation basis, and includes fund provisions and purchases from funds.