Municipal water supply, 2003

Households are the main consumers of water produced by the municipal waterworks (38 per cent), corresponding to an average consumption of 197 litres per day for the individual members of Norwegian households. The remaining water is supplied to the food industry (10 per cent), other industries (9 per cent) and to agriculture and other consumers (8 per cent).

91 per cent of Norwegian residents have clean water

According to the municipal reporting 91 per cent of the residents supplied by municipal waterworks had a satisfactory content of thermo-tolerant intestinal bacteria in their water. Only 67 per cent had satisfactory levels of colour and acidity (pH).

The quality of water varies between the different municipalities (figure 1 to 3). The main cause of negative tests on thermo-tolerant intestinal bacteria in the water is probably lack of treatment facilities in some water works, mainly in western and northern Norway. Two main causes of high acidity in the water are run-off from acidic rocks in mountainous areas and acidic rain in parts of the country. Colour in the water is mainly caused by humus from decomposed organic matter, primarily affecting lower lying areas of the country.

Economic figures

The total investments in municipal water supply in 2003 amounted to NOK 1 480 million (an increase of 18 per cent from 2002), or NOK 323 per capita. NOK 368 million were invested in water production plants and NOK 1 112 million in distribution of water.

The municipalities' costs for production and distribution of water amounted to a total of NOK 3 284 million in 2003. NOK 3 325 million, or 101 per cent of the costs were covered by fees.

Fees

In 2004 the average annual fee for Norwegian households (for a private dwelling of 120 m²) is NOK 2 076. The inhabitants have by law the right to choose payment by stipulated or measured water use. When choosing to pay according to water used, the subscribers have often had to pay for a minimum of water. However, more and more municipalities offer a two-level fee system, consisting of one fixed portion and one variable fee according to water used.

See also : KOSTRA: The municipal wastewater sector, 2003

Tables:

• Table 1 Municipal water sector: Investment, costs, income and cost coverage ratio, by county. 2003 (Corrected 6 August 2004)
• Table 2 Water fees, for a private dwelling of 120 m2, by county figures. 2004. NOK