Municipal wastewater - KOSTRA, 2006

More regional, the annual average renewal rate is about 0.49 per cent in the North Sea counties, and around 0.54 per cent for the rest of the country. However, because the pipeline system is more extensive in the North Sea counties, the gross renewal is somewhat higher in these counties (around 96 kilometres) compared to the rest of the country (around 79 kilometres). All figures are based on the newly released KOSTRA (Municipality-State-Reporting).

Renewal of wastewater pipelines is of critical importance in order to prevent damage to buildings and pollution to the environment through leakages. Leaking pipelines can also contribute to increased treatment costs as surface water and groundwater may enter the pipelines. In 2006 it was estimated around 420 number of closed cases of basement flooding where municipality has accepted liability and around 3 400 sewage overflows in pipeline, storm water system and manhole covers.

34 210 kilometres of municipal wastewater pipelines

Estimations for 2006 show that there are around 34 210 kilometres of municipal wastewater pipelines in the country. The average age of the municipal wastewater pipelines is estimated to be around 32 years (weighted against length of pipeline system).

The reporting shows that 8.4 per cent of the municipal wastewater pipelines were installed before 1940, while 48.3 per cent were laid down in 1980 or later. Looking at the different time periods, there was a 1.15 per cent renewal last year among wastewater pipelines installed before 1940. The corresponding figure for pipelines from 1980 or later was 0.30 per cent.

2 per cent increase in annual fees

On country level, the average fixed annual feel was NOK 2 692 in 2007. This constitutes a 1.6 per cent increase compared to 2006. On the regional level, the inhabitants in the county of Østfold experienced the highest annual fees with an average of NOK 3 807. Oslo with its annual fee of NOK 1 504 was lowest.

The fee per water used has remained relatively stable since last year. The average fee level per cubic metre varied between NOK 17.16 in Oppland (highest) and NOK 6.06 in Finnmark (lowest). The connection fee - high-level connection fee - was highest in municipalities of Akershus with an average of NOK 22 760.

Key figures for average annual fee presented in Statbank , constitutes the most dominant type of fee charged by the municipality (either fixed annual fee or charged by water used). The average annual fee (NOK 2 560) in the KOSTRA key figures therefore deviate from fixed annual fee mentioned above.

Tables:

• Table 1 Wastewater treatment fees, for a private dwelling of 120 m. Municipal figures. 2007. NOK