The Oslo Fjord is suffocated. Mussels, cod, seaweed and kelp disappear, but no one knows for sure why. Environmental authorities and the association Oslofjordrådet believe that nitrogen that leaks into the fjord, mainly with wastewater, is a main explanation.
– The fjord has problems, and we believe nitrogen is part of the problem. We are not entirely sure about that, but we believe that removing nitrogen will be good for the fjord, says CEO of VEAS, Ragnhild Borchrevink. VEAS is the company that operates the treatment plant in the mountains at Slemmestad by the Oslo Fjord.
Only three out of 53 cleaners
This plant is one of only three plants that currently remove nitrogen from wastewater from Oslo, Bærum and Asker. Just around the inner Oslofjord, there are in addition 50 treatment plants that do not use this technology.
– CLEANS NITROGEN: CEO of VEAS, Ragnhild Borchrevink Photo: Odd Arne Hartvigsen / TV 2
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The technology is expensive, and many municipalities refuse to rebuild existing facilities to also purify substances such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Moss is a municipality that has complained about the order to upgrade its treatment plant. The complaint is being processed by the Norwegian Environment Agency.
Raise fees
It is the State Administrator in the counties who may order the municipalities to upgrade the treatment plants in the municipal waterworks.
– This is expensive for the municipalities?
– Well, they have the water and sewerage fees that they can raise then, but we know that many are worried about the economy in this, says department director for climate and environment at the State Administrator in Oslo and Viken, Gunhild Dalaker Tuseth.
– ORDERS INVESTMENTS: Department director at the State Administrator in Oslo and Viken, Gunhild Dalaker Tuseth Photo: Odd Arne Hartvigsen / TV 2
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Today, Friday 13 May, a letter was issued from the Norwegian Environment Agency which will precisely affect many of the 2.5 million water consumers in the eastern region.
Half a billion for a municipality
This letter to the State Administrators warns of demands for significant investments in treatment technology to improve living conditions in the Oslo Fjord. Such a modern treatment plant in a medium-sized municipality could cost up to half a billion kroner. The total investments could be several times billions.
– Yes, we are probably talking about such amounts, says Minister of Climate and Environment Espen Barth Eide (Labor).
Polluter pays. And it’s you.
He says the government will be able to contribute funds in a planning phase, but the actual costs for the construction of the facilities must be borne by the municipalities. That is, those who pay municipal taxes in households.
– The Oslo Fjord is in deep crisis. There will be stricter requirements for the municipalities if they have to plan for stricter requirements for nitrogen purification. But then there are many people who live around the fjord to share when this is to be paid, and this is basically user-paid.
– POLLUTOR PAYS: The rescue operation will be financed through municipal fees. Minister of Climate and Environment Espen Barth Eide, Labor Photo: Odd Arne Hartvigsen / TV 2
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– It is we who pay municipal fees who must take this bill?
– As usual, this goes over the municipal fee. It is the “polluter pays” principle that is very strong in Norway. When many people live together, there will be more sewage, but then there are also more who are together to pay for the treatment, says Barth Eide.
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