Overview
BYRKJELO wastewater treatment plant serves the community of Byrkjelo in Vestland, Norway. It has a designed capacity of 1.00 and serves a population of 6,767, operating under Norwegian water regulations.
BYRKJELO is a wastewater treatment plant located in Byrkjelo, a village in the municipality of Gloppen, Vestland county, Norway. The plant serves a population of approximately 6,767 people, making it a medium-sized facility within the Norwegian wastewater infrastructure. It is situated near the coast, within 50 km of the sea, and its operations are subject to Norwegian environmental regulations. As a Norwegian plant, BYRKJELO operates under the national implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) through the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) and county governors. For agglomerations of this size, secondary treatment is typically required, with potential additional nutrient removal if discharging into sensitive areas. The plant's treated effluent likely discharges into local watercourses that eventually reach the Norwegian Sea, part of the North Atlantic. The Vestland region is known for its fjords and coastal ecosystems, which are sensitive to nutrient pollution. Proper treatment at BYRKJELO helps protect these marine environments and supports local biodiversity, including fish populations and seabird habitats.
Environmental context
BYRKJELO plant discharges into local streams that flow into the Gloppefjorden, a branch of the Nordfjord, which ultimately drains into the Norwegian Sea. This coastal region features deep fjords with limited water exchange, making it sensitive to nutrient enrichment. The surrounding watershed supports diverse aquatic life, including Atlantic salmon and sea trout, which rely on clean water for spawning and migration.
Frequently asked questions
BYRKJELO is located in Byrkjelo, a village in Gloppen municipality, Vestland county, Norway. Its address is 1741 Breimsvegen, Fløtra, Byrkjelo.
The plant serves a population of approximately 6,767 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under Norwegian and EU wastewater directives.
Treated wastewater from BYRKJELO is discharged into local watercourses that flow into Gloppefjorden, part of the Nordfjord system, and eventually into the Norwegian Sea.
BYRKJELO operates under Norwegian regulations that implement the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC). For plants serving 6,767 people, secondary treatment is typically required, with possible nutrient removal in sensitive areas.
In Norway, wastewater plants serving populations between 2,000 and 10,000 usually provide secondary biological treatment. Additional phosphorus removal is common due to the country's many sensitive freshwater and coastal environments.
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