Lillevik renseanlegg - Wastewater Treatment Plant in Stavern, Norway

Lillevik renseanlegg is a wastewater treatment plant located in Stavern, Larvik municipality, Vestfold county, Norway. The plant serves a population of 60,733, classifying it as a medium-to-large agglomeration under Norwegian and EU regulatory frameworks. Its location near the coast places it within a sensitive environmental zone. As a Norwegian plant, Lillevik renseanlegg operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), transposed into national law. For agglomerations of this size, the directive requires at least secondary treatment, with more stringent tertiary treatment if discharging into sensitive areas such as coastal waters. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in million cubic meters per year or similar unit), indicating a facility sized for its service population. The plant discharges into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Skagerrak strait, part of the North Sea. This coastal environment supports diverse marine life, including fish stocks and seabird populations. Effective treatment is crucial to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect the ecological balance of the fjord and coastal ecosystems.

Lillevik renseanlegg discharges into the local watershed that flows into the Skagerrak, a strait connecting the North Sea to the Baltic Sea. This coastal region is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse marine habitats including kelp forests, fish spawning grounds, and migratory bird routes. Nutrient loading from wastewater can contribute to eutrophication, making advanced treatment important for preserving water quality in the fjord and downstream marine environment.