Overview
Medkila avlopsrenseanlegg Harstad is a wastewater treatment plant serving 2,395 people in Harstad, Norway. It is located near the coast in Troms county.
Medkila avlopsrenseanlegg Harstad is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in the Heia area of Harstad, in Troms county, Norway. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,395 people, placing it in the small agglomeration category under Norwegian regulations. As a Norwegian facility, the plant operates under the national implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for discharges to freshwater and estuaries, and more advanced treatment for sensitive areas. The plant's scale and coastal location suggest it meets national standards for nutrient removal to protect the marine environment. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Norwegian Sea. The coastal waters near Harstad are ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse marine life including fish stocks and seabird populations. Proper treatment is essential to minimize nutrient loading and protect water quality in this fjord-influenced coastal region.
Environmental context
The plant's discharge enters the local water system near Harstad, which flows into the Vågsfjorden and then the Norwegian Sea. This coastal environment supports diverse marine ecosystems, including important fish spawning grounds and seabird habitats. Nutrient inputs from wastewater must be carefully managed to prevent eutrophication in the fjord system.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in the Heia area of Harstad, in Troms county, Norway. Its address is Heia, Kanebogen, Heggen, Harstad, Troms, 9414.
The plant serves a population of 2,395 people, classifying it as a small agglomeration under Norwegian and EU wastewater regulations.
The plant discharges treated wastewater into the local watershed, which flows into Vågsfjorden and ultimately the Norwegian Sea. The plant is within 50 km of the coast.
As a Norwegian plant, it operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), implemented through national regulations. This directive sets treatment standards based on population size and receiving water sensitivity.
For small agglomerations (under 10,000 people), Norwegian regulations typically require secondary treatment or equivalent. Coastal plants may also need nutrient removal to protect marine environments, in line with the EU directive's requirements for sensitive areas.
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