Olahaugen p Wastewater Treatment Plant, Erdal, Norway

Olahaugen p is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Erdal, a village in Askøy municipality, Vestland county, Norway. The plant serves a small population of 158 residents, reflecting the rural character of the area. It is situated near the coast of the Norwegian Sea, within 10 km of the shoreline. As a secondary treatment facility, Olahaugen p provides biological treatment to remove organic matter and suspended solids. The plant has a designed capacity of 150 m³/day and currently treats an average daily flow of 68.52 m³/day. Norwegian wastewater plants of this scale are regulated under the national Pollution Control Act, which implements the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) through the EEA Agreement. For small agglomerations like this, secondary treatment is the standard requirement. The treated effluent from Olahaugen p is discharged into the local marine environment, likely via a coastal outfall into the Byfjorden or adjacent fjord system, which ultimately connects to the North Sea. The receiving waters support diverse marine life, including fish stocks and seabird populations. The plant's coastal location means that proper treatment is essential to protect the sensitive fjord ecosystem from nutrient enrichment and other pollutants.

The plant discharges into the coastal waters of Vestland, part of the North Sea basin. The nearby fjords, such as Byfjorden, are ecologically important habitats for marine species including cod, herring, and seabirds. The area is also a migratory corridor for salmon and sea trout. Effective secondary treatment helps prevent eutrophication and maintains water quality in this sensitive coastal environment.