Polleelva Wastewater Treatment Plant, Haugland, Norway

Polleelva is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Haugland, on the island of Askøy in Vestland county, Norway. The plant serves a small population of 110 people, reflecting its role in a rural coastal community. It operates under Norway's implementation of the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this size. The plant provides secondary treatment, which involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 1500 m³/day, the current discharge volume of 47.71 m³/day indicates low utilization. The facility is situated near the coast, less than 10 km from the sea, and its treated effluent is discharged into the local marine environment. The receiving waters ultimately flow into the North Sea, a productive marine ecosystem supporting fisheries and diverse aquatic life. The plant's location on Askøy, a coastal island, means its discharge contributes to the nutrient load in the fjord system, which is ecologically sensitive to eutrophication. Proper treatment helps protect the local marine environment and complies with Norwegian water quality standards.

Polleelva discharges into the coastal waters of Askøy, which are part of the larger North Sea basin. The North Sea is a highly productive marine ecosystem supporting commercial fisheries and migratory bird populations. The plant's effluent enters a fjord system that is sensitive to nutrient enrichment, making secondary treatment important for maintaining water quality and preventing algal blooms.