Saudalskleivane Wastewater Treatment Plant, Bergen, Norway

Saudalskleivane is a wastewater treatment plant located in the Mjølkeråen area of Bergen, Norway, within the Vestland county. It serves a small population of 183 people, reflecting its role as a local facility for a residential community. The plant is situated near the coast, approximately 5 km from the sea, and operates under Norwegian regulations that implement the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment required for all discharges under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. With a designed capacity of 140 m³/day and a current discharge volume of 79.36 m³/day, the facility operates well within its capacity. Norwegian regulations, aligned with the Water Framework Directive, ensure that treatment levels are appropriate for the sensitivity of the receiving environment. The treated effluent is discharged into coastal waters of the North Sea, specifically near the Byfjorden fjord system. This area supports diverse marine life and is part of the larger North Sea ecosystem. The plant's coastal location means its discharge is subject to strict environmental controls to protect the local marine environment and recreational waters.

The plant discharges into the coastal waters of the North Sea via the Byfjorden fjord near Bergen. This area is part of the Norwegian coastal ecosystem, which supports diverse marine life including fish, seabirds, and benthic communities. The fjord system is influenced by tidal flows and freshwater inputs, making it ecologically sensitive to nutrient loading and pollutants. Proper treatment is essential to maintain water quality for both ecological health and human uses such as recreation and fishing.