Ytre Sandviken RA, Bergen | Norway Wastewater

Overview

Ytre Sandviken RA is a wastewater treatment plant in Bergen, Norway, serving approximately 27,576 people. It operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, which mandates secondary treatment for agglomerations of this scale.

Ytre Sandviken RA is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in the Ytre Sandviken district of Bergen, Norway. The plant serves a population of approximately 27,576, placing it in the medium agglomeration category under Norwegian and EU regulations. Situated in the coastal city of Bergen, the facility is part of the region's infrastructure to manage wastewater from residential areas. As a plant serving over 10,000 people, Ytre Sandviken RA is subject to the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for discharges into coastal waters. Norway, as part of the European Economic Area, implements this directive. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 (likely in thousand cubic meters per day or similar units), indicating its scale. The regulatory framework ensures appropriate treatment levels. The treated effluent from Ytre Sandviken RA is discharged into the coastal waters of the North Sea near Bergen. The receiving environment includes the Byfjorden and surrounding fjord system, which supports diverse marine life and is important for local fisheries and tourism. The plant's operation helps protect these waters from nutrient pollution and pathogens, contributing to the ecological health of the Norwegian coast.

Environmental context

Ytre Sandviken RA discharges treated wastewater into the coastal waters of the North Sea via the Byfjorden near Bergen. This fjord system is part of a larger marine ecosystem that supports diverse aquatic life, including fish, seabirds, and marine mammals. The area is ecologically sensitive due to its role as a nursery ground for fish and a migratory corridor for species. Proper treatment is essential to prevent eutrophication and maintain water quality in this coastal environment.

Frequently asked questions

Ytre Sandviken RA is located at Breiviksveien 40 in the Ytre Sandviken district of Bergen, Norway. It serves the surrounding residential areas of Bergenhus and Biskopshavn.

The plant serves approximately 27,576 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under EU and Norwegian wastewater regulations.

The treated effluent is discharged into the coastal waters of the North Sea via the Byfjorden near Bergen. The discharge point is within 50 km of the coast, and the plant is subject to regulations for coastal discharges.

As a Norwegian plant serving over 10,000 people, Ytre Sandviken RA operates under the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC), which requires secondary treatment for discharges into coastal waters. Norway implements this directive through national legislation.

For agglomerations of this size, the EU UWWTD mandates secondary treatment (biological treatment) as a minimum. In sensitive areas, tertiary treatment may be required to remove nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. Norwegian plants often employ advanced treatment to protect coastal ecosystems.