Residents to receive significantly higher bills. Major increase in municipal fees in Norway

Higher bills will affect property owners in Sarpsborg. In the case of Jessika Benjaminsen Gresholdt and Robin Langsholt Olseng, whose story was reported by NRK, annual fees will rise to around NOK 30,000. This means an additional approximately NOK 7,000 over the course of the year.

Increases are also being introduced in neighbouring Fredrikstad, where a new wastewater treatment plant costing NOK 2.3 billion has been launched. For an average household, this means fees rising by around NOK 3,000 per year. More municipalities in eastern Norway are preparing similar investments.

In Sarpsborg, municipal fees will increase by 30 percent from the new year. The direct reason is the launch of a new nitrogen removal facility, which cost more than NOK 1.7 billion. The expenses are to be covered by residents through fees. For a standard 120-square-metre home, this means an increase of around NOK 7,000 in the bill.

Jessika Benjaminsen Gresholdt told NRK that costs are becoming increasingly high and are affecting the household budget. Her partner, Robin Langsholt Olseng, described the increase as too large. The couple live in a house in Klavestadhaugen, Sarpsborg. After the changes, their annual municipal fees are expected to amount to around NOK 30,000.

The increases are not limited to Sarpsborg. In Fredrikstad, an average household will pay around NOK 3,000 more per year, due to a new wastewater treatment plant built for NOK 2.3 billion. The two cities had previously considered a joint investment. Ultimately, however, they decided to build separate facilities.

Fredrikstad Mayor Arne Sekkelsten told NRK that he expects the state to contribute to financing the costs. Climate and Environment Minister Sigrun Aasland, in turn, pointed out that responsibility for proper wastewater treatment lies with municipalities. The government has, among other measures, enabled some of the costs to be spread over a longer period and introduced support for planning nitrogen removal facilities. The requirements themselves are intended to reduce the amount of nitrogen reaching the Oslo Fjord.

Residents of further municipalities face similar expenses. In Moss, the projected increase in household fees is NOK 3,550 per year, while in Porsgrunn and Bamble, wastewater charges are expected to more than double in the coming years. The requirement to introduce nitrogen treatment applies to a total of 118 municipalities located in the Oslo Fjord catchment area.