The case in summary Overloading the drainage system in Sysendalen has led to a ban on new connections, which stops new cottage developments in the area. The treatment plants in Sysendalen, Isdøla and Maurset, which are designed for 1,200 people, handle emissions from over 2,000. Eidfjord municipality is working on plans for a new treatment plant, but the ban will apply until a permanent solution is in place. The situation creates uncertainty for local businesses such as the Garen family, who have based their main business on cottage development and service services in Sysendalen. Eidfjord municipality has decided to build a new treatment plant at Gommakvile in Sysendalen, with the target of completion in the summer of 2027. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAI. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. – Now I don’t know what I actually have to take over, says Katrine Garen, who recently moved home to Eidfjord municipality to take over the family business. Their company develops cabins in Sysendalen. The reason for the despair is that the Norwegian Environment Agency has introduced a ban on new connections to the drainage system in the area. The consequences are now causing concern among both cabin owners and developers. The treatment plants in Sysendalen, Isdøla and Maurset have long been pushed to the limit. Although the capacity is calculated for 1,200 people, the facilities handle emissions from over two thousand. This has led to the facilities no longer meeting the environmental requirements. The authorities said stop The situation has led to several orders from the authorities, and on 10 October this year the Norwegian Environment Agency put its foot down: No new cabins may be connected until the capacity has been expanded. EIDFJORD: Sysendalen cottage field is a cottage field near Maurseth in Eidfjord municipality. Photo: Dina Gjertine Svendal Kleiven / news Eidfjord municipality has been working on plans for a new treatment plant for several years. Last year, the State Administrator approved a temporary solution that opened up new connections, but after a complaint this decision was overturned. The ban now applies until a permanent solution is in place. Uncertain future prospects Katrine Garen has recently moved home to Sysendalen to take over the family business, which has been building cabins since the 1970s. The company is based on Garen, a cottage field located approximately three kilometers from Vøringsfossen on the west side of Hardangervidda. Now both she and her family face an uncertain future, after the capacity problems at the valley’s treatment plant have put an end to new connections. – Threatening jobs and offers The Garen family has based its main business on cottage development and service services in Sysendalen, and the business provides work for eight year-round employees. Tom Karsten Garen, Katrine’s father, explains that the situation now threatens both jobs and services in the valley. – We risk being left with a low level of service for the cabin owners. Without the opportunity to build more cottage plots, it will be difficult to maintain business operations here, says Garen. STEP DOWN: Tom Karsten Garen, owner of several companies within cabin development and service services in Sysendalen, had plans to step down and leave the property to the next generation. Photo: Dina Gjertine Svendal Kleiven / news He says that they now have around 20 cabin plots sold where the customers are not allowed to start building their cabins due to the connection stop to water and drainage. – Extreme situation In addition, he has a field with 26 plots which they cannot start selling due to the same restriction. – If we are to calculate in kroner and øre, then we are talking about significant sums. He believes Eidfjord municipality has failed in planning and points out that the capacity problems at the treatment plant have been known for a long time. – It is a completely extreme situation, because it is the municipality’s responsibility to ensure that the treatment plant has a large enough capacity for the number of cottage plots that are approved in planning plans. New treatment plant in 2027 Eidfjord municipality is actively working to speed up the process to solve the capacity challenges. – The new treatment plant has been planned for a long time, and we agreed with the State Administrator on a progress plan that would see completion in 2025. But due to discussions about land acquisition, the project has been delayed, says councilor Magnus Steigedal. THE COUNCIL’S CHALLENGE: Magnus Steigedal explains the consequences of the Norwegian Environment Agency’s decision to freeze connections for new cabins in Sysendalen, and describes the efforts to speed up the construction of a new treatment plant, which is scheduled to be completed in 2027. Photo: Dina Gjertine Svendal Kleiven / news According to Steigedal, the municipality’s goal is had always been to facilitate further development, but they were surprised by the Norwegian Environment Agency’s decision. – This was not a decision that was wanted on our part, and it came over a year after the complaint was submitted. It was surprising that the Norwegian Environment Agency overruled the State Administrator’s approval, says Steigedal. Eidfjord municipality has decided to build a new treatment plant at Gommakvile in Sysendalen, with the target of completion in the summer of 2027. NEW TREATMENT PLANT ON THE ROAD: Eidfjord municipality plans to complete the treatment plant in Sysendalen by the summer of 2027, which will restore normal connection to the sewage system. Photo: Dina Gjertine Svendal Kleiven / news When the facility is ready, the municipality will be able to return to a normal situation, where people can connect to the sewage system as usual. Major consequences for local businesses The connection ban affects both local businesses, landowners and those who want to build new cabins in the area. FATHER AND DAUGHTER: Katrine and Tom Karsten Garden are afraid of the consequences the connection stop will have on business development in the area. Photo: Dina Gjertine Svendal Kleiven / news For Katrine Garen and her family, the situation means great uncertainty for the future. – I certainly want the development to continue, but we see that it may come to a halt in the next few years. It is quite frightening, says Katrine. Published 27.11.2024, at 05.21
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Puts a stop to new cabin construction in Sysendalen until a new treatment plant is in place – news Vestland
