Multi Level Action
Master plan for Wastewater and Water Environments
The Master plan for Wastewater and Water Environments 2005-2015 is the overall plan for wastewater treatment. In addition to upgrading the city’s sewage treatment plants, the plan focuses on surface water and waterways. It includes ambitious plans for how the handling of surface water should be incorporated in city planning at all levels - the city planners, water engineers and landscape gardeners need to put their heads together. The plan stresses that rain water, of which Bergen normally has an ample supply, is an important resource that should enhance the city rather than harm it, and that open systems enrich the environment, as well as being more robust and reliable.
Guidelines for handling surface water
Bergen was among the first to adopt separate guidelines for the handling of surface water. It is a requirements that all developments should facilitate local management of surface water using inlet filters, floodwater and storm water control systems and open systems. In those areas of the city where surface water is routed to a combined sewer system, the separation of sewage from surface water should always be considered in connection with any changes. The City of Bergen is carrying out several area wide separation projects either by establishing new waterways or by separating foul and surface water. One such examnple is the Drainpipe Project (Takrenneprosjektet) in the Fjellsiden area in which surface water is collected in mountainside and routed around the housing directly to watercourses or the sea. Another example is the Store Damsgårdsbekken stream, where the aim is to reopen the watercourse through the public park at Kirkebukten, which is a district centre.
