NORWAY HAS three levels of government; national, regional and local level (municipal).
The municipalities administer domestic services such as water, sewage treatment, bin collections, recycling services and chimney sweeping/inspection services.
In 2011, the average household paid 11,103 Norwegian krone (€1,448) for yearly municipal services.
In 2011, Oslo residents paid 7,419 krone (€967) for yearly services broken down as following: water charges 1,466 krone (€191), sewage 2,135 krone (€278), bin collection 3,655 krone (€477) and chimney-sweeping/inspection fees of 163 krone (€21).
There are 430 municipalities in Norway and charges can vary dramatically from one municipality to another.
For example, in 2011 the highest charges recorded were 18,877 krone (€2,461) and the lowest 3,613 krone (€471).
Payments are made quarterly and go directly to the municipal authority. Chimney sweeping/ inspection fees are paid separately and once a year. Water charges are monitored by either meter or by stipulated charges.
Norway has more water than most countries. A network of streams and waterways fill up water reservoirs to supply the population with high quality water.
Water quality in Norway is strictly monitored and must comply with 50 different quality criteria. Norwegian drinking water regulations specify that drinking water must be clear, without any smell, taste or colour. Personal water consumption in Norway is about 200 litres per day.
Water provision and sewage treatment are managed on a non- profit making basis with excess revenue used to update services or reduce fees.
The municipalities are not permitted to charge more for tap water than it costs to run the system. Water in Norway is defined as “an economic good”.
Oslo citizens produce 379 kg of household waste per annum. The first municipal agencies for household waste were introduced in the late 1800s. The legal act on municipal waste was introduced in 1928. This act gave municipalities powers to decree on household participation.
The municipality (kommune) of Oslo is charged with looking after the household service needs of some 240,000 households. Each house and apartment complex is provided with two bins, one for paper/cardboard and the other for residual waste.
Colour coded bags are freely available at local shops for sorting household waste; blue for plastic and green for organic waste. Bins are collected on a weekly basis. Recycling centres for glass and metal are also commonplace in Oslo.
Incidents of individuals withholding payments are rare and are considered to be a legal violation. Sanctions can be imposed for non-payment for services.