Veitur Utilities manages the infrastructure and operation of wastewater systems in Reykjavík City, as well as Akranes Townshipp and Borgarbyggd Municipality in West Iceland. Wastewater from Kópavogsbaer, Mosfellsbaer and Seltjarnarnesbaer, in addition to parts of Garðabaer, is treated in wastewater treatment plants at Ánanaust and Klettagardar. The infrastructure serves approximately 60% of the Icelandic population.

Residents and businesses in Veitur Utilities' accumulation area have access to utility systems and wastewater treatment plants, in accordance with reglulations. However, the company has been exempted from the principle of sewage treatment against monitoring negative effects to the receiver, please see the discussion below on sea quality. Veitur Utilities have decided to start investments and measures for wastewater treatment at least in accordance with the regulatory definition of single stage treatment.

Veitur Utilities’ long term objective is to ensure that the coastline is always clean, as the shore is defined as an outdoor recreational area. However, the discharge of unfiltered wastewater via overflows is an inseparable part of the wastewater system, which has been developed over the last decades. This kind of discharge will continue to be the case as long as sewage and surface water is mixed in the receptor, which accounts for approximately 28% of the wastewater collection system.

Effective measures taken to reduce the discharge of unfiltered wastewater via overflows are, e.g. the development of procedures to systematically search for leaks, revision of procedures in the servicing of pumping stations, and extensive investments in the pipe system to divert surface water from the wastewater system, this project is a priority. Currently, a long term plan is being developed to fully keep infiltration of extraneous water from the wastwater system. In 2022, projects were completed in the areas of Sogamýrarsvaedi in Reykjavik City and Kalmansvíkursvaedi in Akranes Township, the project in Midvogslaekur in Akranes is almost finished as well as the watershed of Kópavogslaekur within the municipal boundaries of Reykjavík City.

Seawater quality

A new phase in environmental monitoring of treated wastewater from the capital area and Akranes Township began in 2023 and will conclude in the latter part of 2024. The research this time is in accordance with nationwide standardized requirements based on the so-called Water Plan of Iceland, except that the Environmental Agency has waived the requirements for sampling invertebrates on soft bottoms near Akranes, among other reasons, because there is rocky seabed in the area and strong ocean currents. With this, Veitur Utility is contributing to maintaining a harmonized assessment of water bodies in Iceland, for those water bodies that the company impacts with its operations.

Veitur Utilities and the Reykjavík Health Authorities have monitored the quality of the coastal waters of Reykjavík City and Kjalarnes, monthly over the year 2023, totaling 165 samples. Along the coastline, 83% of the samples were below the reference limits for enterococci, and 93% of the samples were below the reference limits for fecal coliforms, indicating very low fecal pollution.

Biological wastewater treatment plants

Microbial concentrations near outflows from the biological treatment plants in the West of Iceland have been measured above the limits defined in the operating licenses in recent years.

In 2023, a more detailed analysis of microbial concentrations at the discharge points of the treatment plants was undertaken. Among other things, the locations of sampling sites were corrected in cases where samples were taken within fenced areas controlled by Veitur Utilities or from wells. Such samplings provide a misleading picture of the risk intended to be assessed by the samplings, that is, the public risk of microbial pollution in surface water where the public or food production may be exposed. All samples are now taken from surface water accessible to the public, or from wells where water extraction areas are near wastewater treatment plants. Results, based on updated locations, suggest that values at the outlets in Reykholt and Bifröst do not pose a health risk, but the values exceed limits at Hvanneyri and Varmaland. Remediation procedures are needed there.

All results of sampling and analyses from Veitur Utility's wastewater utility can be seen in the annual overview reports of sampling and measurements, which are available on the web, in addition to a special report issued in the same publication series in 2023 due to microbial sampling at the biological treatment plants in Borgarbyggd Municipality.

Surface water solutions

Veitur Utilities continue working on the implementation of blue-green surface water solutions, in collaboration with municipalities, to minimise the flow of rainwater from streets, roads, and other areas into the wastewater system, and reduce the probability, and likelihood, of discharge through the system into the sea. The Township of Akranes and Veitur Utilities, for example, have worked together to develop surface water systems that serve newly built neighborhoods in the eastern part of the urban area in Akranes.

Responsible consumer behavior and improved utilization of sewage waste

Veitur Utilities has repeatedly urged people not to use toilets as trash bins, as disinfectant and wet wipes, along with other trash, cause strain on equipment and the environment. In 2023, Veitur Utilities also emphasized, in collaboration with Sorpa, public education on how to dispose of fats and oils for biodiesel production instead of pouring this energy-rich material down the drain.

The wastewater utility is working on innovative projects to prepare for the reuse of sewage waste such as sand, sludge, fat, and garbage waste as part of the implementation of the circular economy. See the appendix for Innovation Projects in the field of climate and environmental matters.

"Energy from the Kitchen" is a joint project of Veitur Utilities and Sorpa aimed at recycling leftover oil from kitchens and protecting household plumbing, see the video below.