The Outfall – changes to the pipes in Ósar
It has been discovered that an unnecessarily large amount of sewage is flowing through the overflow outfall from „Ósnum“, and also from the other stations such as „Óseyri“. at Óseyrarbraut and „Krosseyri“ at Vesturgata, but to permanently prevent this and have the capacity to pump all the sewage south to Hraunavík, changes need to be made to the pipe connections inside „Ósnum.“
In the last decade, the residents of Hafnarfjörður took decisive action on the town's sewerage issues. An intensive project was undertaken, which involved the construction of four purpose-built pumping and treatment stations along the coastline from Herjólfsgata all the way south to Hraunavík. Most of the older sewer pipes in the older parts of the town were connected to these stations, but their condition was and is quite varied.
These pumping stations then transport all the sewage from the town to a single communal treatment plant in Hraunavík, from where the main outfall of the sewerage system also runs for just over 2 km out into the bay.
Alongside these works, a footpath and cycle path were laid along the entire waterfront and are now heavily used. At the westernmost part of the infill west of the south harbour (at the westernmost point of Óseyrarbraut), a settling chamber was constructed, which was also intended as a temporary overflow for when the sewer system is under the greatest pressure.
From this structure, which has been named „Ósinn“, there is a self-flowing stream westwards into Hraunavík. It has been discovered that an unnecessarily large amount of sewage flows through the overflow outlet from „Ósinn“, and also from the other stations such as „Óseyri“. at Óseyrarbraut and „Krosseyri“ at Vesturgata, but to permanently prevent this and have the option to pump all sewage south to Hraunavík, changes need to be made to the pipe connections inside „Ósnum.“
While these works are carried out, sewage will have to be discharged via emergency overflows at the Óseyri and Krosseyri pumping stations. This time of year has been chosen because the district heating company's return water is now rapidly decreasing and there is the lowest likelihood of heavy rainfall.
These works are expected to take two weeks, and residents are asked to be patient and understanding. However, a localised, time-limited sewage pollution is expected to be visible in the stream between the South Harbour area and the golf course at Hvaleyrarholti, as well as outside Norðshore, outside the Krosseyri pumping station. This situation will be most noticeable at low tide.
Once this work is complete, sewage running over the gutters will be almost completely a thing of the past.
With summer greetings,
Employees of Hafnarfjörður Sewerage