Høyanger water scandal prompts public meeting over high aluminium levels

A public meeting in Høyanger drew hundreds on Wednesday evening after officials revealed the local water supply had contained dangerously high aluminium levels for years, Dagbladet reports.

Around 700 households are affected by the contamination, which led to an immediate drinking water ban. The school gymnasium in Kyrkjebø was packed, with latecomers forced to stand as residents demanded answers from municipal leaders, including Mayor Petter Sortland (Labour).

Jan Kaare Hellevang, Høyanger’s municipal director for community affairs, admitted officials had long been aware of elevated aluminium levels but failed to reduce them to acceptable limits. He also conceded that health risks had not been sufficiently assessed.

The issue came to light after Siv Helen Lillehauge Bjørsvik, a local resident, submitted test results in November 2025 showing high aluminium concentrations. Her warning triggered a review by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI), which confirmed the health risks last week.

Bjørsvik, a mother of two, said she was relieved the problem was now being taken seriously. “I hope this leads to better drinking water and that all the long-standing issues are finally addressed,” she told Dagbladet.

Residents expressed frustration over the lack of oversight. Rolf Selnes, whose 22-year-old son Dani fears long-term health effects, called the situation “terrible.” Reidunn Haugsnes, 80, a former school principal who has lived in the area for 50 years, said people were angry and anxious.

In the meantime, residents must collect drinking water from three emergency tanks set up in the village.

Aluminium occurs naturally in bedrock but can also be added during water treatment to remove particles. Officials stated the high levels were not linked to local industry, including a Norsk Hydro aluminium plant in the municipality.