Vanngassskjøting

Vanngassskjøting is the method by which municipal water utilities in Norway calculate the charges for household and commercial water consumption. The term combines the Norwegian words “vanngass”, meaning water supply, and “kjøting”, which refers to pricing or tariff setting. The system is designed to reflect the real cost of providing water, including treatment, distribution, maintenance, and environmental compliance.

In practice, each municipality sets a tiered tariff structure that varies by volume of water used. The most common approach is a progressive rate: lower consumption units are charged a lower price per cubic meter, while higher units are charged a higher price. This mechanism encourages water conservation and ensures that users who consume more water help fund the infrastructure that supports overall supply. Some municipalities also apply time-of-use adjustments, but the majority rely on quantity-based tiers.

Under Norwegian law, local water companies must publish their tariff structures and update them regularly. The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) monitors adherence to national guidelines, ensuring that variations in charging practices are justified by differences in operating costs. The goal of vanngassskjøting is to balance economic viability for the utility, affordability for consumers, and the sustainability of water resources.

In recent years, many municipalities have introduced smart meter pilot programmes to refine tariff accuracy and provide consumers with real‑time usage data, thereby improving transparency and encouraging efficient water use.