State points to budget process for Longyearbyen water

Justice Minister Astri Aas-Hansen has said the local council (Longyearbyen lokalstyre) is responsible for Longyearbyen's water supply, and that any further state money must come through the regular budget process, the Storting said. The answer was published on Thursday 29 October 2026.

On Monday 26 October, the Wire reported that Siren Julianne Jensen, of Miljøpartiet De Grønne (the Green Party), had asked in a written question whether the state helps the local authorities with the water supply and will help fund measures such as a treatment plant or a backup supply.

Aas-Hansen said the council has a legal duty for infrastructure in Longyearbyen where the state or others are not responsible. That includes the waterworks, which supply the town with drinking water. She called the supply critical infrastructure and said work on its future must be prioritised.

For that reason, the government proposed in the revised national budget for 2024 to grant NOK 3 million in state co-funding for a pre-project on a safer water supply. The Storting agreed to the proposal.

The council is now examining a future solution for drinking water, which the Svalbard budget for 2026-2027 also mentions. A concept study of the water supply is expected this year.

Any budget proposals that would cost the state money in connection with the drinking water supply must be handled in the ordinary budget process, the minister said. The Storting will be told of the government's budget proposal for the coming year in the usual way, when the national budget proposal is presented.

The question was dated Wednesday 21 October 2026 and sent on Monday 26 October.

Earlier: Jensen asks if state will fund Longyearbyen water fix (26 October 2026)

Coverage: Stortinget