Difference between revisions of "Application of Sludge"

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|{{Language-box|english_link=Application_of_Sludge|french_link=Epandage_de_boues|spanish_link=Aplicación_de_Lodos_al_Terreno|hindi_link=coming soon|malayalam_link=coming soon|tamil_link=coming soon | korean_link=coming soon | chinese_link=Coming soon | indonesian_link=Coming soon | japanese_link=Coming soon}}
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sys1=[[Single Pit System|1]]|
 
sys1=[[Single Pit System|1]]|
sys2=[[Pour Flush System with Twin Pits|3]]|
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sys2=[[Biogas System|5]]|
sys3=[[Blackwater Treatment System with Infiltration|5]]|
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sys5=[[(Semi-) Centralized Treatment System|7]]|
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sys5=[[Blackwater Transport to (Semi-) Centralized Treatment System|8]]|
sys6=[[Sewerage System with Urine Diversion|8]]|
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ManShared=XX|
 
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ManPublic=XX|
 
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Input1=Treated Sludge |Input2= |Input3=| Input4=|Input5=|
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Input1=Sludge |Input2= |Input3=| Input4=|Input5=|
Output1=- |Output2= | Output3= | Output4= | Output5=
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Output1=Biomass |Output2= | Output3= | Output4= | Output5=
 
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|[[Image:Land_application_of_sludge.png |right|500px]]
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<br>
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----
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<br>
  
[[Image:Icon_land_application_of_sludge.png |right|95px]]
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[[Image:Icon_land_application_of_sludge.png |right|80px]]
'''Digested or stabilized Faecal Sludge is refered to as ‘Biosolids’. Depending on the quality of the biosolids, they can be applied to public or private lands, for landscaping or for agriculture.'''
 
  
The USEPA defines different levels of biosolids depending on the treatment and quality, and therefore the health risk. Class A biosolids (i.e. biosolids that can be sold for public use) can be used with nearly no restrictions.
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'''Depending on the treatment type and quality, digested or stabilized sludge can be applied to public or private lands for landscaping or agriculture.'''
  
Please consult the guidelines for specific use criteria. Biosolids can be used in agriculture, home gardening, forestry, sod and turf growing, landscaping, parks, golf courses, mine reclamation, dump cover, or erosion control. Although biosolids have lower nutrient levels than commercial fertilizers (for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium respectively), they can be used to replace part or all of commercial fertilizers that are used.
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<br>
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Sludge that has been treated (e.g., [[Co-composting|Co-Composted]] or removed from a [[Planted Drying Beds|Planted Drying Bed]], etc.) can be used in agriculture, home gardening, forestry, sod and turf growing, landscaping, parks, golf courses, mine reclamation, as a dump cover, or for erosion control. Although sludge has lower nutrient levels than commercial fertilizers (for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, respectively), it can replace an important part of the fertilizer need. Additionally, treated sludge has been found to have properties superior to those of fertilizers, such as bulking and water retention properties, and the slow, steady release of nutrients.
  
Additionally, biosolids have been found to have properties that are superior to those of fertilizers, such as bulking properties, water retention properties and the slow, steady release of nutrients.
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===Design Considerations===
 
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Solids are spread on the ground surface using conventional manure spreaders, tank trucks or specially designed vehicles. Liquid sludge
Biosolids are spread on the ground surface using conventional manure spreaders, tank trucks or specially designed vehicles. More liquid biosolids (e.g. from anaerobic reactors) can be sprayed onto, or injected into, the ground. Dewatered biosolids may be ‘flung’, which is most common in forests.
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(e.g., from anaerobic reactors) can be sprayed onto or injected into the ground. Application rates and usage of sludge should take into
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account the presence of pathogens and contaminants, and the quantity of nutrients available so that it is used at a sustainable and agronomic rate.
  
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<br>
 
{{procontable | pro=
 
{{procontable | pro=
- Can accelerate reforestation. <br> - Can reduce use of chemical fertilizers and improve water retention of soils. <br> - Can reduce erosion. <br> - Low cost. | con=
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- Can reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and improve the water-holding capacity of soil <br>
- May pose public health risk, depending on the quality and application. <br> - Odours are normally noticeable (depending on prior treatment). <br> - May require special spreading equipment. <br> - Micropollutants may accumulate in the soil and contaminate groundwater.
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- Can accelerate reforestation <br>
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- Can reduce erosion <br>
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- Low costs
 +
| con=
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- Odours may be noticeable, depending on prior treatment <br>
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- May require special spreading equipment <br>
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- May pose public health risks, depending on its quality and application <br>
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- Micropollutants may accumulate in the soil and contaminate groundwater <br>
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- Social acceptance may be low in some areas
 
}}
 
}}
  
==Adequacy==
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===Appropriateness===
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Although sludge is sometimes criticized for containing potentially high levels of metals or contaminants, commercial fertilizers are also contaminated to varying degrees, most likely with cadmium or other heavy metals. Faecal sludge from pit latrines should not have any chemical inputs and is, therefore, not a high risk source of heavy metal contamination. Sludge that originates at large-scale wastewater treatment plants is more likely to be contaminated since it receives industrial and domestic chemicals, as well as surface water runoff,
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which may contain hydrocarbons and metals. Depending on the source, sludge can serve as a valuable and often much-needed source of nutrients. Application of sludge on land may be less expensive than disposal.
 +
 
 +
===Health Aspects/Acceptance===
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The greatest barrier to the use of sludge is, generally, acceptance. However, even when sludge is not accepted by agriculture or
 +
local industries, it can still be useful for municipal projects and can actually provide significant savings (e.g., mine reclamation). Depending on the source of the sludge and on the treatment method, it can be treated to a level where it is generally safe and no longer generates significant odour or vector problems. Following appropriate safety and application regulations is important. WHO guidelines
 +
on excreta use in agriculture should be consulted for detailed information.
  
Although biosolids are sometimes criticized for containing potentially high levels of metals or contaminants, commercial fertilizers are also contaminated to varying degrees, most likely with cadmium or other heavy metals. Faecal sludge from pit latrines has no, if any, chemical inputs and is therefore not a high risk source of contamination. Faecal sludge that originates at large-scale wastewater treatment plants is more likely to be contaminated since it receives industrial and domestic chemicals, as well as surface water run-off which may contain hydrocarbons and metals. Depending on the sludge source, biosolids can serve as a valuable and often much-needed source of nutrients. Land application of biosolids may be less expensive than disposal.
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===Operation & Maintenance===
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Spreading equipment must be maintained to ensure continued use. The amount and rate of sludge application should be monitored
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to prevent overloading and, thus, the potential for nutrient pollution. Workers should wear appropriate protective clothing.
  
Application rates and usages for biosolids should take into account not only the presence of pathogens and contaminants, but also the quantity of nutrients such that they are spread at a sustainable and ‘agronomic’ rate. Appropriate safety and application regulations should be followed.
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===References and external links===
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* Strande, L., Ronteltap, M. and Brdjanovic, D. (Eds.) (2014). [https://www.susana.org/en/knowledge-hub/resources-and-publications/library/details/3591 Faecal Sludge Management. Systems Approach for Implementation and Operation]. IWA Publishing, London, UK. (Detailed book compiling the current state of knowledge on all aspects related to FSM)
  
==Health Aspects/Acceptance==
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* U.S. EPA (1999). [https://www.epa.gov/biosolids/biosolids-generation-use-and-disposal-united-states Biosolids Generation, Use, and Disposal in the United States]. EPA-530/R-99-009. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., US.
  
The greatest barrier to biosolid use is generally acceptance. However, even when biosolids are not accepted in agriculture or by local industries, they can still be useful for municipal projects and can actually provide significant savings to public projects (e.g. mine reclamation). Depending on the source of the faecal sludge and on the treatment method, biosolids can be treated to a level where they are generally safe and without significant odour or vector problems.
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* U.S. EPA (1994). [https://www.epa.gov/biosolids/plain-english-guide-epa-part-503-biosolids-rule A Plain English Guide to the EPA Part 503 Biosolids Rule]. EPA832-R-93-003. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., US.
  
==Maintenance==
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* WHO (2006). [https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/publications/gsuweg4/en/ Guidelines for the Safe Use of Wastewater, Excreta and Greywater. Volume 4: Excreta and Greywater Use in Agriculture]. World Health Organization, Geneva, CH.
  
Spreading equipment must be maintained to ensure continued use. The amount and rate of biosolid application should be monitored to prevent overloading and thus, the potential for nutrient pollution.
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* [http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/publications/guidelines-on-sanitation-and-health/en/ WHO: Guidelines on sanitation and health - 2018]
  
==Acknowledgements==
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===Acknowledgements===
 
{{:Acknowledgements Sanitation}}
 
{{:Acknowledgements Sanitation}}
 
==References and external links==
 
* U.S. EPA (1999). Biosolids Generation, Use, and Disposal in the United States, EPA-530/R-99-009. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Washington, D.C. Available: http://www.epa.gov
 
 
* U.S. EPA (1994). A Plain English Guide to the EPA Part 503 Biosolids Rule, EPA832-R-93-003. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Washington, D.C. Available: http://www.epa.gov
 

Latest revision as of 02:15, 27 February 2021

English Français Español भारत മലയാളം தமிழ் 한국어 中國 Indonesia Japanese
Applicable in systems:
1, 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9
Level of Application
Household
Neighbourhood X
City XX

 

Inputs
Sludge


Level of management
Household XX
Shared XX
Public XX

 

Outputs
Biomass
Land application of sludge.png




Icon land application of sludge.png

Depending on the treatment type and quality, digested or stabilized sludge can be applied to public or private lands for landscaping or agriculture.


Sludge that has been treated (e.g., Co-Composted or removed from a Planted Drying Bed, etc.) can be used in agriculture, home gardening, forestry, sod and turf growing, landscaping, parks, golf courses, mine reclamation, as a dump cover, or for erosion control. Although sludge has lower nutrient levels than commercial fertilizers (for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, respectively), it can replace an important part of the fertilizer need. Additionally, treated sludge has been found to have properties superior to those of fertilizers, such as bulking and water retention properties, and the slow, steady release of nutrients.

Design Considerations

Solids are spread on the ground surface using conventional manure spreaders, tank trucks or specially designed vehicles. Liquid sludge (e.g., from anaerobic reactors) can be sprayed onto or injected into the ground. Application rates and usage of sludge should take into account the presence of pathogens and contaminants, and the quantity of nutrients available so that it is used at a sustainable and agronomic rate.


Advantages Disadvantages/limitations
- Can reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and improve the water-holding capacity of soil

- Can accelerate reforestation
- Can reduce erosion
- Low costs

- Odours may be noticeable, depending on prior treatment

- May require special spreading equipment
- May pose public health risks, depending on its quality and application
- Micropollutants may accumulate in the soil and contaminate groundwater
- Social acceptance may be low in some areas


Appropriateness

Although sludge is sometimes criticized for containing potentially high levels of metals or contaminants, commercial fertilizers are also contaminated to varying degrees, most likely with cadmium or other heavy metals. Faecal sludge from pit latrines should not have any chemical inputs and is, therefore, not a high risk source of heavy metal contamination. Sludge that originates at large-scale wastewater treatment plants is more likely to be contaminated since it receives industrial and domestic chemicals, as well as surface water runoff, which may contain hydrocarbons and metals. Depending on the source, sludge can serve as a valuable and often much-needed source of nutrients. Application of sludge on land may be less expensive than disposal.

Health Aspects/Acceptance

The greatest barrier to the use of sludge is, generally, acceptance. However, even when sludge is not accepted by agriculture or local industries, it can still be useful for municipal projects and can actually provide significant savings (e.g., mine reclamation). Depending on the source of the sludge and on the treatment method, it can be treated to a level where it is generally safe and no longer generates significant odour or vector problems. Following appropriate safety and application regulations is important. WHO guidelines on excreta use in agriculture should be consulted for detailed information.

Operation & Maintenance

Spreading equipment must be maintained to ensure continued use. The amount and rate of sludge application should be monitored to prevent overloading and, thus, the potential for nutrient pollution. Workers should wear appropriate protective clothing.

References and external links

Acknowledgements

Eawag compendium cover.png

The material on this page was adapted from:

Elizabeth Tilley, Lukas Ulrich, Christoph Lüthi, Philippe Reymond and Christian Zurbrügg (2014). Compendium of Sanitation Systems and Technologies, published by Sandec, the Department of Water and Sanitation in Developing Countries of Eawag, the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland.

The 2nd edition publication is available in English. French and Spanish are yet to come.