Guides help sludge change from appalling to appealing

Abstract

Wastewater treatment The sustainable management of sewage sludge is a critical element of the wastewater treatment process. While improper management can lead to health and environmental risks, good management practices can see sludge being reused for the benefit of municipalities and the communities they serve. Lani van Vuuren reports. Sludge, the solid, semi-solid, or liquid residue generated during the treatment of domestic sewage in a treatment works, is mostly still seen as a waste product in South Africa. There is still little beneficiation taking place outside the large metropolitan centres, despite international trends to the contrary. However, adequately treated, good quality sludge, if managed properly, can be reused without harming the public or the environment. In 2003, the Water Research Commission (WRC) and the Department of Water Affairs & Forestry (DWAF) launched a joint initiative to develop a series of guidelines dealing with all wastewater sludge management practices.

Authors

Categories