Sewage Sludge EFW

The progressive implementation of the European Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC throughout the EU Member States is leading to an increase in the quantities of Sewage Sludge requiring Disposal. This increase is mainly due to the practical implementation of the Directive, however the constant rise in the number of households being connected to local sewerage systems is also leading to an increase in the level of Sewage Sludge requiring treatment.

The Sewage Sludge Directive 86/278/EEC was adopted over 20 years ago with a view to encourage the application of Sewage Sludge in agriculture and to regulate its use in order to prevent harmful effects on soil, vegetation, animals and humans. The European Commission is currently assessing whether the current Directive should be reviewed.

There is a relatively small capacity for Sewage Sludge EFW in the UK, with only three operational facilities in 2016 accepting a total of 0.1 million tonnes of sewage sludge. This amount has decreased from 0.26 million tonnes in 2010. Cement kilns accept a small amount of sewage sludge in a pelletised form to be used as an Alternative Fuel.