Sewage Sludge EFW

The European Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC sets an increase in the quantities of Sewage Sludge requiring Disposal. 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 in UK Energy from Waste facilities, with only 3 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.