DIN Standards Committee Water Practice
Characterization of sludges - Good practice for utilisation in agriculture
Abstract
This CEN Report describes good practice for the use of sludges in agriculture (where national regulations permit). It is applicable to all of the sludges described in the scope of CEN/TC 308 (and any of the forms in which they may be presented - liquid, dewatered, dried, composted, etc.) i.e. sludges from :- storm water handling ; - night soil ; - urban wastewater collecting systems ; - urban wastewater treatment plants ; - treating industrial wastewater similar to urban wastewater (as defined in Directive 91/271/EC) ; - water supply treatment plants ; - but excluding hazardous sludges from industry. Such sludges can be used on land as a source of plant nutrients, and/or soil improver, and/or liming material for crop production. Despite differences in the statutory controls between sewage sludge and other sludges, the use of all types of sludge should follow good practice to maximise benefits for the crops or soils, to minimise potential risks of environmental contamination and adverse impacts on plant, animal and human health, and to ensure sustainability, energy conservation and cost-effectiveness. Sludge producers should be aware that if a sludge is used as a fertilising or liming material, national or EC fertiliser or liming regulations may apply. The document assumes that an evaluation of sludge utilisation has already been made, and a decision was taken that use of sludge within a land spreading policy is the best option. For evaluation and decisions for use of sludges, other documents have been developed (see CR 13714, CR 13846). Many countries and/or local administrations have regulations and/or standards and/or codes of practice applicable to the use of some of the types of sludge that are within the scope of this report, however it cannot, and does not, attempt to summarise or take account of these regulations, etc. because of their very wide range.
Begin
2008-02-26
WI
00308091
Planned document number
prCEN/TR 13097
Project number
11902467
Responsible national committee
NA 119-08-06 AA - Sludge management and analytics
Responsible european committee
CEN/TC 308 - Characterization and management of sludge
