Sewage sludge; disposal

On October 3, 2017, the first phase of the regulation reorganizing sewage sludge utilization entered into force. To better meet the goals of sustainable environmental and resource protection than has been the case to date, this amendment tightens the existing requirements for soil-based sewage sludge utilization and extends the scope of the regulation to include landscaping measures. As a central element, the regulation establishes, for the first time, comprehensive requirements for the recovery of phosphorus from sewage sludge and sewage sludge incineration ash, which operators of larger wastewater treatment plants and sewage sludge incineration plants must comply with after the expiration of a (two-stage) transition period.

Given the role of sewage sludge as a sink for pollutants in wastewater treatment, the state government’s goal is to end the application of sewage sludge in agriculture as soon as possible for reasons of precautionary environmental, health, and consumer protection.

For more detailed information on the disposal of sewage sludge from the wastewater treatment plant to which you are connected, please contact the relevant district office or independent city (i.e., district administrative authorities).