Characterization of sludges - Good practice for sludge utilisation in agriculture

This Technical 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 may be used on land as a source of plant nutrients, and/or soil improver, and/or alkaline amendment 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 efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Sludge producers should be aware that if a sludge is used as a fertilising or alkaline amendment, national or EU 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 Technical Report, however it cannot, and does not, attempt to summarise or take account of these regulations, etc. because of their very wide range. It is thus essential that this Technical Report is read in the context of the conditions that prevail locally.

Charakterisierung von Schlämmen - Leitfaden für die Verfahrensweise bei der Verwendung von Schlämmen in der Landwirtschaft

Caractérisation des boues - Bonne pratique pour la valorisation des boues en agriculture

Le présent rapport technique décrit les bonnes pratiques pour la valorisation des boues en agriculture (dans la
limite de la réglementation nationale). Il concerne toutes les boues décrites dans le domaine d’application du
CEN/TC 308 et toutes les formes sous lesquelles elles se présentent : liquide, déshydratée, séchée,
compostée, etc., c’est-à-dire les boues :
⎯ de la collecte des eaux pluviales ;
⎯ des matières de vidange :
⎯ des systèmes de collecte des eaux usées urbaines ;
⎯ des stations d’épuration des eaux usées urbaines ;
⎯ des stations d’épuration des eaux industrielles assimilées (telles que définies par la Directive 91/271/CE
[1]) ;
⎯ des installations de traitement de l’alimentation en eau ;
⎯ à l’exclusion des boues industrielles dangereuses.
De telles boues peuvent être utilisées sur les terres comme source d’éléments nutritifs des plantes,
amendement organique et/ou amendement basique pour les cultures. Bien que les contrôles réglementaires
applicables aux boues d’épuration et aux autres boues diffèrent, il convient que l’utilisation de tous les types
de boues respecte les bonnes pratiques afin d’exploiter au maximum les avantages pour les cultures ou les
sols, de réduire au minimum les risques potentiels de contamination de l’environnement et de répercussion
nuisible à la santé des plantes, des animaux et de l’homme et de garantir la durabilité, l'efficacité énergétique
et la rentabilité.
Il convient que les producteurs de boues sachent qu’en cas d’utilisation d’une boue comme élément fertilisant
ou amendement basique, des dispositions réglementaires nationales ou européennes sur les engrais ou le
chaulage sont susceptibles d’être applicables.
Dans ce document, il est supposé qu’une étude préalable à la valorisation des boues a été réalisée et que
l’utilisation de boues dans le cadre d’une politique d’épandage a été considérée comme étant la meilleure
solution.

Karakterizacija blata - Dobra praksa za uporabo blata v kmetijstvu

To tehnično poročilo opisuje dobro prakso za uporabo blata v kmetijstvu (kjer to dovoljujejo nacionalni predpisi). Velja za vse vrste blata, opisane v okviru CEN/TC 308 (in kateri koli obliki, v kateri se lahko pojavljajo - tekoči, kateri je bila odstranjena voda, posušeni, kompostirani itd.), tj. blato iz:  - ravnanja z vodo ob neurjih; - vsebine greznice; - urbanih sistemov zbiranja odpadne vode; - čistilnih naprav za odpadno vodo; - obravnavanja industrijske odpadne vode na podoben način kot urbane odpadne vode (kot je opredeljeno v Direktivi 91/271/EGS); - čistilnih naprav za sistem oskrbe z vodo; vendar ne iz nevarnega blata iz industrije. Takšno blato se lahko uporablja na tleh kot vir rastlinskih hranil in/ali kot sredstvo za izboljšanje zemljišča in/ali kot alkalno dopolnilo za pridelavo poljščin. Kljub razlikam pri predpisanem nadzoru med blatom iz čistilnih naprav in drugim blatom, mora upora vseh tipov blata slediti dobri praksi za čim večje koristi za poljščine ali zemljišča in čim manjša potencialna tveganja za onesnaženje in škodljive učinke za zdravje rastlin, živali in ljudi ter zagotoviti trajnost, energetsko učinkovitost in stroškovno učinkovitost. Proizvajalci blata se morajo zavedati, da če se blato uporabi kot alkalno dopolnilo ali dopolnilo pri gnojenju, lahko zanj veljajo nacionalni predpisi ali predpisi EU o gnojilih oziroma apnenju. Dokument predpostavlja, da je bilo vrednotenje izrabe blata že izvedeno in da je bila že sprejeta odločitev, da je uporaba blata v okviru politike širjenja zemljišča najboljša možnost. Za vrednotenje in odločitve za uporabo blata so bili razviti drugi dokumenti (glej CR 13714, CR 13846). Številne države in/ali lokalne uprave imajo predpise in/ali standarde in/ali kodekse ravnanja, ki veljajo za uporabo nekaterih tipov blata, ki so v okviru področja uporabe tega tehničnega poročila, vendar le-to ne more in ne poskuša povzemati ali upoštevati teh predpisov zaradi njihovega širokega razpona. Zato je bistveno, da se to tehnično poročilo razlaga v okviru pogojev, ki prevladujejo lokalno..

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
15-Jun-2010
Technical Committee
Current Stage
6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
Start Date
13-May-2010
Due Date
18-Jul-2010
Completion Date
16-Jun-2010

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SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST-TP CEN/TR 13097:2010
01-julij-2010
1DGRPHãþD
SIST CR 13097:2001
Karakterizacija blata - Dobra praksa za uporabo blata v kmetijstvu
Characterization of sludges - Good practice for sludge utilisation in agriculture
Charakterisierung von Schlämmen - Leitfaden für die Verfahrensweise bei der
Verwendung von Schlämmen in der Landwirtschaft
Caractérisation des boues - Bonne pratique pour la valorisation des boues en agriculture
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN/TR 13097:2010
ICS:
13.030.20 7HNRþLRGSDGNL%ODWR Liquid wastes. Sludge
65.080 Gnojila Fertilizers
SIST-TP CEN/TR 13097:2010 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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SIST-TP CEN/TR 13097:2010

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SIST-TP CEN/TR 13097:2010


TECHNICAL REPORT
CEN/TR 13097

RAPPORT TECHNIQUE

TECHNISCHER BERICHT
June 2010
ICS 13.030.20 Supersedes CR 13097:2001
English Version
Characterization of sludges - Good practice for sludge utilisation
in agriculture
Caractérisation des boues - Bonne pratique pour la Charakterisierung von Schlämmen - Leitfaden für die
valorisation des boues en agriculture Verfahrensweise bei der Verwendung von Schlämmen in
der Landwirtschaft


This Technical Report was approved by CEN on 9 February 2010. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee CEN/TC 308.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.






EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2010 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. CEN/TR 13097:2010: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

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Contents Page
Foreword .3
1 Scope .4
2 Normative references .4
3 Terms and definitions .5
4 Requirements .5
4.1 General .5
4.2 Preliminary procedures .6
4.2.1 General .6
4.2.2 National regulations .6
4.2.3 Voluntary agreements .6
4.2.4 Quality assurance .6
4.2.5 Strategic evaluation .7
4.2.6 Sludge quality .8
4.2.7 Sludge type .9
4.2.8 Design of the sludge utilisation programme .9
4.3 Quality control (including environmental and agronomic data) .9
4.3.1 Process control .9
4.3.2 Sludge sampling and analysis .9
4.3.3 Maintenance of sludge quality . 11
4.3.4 Soil sampling and analysis . 11
4.4 Assuring hygiene when sludges are used in agriculture . 12
4.4.1 General . 12
4.4.2 Hygiene control by application and relating sludge type to land use . 13
4.5 Operation . 13
4.5.1 General . 13
4.5.2 Communication strategy and public relations . 13
4.5.3 Operational planning . 14
4.5.4 Storage . 14
4.5.5 Delivery . 15
4.5.6 Application techniques . 15
4.5.7 Nutrient management, application rate and times . 17
4.5.8 Data recording . 18
4.5.9 Additional guidance to customers . 18
4.6 Promotion of agricultural use . 18
4.6.1 General . 18
4.6.2 Market development . 19
4.6.3 Agronomic support. 19
4.6.4 Marketing and selling procedures . 19
4.7 Support procedures. 20
4.7.1 Quality assurance . 20
4.7.2 Continuous improvement . 20
4.7.3 Data and record keeping . 20
Annex A (informative) Guides of good practice for use and disposal of sludges. 22
Bibliography . 23

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Foreword
This document (CEN/TR 13097:2010) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 308
“Characterisation of sludges”, the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes CR 13097:2001.
This document gives recommendations for good practice but existing national regulations remain in force.

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1 Scope
This Technical 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 [1]);
 water supply treatment plants;
 but excluding hazardous sludges from industry.
Such sludges may be used on land as a source of plant nutrients, and/or soil improver, and/or alkaline
amendment 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 efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Sludge producers should be aware that if a sludge is used as a fertilising or alkaline amendment, national or
EU 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 Technical Report,
however it cannot, and does not, attempt to summarise or take account of these regulations, etc. because of
their very wide range. It is thus essential that this Technical Report is read in the context of the conditions that
prevail locally.
NOTE Adoption in France in 2002 of a standard for standardized composts containing substances from wastewater
treatment NF U44-095: Organic soil improvers – Composts containing substances useful for agriculture, stemming from
water treatment.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 1085:2007, Wastewater treatment — Vocabulary
EN 12832:1999, Characterization of sludges — Utilisation and disposal of sludges — Vocabulary
CEN/TR 15809, Characterization of sludges — Hygienic aspects — Treatments
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3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 1085:2007, EN 12832:1999 and the
following apply.
3.1
potentially toxic substances (PTS)
substances which, when present in excess and in forms that are available to the subject in question, can be
toxic
(CEN/TR 15584)
3.2
BPEO
best practicable environmental option
4 Requirements
4.1 General
The purpose of this Technical Report is to assist sludge utilisation operations to:
a) achieve compliance with 86/278/EEC and other environmental legislation or codes of good practice which
are relevant to the type and use of sludge or to the location of operations;
b) gain and maintain the confidence of users, authorities responsible for monitoring regulatory compliance,
food purchasing and/or processing companies and third parties which (amongst others) include members
of the public (particularly those local to where the sludge is applied);
c) make maximum use of the valuable constituents in the sludge;
d) have a long term sustainable solution with minimum cost and maximum benefit to the environment
consistent with the above.
Considerations of treatment, source control of pollutants and preparation of sludges are discussed in
CEN/TR 13714, CEN/TR 15473 and CEN/TR 15809.
The widely recognised waste management hierarchy recommends, in general, the utilisation of sludge as
preferable to disposal options such as landfill. Where agricultural land is available and conveniently
accessible, this is usually the best practicable environmental option.
Sludges usually contain nutrients, organic matter and trace elements, which are beneficial to the growth of
crops (including energy crops and grass) and to the fertility, structure and/or texture of soils. They are
therefore valued by farmers. Sludges may contain contaminants, and/or pathogens, and may be odorous.
Consequently, the whole process (from source control of potential pollutants, through sludge treatment, to
sludge application and the way the land is farmed) should be controlled to avoid adverse impacts on the
environment, or on plant, animal and human health. Such safe controlled use of sludge on land can be
considered a component of sustainable development.
Many European countries have developed guidelines and regulations for the safe use of sewage sludge.
These have been placed on a common statutory basis in the European Union through the implementation of
the EU Directive 86/278/EEC which requires certain limit values for PTSs in soil and sludge. Other EU
legislation encourages the utilisation of suitable industrial sludges on land provided measures are taken to
avoid endangering human health or harming the environment (91/156/EEC [3] amending Directive
75/442/EEC on waste). However, unlike the situation for sewage sludge, there is little detailed information
available and there is less legislative control for these other sludges. In the past the emphasis has been on
preventing chemical pollution, but whilst this is still essential, the modern agenda also includes hygiene
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(CEN/TR 15809), and the need to demonstrate safety through quality assurance and independent validation.
European legislation has effectively eliminated many hazardous substances from products and the
environment. The REACH programme [4] continues the control on hazardous substances at source.
In order to establish and maintain cost-effective, safe and sustainable operations using sludge in agriculture,
certain procedures should be established for effective operational management, to meet legal requirements
and to address the concerns of stakeholders.
This document has been constructed in an order that attempts to reflect the logical steps of a successful
(which also means sustainable) sludge utilisation operation. It starts with the initial steps in designing an
operation, and then considers the quality control, design, etc., before moving on to the day-to-day operations.
Although marketing (finding outlets) and support are also continuing activities they are treated in separate
sections because they are general and not particular to each individual outlet. Despite this linear structure,
continuous improvement is recognised as an important component, which therefore implies the cycle of
design, operate, review, refine, operate, review, etc.
4.2 Preliminary procedures
4.2.1 General
This section discusses the more significant procedures and considerations for setting up a new programme to
use sludge in agriculture or modifying an existing one. These would include understanding the relevant
regulations within which the sludge is used, the quantity of the sludge, the quality of the sludge, whether there
are programmes for ensuring sludge quality, and whether there would be demand for the sludge; including
whether there are competing materials, e.g. animal manure or compost and biogas residues of other
materials.
4.2.2 National regulations
In the case of sewage sludge, national regulations set quality standards for the receiving soil and may set
standards for the sludge. The specific values and combinations of control mechanisms vary between
countries, and a combination of sludge, waste management, water and general agricultural and environmental
regulations may apply. Few countries have comprehensive regulations to control all sludges that may have
similar environmental impacts. Those using sludges should make themselves aware of the regulations that
apply in the areas where they are working. CEN/TC 308 has compared and discussed different sludge
treatment operating parameters in CR 13846.
4.2.3 Voluntary agreements
In some countries, some sludge producers have gone beyond national regulations by voluntarily entering
agreements with interested parties (such as food retailers and processors, farmers and landowners). These
agreements have addressed the question of perception and increased the acceptance of using sludge in
agriculture. Any applications of sludge should be consistent with these agreements.
4.2.4 Quality assurance
It is recommended that there should be a quality assurance system for the whole process from source control
of potential pollutants, through sludge treatment and spreading, and finally to how the land is farmed. To prove
transparency and ensure the confidence of stakeholders, it is desirable that this is validated by an
independent audit.
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The principal criteria should include:
a) sludge quality, particularly:
 control of potential pollutants from point sources;
 sampling and analysis strategy to monitor sludge quality (PTSs, pathogens and its fermentability (i.e.
potential to produce bad odours);
 treatment of sludge.
b) soil quality, particularly:
 a soil sampling strategy to monitor soil quality for the concentrations of specified PTSs, often in
relation to certain soil conditions, such as pH, soil type and content of organic matter and/or cation
exchange capacity, in order that limit values are not exceeded.
c) sludge application rate, particularly:
 average quantity of PTSs that can be applied to the land and over what period, usually in terms of
kg PTS/ha⋅y (or multiple of years), or mg PTS/kg nutrients;
 amount of sludge dry solids that can be applied per year or multiple of years;
 quantity of nutrients which can be applied in accordance with the content of soil and the need of
crops grown;
 timing of and method of applying the sludge and after-use of the land and crops; these are generally
designed to protect animals and food consumers from pathogen transfer, and/or conserve plant
nutrients, and/or reduce the risk of run-off.
It is a general legal requirement for sewage sludge that appropriate records are maintained which in addition
to the above criteria, should include information on sources and quantities applied and the location of the
receiving land. However most countries do not yet require the same rigour for other sludges, even though they
may have environmental effects similar to sewage sludge.
4.2.5 Strategic evaluation
In order to launch a sludge utilisation programme, a strategic exercise should be undertaken in order to
evaluate its probable viability and sustainability within the area of land that is being considered for sludge
recycling. This is particularly important where there has been no previous experience of using sludge, or when
introducing a new sludge product.
A two phased approach should be adopted:
a) firstly, a comprehensive evaluation of the whole sludge strategy should be undertaken, employing BPEO
methodologies. This would test the security, practicability environmental sustainability and economic
viability of a proposed operation in an objective manner. Such evaluations would cover a wide range of
factors that would probably include many of the following, which is neither exclusive nor in an order of
priority:
 area of land that might be available;
 possibilities for temporary storage, if necessary;
 farming practices and other relevant land use information;
 use of alkaline amendment and fertilisers;
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 what other "competitor" materials are available and their quality and quantity;
 national and local legislation and controls that would affect the operation of the proposed sludge use
programme;
 reaction of farmers' organisations, the food industry and other stakeholders;
 management and organisation of the sludge production plant;
 sensitive zones (surface and ground water protection, housing, etc.);
 soil (type, quality, trafficability, nutrient status and pollutant content);
 sludge type, sludge quality, sludge quantity;
 climate, e.g. is there a rainy season when trafficability is low or a long frozen period when sludge
application can be prohibited;
 topography, roads, bridges, etc. to evaluate access;
 consultation with a wide range of organisations to check the environmental and practical
sustainability of the proposed sludge use programme;
 type of sludge that might be produced (e.g. liquid, dewatered, dried, composted, digested, limed,
etc.) by varying the production or treatment process, that is the most appropriate for a sustainable
sludge use programme, bearing in mind the whole life cost of the alternatives;
 size, structure and location of storage facilities;
 some countries may require public consultation on the intention to start a sludge utilisation
programme that involves advertising the intention and consulting with municipal administrations.
b) secondly, as an extension to a BPEO study, or as a separate exercise where sludge use programmes
have been initiated or are ongoing, it is crucial to understand the potential customer base, its business
needs, and how the proposed sludge use programme can satisfy these needs. This should be done using
the whole marketing mix to test whether there is actually a market for the sludge.
4.2.6 Sludge quality
The preliminary stage should develop a methodology for controlling, monitoring, improving and maintaining
sludge quality. The quality of sludge is crucial for its safe, beneficial and sustainable use, and for its suitability
to be brought to the market". This invariably requires a rigorous source-control programme. A range of
chemical, physical and microbiological quality criteria is important for compliance with legislation, for providing
agronomic value, and for it to be aesthetically acceptable.
In the case of sewage sludge it is important to ascertain at the preliminary stage whether there is enabling
legislation and an effective system for controlling discharges from factories to the sewerage system or
whether such control at source can be implemented. A wide range of contaminants can be found in some
sewage sludges due to discharges from industries, dwellings and surface drainage into sewers. Soil with an
active microflora is capable of breaking down many organic compounds found in sludges. Experience has
shown that, when sewage sludge has been used in compliance with the current controls over loading rate and
use established in 86/278/EEC, no detrimental impact has been detected. For other sludges comparable
systems should be designed to prevent excessive contamination from entering the sludges. Animal manures,
food processing and abattoir sludges, and industrial residuals (e.g. paper, etc.) can contain significant
concentrations of PTSs (and/or pathogens). The use of these materials on land should be taken into
consideration when sewage sludge is applied in order to avoid over-application of PTSs and nutrients. It is
important to recognise that agricultural land receives inputs of potentially harmful compounds from other
sources, such as atmospheric deposition, traffic emissions, inorganic fertilisers and crop protection chemicals.
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In regard to the microbiological qualities, it is not practicable to undertake frequent monitoring for specific
pathogenic organisms because levels present can be extremely low and difficult to detect. As has been
adopted for drinking water microbiology, some monitoring of suitable indicator organisms such as E. coli may
be a preferable way of verifying that the overall processes of treatment and use meets specified hygienic
requirements (see also CEN/TR 15809). Information about principles to be followed in different sludge
treatment processes to reach specified hygienic requirements is given in CEN/TR 15809.
Some waterworks sludges may be beneficially applied to land to use their contents of organic matter and/or
alkaline amendment, or even to modify soil texture. However there are some waterworks sludges that have
negligible soil enhancement value. Waterworks sludges generally have a low content of N, P or K. These
sludges result from the treatment of surface or ground waters. Their contents of PTSs and other contaminants
are generally low. They are useful when soil improvement by the addition of organic matter or textural
modification (e.g. adding silt to excessively drained coarse textured soils) or soil pH adjustment (by liming) are
required but major plant nutrients are not needed.
4.2.7 Sludge type
Dewatering, drying, lime treatment, nutrient addition, composting and other processes may be beneficial to
improve the properties of the sludge for its use in agriculture. Physically the material should be capable of
easy storage and application. It should be treated to minimise the possibility of odour emission so that the
public (particularly those local to where the sludge is applied) and the farmers’ requirements are addressed.
Sustainability may be enhanced by use of the appropriate treatment and application techniques.
4.2.8 Design of the sludge utilisation programme
Before commencing a sludge utilisation programme, the overall design, infrastructure, procedures and
resourcing should be considered. Many of the components are discussed later in this document. They include
the capacity, design and siting of storage facilities, with their relevant equipment (stirring, access, recovery,
etc.), vehicles and their servicing, spreading equipment, labour, computer hardware and software. Locally
prevailing regulations shall be complied with.
4.3 Quality control (including environmental and agronomic data)
4.3.1 Process control
Rigorous control at certain critical control points in the production and recycling process, backed up by the
verification of independent audit contributes to ensuring the safety of sludge recycling and the confidence of
important stakeholders. The critical control points and their critical values need to be identified and evaluated
for each particular sludge processing and recycling example.
4.3.2 Sludge sampling and analysis
Sludges and sludge products should be sampled and analysed in order to:
 provide reliable information to customers;
 satisfy regulatory requirements;
 confirm that process controls are effective.
The frequency of sludge sampling and analysis should be appropriate to the size of the production plant and
any anticipated fluctuation in quality. Plants producing large quantities of sludge, and plants where there is a
variety of inputs and where varying quality is expected should be sampled more frequently. In general, sludge
should be analysed at least every six months, based on composite samples derived from representative sub-
samples.
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The method of sampling sludge should be evaluated carefully to ensure that the samples are representative of
the quality of the sludge that is actually applied to land. This is particularly important for accurately measuring
dry solids content, and the sludge should be well mixed prior to sampling.
The quality of certain industria
...

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