sewage sludge

Benefits and risks of using sludge from small WWTPs after processing by composting for the production of selected types of vegetables

Ing. Miloš Rozkošný, Ph.D. and Ing. Hana Hudcová, Ph.D. – 1/2024

The aim of the study, the results of which are presented in this article, was to assess the possibility of simplifying treatment and stabilisation procedures of sewage sludge from small municipal sources of pollution (domestic and small WWTPs up to about 1,000 EP) at the place of their origin and their subsequent use through extensive composting. The results demonstrated the benefit of the application of composts from a material base containing sludge from small WWTPs in increasing the production of the monitored types of vegetables. However, especially with lettuce, there was a higher transmission of selected risk elements. We therefore do not recommend the use of composts with sludge for growing leafy green vegetables. In contrast, this risk did not arise with fruit and vegetables. For practical use, it is still necessary to assess the rate of transfer of other pollutants, such as drug residues and microplastics.

Dewatering sewage sludge using sludge drying beds with wetland vegetation, the so-called Sludge Treatment Reed Bed units

Ing. Miloš Rozkošný, Ph.D. and Ing. Josef Kratina, Ph.D. – 2/2023

At present, the problem of waste disposal is growing worldwide; its secondary use is therefore more than desirable. A pressing problem for many small municipalities that need to build or reconstruct a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is solving the issue of processing the resulting sludge and its stabilization, sanitation, and further application. It is not unusual for small municipal WWTPs to lack a complete in-situ sludge management (including dewatering etc.). Sewage sludge is thus often pumped out at high cost and transported to a large WWTP. The main goal for the real application of sewage sludge is to prevent future damage to soils, plants, and the health of animals and people. For this reason, taking into account the substances currently present in the sludge (e.g., organic micropollutants), it is advisable to sufficiently pre-treat the sludge, not just sanitize it to eliminate above-limit microbial pollution.

Interview with Dr. Yelizaveta Chernysh, a new Ukrainian researcher at TGM WRI

Redakce – 4/2022

Doctor, we know that in Ukraine you worked as a researcher focusing on wastewater and waste as such. Can you briefly describe your experience? I have 10-years’ experience in research related to wastewater and sludge treatment and a long-standing collaboration in this area in Sumy region (Ukraine). I previously dealt with the basic stages of… Read more »

Study of the effectiveness of the small municipal sourcess sewage sludge extensive stabilization for their use as a fertilizer

Ing. Josef Kratina, Ph.D., Ing. Miloš Rozkošný, Ph.D., Ing. Hana Hudcová, Ph.D., Mgr. Michal Šereš and Ing. Ondřej Holubík – 6/2021

The article is devoted to the presentation of partial results of a study aimed at determining the potential use of extensive sludge dewatering technology for small municipal WWTPs (up to 1000 PE) in the conditions of the Czech Republic. The study has shown that the use of technology based on extensive sludge dewatering and their stabilization in sludge dewatering reed beds with suitable wetland vegetation can be an alternative to other technologies. Especially in combination with constructed wetland (CW) based WWTPs, which are characterized by lower sludge production.