Biosolids (human sludge)
- Thread starter j6891
- Start date
Can only be used on arable land you have to cultivate it in
Not true, strictly speaking. Enhanced treated sewage is ok on grass subject to a 3 week cutting/grazing interval & it doesn't need to be incorporated. Most forms of sewage these days count as enhanced but not all.
http://www.water.org.uk/publications/reports/recycling-biosolids-land-briefing-pack
- Location
- Leicester/England
The EA even adapted the EWC code of the resultant cake, so it could be spread to land. I think @richard hammond knows more of the nutrient content and consistency than I.
Neil Burrows
New Member
- Location
- Ormskirk, Lancashire
Any questions on Biosolids please give me a shout, I've been involved in the industry since 1995 and have found those who use Biosolids correctly achieve fantastic results and cost savings with each application!!
Thank you. Can you give us a bit more of your background please? Who you work for etc.
Neil Burrows
New Member
- Location
- Ormskirk, Lancashire
I currently work for United Utilities as an Agricultural Advisor (FACTS Qualified), I have previously been involved in both management and hands on role of spreading and delivering activities of Biosolids throughout NW England. I've certainly seen many changes in the industry over the last 20 years in respect of industry regulation, product quality and hope to continue being an ongoing part of its future development
- Location
- Leicester/England
Here's a question that is currently twisting my melon.
What is the reasoning behind the maximum permissible average annual rate of PTE addition over a 10 year period (Kg/ ha)? For example, you can apply sludge up to a limit, in the case of lead it's 15kg/ha/yr. Where has that limit come from? Apart from the CoP that is?
Neil Burrows
New Member
- Location
- Ormskirk, Lancashire
Feel free to contact me as we're still delivering into your area..
Neil Burrows
New Member
- Location
- Ormskirk, Lancashire
The limit does come from The 1998 Code of Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Soil (PB0617) created of course by Defra, but in accordance with EU regulations. This was a good agricultural code of practice set up to regulate the use of sewage sludge. All sewage sludge producers are heavily regulated on this CoP and we could never exceed those limits set out. The sludge itself goes through a sampling process to determine its PTE content as does each individual ag unit within each field which we intend to supply sludge for. With our system, a field life is generated accordingly taking into account the PTE concentration of the sludge and that existing in the field, assuming an annual application. Even if the field life was reached, the PTE concentration would be well below regulatory limits, however we generally find that over 75% of field lives are in excess of 20 years and therefore will never be reached. An annual application for 20 years would undoubtedly be curbed by BAS regulations on P indices well before the PTE limits where ever reached.
Hope this helps!!
- Location
- Leicester/England
Thanks both, it's the risk assessment behind the science that I need. Sort of crop uptake levels and how much would be available for dietary uptake. So if it were applied to a feed wheat crop, how much would be taken up by the crop and what proportion of the PTEs would end up in the food chain 
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I seem to recall that Severn Trent's farm at Stoke Bardolph had such high historic additions of sludge that it now has land that can now only grow energy crops for the reasons you mention above. Not sure if the 'facts and figures' as such are freely available though?
- Location
- Leicester/England
I think a lot of the 'dedicated' land near many sewage treatment works is similar.
Trying to get stuff passed the EA and they need every possible detail
- Location
- Bedfordshire
Certainly the Anglia Water 'Farms' that have been flooded with sewage for many years are unable to produce food for human consumption, they have a contract with (i think it is) rentakill to supply wheat for vermin bait. and are not allowed to apply any fertiliser.I think a lot of the 'dedicated' land near many sewage treatment works is similar.
Trying to get stuff passed the EA and they need every possible detail
That area is near Flag Fen STW at Peterborough, there aren't any other Anglian sites that are similar.
Billing?
- Location
- Bedfordshire
Yes Great Billing, this a large 'Water' treatment site. Most of the sewage sludge(mixed with green compost) that comes to this area comes from Great Billing. The adjacent AW farm is not allowed to grow crops for food!!