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Alkaline Stabilization of Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant Sludge
More than 60% of sludge produced in the United States is beneficially used on land after treatment, which is frequently alkaline addition. When asked, all ten regions will unfortunately say that their biggest problem with land application is odor, and that alkaline treatment of sludge is the biggest cause of these odors. Furthermore, peer-reviewed journal articles have suggested that alkaline-treated biosolids have been the biggest cause of illness complaints from people living near sites where they are applied to land.
When properly executed, alkaline treatment can provide a well-disinfected sludge that neither attracts vectors nor emits unpleasant odors. However the entire sludge treatment system must be engineered. Materials from two workshops on the alkaline treatment of sludge, information and data collected by state authorities, manufacturers' case studies, research on mixing and necessary moisture by DCWASA, research in Pennsylvania funded by Region 3, and expertise provided by the National Lime Association will help EPA formulate guidance for treatment.
Contact: Jim Smith (EIMS#117931)