Reuse of treated wastewater and sewage sludge for fertilization and irrigation

Abstract

The objective of the present work was to assess the short-term potential of treated wastewater and sewage sludge for ornamental lawn fertilization and irrigation. A field experiment was performed and the following treatments were considered: sewage sludge application + irrigation with public water; sewage sludge application + irrigation with treated wastewater; irrigation with public water; irrigation with treated wastewater (TW). Irrigation with treated wastewater showed a positive effect on lawn installation through higher growth of grass (1,667 cm) and higher dry matter yield (18,147 g m(-2)). These results represent a significant increase in the grass yield compared with public water irrigation. The grass height (2,606 cm) and dry matter yield (23,177 g m(-2)) increased even more, when sewage sludge produced in the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) was applied to soil, which proves once more its benefits as an organic fertilizer. At the end of the experiment, an increase of some soil parameters (pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, Ca2+, Na+, K+, Mg2+ and NH4+) was observed, indicating that treated wastewater irrigation can cause a soil sodization. This short-term study indicated that use of treated wastewater and sewage sludge for ornamental lawn fertilization and irrigation is an environmentally sustainable option for re-use of the WWTP by-products.

Methane fermentation process for utilization of organic waste

“…The common features of all types of sludge are: high hydration -93-99%, high content of organic compounds, easy putrefaction, and occurrence of biogenous fertilizer compounds (nitrogen, phosphorus) (Sousa et al, 2011).…”

Utility Values of Extensive Lawns Fertilized with Sewage Sludge

“…Municipal sewage sludge is a potential source of organic and mineral matter, for instance nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, and microelements that beneficially impact the physiological processes in plant and soil microorganisms [2]. Municipal sewage sludge is thus regarded as a non-conventional fertilizer; it is a waste product that should be recycled [3,4]. Baran [2] believe that the environmental use of sewage sludge is natural and less expensive than its deposition and combustion.…”

“…Baran [2] believe that the environmental use of sewage sludge is natural and less expensive than its deposition and combustion. If sewage sludge does not contain microbiological contaminants and an excessive amount of heavy metals, it may be used directly for plant fertilization [4][5][6][7]. Plants may play an important role in the transformation of physical and chemical properties of environmentally used sewage sludge.…”

Impacts of tilling and covering treatments on the biosolids solar drying conversion from Class B to Class A

“…Biosolids can be an important and affordable resource of agricultural fertilizer and can be used to enhance nutrient poor soils ( [1] for turf and [2,3] for orchards). However, biosolids may harbour heavy metal contaminants and a large number of infectious pathogens, such as enteric viruses, bacteria, and parasites.…”