A strategy for reducing pollutants at source in order to obtain sustainable agricultural recycling of wastewater sludge

Abstract

The Swedish licensing system for wastewater sludge use in agriculture, REVAQ, sets challenges. These include a maximum nominal accumulation rate of 0.2%/year on farmland, for specified metals, to be reached by 2025. Here a model is suggested, and applied for the Gothenburg regional wastewater treatment plant, Gryaab, to quantify historic sludge quality improvements and necessary future development. Local sampling campaigns covering two decades show a substantial reduction of heavy metals and ecologically harmful organic substances (such as adsorbable organic halogens, nonylphenols, phthalates, naphthalenes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) from households and society at large. For the metals studied the historic mass flow reduction to sludge varies from 1 to 2%/year for mercury, zinc and copper to 15%/year for silver. Copper needs further reduction, involving water pipes and copper roofing. Silver is rare in soil, and significant reduction from already low levels is needed to reach the accumulation goal. Further reduction of other metals involves addressing storm- and drainage water entering the sewers and the sediments already in the sewers. Fulfilling the goals of REVAQ implies national and local measures affecting public and private stakeholders including property owners, the wastewater collection system, commercial businesses and legislating authorities.