Management Strategies and Stakeholders Analysis to Strengthen the Management and Use of Biosolids in a Colombian Municipality

Camilo Venegas,Andrea C Sánchez-Alfonso,Fidson-Juarismy Vesga,Crispín Celis,Mauricio González Mendez

doi:10.3390/su132112180

Camilo Venegas, Andrea C Sánchez-Alfonso + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su132112180

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Abstract

The difficulties in the management and use of biosolids in Colombia make it necessary to evaluate and analyze the factors involved through various methodologies to achieve the effective management and recycling of this type of waste. The objective of this study was to evaluate the management of sludge and biosolids from a WWTP in a Colombian municipality through the application of three methodologies (SWOT/TOWS, surveys, and stakeholder (player) weighing) for their subsequent use in agriculture. As a result, strategies were proposed at the regulatory, organizational policy, and entity integration levels, among others. It was identified that about 93.6% of the people surveyed had a positive attitude towards the use of biosolids in agriculture, despite recognizing the existence of a risk (27.3%) in this type of practice. On the other hand, regarding the communication of WWTP management of these wastes, they perceived that it to be absent (65%) and the lack of knowledge regarding the destination of these wastes was even greater (72.7%). Through the weighting of actors, 16 players were classified with whom it is necessary to work closely, regularly, or occasionally. The methodologies proposed will allow similar WWTPs to optimize their processes through continuous improvement and joint work between the different entities and communities. It is recommended that other methodologies be used to evaluate player position level in relation to planned strategies, as well as the level of associations of one player with another, independent of power and influence.

Highlights

According to the results obtained from the SWOT analysis applied to treatment brings benefits to producers, to the people who use them, and to the area that sludge and biosolids regulations in Colombia (Table 3), the aspects identified for strength‐
According to the results of the SWOT analysis, we recommend the development of strategies that would allow the strengthening of regulations and the improvement of sludge and biosolids management at the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) across five strategic lines: (I) integration and partnership between different public–private institutions; (II) greater dissemination of sludge and biosolids management through documentation and provision of information; (III) allocation of economic and technical resources for the improvement, control, and monitoring of the stabilization process currently carried out at the WWTP; (IV) actualization of the public sewage service tariff, including the costs of treatment and stabilization; and (V) creation of guidelines for the management and use of biosolids
The people surveyed perceived low communication from the WWTPs regarding the management of sludge and biosolids (72.7%), 61.4% and 65.3% of the respondents were clear about the concept of biosolids and sludge, respectively

Summary

Introduction

As a result of the sedimentation process in wastewater treatment, sludge is obtained, which concentrates compounds that were present in the wastewater and that were removed. Sustainability 2021, 13, 12180 by the unitary operations that make up a WWTP [6,7,8,9]. This sludge presents a high risk to the environment and to humans; it must be stabilized until a product known as biosolid is obtained, which can be used in different activities [10,11,12,13]

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