Water Treatment Sludge Research Articles

An innovative sludge-derived capsule for self-healing cementitious materials

An innovative eco-efficient capsule utilizing drinking water treatment sludge (DWTS) as a healing agent for concrete crack sealing was developed. In this study, the core materials comprised a mix of DWTS and calcium hydroxide, granulated by poly (ethylene glycol). A non-toxic polymer, Ethyl cellulose (EC), is applied as the protective shell material. The morphology, internal structure, and leakage mechanism of capsules, self-healing performance of cracked mortars and the composition of resulting healing products were assessed. Obtained results indicated that EC uniformly covered the spherical core material following the designed coating procedures. The main elements released from the capsules were Ca, Al and Si after dissolution of polyethylene glycol (PEG), which would contribute to pozzolanic reactions inside the matrix. Cracks with an initial width of 400 μm were completely healed after 7 days of curing. Such a healing process also led to an 73% enhancement in compressive strength at a healing age of 28 days. The water tightness of capsule-based samples improved by more than 90% in the first 7 days, compared to only 10% in control samples. The predominant healing products were calcium carbonate in the form of calcite, and some content of aluminium-bearing phases derived from the pozzolanic reaction of DWTS.

Developing a robust indicator to evaluate circular economy through reuse strategy: A case study of using water treatment sludge as a coagulant for dewatering of iron ore tailings slurry

Due to the lack of tools, which are simple enough to assess the reuse strategy in the concept of circular economy (CE), in the present paper, reuse efficiency index (REI) was introduced as a new indicator, inspired by previously developed indexes, namely circular economy index (CEI) and value-based resource efficiency (VRE). The REI, as a measure of economic efficiency of reuse strategy, is the ratio of the net value obtained from the reuse of end of life (EOL) product instead of using a new product over the value of materials and energy inputs required to reproduce the EOL product. To calculate REI for any specific EOL product, information regarding mass, physicochemical properties and operational data on the consumption of energy, which are mainly available in the financial archives of companies, is crucial and the market price of EOL product must also be predicted. In another part of the study, the reuse of ferric chloride-based water treatment sludge (FCS) as a coagulant, instead of using high cost polymeric coagulant, for iron ore tailings slurry dewatering was evaluated through REI. The results showed that depending on the market prices of energy and materials as well as the iron (FeCl3) content in the FCS, the REI could vary between 0.51 and 1.04, corresponding to 51–104% added value. Overall, REI is based on accessible information and its simplicity and comprehensibility makes it applicable for managers and policymakers to invest and create technologies for reaching closed-loop cycles in the concept of CE through reuse action.

Statistical assessment for reusing permeate from dewatering water treatment sludge process: more sustainability in environmental sanitation.

Sludge from water treatment plants (WTPs) is usually processed by physicochemical clarification followed by thickening, which results in the production of an effluent from dewatering/drying sludge processes that can potentially impact the environment. This paper assessed the viability of employing sludge dewatering water from a water treatment sludge plant (WTSP) in São Paulo State, Brazil, for reuse purposes. Water quality variables were monitored in the effluent and receiving stream. The data were analyzed by paired samples Student t-test (parametric significance test), paired samples Wilcoxon signed rank test (non-parametric significance test), and principal component analysis (multivariate analysis). Despite the distribution of data, typically not Gaussian, both Student and Wilcoxon methods agreed in 9 out of 10 studied parameters regarding the influence of WTSP discharge on waterbody; only for total manganese the Wilcoxon approach provided better fit than Student. Principal component analysis helped to evince correlations among all variables. Results provided useful information for understanding the vocation of WTSP effluent for reuse. For direct non-potable reuse, recirculating the final effluent back to the WTP for two months saved 92,000 m3 of water, the volume of drinking water demanded by the city (n = 292,000 inhabitants) in approximately 30h.

Pilot Study on the Possibility of Improving Water Treatment Sludge Management in Almaty

This article presents the results of a pilot study on the treatment of sludge from a water treatment plant in the city of Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan, to ensure further disposal. The main objective of the study was to compare the efficiency of sludge drying by natural and artificial methods. The qualitative characteristics of the leachate from the dewatering unit, the chemical composition of the dried sludge and the granulometric analysis of the dried sludge were also studied. The greatest reduction in moisture content was recorded for drying in natural conditions (2.1%), but this process required the longest drying time. The leachate obtained from sludge dewatering was characterized by significant contamination (e.g., turbidity—55.65 on average, color—67.7, total Fe—5.15 mg/L, total N—79.6 mg/L, COD—311 mg/L, BOD—336.15 mg/L), which indicates the need for its pretreatment before further management in the technological system of the treatment station. The content of chemical substances contained in the dry residue of the sludge was also determined, of which aluminum was 0.94–13.8 mg/kg, silicon was 50.24–146.3 mg/kg, potassium was 1.72–5.51. mg/kg, calcium was 71.8–79.1 mg/kg, iron was 2.0–7.54 mg/kg and nickel was 0.9–4.4 mg/kg. A particle size analysis of the dried sludge showed that the majority fractions were fine and very fine sand, with a total of 20.2%, and silt and clay, with a total of 78.3%. Such properties justify the rationality of considering the reuse of dried sludge as a raw material for making, for example, construction materials or soil remediation material.

Recycling of water treatment plant sludge for copper adsorption from aqueous solutions

Recent studies have explored various adsorbent materials that are low-cost, available in quantity, and effective for heavy metal removal, one of them is the Water Treatment Plant (WTP) sludge. The study aimed to investigate the potential of recycling Water Treatment Plant sludge into an adsorbent for Cu (II) removal. The sludge adsorbent was carbonized by using a furnace at 600°C for 2 hours. This study was conducted in batch. The adsorbent effectiveness was analyzed by varying the dosage, contact time, and activation of the sludge adsorbent on Cu (II) removal. The adsorption isotherm was analyzed using the Langmuir and Ferundlich models, and the kinetic study used pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order model. The results showed the removal efficiency of Cu (II) for both activated and non-activated sludge adsorbents reached 98.6–99.9%. The addition of dosage did not affect the increase in Cu (II) adsorption capacity. Activation of the adsorbent increased the adsorption capacity of Cu (II) with the equilibrium time at 60–90 min, shorter than the non-activated adsorbent at 90–120 min. The adsorption isotherm model for both adsorbent types fitted well to the Langmuir model, indicating the adsorption process occurs in a single layer on a homogeneous surface. The adsorption kinetics followed pseudo-second-order with a high correlation coefficient. Water treatment sludge, an industrial by-product, has the potential to be an effective and low-cost adsorbent material for Cu removal.

Degradation of acyclovir by sustainable glasses obtained from natural water treatment sludges

Sustainable glasses prepared from water treatment sludges (WTS) have been further enriched with Fe2O3 and investigated in terms of their catalytic activity for the degradation of the drug molecule Acyclovir. The effect of ZnO2 and Fe2O3 has been evaluated at different pH, H2O2 concentration and glass dosage. No degradation activity was detected in the glasses where Fe2O3 and/or ZnO are absent, while the glass with the highest Fe2O3 concentration has shown the most efficiency. According to the characterization of the glass bulk and surface, as well as the leached ions during the catalytic reaction, the Fenton degradation reaction was found to be homogeneous - heterogeneous type. The homogeneous Fenton reaction occurs because of the leaching of some Fe ions from the glass matrix, which occurred in the first moments after the H2O2 was incorporated to the solution. A congruent leaching behaviour was observed for all ions except Fe and P.

Sulfur oxidation of ferrate synthesized from sludge in the aspect of desulfurization: A parametric study

Abstract The emission of sulfur in the atmosphere poses a significant threat to human health and the environment. To address this issue, stringent regulations have been implemented to limit the sulfur content in diesel, and novel desulfurization technologies are being developed. One notable technology is oxidative desulfurization (ODS), which employs oxidants to transform sulfur compounds into their corresponding sulfones, which are relatively easier to recover. The application of high-shear mixing in ODS has been studied to increase sulfur-to-sulfone conversion by creating smaller droplets and reducing mass transfer resistance. This research investigates the application of potassium ferrate derived from drinking water treatment sludge (DWTS), in the mixing-assisted oxidative desulfurization (MAOD) of a dibenzothiophene (DBT) model fuel. Potassium ferrate was synthesized using the wet oxidation method. The study evaluated the effects of ferrate concentration (400 to 600 ppm), agitation speed (4,400 to 10,800 rpm), and temperature (40 to 60 °C) on the efficiency of DBT conversion. The results revealed that 493.2 ppm DBT conversion was achieved at 550 ppm Fe(VI) concentration, 7,600 rpm agitation speed, and 50 °C temperature. Notably, increasing Fe(VI) concentration, agitation speed, and temperature had significant effects on sulfur reduction. This study demonstrates the potential of using potassium ferrate derived from DWTS in MAOD for effective desulfurization and discusses insights into the effects of operating conditions to enhance desulfurization efficiency. Ultimately, the study contributes to the development of environmentally friendly and cost-effective desulfurization technologies.

Balancing Sustainability and Strength: Analyzing the Effects of Textile, Tannery, and Water Treatment Sludge on Brick Performance

This study investigates the feasibility of incorporating various industrial waste materials, specifically textile sludge, tannery sludge, and water treatment plant sludge, in brick production as a sustainable construction practice. The research analyses the impact of varying sludge proportions on the compressive strength of fired clay bricks. Results indicate an inverse relationship between increasing sludge content and compressive strength across all types. Bricks incorporating higher proportions of textile sludge exhibited a linear decrease in compressive strength, ranging from 0.1 MPa to a low of 0.005 MPa. Similarly, increasing the ratio of tannery sludge to fly ash Class C and Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag within the brick mixture consistently corresponded with reduced compressive strength, with a 5:70:25 mix yielding 0.8 MPa and a 40:30:30 proportion resulting in 0.17 MPa. Water treatment plant sludge exhibited a similar trend. A mix proportion of 5:70:25 (sludge: fly ash class C: GGBS) yielded a compressive strength of 1.87 MPa while increasing the sludge proportion to 40:50:10 resulted in a lower compressive strength of 1.20 MPa. These findings underscore the importance of a balanced approach when incorporating industrial sledges in brick production. While beneficial from a sustainability perspective, the observed reduction in compressive strength, particularly compared to conventional clay bricks exceeding 2.5 MPa, necessitates careful consideration. Future research should focus on optimizing mix designs, incorporating performance-enhancing additives, or identifying applications where lower compressive strengths are acceptable to fully realize the potential of these waste materials in sustainable construction.

Sustainable Ceramic Glaze Development from Coal Power Plant Water Treatment Sludge: A Customer-Oriented Approach Using Delphi Method, QFD, and Mixture Design

This research delves into the sustainable utilization of waste materials, particularly chemical sludges from coal power plant water treatment processes, in ceramic glaze development. The study background underscores the growing interest in repurposing industrial waste for sustainability in the ceramics industry. To address this, this study employs innovative methods like the Delphi method and Quality Function Deployment (QFD) to understand customer needs and guide product development. The next step will be to design an experiment to find the optimization point of the mixture of chemical sludge, silica, and soda feldspar to obtain a prototype as desired from QFD. The experimental investigations in this study highlight that resistance to cracking is a crucial factor in glaze formulations. An analysis revealed that a formulation containing 15% sludge, 52% soda feldspar, and 22% silica emerged as the optimal combination for further development. The results indicate that the prototype holds promise for future development, as demonstrated by cracking tests accelerated in an autoclave and analyzed using image processing. These findings contribute to advancing sustainable practices in ceramics, aligning with broader goals of waste minimization, circular economy principles, and resource efficiency.

Regeneration of Ti Coagulants from Water Treatment Sludge Using acid Leaching: Efficiency in Turbidity and Pollutant Removal

Regeneration of Ti Coagulants from Water Treatment Sludge Using acid Leaching: Efficiency in Turbidity and Pollutant Removal

Cement modified and copper oxide enriched ferric sludge as oxygen carrier for chemical looping combustion

This study focuses on enhancing the performance of water treatment sludge as an oxygen carrier (OC) for chemical looping combustion (CLC) of municipal solid waste (MSW) syngas. High aluminate cement was introduced to augment the OC’s mechanical strength, concurrently preventing inter-particulate agglomeration, resulting in a commendable and low agglomeration rate of 3.44% after 50 cycles. The inclusion of CuO proves to be instrumental in boosting the OC’s reactivity, mitigating the loss of active components due to the addition of cement support. Notably, FSCuO10 (Ferric sludge with 10% CuO addition) demonstrates over 92% CO efficiency throughout 50 cycles, affirming the success of the dual modification of FS. The investigation also delves into comprehending the reduction process, agglomeration pathways, and the impact of varied CuO percentages has on OC performance. Extensive characterizations were conducted to elucidate OC transformations and their consequential effects on reactivity, physical characteristics, and overall performance. A noteworthy observation includes the outward migration of iron and copper during CLC, contributing to the stabilization of reactivity. In summary, the modifications implemented on FS, yield an improved OC for CLC purposes, maintaining its novelty and cost-effectiveness. The novelty stems from the interactions between CuO and FS, leading to improved reactivity and stability, as well as the extended CLC, which demonstrates the longevity of the OCs. This research contributes to the circularity of waste-derived products by effectively repurposing water treatment sludge and improving sustainable waste management practices.

Removal of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) by coagulation: Influence of coagulant and dosing conditions

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pose significant risks to the environment and human health. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) are two of the most frequently detected PFAS in the environment. In most surface water drinking water treatment works (WTW), coagulation is the first processes exposed to a range of contaminants, including PFAS. While not designed to be a process for removal of micropollutants, it is important to understand the fate of PFAS in coagulation processes, intended or otherwise, to determine whether water treatment sludge can be a significant sink for this group of micropollutants. This work advances understanding of PFAS removal in coagulation processes by comparing the removal of PFOA and PFOS by four metal coagulants (Zr, Zn, Fe, and Al) from real water matrices. The coagulant performance followed the order Al > Fe > Zr > Zn. Al was taken forward for further evaluation, with significant removal of PFAS (>15 % for PFOA and > 30 % for PFOS) being observed when the pH<5.5 and the dose was > 5 mg Al·L-1. The adsorption of PFOA and PFOS onto flocs through hydrophobic interaction was the primary removal route. The impacts of background matrix on the mechanisms of coagulation for PFAS were explored using five organic compounds. Macromolecular organic compounds contributed to an increase in removal due to the sorption of PFAS and subsequent removal of the organic-PFAS aggregate during coagulation. Low molecular weight organic matter inhibited the removal of PFAS due to the ineffective removal of these compounds during coagulation.

Strength, durability, and toxicity characteristics of water treatment sludge based geopolymers for subgrade application

This study examined the strength, durability and toxicity characteristics of geopolymer made from water treatment sludge (WTS) using fly ash (FA) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) as binding materials for the subgrade application. The mechanical properties of WTS-FA-GGBS geopolymers were assessed considering various parameters such as binder proportions, curing period, curing condition, Sodium silicate (SS) to Sodium hydroxide (SH) ratio (i.e. SS/SH), and Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) concentration. The results showed that increasing binder proportions, NaOH concentration, and curing period positively impacted the strength of the WTS-FA-GGBS geopolymer. The unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of the geopolymer samples with an SS/SH ratio of 2.5 showed higher compressive strength than those at an SS/SH ratio of 1. WTS-FA-GGBS geopolymers cured at 100°C showed increased UCS values after 1 to 3 days, but strength decreased after 7 days due to a faster geopolymerisation reaction, resulting in excessive moisture loss and microcracks in the geopolymerized samples. The study also found that all the geopolymer samples met the minimum strength criteria for cement-stabilized mix with a maximum mass loss of 8.17 % are well within the specified limits (<14 %) as per IRC:37–2018. The California Bearing Ratio (CBR) values of WTS-FA-GGBS geopolymers, which range from 41.11 % to 260.32 %, surpass the minimum criteria for cement stabilized subgrade or subbase material, as specified by IRC: SP:89–2010. Additionally, the changes during geopolymerization were confirmed by FESEM, EDS, and XRD analysis. The toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) test results showed that the amounts of heavy metals in the geopolymer leachate were within the USEPA-mandated limits.

Physical-chemical characterisation of an alum-based water treatment sludge in different raw water turbidity scenarios

Characterisation of the water treatment sludge (WTS) generated in drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) is crucial to define alternatives for its adequate management, including potential reuse options. To define these alternatives, it is necessary to evaluate rainfall seasonality effect on WTS production and its physical and chemical characteristics. This study assessed the production and characterisation of four types of alum-based WTS. The WTS was generated in a pilot-scale system from different raw water turbidities (i.e., low: <5 NTU, medium: 5–10 NTU, high: ≥10 NTU, and very high turbidity: ∼300 NTU) and coagulant doses. To estimate WTS production, mathematical models based on variables such as raw water turbidity, coagulant dosage, and organic matter removed were used. The WTS characterisations included physical (solids and particle size distribution), chemical (metallic oxides, pH, mineral phases), and surface properties (functional groups and zero-charge point pH). The modified Kawamura model presented the best fit (R2 = 1.0, RMSE = 0.1062 and the lower Akaike Information Criterion) for the estimation of WTS production, indicating that at the DWTPs, it is possible to make sludge production projections using only two simple variables: coagulant dose and the raw water turbidity. The four types of WTS consist mainly of amorphous materials (45–65 %), featuring some mineral phases and exhibiting high contents of Al (Al2O3: 30–34 %), Si (SiO2: 21–26 %) and Fe (Fe2O3: 11–13 %). Nevertheless, very high turbidity WTS shows variations in its characteristics, notably a heightened content of clays. As a result of the high concentrations of Al and Fe, the WTS has the potential to be used as coagulants or for the recovery of coagulants, especially low turbidity WTS, which is produced from water with low turbidity and organic matter. The presence of aluminium–silicate clays and the surface functional groups of the silica network suggest that WTS, particularly very high turbidity WTS, also has the potential to be raw materials for generating adsorbents. The potential applications of WTS in coagulation and adsorption can be leveraged in wastewater treatment, promoting the circular economy in the water sector.

Enhancing oxidative desulfurization using sludge-derived ferrate (VI) for dibenzothiophene: An optimization study

Sulfur emissions pose a substantial threat to human health and the environment. To address this, stringent regulations limit sulfur content in fuels, and innovative desulfurization technologies are under active investigation. Oxidative desulfurization (ODS) employs oxidants to convert sulfur compounds into more readily recoverable sulfones. This study explores high-shear mixing in ODS, known as mixing-assisted oxidative desulfurization (MAOD), focusing on dibenzothiophene (DBT) oxidation in model fuels and pyrolysis oil. Fe(VI) derived from drinking water treatment sludge via wet oxidation is utilized in the MAOD process. The research evaluates the impact of ferrate concentration (400–600 ppm), phase transfer agent (PTA) concentration (100–300 mg per 50 mL of fuel), agitation speed (4,400 to 10,800 rpm), and temperature (40–60 °C) on % DBT conversion. Experimental sulfur conversions range from 63.4 % to 99.6 %. Through response surface methodology, optimal parameters of 537 ppm Fe(VI), 114 mg PTA per 50 mL of model fuel, 8,157 rpm agitation speed, and 41.7 °C are determined. These parameters are applied to pyrolysis oil, achieving a desulfurization efficiency of 53.2 %. Notably, increasing Fe(VI) concentration, agitation speed, and temperature significantly enhances sulfur reduction. The study underscores the potential of using potassium ferrate derived from drinking water treatment sludge in MAOD for effective desulfurization and provides insights into the impact of operating conditions on desulfurization efficiency. Ultimately, the research contributes to advancing environmentally friendly and cost-effective desulfurization technologies.

Investigating the Potential of Water Treatment Sludge for Improvement of the Geotechnical Properties of Gypseous Soil

Investigating the Potential of Water Treatment Sludge for Improvement of the Geotechnical Properties of Gypseous Soil

Sludge-Based Superparamagnetic Nano-Sorbent Functionalized by Lanthanum Silicate Nanorods for Phosphorus Adsorption and Fertilization

Phosphorus (P) recovery from wastewater is considered to be a positive human intervention towards sustainable P use in the global P cycle. This study investigated the feasibility of synthesizing a superparamagnetic nano-sorbent that was functionalized by lanthanum silicate nanorods (NRLa-Si) using drinking water treatment sludge (DWTS), evaluating both its P adsorption capacity and fertilization effect. The DWTS-based La-modified P nano-sorbent (P-sorbent D) exhibited complicated but single-layer-dominant adsorption for phosphate, with a maximum adsorption capacity up to 26.8 mg/g, which was superior to that of most of the similar sludge-based P-sorbent. The NRLa-Si-modified P-sorbent D was identified with several characterization techniques and the leaching metal elements from the nano-sorbent were tested, which were below the limits proposed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. In addition, the growth and vigorousness of Arabidopsis thaliana indicated that the exhausted P-sorbent D could be used as a potential water-soluble moderate-release P fertilizer, which was also confirmed by the well-fitted P uptake model and the P desorption pattern from the sorbent–fertilizer. The doped lanthanum silicate nanorods could play the dual role of P complexation enhancement and health/growth promotion. In light of this, this study proposed a new way of reclaiming DWTS as a P-sorbent for fertilization, offering new insights into the path toward “closing the P loop”.

Beneficial Use of Water Treatment Sludge with Stabilizers for Application in Road Pavements

Water treatment sludge (WTS) is the residue produced during water treatment processes for public use. Exploring the reintroduction of these wastes into the production chain to generate new, value-added materials presents a current challenge. This could promote their reuse and reduce the negative environmental impacts associated with their disposal. This study assessed the technical feasibility of using aluminum-based WTS to partially replace silty sand soil in mixtures that include two stabilizers (hydrated lime and Portland cement), potentially for use in road pavements. After conducting a thorough physical, chemical, and geotechnical characterization of both the soil and the sludge, bench-scale experiments were carried out to test the mixtures’ resistance, with WTS proportions of 5%, 8%, 10%, 15%, and 20%, stabilized with either lime or cement. The findings confirm that WTS does not contain potentially toxic elements, according to Brazilian standards, and all tested composites appear suitable for paving. However, the mechanical resistance of the soil–sludge–cement mixtures decreases as the WTS content increases, with an optimum California bearing ratio (CBR) of 41.50% achieved at a 5% WTS addition. Meanwhile, incorporating 15% WTS into soil–sludge–lime mixtures resulted in the highest CBR value of 21.25% for this type of mixture. It is concluded that incorporating stabilizers into soil–WTPS mixtures for road construction allows for an increased percentage of WTPS in silty-sandy soils. Further studies are recommended with different soil types and the addition of fibers to the mixes, to assess the long-term performance of the structure, along with economic and environmental analyses.

Highly efficient phosphorus removal by a novel prolonged stirring pelleting coagulation for sludge water treatment

Sludge water with high total phosphorus (TP) and suspended solids (SS) easily causes the effluent quality to be substandard in wastewater treatment plants. Although the conventional coagulation process can achieve TP removal, higher sludge production occurred due to loose flocs generation. The prolonged stirring pelleting coagulation (PSPC) process, based on one-by-one agglomeration and mechanical syneresis theories, was proposed to achieve compact flocs and reduced sludge production. Compared with the conventional coagulation process, the removal efficiency of TP was improved by >20 %, settling volume was reduced by about 30 %, and the dosages of polyaluminum chloride (PAC) and polyacrylamide (PAM) were saved by 50 % and 30 %, respectively in the PSPC process. The PSPC process produced pellet-like flocs with the d50 of 6.27 mm, settling velocity of 21.07 mm/s, effective density of 0.1411 g/cm3, and three-dimensional fractal dimension (D3) of 2.094 under the optimal conditions of 50 mg/L PAC and 10 mg/L PAM. With the d50 decreased from 38.38 μm to 21.81 μm, fragmentation of primary particles was realized by high-intensity stirring. Therefore, the mechanism of the PSPC process involves reducing voids in primary particles, achieving regular combination of microflocs under appropriate PAC, PAM, and hydraulic control. The PSPC process shows promising prospects for treating high SS wastewater and may have practical implications for enhancing coagulation.

Advancing circular economy: A study of drinking water sludge for potential uses

The high demand for drinking water has increased the by-products from treatment plants, notably during coagulation-flocculation, leading to substantial sludges' accumulation. This study aims to focus on the characterization of drinking water treatment sludge (DWTS) batches from the three last years and statically studying it's uniformity, as exploring potential repurposing options. The samples were characterized using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES), Loss On Ignition (LOI), and Granulometric analysis. The results evinced that DWTS have a sandy nature, the organic fraction takes third of the DWTS’ chemical composition, the amount of Al2O3 + SiO2 + Fe2O3 is slightly different, with 55.84, 57.47, and 56.14 % for DWTS21, DWTS22, and DWTS23 respectively, as per ANOVA results, which exhibited the consistency sludge composition among the samples, providing valuable insights into repurposing DWTS, and contributing to sustainable and eco-friendly practices in the construction industry especially DWTS21, which presents higher content of CaO with 2.95 %.