Sewage sludge disposal in Böblingen: costs are exploding, solutions sought!

Sewage sludge disposal in Böblingen: costs are exploding, solutions sought!

In the Böblingen district, sewage sludge utilization is facing a change that is viewed with mixed feelings. The administration is striving for a cost-effective and reliable solution for the disposal of sewage sludge, which is currently a challenge due to rising costs. Wastewater treatment plant operators, who are under pressure from European and national regulations, are urgently calling for a new recycling route to cope with the increased financial burden. The focus will be on the upcoming new sewage sludge recycling in Böblingen in order to help the sewage treatment plants throughout Baden-Württemberg krzbb.de reported.

Baden-Württemberg currently produces around 240,000 tonnes of sewage sludge as dry matter every year. Over 99% of this massive amount is burned, while less than 1% is used in agriculture or landscaping. Despite the strict fertilization law provisions of the sewage sludge regulation (AbfKlärV), this does not remain without consequences. From 2029, this regulation requires mandatory phosphorus recovery from sewage sludge for all wastewater treatment plants with more than 20 grams of phosphorus per kilogram of dry matter. For larger facilities with more than 50,000 inhabitants (PE), this regulation applies earlier; from 2032, land-related recycling will no longer be permitted.

Challenges of sewage sludge utilization

The current situation is forcing wastewater treatment plant operators to find alternative disposal methods. The construction of new mono-combustion plants will be necessary, particularly in view of the shutdown of coal-fired power plants. Sewage sludge is currently used for energy in three mono-incineration plants as well as in a gasification plant, coal-fired power plants and cement plants. The Ministry of the Environment in Baden-Württemberg works closely with the wastewater associations to secure the necessary disposal capacities in a timely manner, as the information from um.baden-wuerttemberg.de makes clear.

Another goal of the 2017 Sewage Sludge Ordinance is to reduce phosphorus input into the soil by requiring recovery and phasing out direct soil-related utilization. From 2029, up to 50% of the phosphorus must be extracted or the P content must be reduced to less than 20 grams per kilogram of dry matter. These measures could recover around 5,500 tons of phosphorus annually in Baden-Württemberg and at the same time reduce dependence on mineral fertilizers.

Despite the challenges, the new requirements and developments in the area of ​​sewage sludge utilization also promise opportunities for sustainable environmental protection measures. The upcoming changes in Böblingen could not only create a new disposal route for sewage sludge, but also lead to a more resource-efficient economy in wastewater treatment. This remains a crucial challenge for the affected municipalities and their wastewater treatment plant operators in the coming years.