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The Environment Agency’s Sewage Sludge Strategy.
Mat Davis and Barry Sheppard Environment Agency Wastewater Conference & Exhibition: 29th January 2019
Sewage Sludge Strategy. Mat Davis and Barry Sheppard Environment - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Sewage Sludge Strategy. Mat Davis and Barry Sheppard Environment - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Wastewater Conference & Exhibition: 29 th January 2019 The Environment Agencys Sewage Sludge Strategy. Mat Davis and Barry Sheppard Environment Agency Environment Agency Sewage Sludge Strategy: Drivers for change: Complexity of the
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Environment Agency Sewage Sludge Strategy:
Aim to:
Modernise and clarify the regulatory framework that relates to sewage sludge treatment, storage and use. Address inconsistency with the other organic waste sector. Set in place investigations to evidence possible risk posed by modern sewage sludge practices.
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1) Modernise and clarify the regulatory framework:
Sources of environmental regulation: Europe
Waste Framework Directive Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive Integrated Pollution Prevention & Control Directive (Industrial Emissions Directive) Sludge Directive.
Sources of environmental regulation: England
Environmental Permitting Regulations Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations Controlled Waste Regulations Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations.
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1) Modernise and clarify the regulatory framework:
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Waste water treatment plant Waste management facility
Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations Environmental Permitting Regulations
Recovery to agricultural land Recovery to land
Waste water. Other waste water. Waste in a liquid form. Sludge (various). Solid waste.
INPUT TREATMENT USE
1) Modernise and clarify the regulatory framework:
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2) Address inconsistency with the other organic waste sector
WE WANT
RECOVERY WITHOUT HARM Recovery of materials to land being used to improve soil or substitute for manufactured and quarried fertilisers or liming materials, without causing unacceptable harm to soil or the wider environment.
WE SUPPORT
THE WASTE HIERARCHY
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Outcome focussed e.g. deliver waste hierarchy while protecting human health and the environment. Risk based e.g. hazard assessment to reduce uncertainty and interventions to prevent pollution or harm. Proportionate e.g. apply polluter pays principle.
Environment Agency regulatory design principles:
Regulatory Effort Risk
Site Permit Bespoke Mobile Permit Mobile Plant Exemption
Regulatory Model (EPR example):
2) Address inconsistency with the other organic waste sector
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3) Set in place investigations to evidence possible risk posed by modern sewage sludge practices
Traditionally a farmer ‘feeds’ soil with nutrients, lime and organic matter in order for that soil to support their planned crop rotation. Increasingly the soil’s diet is thought to be changing…
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UKWIR Chemical Investigation Programme (CIP).
Mission Statement on microplastics. Mission Statement on Anti-microbial resistance. Sludge investigation at the entry to sludge treatment and at the point of dispatch to land. Investigation into the mechanisms of chemical removal.
3) Set in place investigations to evidence possible risk posed by modern sewage sludge practices
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Environment Agency Sewage Sludge Strategy
Concluding Remarks
Project Manager appointed: Steve Foster. Engagement happening with the water industry and waste industry, and with others. In scope is the treatment, storage and final use of sewage sludge. Working to three general principles: Modernise and clarify the regulatory framework that relates to sewage sludge. Address inconsistency with the other organic waste sector. Set in place investigations to evidence possible risk posed by modern sewage sludge practices.
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