Highlights of current legislation on sludge and bio-waste in EU member states and in the United States Giuseppe Mininni 1 and Steve Dentel 2 1 Italian National Research Council – Water Research Institute 2 Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering - University of Delaware - Newark (USA) Conférence Internationale « Gestion innovante des boues d’épuration a l’échelle européenne » Charleroi Espace Meeting Européen, 22 octobre of 39

Contents Comparisons of sludge quantities Mass production by country Production per capita Trends and factors Comparisons of management practices Comparisons of metal, organic, and pathogen requirements Conclusions 2 of 39

Mass production in the EU, Total in 27 EU countries ~10 million DT/y Total population 489 million Average sludge production ~55.7 g/(P.E.-d) 3 of 39

Mass production in other industrialized countries, of 39

Mass production in other industrialized countries Total of these countries plus EU: 28 million dry tons per year Of course, sludge production is related to population: so consider per capita production 5 of 39

Biosolids Production Per Capita Min. 0.5 Max 97 Average Range of 39

Biosolids Production Per Capita Average Range No uniform standard for reporting Many estimates based on wastewater flows, not actual sludge mass Percent sewered population varies widely Treatment processes vary in sludge yield Industrial and domestic contributions vary widely Effluent requirements may force increased sludge production 7 of 39

Biosolids Production Per Hectare 8 of 39

Sludge Usage in the EU Agricultural utilization Composting Incineration Landfilling Sludge Usage in the U.S. 9 of 39

Agricultural utilization in the EU 10 of 39

Agricultural utilization in the EU Largest producers average 45% to agriculture 11 of 39

Composting in the EU Only some smaller producers have significant composting efforts 12 of 39

Incineration in the EU 13 of 39

Landfilling in the EU 14 of 39

Sludge (Biosolids) Usage in the U.S. “The term biosolids is generally used after recycling criteria have been achieved, typically at the outlet of the stabilization process. Sludge refers to the unstabilized solids and should be used with a specific process descriptor, such as primary sludge, waste activated sludge, or secondary sludge. For general description, solids, residuals, or another appropriate term, is preferred.” U.S. terminology: 15 of 39

U.S. Stabilization Operations 16 of 39

U.S. Stabilization Operations 17 of 39

Final Disposition in the U.S. 18 of 39

Final Disposition in the U.S. 19 of 39

Final Disposition in the U.S. 20 of 39

Heavy metal limits for agricultural use EuropeCdCrCuHgNiPbZnAsMoCoSe Directive 86/278/EEC ,000-1, ,500-4,000 Austria ,500-2, Belgium (Flanders) Belgium (Walloon) ,000 Bulgaria ,000 Czech republic ,50030 Denmark , ,00025 Finland ,500 France , ,000 Germany ,500 Greece ,000-1, ,500-4,000 Hungary101, (Cr VI)1, , Italy20 1, ,500 Netherlands Poland ,500 Portugal201, ,500 Romania ,000 Slovenia Spain20-401,000-1, ,500-4,000 Sweden United States 503 Rule Ceiling concentration85- 4, , Exceptional quality (EQ)39- 1, , Within the EU, high variability for all metals – e.g. Cd, Cu 21 of 39

Heavy metal limits for agricultural use EuropeCdCrCuHgNiPbZnAsMoCoSe Directive 86/278/EEC ,000-1, ,500-4,000 Austria ,500-2, Belgium (Flanders) Belgium (Walloon) ,000 Bulgaria ,000 Czech republic ,50030 Denmark , ,00025 Finland ,500 France , ,000 Germany ,500 Greece ,000-1, ,500-4,000 Hungary101, (Cr VI)1, , Italy20 1, ,500 Netherlands Poland ,500 Portugal201, ,500 Romania ,000 Slovenia Spain20-401,000-1, ,500-4,000 Sweden United States 503 Rule Ceiling concentration85- 4, , Exceptional quality (EQ)39- 1, , Most stringent: Austria, Flanders, Denmark, Finland, Slovenia, Sweden 22 of 39

Heavy metal limits for agricultural use EuropeCdCrCuHgNiPbZnAsMoCoSe Directive 86/278/EEC ,000-1, ,500-4,000 Austria ,500-2, Belgium (Flanders) Belgium (Walloon) ,000 Bulgaria ,000 Czech republic ,50030 Denmark , ,00025 Finland ,500 France , ,000 Germany ,500 Greece ,000-1, ,500-4,000 Hungary101, (Cr VI)1, , Italy20 1, ,500 Netherlands Poland ,500 Portugal201, ,500 Romania ,000 Slovenia Spain20-401,000-1, ,500-4,000 Sweden United States 503 Rule Ceiling concentration85- 4, , Exceptional quality (EQ)39- 1, , Least restrictive: France, Germany, Italy, Spain (largest producers)... but the U.S. is much less restrictive in all cases 23 of 39

Limits of organic micro-pollutants for sludge use in agriculture (mg/kg dry solids) AOXDEHPLAS NP/ NPE PAHPCBs PCDD/ F 3 Others EC (2000, 2003) ,600- 5, Σ of 7 congeners 100 Lower and Upper Austria Σ of 6 congeners 100 Carinthia Denmark (2002) 501, France Fluoranthene: 4 Benzo(b) fluoranthene: 2.5 Benzo(a)pyrene: Σ of 7 congeners Germany for each congener 100 Germany (proposed limits) 400 Benzo(a)pyrene: for each congener 30 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole +2-hydroxybenzothiazole: 0.6 Tonalid:15 Glalaxolide:10 Sweden Σ of 7 congeners - Czech Republic proposed limits 2 sum of acenapthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo(b+j+k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(ghi)perylene, indeno(1,2,3-c,d)pyrene 3 ng/kg dry solids Adsorbable Organic Halogens 24 of 39

Limits of organic micro-pollutants for sludge use in agriculture (mg/kg dry solids) AOXDEHPLAS NP/ NPE PAHPCBs PCDD/ F 3 Others EC (2000, 2003) ,600- 5, Σ of 7 congeners 100 Lower and Upper Austria Σ of 6 congeners 100 Carinthia Denmark (2002) 501, France Fluoranthene: 4 Benzo(b) fluoranthene: 2.5 Benzo(a)pyrene: Σ of 7 congeners Germany for each congener 100 Germany (proposed limits) 400 Benzo(a)pyrene: for each congener 30 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole +2-hydroxybenzothiazole: 0.6 Tonalid:15 Glalaxolide:10 Sweden Σ of 7 congeners - Czech Republic proposed limits 2 sum of acenapthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo(b+j+k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(ghi)perylene, indeno(1,2,3-c,d)pyrene 3 ng/kg dry solids Diethylhexylphthalate (plasticizer) 25 of 39

Limits of organic micro-pollutants for sludge use in agriculture (mg/kg dry solids) AOXDEHPLAS NP/ NPE PAHPCBs PCDD/ F 3 Others EC (2000, 2003) ,600- 5, Σ of 7 congeners 100 Lower and Upper Austria Σ of 6 congeners 100 Carinthia Denmark (2002) 501, France Fluoranthene: 4 Benzo(b) fluoranthene: 2.5 Benzo(a)pyrene: Σ of 7 congeners Germany for each congener 100 Germany (proposed limits) 400 Benzo(a)pyrene: for each congener 30 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole +2-hydroxybenzothiazole: 0.6 Tonalid:15 Glalaxolide:10 Sweden Σ of 7 congeners - Czech Republic proposed limits 2 sum of acenapthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo(b+j+k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(ghi)perylene, indeno(1,2,3-c,d)pyrene 3 ng/kg dry solids Linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (anionic surfactants) 26 of 39

Limits of organic micro-pollutants for sludge use in agriculture (mg/kg dry solids) AOXDEHPLAS NP/ NPE PAHPCBs PCDD/ F 3 Others EC (2000, 2003) ,600- 5, Σ of 7 congeners 100 Lower and Upper Austria Σ of 6 congeners 100 Carinthia Denmark (2002) 501, France Fluoranthene: 4 Benzo(b) fluoranthene: 2.5 Benzo(a)pyrene: Σ of 7 congeners Germany for each congener 100 Germany (proposed limits) 400 Benzo(a)pyrene: for each congener 30 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole +2-hydroxybenzothiazole: 0.6 Tonalid:15 Glalaxolide:10 Sweden Σ of 7 congeners - Czech Republic proposed limits 2 sum of acenapthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo(b+j+k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(ghi)perylene, indeno(1,2,3-c,d)pyrene 3 ng/kg dry solids Nonylphenols/ Nonylphenolethoxylates endocrine disruptors) 27 of 39

Limits of organic micro-pollutants for sludge use in agriculture (mg/kg dry solids) AOXDEHPLAS NP/ NPE PAHPCBs PCDD/ F 3 Others EC (2000, 2003) ,600- 5, Σ of 7 congeners 100 Lower and Upper Austria Σ of 6 congeners 100 Carinthia Denmark (2002) 501, France Fluoranthene: 4 Benzo(b) fluoranthene: 2.5 Benzo(a)pyrene: Σ of 7 congeners Germany for each congener 100 Germany (proposed limits) 400 Benzo(a)pyrene: for each congener 30 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole +2-hydroxybenzothiazole: 0.6 Tonalid:15 Glalaxolide:10 Sweden Σ of 7 congeners - Czech Republic proposed limits 2 sum of acenapthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo(b+j+k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(ghi)perylene, indeno(1,2,3-c,d)pyrene 3 ng/kg dry solids Polyaromatic hydrocarbons 28 of 39

Limits of organic micro-pollutants for sludge use in agriculture (mg/kg dry solids) AOXDEHPLAS NP/ NPE PAHPCBs PCDD/ F 3 Others EC (2000, 2003) ,600- 5, Σ of 7 congeners 100 Lower and Upper Austria Σ of 6 congeners 100 Carinthia Denmark (2002) 501, France Fluoranthene: 4 Benzo(b) fluoranthene: 2.5 Benzo(a)pyrene: Σ of 7 congeners Germany for each congener 100 Germany (proposed limits) 400 Benzo(a)pyrene: for each congener 30 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole +2-hydroxybenzothiazole: 0.6 Tonalid:15 Glalaxolide:10 Sweden Σ of 7 congeners - Czech Republic proposed limits 2 sum of acenapthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo(b+j+k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(ghi)perylene, indeno(1,2,3-c,d)pyrene 3 ng/kg dry solids Polychlorinated biphenyls 29 of 39

Limits of organic micro-pollutants for sludge use in agriculture (mg/kg dry solids) AOXDEHPLAS NP/ NPE PAHPCBs PCDD/ F 3 Others EC (2000, 2003) ,600- 5, Σ of 7 congeners 100 Lower and Upper Austria Σ of 6 congeners 100 Carinthia Denmark (2002) 501, France Fluoranthene: 4 Benzo(b) fluoranthene: 2.5 Benzo(a)pyrene: Σ of 7 congeners Germany for each congener 100 Germany (proposed limits) 400 Benzo(a)pyrene: for each congener 30 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole +2-hydroxybenzothiazole: 0.6 Tonalid:15 Glalaxolide:10 Sweden Σ of 7 congeners - Czech Republic proposed limits 2 sum of acenapthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo(b+j+k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(ghi)perylene, indeno(1,2,3-c,d)pyrene 3 ng/kg dry solids polychlorinated dibenzodioxins, and dibenzofurans 30 of 39

Standards for maximum concentrations of pathogens SalmonellaOther pathogens Europe Denmark (only for advanced treated sludge) No occurrenceFaecal streptococci:< 100/g France8 MPN/10 g DMEnterovirus: 3 MPCN/10 g of DM Helminths eggs: 3/10 g of DM Finland (539/2006)Not detected in 25 gEscherichia coli <1000 cfu Italy1000 MPN/g DM Luxembourg Enterobacteria: 100/g no eggs of worm likely to be contagious PolandNo occurrence United States Class A< 3 MPN/4 g DMFaecal Coliforms< 1000 MPN/g DM Enteric Viruses < 1 PFU/4 g DM Viable Helminth Ova < 1/4 g DM Class B Faecal Coliforms <2,000,000 MPN/ g DM 31 of 39

Conclusions Countries differ widely in their approaches to sludge management within Europe and internationally. Per capita production also differs, with the mean value in the EU ~55 g/(P.E. × d). Mean value in the States is around 60 g/(P.E. × d), in Canada over 70 g/(P.E. × d) and in China only 3 g/(P.E. × d). 32 of 39

Conclusions In the EU, significant levels of composting are only seen in Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia and Sweden. In the States about 21% of sludge is composted. 33 of 39

Conclusions Agricultural use is very scarce in many countries like Austria, Belgium, Finland, Greece, Romania, Slovenia and now in Switzerland. Agricultural use is common in the Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Portugal, Italy, Slovakia, Spain, the UK, and the U.S.A. (where 55% of all biosolids are land applied). This is often, but not always, correlated with lower population densities. 34 of 39

Conclusions Incineration is practiced for more than 20% of dry sludge production in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Slovenia, Switzerland and the UK. There is a correlation with population density in some cases. In the U.S., 15% of all sludge is incinerated. 35 of 39

Conclusions Landfilling is practiced for more than 50% of the dry sludge production in Bulgaria, Greece, Iceland, Malta, Romania and Slovenia. Landfilling is practiced for 28% of biosolids in the U.S. 36 of 39

Some EU states have essentially forced incineration (Lower Austria, Belgium Flanders and Netherlands) by setting very low metals limit for land application (Cd , Cr , Cu , Hg , Ni , Pb , Zn 300-1,500). Conclusions 37 of 39

Heavy metals limits in the U.S.A. appear much higher than generally in Europe even for EQ (exceptional quality) biosolids. Requirements focus on stabilization practices via pathogen requirements and other indices such as VS reduction. Conclusions 38 of 39

Differing regulations and practices are understandable due to different contaminant and pathogen levels, land availabilities, political and environmental expectations, and economic capabilities. Nonetheless, the lack of uniformity is an obstacle to sharing of optimized treatment methods or technologies and can prevent economies of scale in sludge management. Conclusions 39 of 39

This study was co-financed by the European Commission Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/ ) under grant agreement ROUTES Acknowledgement