Lower Usuma dam, Ushafa, Bwari area council, Federal capital

territory, Abuja.

End of S.I.W.E.S report on;

THE MENACING EFFECT OF INAPPROPRIATE DISPOSAL OF
SLUDGE.(A PRODUCT OF WASTE WATER TREATMENT).

BY

Muhammed Shifa Ladan.

From the
Department of chemical engineering.
University of Abuja.

Presented to,
The management of the lower Usuma dam, Abuja.
Introduction.
Wastewater treatment is an essential process for ensuring the
protection of public health and the environment. However, this process
generates a significant environmental challenge in the form of
wastewater sludge. Wastewater sludge, also known as biological
sewage sludge, is a complex mixture containing various organic and
inorganic particles, microbial biomass aggregates, and extracellular
polymeric substances (EPSs). It is formed during the treatment of
wastewater and often considered an unavoidable byproduct of the
wastewater treatment process. In recent years, the disposal of sewage
sludge has become a growing concern due to its sheer volume and
potential presence of emerging pollutants.

The conventional methods used for sludge disposal have come under
scrutiny due to their limitations and associated costs. As a result, there
has been an increasing emphasis on finding alternative approaches that
not only manage sludge but also utilize it as a valuable resource. This
shift in mindset aligns with sustainability principles and promotes
circular economy practices within the water industry.
Inappropriate disposal of sludge poses significant environmental and
economic challenges in today’s industrialized world. Sludge, which is
generated as a byproduct of various industrial processes, contains a
wide range of pollutants that can have detrimental effects on
ecosystems and human health if not managed properly. Understanding
the economic impact of inappropriate sludge disposal is crucial for
developing effective waste management strategies and minimizing the
associated risks.
This paper aims to explore the economic consequences of improper
sludge disposal, analyzing relevant data, and shedding light on the
financial implications that arise from such practices and highlight the
need for sustainable waste management solutions.

Definition of waste water sludge.

Wastewater sludge, also known as biological sewage sludge, is a

complex mixture consisting of organic and inorganic particles, microbial
biomass aggregates, and extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs), all
suspended within a predominant volume of water. It is formed during
the treatment process of wastewater and contains concentrated
organics, nutrients, and chemical energy that were originally dissolved
in the wastewater. The dry matter content of sewage sludge is
comparable to that of lignite, with an equivalent energy value ranging
from 11 to 22 MJ/kg.

Method of generation;

The generation of wastewater sludge begins with the collection of

wastewater from various sources such as households, industries, and
commercial establishments. This wastewater is then transported to a
treatment plant, where it undergoes several processes to remove
contaminants and pollutants. The following are the processes that
generate wastewater sludge:

1. Screening and Grit Removal

The first step in the treatment of wastewater is screening, where large
objects such as plastics, sticks, and stones are removed from the
wastewater using screens. This is followed by grit removal, where
heavy materials such as sand and gravel are removed from the
wastewater using grit chambers. The screenings and grit are then sent
to landfills, where they are disposed of.

2. Primary Treatment
In this process, the wastewater is allowed to settle in large tanks called
primary clarifiers. As the wastewater settles, the heavier solid
materials, known as primary sludge, sink to the bottom of the tank,
while the lighter materials, such as oils and grease, float to the surface.

3. Secondary Treatment
After primary treatment, the wastewater undergoes secondary
treatment to further remove organic matter and microorganisms. This
process involves the use of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi,
to consume organic matter in the wastewater. As the microorganisms
feed on the organic matter, they grow and multiply, forming a mass of
microorganisms known as activated sludge. This activated sludge is
then separated from the treated wastewater in a settling tank.
Negative effects of inappropriate sludge disposal.

One of the prevalent ways of waste water sludge disposal is the

dumping on large water bodies such as the ocean or lagoons and also
dumping on open spaces.
This acts have over the years proven to have negative environmental,
economic and health impacts in the following ways;

Pollution of water bodies.

One of the main consequences of inappropriate waste water sludge
management is the pollution of water bodies. When sewage sludge is
not properly treated and disposed of, it can end up in rivers, lakes, and
oceans. This can lead to eutrophication, a process in which excess
nutrients from the sludge cause algae blooms, depleting the oxygen
levels in the water and causing suffocation due to insufficient level of
oxygen for proper respiration. The chemicals and microplastics in
sludge can also accumulate in the food chain, ultimately affecting
human health.
This microplastics are ingested by the aquatic animals which results in
it’s poisoning and in turn poses serious health issues when used by
human as food.

Usage as fertilizer for crop production.

The improper use of sewage sludge as fertilizer can have detrimental
effects on soil quality and crop production. While it does contain
nutrients that can benefit plants, the sludge can also contain heavy
metals and pathogens that can contaminate the soil. This can result in
reduced crop yields and potentially harmful substances entering the
food supply.

Release of harmful substances to the environment.

The accumulation of wastewater sludge in landfills can also have

detrimental effects on the environment. As the sludge decomposes, it
releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas that upon reaching the
stratosphere could result in the depletion of the ozone layer there by
causing global warming which is a major environmental and climate
problem in today’s world.
The leachate, a liquid that seeps out of the sludge, can also
contaminate the surrounding soil and water sources making it unsafe
for any form of use.
Effective methods for proper treatment and disposal of waste water
sludge.

With the increasing demand for clean water, the production of

wastewater sludge is also on the rise. Therefore, it is crucial to find
effective ways of disposing of this waste to avoid its adverse effects on
the environment. We will discuss the various methods of waste water
sludge disposal and their effectiveness.

Land filling.
Landfilling is one of the most common methods of sludge disposal. It
involves the burial of sludge in a designated landfill site. This method is
relatively cheap, and it does not require specialized equipment.
However, it has several disadvantages. The decomposition of the sludge
in the landfill produces methane gas, which is a potent greenhouse gas.
It also has the potential to contaminate groundwater and soil if not
properly managed. Additionally, as land becomes scarce, finding
suitable landfill sites becomes increasingly challenging. Due to the
numerous disadvantages of this method, it is no longer considered an
effective method of sludge disposal. The most suitable for pollution
control are;
Controlled incineration.

It involves burning the sludge at high temperatures to reduce its

volume and convert it into ash after the process of dewatering might
have been done.
This method is effective in reducing the volume of sludge and
destroying harmful pathogens. However, it requires specialized
equipments.

Supervised and controlled decomposition.

It involves mixing sludge with organic materials and allowing it to

decompose to produce a nutrient-rich soil amendment. Composting is a
sustainable and environmentally friendly method of disposing of
sludge. It reduces the volume of sludge, eliminates harmful pathogens,
and produces a beneficial product. However, it requires a significant
amount of space, time, and labor.
Adoption of this method of disposal makes for a beneficial reuse of the
sewage sludge as a useful raw material rather than a waste product.
 Recommendations.
Biodigestion by the usage of a regenerative biodigester.

Sludge digestion is a biological process in which organic solids are

decomposed into stable substances. Digestion reduces the total mass
of solids, destroys pathogens, and makes it easier to dewater or dry the
sludge. Digested sludge is inoffensive, having the appearance and
characteristics of a rich potting soil.

Most large sewage treatment plants use a two-stage digestion system

in which organics are metabolized by bacteria anaerobically (in the
absence of oxygen). In the first stage, the sludge, thickened to a dry
solids (DS) content of about 5 percent, is heated and mixed in a closed
tank for several days. Acid-forming bacteria hydrolyze large molecules
such as proteins and lipids, breaking them into smaller water-soluble
molecules, and then ferment those smaller molecules into various fatty
acids. The sludge then flows into a second tank, where the dissolved
matter is converted by other bacteria into biogas, a mixture of carbon
dioxide and methane. Methane is combustible and is used as a fuel to
heat the first digestion tank as well as to generate electricity for the
plant.
Anaerobic digestion is very sensitive to temperature, acidity, and other
factors. It requires careful monitoring and control. In some cases, the
sludge is inoculated with extra hydrolytic enzymes at the beginning of
the first digestion stage in order to supplement the action of the
bacteria. It has been found that this enzymatic treatment can destroy
more unwanted pathogens in the sludge and also can result in the
generation of more biogas in the second stage of digestion.

Another enhancement of the traditional two-stage anaerobic digestion

process is thermal hydrolysis, or the breaking down of the large
molecules by heat. This is done in a separate step before digestion. In a
typical case, the process begins with a sludge that has been dewatered
to a DS content of some 15 percent. The sludge is mixed with steam in a
pulper, and this hot homogenized mixture is fed to a reactor, where it is
held under pressure at approximately 165 °C (about 330 °F) for about
30 minutes. At that point, with the hydrolytic reactions complete, some
of the steam is bled off (to be fed to the pulper), and the sludge, still
under some pressure, is released suddenly into a “flash tank,” where
the sudded drop in pressure bursts the cell walls of much of the solid
matter. The hydrolyzed sludge is cooled, diluted slightly with water, and
then sent directly to the second stage of anaerobic digestion.

Sludge digestion may also take place aerobically—that is, in the

presence of oxygen. The sludge is vigorously aerated in an open tank
for about 20 days. Methane gas is not formed in this process. Although
aerobic systems are easier to operate than anaerobic systems, they
usually cost more to operate because of the power needed for
aeration. Aerobic digestion is often combined with small extended
aeration or contact stabilization systems.
Aerobic and conventional anaerobic digestion convert about half of the
organic sludge solids to liquids and gases. Thermal hydrolysis followed
by anaerobic digestion can convert some 60 to 70 percent of the solid
matter to liquids and gases. Not only is the volume of solids produced
smaller than in conventional digestion, but the greater production of
biogas can make some wastewater treatment plants self-sufficient in
energy.

Conclusion;

Inappropriate disposal of wastewater sludge can have severe

consequences on the environment and human health. It is crucial to
implement proper waste water sludge management practices to
minimize these effects. This can be achieved through the use of
sustainable methods such as composting, incineration, biogas
production, and land application. Additionally, strict regulations and
proper monitoring must be in place to ensure that the sludge is safely
and responsibly managed.
Reference;

• https://www.britannica.com/technology/wastewater-
treatment/sludgetreatmentanddisposal.
• https://researchgate.net.
• https://sciencedirect.com.
• https://link.springer.com.
• VLS Environmental solutions.
• Article, AMCON Europe s.r.o.