Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 29 Jan 2003

Vol. 560 No. 1

Written Answers. - Water and Sewerage Schemes.

Denis Naughten

Question:

921 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if sewerage sludge can be disposed of by land spreading; the recommended methods of disposing of such sludge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1536/03]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

Subject to compliance with the Waste Management (Use of Sewage Sludge in Agriculture) Regulations, 1998, as amended, sewage sludge may be used in agriculture.

Sewage sludge is an inevitable and potentially useful by-product of advanced waste water treatment processes. Overall volumes of such sludge will inevitably grow as a result of the major investment in waste water treatment facilities now under way as part of the national development plan. It is desirable, and in accordance with EU requirements, that sewage sludge should be reused wherever appropriate.

In this regard all relevant local authorities are required to prepare a sludge management plan in the context of waste management planning generally. These plans are intended to address the management of waste water sludge in a progressive and environmentally sustainable way.

My Department does not issue specific recommendations on reuse methods but has taken steps over the past decade to promote improved management of sewage sludge, for example by providing detailed guidelines and financial assistance to support the preparation of sludge management plans by local authorities. Following a series of studies commissioned by my Department in relation to the re-use of sewage sludge, arrangements are being put in place by local authorities for the full treatment of sewage sludge, including pasteurisation, and its conversion into a soil conditioner and fertiliser, or biosolid. Treated sewage sludge from the main Dublin waste water treatment plant is already used in this way as an agricultural fertiliser.

To further assist the farming sector and local authorities in implementing this approach A Code of Good Practice for the use of Biosolids in Agriculture and A Guidance Document for the Preparation of Sludge Management Plans by Local Authorities, with an associated model plan, have both been published under my Department's auspices.