Analysis of environmental aspects of the management, beneficial use, and disposal of sludge in sanitary landfills

Abstract

Sludges generated in water treatment plants are classified in Brazil as not dangerous solid residues and its destination, under the generator's responsibility, is generally, carried out in sanitary landfills and even irregularly in watercourses. Studies related to beneficial uses are in early stages and, in general, are made at bench scales without addressing the potential environmental impacts originated by them. Sparse information associated with management, beneficial use, and disposal of water treatment plants' sludge is published in Brazil and, therefore, the discussions related to the environmental impacts of these activities didn't exist. On this account, this project will be conducted to evaluate the environmental impacts associated with management, beneficial use, and disposal of drinking water sludge at landfills. The research will be subsidized by characterization data about the sludge produced by two water treatment plants in the state of São Paulo. To determine the environmental impacts and the risk to human health, the Brazilian legislation related to the health and contamination of soils and waters will be studied. (AU)