Sewage Free soils
PROTECTING THE UK’S SOILS FROM
AGRICULTURAL USE OF SEWAGE SLUDGE
MORE ON OUR
WEBPAGE
A FIDRA PROJECT
Soil Health
Around 87% of the UK’s treated sewage sludge is applied to agricultural soils. The sludge contains harmful plastic and chemical contaminants damaging our soils. Our agricultural soils are a finite resource, essential in climate regulation and a biodiverse habitat in their own right – one quarter of the world’s biodiversity is found in soils. The health of these soils is vital, so their protection from harmful contaminants is crucial.
Contaminated sewage sludge has a negative impact on the survival rate of earthworms – a vital organism for healthy soil
THE PROBLEM
Sewage sludge contains a complex mixture of chemicals and microplastics, inevitably impacting soil health.
The occurrence of potentially harmful organic contaminants such as ‘forever chemicals’ PFAS, endocrine-disrupting bisphenols and pharmaceuticals is particularly problematic as they are almost impossible to remove during sewage sludge treatment processes.
A common disposal route for treated sewage sludge (biosolids) is its application to agricultural soils.
Currently, sewage sludge acts as a sink for persistent contaminants removed from sewage and wastewater during treatment
THE SOLUTION
Fidra are calling for the application of sewage sludge to agricultural land to be phased out until it can be proven to be a clean and safe resource.
We support measures to tackle sewage sludge contaminants at source by addressing the excessive and unnecessary uses of chemicals and plastics.
Preventative action is necessary and has already been taken in many European countries. The UK should strive to follow suit to ensure our soils are healthy, biodiverse, and productive for future generations.
We seek reductions in agricultural use of treated sewage sludge (biosolids) until such a time that contaminant levels are acceptable and that biosolids products are fit for use as a beneficial nutrient and organic matter-rich soil amendment.
OUR ASKS
Scottish/UK Governments – We recommend that Government strategies address unregulated sewage sludge contaminants, improve agricultural sewage sludge use legislation and regulations to strengthen soil and sludge contaminant monitoring requirements. They must enforce wastewater and sludge management infrastructure improvements to protect soil and water resources and support safe and sustainable sewage sludge use and management (e.g., alternatives to land application, nutrient recovery and contaminant removal technologies).
Farmers and landowners – Commit to avoiding or reducing the application of treated sewage sludge to land, focusing instead on cleaner alternative fertilisers.
Water, farming and fertiliser industries, policy makers and regulators – work together to improve the management of sewage sludge and co-design viable alternatives to agricultural land recycling.
WHAT WE HOPE TO ACHIEVE
Communicate available and emerging scientific evidence around the impacts of contaminated sewage sludge on soils and the wider environment.
Work with stakeholders to explore viable solutions for tackling overlooked sewage sludge contaminants (upstream and downstream).
Until proven to be a beneficial resource, investigate alternatives to agricultural use of contaminated sewage sludge.
Secure our future vision of having healthy productive soils and a safe, clean circular economy.
MORE ON OUR
WEBPAGE