Sludge Filtration Resistivity Method as an Effective Tool for Evaluating the Suitability of Different Sewage Sludge for Processing into the Soil and Soil-Like Materials

Abstract

— The International Academy of Ecology, with the support of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan, within the framework of the state strategy for the transition to the Green Economy, to ‘improve the efficiency of the use and management of water, soil and biological resources, initiated a scientific and practical project ‘Organic belt around the cities of Kazakhstan 2020‘. The main task of the project is the development of new and adaptation of existing technologies, reagents and biological products for the effective processing of sludge from Waste water treatment plants (hereinafter referred to as WWTP) in various cities of the Republic into soil-like substrates. The subject of this publication is a brief description of the classic traditional ‘Method for determining the resistivity of filtration of sludge’ and an explanation of the ‘Adapted and simplified method’ capable of producing results comparable to the classical method. The properties of sludge revealed as a result of applying the method are described, which make it possible to predict with high reliability the results of subsequent processing of sludge into similar substrates by the method of biological composting. The article also draws attention to some aspects in the operation of most of the treatment facilities of the Republic that require attention and revision of approaches to create conditions for the effective processing and disposal of the resulting sludge.