Phosphorus Recovery as a Conservation of Resources

Abstract

In consequence of the potential risks concerning to sewage sludge from wastewater treatment, abandoning the agricultural use of sewage sludge is claimed by the Federal Environment Agency since many years. In the coalitions agreement of the actual legislative period this is a stipulated aim of the Federal Government. Due to the recovery from sewage and sewage sludge, the essential phosphorus will not be lost for fertilization. Technologies necessary for phosphorus recovery are basically available, now legislative and economical framework conditions have to be created. The expected amendment of the sewage sludge ordinance shall regulate the obligation for phosphorus recovery from municipal sewage sludge by law. From 1st of January 2015 the legislation for fertilizing has to be observed for sewage sludge additionally. Consequently, the possibilities and pathways for sewage sludge disposal will change considerably within the next few years.