Title News When composting waste sludge, it is proposed to waive excess requirements
Evaluation
The Ministry of the Environment has prepared amendments to two orders regulating the management and use of sewage sludge. These amendments propose to waive redundant requirements for composting, anaerobic treatment and storage of sewage sludge.
In order to avoid unwanted odors in 2020 July 3 an order of the Minister of the Environment was adopted, requiring all sewage sludge handlers to receive, store, compost, anaerobically process (ferment, decompose) sewage sludge and other biodegradable waste processed in facilities in closed rooms, ensuring the prevention of the spread of odors, gas purification before release into the environment. This order was supposed to enter into force in 2025. January 1
However, in 2018-2023 residents’ complaints about unwanted odors are relatively few and exclusively only for some sites of sludge processing companies: in the last five years, according to the data provided by the National Public Health Center, only one complaint was confirmed in the Vilnius region.
Taking into account these circumstances, it is suggested that companies receiving, storing, processing and processing sewage sludge be allowed to choose a means of preventing the spread of odors after assessing the specifics of the area and the waste being processed: use odor-binding materials, probiotics, closed waste treatment technology or other measures. Rejecting this requirement will also prevent excessive investments, which would potentially lead to an increase in the price of services provided to residents.
Such measures can be envisaged when issuing or changing pollution permits or integrated pollution prevention and control permits. It should be noted that the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Public Health Center have the right to initiate the change of these permits if the limit values of odor concentrations are found to be exceeded. Therefore, if the selected odor prevention measures are not sufficient, they can be supplemented.
Comments and suggestions “Regarding the approval of the requirements for handling and use of sewage sludge” and “Regarding the approval of the normative document LAND 20-2005 “Requirements for the use of sewage sludge for fertilization and recultivation” can be submitted until September 20. In the Information System of Legal Acts (TAIS).
