CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SLUDGE FORMED IN THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT OF UAB "JURBARKO VANDENYS" AND THE POSSIBILITIES OF ITS USE IN AGRICULTURE

Abstract

The article discusses the quality, quantities and potential agricultural use of sewage sludge generated at the wastewater treatment plant of UAB “Jurbarko vandenys”. The main aim of the study is to analyze the quantity of sludge, determine its chemical composition, and explore its potential agricultural application. Analyzing the sludge analysis reports from 2013 and 2022, it was found that in terms of heavy metal concentrations, the sludge corresponds to Category II, with only the last two years falling into Category I. According to microbiological- parasitological parameters, the sludge falls into Class B. Evaluating the quantities of sludge generated, it was determined that annual sludge volumes exceed the operational capacity of the sludge storage area. Since the sludge volumes are relatively small, incineration for energy recovery is not economically viable. Therefore, the possibility of using sludge in agriculture is being considered. Such utilization would be the cheapest and most effective option. A multi-criteria decision analysis method is employed during the study, as both quantitative and qualitative criteria are being analyzedOne paragraph, representing the content of the article, up to 200 words, which describes the raised issue, applied research methods, summarize the research results, their interpretation, conclusions.