Protecting The Environment And Reducing Cost Through Improved Sludge Quality

In 2019, Sassuolo WWTP operators noticed high levels of zinc in the generated sludge. To use sludge for agriculture, zinc level is limited to 2500 mg/kg by regulation, and an even stricter demand comes from the farmers themselves (1700 mg/kg).

Hera handles the sludge at a cost of €100/ton. When the desired quality for agriculture cannot be met, the sludge is disposed to landfill at a cost of €200/ton. With the goal of preventing heavy metal contamination and applying the sludge for agriculture, Hera partnered with Kando and BM Technologies to track the source of contamination.