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The main problems of sludge treatment in China and the foreign experience

This research overviewed the status quo of sludge treatment and disposal in China, analyzed the cost and environmental impact of different technologies. In order to address the challenges including insufficient financial support, technology selection difficulty, conflict standards for sludge land use, and missed tracking and information disclosure system, this paper referred to experiences of European countries and the US, and provided suggestions accordingly.

Executive Summary

Over the long term, sludge treatment and disposal is significantly behind sewage treatment. Most sludge across the country has not been stabilized or properly treated; it is directly disposed off to landfill sites after simple dewatering, which not only requires great cost in transportation and disposal, but also triggers serious secondary pollution to environment, and the investment as well as benefit of waste water treatment have been heavily discountedWith the increasing rate of waste water treatment, sludge yield is growing rapidly. Sludge treatment has been an urgent issue in city management.Based on this context, this working paper analyzed domestic status quo, looked into experiences of European countries and the US, and provided suggestions focusing on following aspects:• Strengthen the coordination between departments• Select the appropriate technologies• Establish a sustainable financing mechanism• Enhance supervision and establish the information disclosure system

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