Waste, Government at work on decree for use of sludge in agriculture

The possibleuse of sewage sludge in agriculture is back on the agenda. The announcement came at the recent Water Festival, held in Florence and organised by Utilitalia, from Laura D'Aprile, Head of the Sustainable Development Department of Mase, during the conference 'Perspectives and management of sewage sludge'. "After a stalemate that lasted since 2019, we have resumed, at the impetus of Deputy Minister Gava, the technical work with the Ministry of Agriculture, Ispra and Iss, regarding the revision and updating of the decree on the use of sewage sludge in agriculture, work that we intend to complete as soon as possible in line with the National Strategy for the Circular Economy, an enabling reform of the NRP," she explained, stressing that the decree will focus on three main elements. Namely: the phosphorous, a critical raw material to be fully exploited; the need to shorten the fertiliser supply chain; and the issue of analytical methods for hydrocarbons, which must be resolved with the support of Ispra and Snpa.

"We welcome this announcement," commented the president of Utilitalia, Filippo Brandolini, "because the main limitation that we have been encountering for years with respect to the proper management of sewage sludge concerns an outdated regulation, which dates back to 1992 and which needs updating. A form that takes into account the changed scenarios and technological developments of recent years is more necessary than ever. From the outset, the Federation is willing to share the expertise of its member companies, starting with the study on sludge quality, of which some advance information has been provided today'.

During the conference, D'Aprile appreciated that the Cnr, with the cooperation of Utilitalia as well, had proposed an analytical method to identify the nature of hydrocarbons. In addition to the regulatory aspects, he pointed out that through the Pnrr 450 million had been allocated for the implementation and modernisation of sludge management plants, with 68 interventions already financed, 60 of which had already begun: projects that are proceeding in line with the deadlines imposed by the Plan.