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Sewage sludge compost: Vorarlberg is planning a strict ban to protect soil!
From 2025, Vorarlberg is planning to ban the spreading of sewage sludge on soil in order to avoid pollution. Experts warn.
Sewage sludge compost: Vorarlberg is planning a strict ban to protect soil!
In Vorarlberg, the use of sewage sludge compost in agriculture is increasingly being restricted. Since January 1, 1999, the application of sewage sludge has only been permitted in the form of sewage sludge fertilizer, and since January 1, 2019, such application has only been permitted after prior composting. The numbers speak volumes: In 2023, only around 0.2 percent of the sewage sludge produced annually in Vorarlberg was spread as sewage sludge compost, which underlines the constant decline in this area vorarlberg.orf.at reported.
New law takes environmental protection into account
The tightening of the rules is directly related to the pollutants found in sewage sludge and compost products. Important chemical contaminants such as PFAS, heavy metals and microplastics had alerted the authorities. In order to avoid additional pollution of the soil, a draft law is now being examined that aims for a complete ban - with some exceptions for special hardship cases, as the country reports. Decision-makers have until January 10, 2025 to submit comments on this draft law.
In addition, the use of sewage sludge compost in agriculture remains permitted under strict conditions. Areas that are suitable for use must be able to demonstrate a soil test. Loud vorarlberg.at In 2019, a total of around 2,100 m³ of sewage sludge compost was used as fertilizer, which corresponds to around 15,400 kg of phosphate on an area of 270 hectares. Despite these figures, controls show that mineral oil hydrocarbons are worryingly high in arable land that has been fertilized with sewage sludge compost over the long term. Exceeded limits were found at five locations, highlighting the need for strict monitoring.
Compliance with guidelines for sewage sludge use is crucial to protecting the soil and environment in the region, and continuous monitoring by the Environmental Institute is considered essential to ensure the specified standards.