Management practices of sludge and biosolid treatment and disposal in jordan

The recent expansion of activated sludge treatment of domestic sewage in Jordan has resulted in approximately 85% of the population now served by this treatment process. A survey was conducted to assess the current management practices, volumes of biosolids being generated and the fate of the generated biosolids. Jordan is currently served by 18 wastewater treatment facilities (16 of which have been detailed in this study) generating about 300,000 m ³ of liquid sludge as well as 15,000 m³ of dewatered sludge annually. All wastewater treatment plants use solar drying bedsor/and thickening of sludge/biosolids before being hauled off for disposal. Most of the generated biosolids are disposed of at nearby landfills or stored on-site.Water Authority of Jordan costs to transport biosolids for disposal is slightly more than one million US dollars per year. Recent studies indicate that the biosolids are equivalent in metal and pathogen loads to that of Class B biosolids in the United States. Recent changes in Jordian regulations create the opportunity for beneficial use of these biosolids through land application.