Farming

Farming

Sewage sludge

Treated sewage sludge (often called biosolids) contains fertiliser nutrients and can improve soil structure when applied correctly to the land. However, it may contain heavy metals and can be harmful to humans and animals if incorrectly applied.

If sewage sludge enters a watercourse, inform the Environment Agency immediately by telephoning the pollution hotline, 0800 80 70 60.

Untreated sewage sludge cannot be applied to land growing food crops (including crops for livestock) or non-food crops (see below for details on conventional treated and enhanced treated sludge) without a waste management licence.

The rules governing the application of sewage sludge to food crops come under the Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations. These rules are expected to be amended in 2007.

An exemption from waste management licensing needs to be registered for the application of sewage sludge to non-food crops and the storage of sewage sludge intended to be used under either system.

For further details on registering for an exempt activity, and to download the relevant form, see the EA’s Complex Waste exemption pages or call the EA customer contact centre on 08708 506 506 to be transferred to your nearest EA office.

A summary of the current rules applying to on-farm sewage sludge application can be found on the Sludge Regulations section of the Netregs website.

Cross Compliance

Meeting the Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations has become one of the Statutory Management Requirements under the Cross Compliance rules of Single Payment Scheme (SPS). Farmers registered with the SPS need to comply with certain restrictions on how much sludge can be spread and when it should be applied.

For more information, see Defra’s Cross Compliance Handbook for England 2006. To order copies of the booklet, phone Defra Publications on 08459 556 000, quoting reference PB11305. You can also telephone the Defra Cross Compliance advice line on 08453 451 302.

Taking delivery of sludge

If you are bringing sludge on to your farm, you need to give your sludge provider written information of any past sludge used, indicating where, when and how much sludge was used, as well as who supplied the sludge.

When any business waste, including sewage sludge, is passed from one person to another, the Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations will apply.

The person taking the waste must have a written description of it and a transfer note should be filled in and signed by both parties making the transfer. Defra’s Waste – Duty of Care (PDF document, 216K) explains the requirements to meet the regulations. Free paper copies of this leaflet can also be ordered from Defra Publications by telephoning 08459 556 000.

Applying sludge

Untreated or raw sewage sludge cannot be applied to agricultural land whether it is used for food or non-food purposes.

Farmers and sludge providers must not allow sewage sludge to be used:

  • unless it is tested according to the Sludge Regulations
  • on a field, unless the soil has been tested according to the Sludge Regulations
  • on soil if the pH is less than 5

ADAS has produced two useful guides providing guidance on minimum acceptable levels of treatment based upon crop types and sewage type:

You can also order free paper copies by filling in the ADAS on-line order form.
Further detailed information on sludge testing and application limits can be found on the Government’s Office of Public Information website.

Conventionally treated or enhanced treated?

Conventionally treated sludge has been subjected to defined treatment processes and standards that ensure at least 99 per cent of pathogens have been destroyed.

Enhanced treatment, originally referred to as “Advanced Treatment”, describes treatment processes which are capable of virtually eliminating any pathogens (99.9999 per cent) which may be present in the original sludge.

Your local sewerage operator will be able to provide details of the treatment used as this may affect where and when sludge can be applied, as well as the fertiliser and soil conditioning value.

Conventionally treated sewage sludge cannot be surface spread if you intend to use the land for grazing. If you do intend to graze the land you must deep inject the sludge into the soil and leave at least three weeks until it is grazed.

You can apply conventionally treated sewage to the surface of grassland, or for forage crops such as maize, which will then be harvested. However, there can be no grazing on any regrowth or aftermath in the season which the sludge was applied. If being applied to land growing vegetables at least 12 months must have elapsed between treatment and harvest.

When using enhanced treated sludges the following intervals must be observed:

  • wait at least three weeks before grazing animals or harvesting forage crops
  • wait at least 10 months before harvesting fruit and vegetable crops grown in direct contact with the soil and normally eaten raw

Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs)

NVZs are designated areas of land which drain to waters that are considered to be polluted by nitrates deriving from agricultural land. If you are in an NVZ, you need to follow rules which are set out in the Action Programme for NVZs. These rules include specific provisions for sewage application:

Further detailed information on the NVZ rules is contained in Guidelines for Farmers in NVZs and in Manure Planning in NVZs. The Action Programme is currently under review and further information on proposals for new measures will shortly be available on the Nitrates pages of the Defra website.

To find out whether your land is in an NVZ, use the maps on the Nitrates – Reducing water pollution section of the Defra website.

Useful links

Defra

External

Further information

Defra helpline – 08459 335 577 (local call rate)

Defra Publications – 08459 556 000

Defra Cross Compliance advice line – 08453 451 302

Environment Agency national customer contact centre – 08456 033 113

Environment Agency pollution hotline – 0800 80 70 60

Page last modified: 1 October 2008
Page published: 1 July 2006

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs