Sludge Management Entering the 3rd Millennium

Sludge management is a major concern worldwide: with continuing population growth and economic development the sludges generated in the course of water and wastewater treatment processes (municipal and industrial) are simultaneously a challenging problem in waste management and a potentially valuable recyclable resource. Around the world increasingly stringent environmental regulation is changing the range of options available. Scientists and engineers are therefore focusing on techniques for effective solid-liquid separation, safe disposal, and possible routes for conversion to resources. The 52 papers selected for these proceedings deal with management practice; hazardous substances; characterisation and processing; sludge pretreatment; sludge digestion; land application; thermal treatment; sludge dewatering; sludge minimization; floc structure; sludge utilization; and conditioning and dewatering. These papers present the state of the art in sludge treatment, disposal and beneficial reuse and will form a highly valuable resource for both researchers and water industry practitioners.