Dewaterability and Stabilisation of Municipal Sludge from Egyptian Waste Water Treatment Plants Using Constructed Wetland

The amounts of sludge increased rapidly in recent years with increase the population growth as a result rapid urbanization, lack of capacity, planning and financing for the establish of the sewage network. Sludge is the largest source of pollution in many countries around the world. This problem increases with the treatment of sewage from developing countries. Constructed wetlands have been used as a green technology to sewage sludge treatment. The main aim of this study was sludge dewatering and stabilisation to evaluate the quality of the final product which can be used in agriculture. Sewage sludge was treated different types of plants (millet, cowpea, Sudan grass, alfalfa, oat and barley) through summer and winter seasons by irrigation using fresh water and treated wastewater. Millet plant had the highest value of elements by irrigation using fresh water and treated waste water in summer season. In winter, oat plant had the highest value of elements by irrigation using fresh water and alfalfa plant by irrigation using treated waste water. This technology is little used at present. Therefore, further research is required to provide sustainable solutions for constructed wetlands in Egypt.