SEWAGE SLUDGE AS A VALUABLE COMPONENT OF HIGH- QUALITY COMPOST: IMPLICATION FOR SOIL HEALTH AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

Sewage sludge (SS) is a nutrient-rich byproduct of wastewater treatment that presents both management challenges and valuable potential for agriculture. Direct land application of raw SS is the most cost-effective disposal approach; nonetheless, this method is restricted due to heavy metals, pathogens, and other contaminants. Composting has emerged as a sustainable strategy for stabilizing SS, enhancing its agronomic value, and ensuring compliance with environmental and regulatory standards. This review explores the physicochemical and microbiological properties of SS and the process of turning it into high-quality compost for applications as a soil amendment or nutrient supplement.