Sewage sludge management in small tropical island communities: towards building a methodological framework for Mauritius

ABSTRACT The rising rate of economic development and improved standard of living in small island states around the globe has led to an increasing rate of wastewater generation. Moreover, the current global push towards a sustainable environment requires wastewater regulators and managers to effectively manage wastewater and its by-products, sludge. This study aimed at establishing a methodological framework for the management of sewage sludge in small island economies using Mauritius as a case study. The framework constituted three elements, namely, inventory analysis, observational analysis, expert analysis, and stakeholder analysis. Most of the responses obtained from both technical and scientific experts, together with the compositional analytical results, practically led towards the selection of land application for sludge management. This approach is believed to be accompanied by ways to make biofertilizer acceptable to the public. This paper provides a practical framework for managing sewage sludge in small island states, where land availability for landfilling and manpower for technical sludge management options pose a big challenge. By using Mauritius as an example, it offers valuable insights and actionable recommendations for other small island nations facing similar challenges. The proposed management framework provides a balanced and feasible approach to addressing environmental, economic, and social concerns.