Environment Agency strategy for safe and sustainable sludge use

This strategy sets out the EA’s purpose, principles and priorities for how they will enable safe and sustainable sludge use on land.

It sets out how they will:

  • enable safe and sustainable sludge use on land
  • modernise and clarify the regulatory framework
  • develop a consistent approach with the water and waste industry
  • protect human health and the environment

Full details here.

The EA reviewed the current regulatory regime for sludge treatment, storage and use. They looked at the advantages and disadvantages of 4 options.

The option the EA selected will bring sludge and septic tank sludge into the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations (EPR). They aim to do this in 2021.

The Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations (SUiAR) will no longer be needed.