Use of Wastewater Sludge on Highway Rights-of-way: Phase II

About the report:

The feasibility of using wastewater sludge on highway rights-of-way as a substitute for fertilizers was evaluated using the following constraints- (1) environmental restrictions; (2) public health restrictions; (3) programs that must be implemented to meet both environmental and public health safeguards; and (4) potential cost savings to the Virginia Department of Highways and Transportation. Environmental and public health restrictions will require strict control on the kinds of sludges, the sites that can be used and the method of application. The Virginia Department of Highways and Transportation will have to provide an active surveillance program to analyze the sludges used and the groundwater and surface runoff from the areas upon which sludge is applied. Because of the strict controls that will be required by the Virginia Department of Health, the number of sites that will be suitable for sludge application to new construction and existing rights-of-ways will be extremely limited. The tentative requirements presently being considered by the Virginia Department of Health are so restrictive, and require such extensive monitoring, that the economic benefits to be gained are not sufficient to warrant further study by the Virginia Highway and Transportation Research Council.

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