‘21m euro project under way to manage sludge disposal’

AMMAN — The Water Ministry has started implementing a project worth 21 million euros (around JD19.9 million) for the safe management and disposal of sludge generated by wastewater treatment plants across the country, an official said on Thursday.

Under the initiative, the ministry will apply scientific methods in managing and disposing of sludge at wastewater treatment plants, the ministry official added, noting that the project agreement was signed on Tuesday.

The project will be funded by a 20-million-euro soft loan from the German Development Bank (KfW), which also granted Jordan 732,000 euros for carrying out studies related to the venture, the official said.

“The project entails improving the treatment systems, installing filtering and sterilisation systems, as well as a state-of-the-art technical system for dewatering sludge and preventing the emission of foul odours in order to protect the environment,” he told The Jordan Times on condition of anonymity.

A master plan on the situation of sludge in wastewater treatment plants will also be prepared under the project, to find sustainable solutions for liquid sludge by installing dewatering units and thickener systems at the plants.

“These systems will allow us to benefit from dry sludge in energy generation to power wastewater treatment plants,” the official highlighted.

“The project also entails rehabilitating sludge drying beds,” the official said, noting that part of the project’s tender will be floated during the second half of next year, when all consultation studies will be ready.

The ministry will start implementing the project in the northern region’s wastewater treatment plants, the official said.

“The dried sludge will be then transferred in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment to the Ikeider Landfill to address the emission of foul odours,” he added.

The Kingdom’s 27 wastewater treatment plants treat 122 million cubic metres of wastewater per year, 115 million cubic metres of which are used for industrial purposes and irrigating certain crops, such as fodder.