Currently, 65 percent of all treated biosolids are used beneficially on farmland in the UK every year. However, recent discussions in Europe indicate a significant possibility that when the existing Sludge Directive is revised, restrictions will become so severe as to halt this sustainable process.

The only viable alternative left for the water companies will be carbon dioxide producing incineration, which would cost more than double that of agricultural recycling - a cost which will have to be added to consumer water bills.

The European Commission appears to be taking a particularly precautionary approach towards the likely limits to be included in a new Directive.  In 2003 a leaked draft Directive showed that soil metal limits would be so stringent as to preclude application of biosolids to land in many areas.  Now research from France hypothesises that there could be toxicological effects on soil from herbicides contained in biosolids.  Yet there exists no real evidence of these impacts, and EC-commissioned research has shown no risks associated with biosolids application to land.

In a letter to David Miliband, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, CIWEM Executive Director Nick Reeves said:

“CIWEM considers there to be no justifiable, risk-based reason for adopting such a restrictive course as appears eminently possible. To introduce legislation that would mean the only realistic option would be incineration is a tragic waste of resources and misdirection of expenditure, not only in the UK but in many other EU Member States.  We urge the Government to argue against such a course of action.”