Proceedings

Environmental objectives continue to drive P-removal from waste water, and also manure, food waste. EU circular economy policies target nutrients, including Horizon 2020 funding. Phosphate rock is on the EU Critical Raw Materials list. Germany and Switzerland are implementing legislation requiring P-recovery from sewage, which will drive technology scale-up. But key to phosphorus recycling is: what to do with the phosphorus? The EU Fertilisers Regulation will soon define CE-mark criteria for recycled nutrient products including precipitated phosphates, ashes, biochars, composts and digestates – but sewage is excluded from input for the last two. 50+ new CEN Standards will be developed to accompany implementation. Around half EU sludge goes to agriculture, with positive LCA, economics and carbon return to soil. But this route is under pressure from consumer perception of pharmaceutical or antibiotic risks, leading to food industry refusals. What are the opportunities and challenges for waste water operators? What joint actions are needed? What input should be made to EU and UK (post-Brexit) policies on water, agriculture, tax/charges, R&D, biosolids treatment and certification, food policy …?