CEN/TC 308 - Characterization of sludges

This Technical Report describes good practice for the incineration and other organic matter treatment by thermal processes of sludges.
Thermal conditioning is excluded.
This Technical Report is applicable for sludges described in the scope of ISO/TC 275 specifically derived from:
—   storm water handling;
—   night soil;
—   urban wastewater collecting systems;
—   urban wastewater treatment plants;
—   treating industrial wastewater similar to urban wastewater;
It includes all sludge that may have similar environmental and/or health impacts but excludes hazardous sludge from industry and dredged sludge.

This document specifies a method for determining the zone settling velocity (ZSV) and the Compression point.
This document is applicable to sludge and sludge suspensions from:
-   storm water handling;
-   urban wastewater collecting systems;
-   urban wastewater treatment plants;
-   plants treating industrial wastewater similar to urban wastewater (as defined in Directive 91/271/EEC);
-   water supply treatment plants.
This method is also applicable to sludge and sludge suspensions of other origins.

This document specifies a method for the determination of the sludge (bulk) density. The procedure to determine density of the liquid and of the solid fractions of a suspension is described in Annex C.
This document is applicable to sludge suspensions from:
-   storm water handling;
-   urban wastewater collecting systems;
-   urban wastewater treatment plants;
-   treating industrial wastewater similar to urban wastewater [7];
-   water supply treatment plants.
This method is also applicable to sludge suspensions from other origin, provided the necessary verifications are done.

This document specifies a method for the determination of drainability of flocculated sludge. It is applicable to sludge and sludge suspensions from:
-   storm water handling;
-   urban wastewater collecting systems;
-   urban wastewater treatment plants;
-   treating industrial wastewater similar to urban wastewater (as defined in Directive 91/271/EEC);
-   water supply treatment plants.
This method is also applicable to sludge suspensions from other origin.

This part of the European Standard specifies a method for determining the flowability, as defined in CEN/TR 15463, of sludge by means of the extrusion tube apparatus.
This part of this European Standard is applicable to sludge and sludge suspensions from:
—   storm water handling;
—   urban wastewater collecting systems;
—   urban wastewater treatment plants;
—   plants treating industrial wastewater similar to urban wastewater (as defined in Directive 91/271/EEC);
—   water supply treatment plants.
This method is also applicable to sludge and sludge suspensions of other origins.

The laboratory assessment of sludge dewaterability is sensitive to the operating procedure adopted for the conditioning step. No generalized ranking of products in order of effectiveness can be given since the ranking changes with the sludge type, dosage of conditioning agent, degree of shearing and dewatering device.
The scope of this European Standard applies for sludges and suspensions from:
- storm water handling;
- urban wastewater collecting systems;
- urban wastewater treatment plants;
- industrial wastewater that has been treated similarly to urban wastewater (as defined in Directive 91/271/EEC);
- water supply plants.
This method is applicable to sludge and suspensions of other origin.

CEN/TC 308 origin - editorial modification in 5.1.2 in the mother standard (concerns the English language version).

This Technical Report deals with methodologies for preparing synthetic suspensions. Synthetic suspensions can be used for:
a)   evaluating or testing new devices or techniques for suspension treatment;
b)   studying the influence of different compounds on suspension behaviour with regard to specific parameters, e.g. settleability, dewaterability, physical consistency, etc.
The chemical, physical and biological characteristics of suspensions are subjected to changes as soon as they are collected. Guidance exists on the sampling and handling techniques (see ISO 5667 12 and EN ISO 5667 13), and on the preservation and storage procedures (EN ISO 5667 15) that help minimize changes in the composition. This is mainly achieved by suppressing chemical and/or biological activity and by avoiding contamination.

This Technical Report describes good practice for the incineration and other organic matter treatment by thermal processes of sludges.
Thermal drying, thermal conditioning and thermal hydrolysis are excluded.
This Technical Report is applicable for sludges described in the scope of CEN/TC 308 specifically derived from:
-   storm water handling;
-   night soil;
-   urban wastewater collecting systems;
-   urban wastewater treatment plants;
-   treating industrial wastewater similar to urban wastewater (as defined in Directive 91/271/EEC);
but excluding hazardous sludges from industry.

This European Standard specifies a method for determining the specific resistance to filtration of conditioned and non-conditioned sludges, provided that no sedimentation occurs during filtration (i.e. single phase suspension with particles in suspension).
This European Standard is applicable to sludges and sludge suspensions from:
-   storm water handling;
-   urban wastewater collecting systems;
-   urban wastewater treatment plants;
-   industrial wastewater that has been treated similarly to urban wastewater (as defined in Directive 91/271/EEC);
-   water supply treatment plants.
This method is also applicable to sludge and sludge suspensions of other origins.

This CEN Technical Report describes good practice for sludge dewatering and belongs to a series on sludge management options.
It gives guidance on technical and operational aspects of:
-   conditioning, thickening and dewatering processes.
Drying, which is another water content reduction process, is not dealt with in this document, but in CEN/TR 15473, Characterization of sludges - Good practice for sludges drying.
This report is applicable for sludges from:
-   urban wastewater treatment plants;
-   treatment plants for industrial wastewater similar to urban wastewater;
-   water supply treatment plants.
This document may be applicable to sludges of other origin.

This Technical Specification gives guidance for dealing with the production and control of sludge in relation to inputs and treatment and gives a strategic evaluation of recovery, recycling and disposal options for sludge according to its properties and the availability of outlets.
This Technical Specification is applicable for sludges from:
-   storm water handling;
-   night soil;
-   urban wastewater collecting systems;
-   urban wastewater treatment plants;
-   treating industrial wastewater similar to urban wastewater (as defined in Directive 91/271/EC [1]);
-   water supply treatment plants;
but excluding hazardous sludges from industry.

ISO 5667-13:2011 gives guidance on the sampling of sludges from wastewater treatment works, water treatment works and industrial processes. It is applicable to all types of sludge arising from these works and also to sludges of similar characteristics, e.g. septic tank sludges. Guidance is also given on the design of sampling programmes and techniques for the collection of samples.

This Technical Report describes good practice for the use of sludges in agriculture (where national regulations permit).  It is applicable to all of the sludges described in the scope of CEN/TC 308 (and any of the forms in which they may be presented - liquid, dewatered, dried, composted, etc.) i.e. sludges from:
-   storm water handling;
-   night soil;
-   urban wastewater collecting systems;
-   urban wastewater treatment plants;
-   treating industrial wastewater similar to urban wastewater (as defined in Directive 91/271/EC [1]);
-   water supply treatment plants;
-   but excluding hazardous sludges from industry.
Such sludges may be used on land as a source of plant nutrients, and/or soil improver, and/or alkaline amendment for crop production. Despite differences in the statutory controls between sewage sludge and other sludges, the use of all types of sludge should follow good practice to maximise benefits for the crops or soils, to minimise potential risks of environmental contamination and adverse impacts on plant, animal and human health, and to ensure sustainability, energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Sludge producers should be aware that if a sludge is used as a fertilising or alkaline amendment, national or EU fertiliser or liming regulations may apply.
The document assumes that an evaluation of sludge utilisation has already been made, and a decision was taken that use of sludge within a land spreading policy is the best option.
For evaluation and decisions for use of sludges, other documents have been developed (see CR 13714, CR 13846).
Many countries and/or local administrations have regulations and/or standards and/or codes of practice applicable to the use of some of the types of sludge that are within the scope of this Technical Report, however it cannot, and does not, attempt to summarise or take account of these regulations, etc. because of their very wide range. It is thus essential that this Technical Report is read in the context of the

ISO 5667-15:2009 provides guidance on procedures for the preservation, handling and storage of samples of sewage and waterworks sludge, suspended matter, saltwater sediments and freshwater sediments, until chemical, physical, radiochemical and/or biological examination can be undertaken in the laboratory.
The procedures in ISO 5667-15:2009 are only applicable to wet samples of sludge, sediment and suspended matter.

This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of the gross calorific value of sludge at constant volume and at the reference temperature 25 °C in a bomb calorimeter calibrated by combustion of certified benzoic acid.
The result obtained is the gross calorific value of the sample at constant volume with both the water of the combustion products and the moisture of the sludge as liquid water. In practice, sludges are burned at constant (atmospheric) pressure and the water is not condensed but is removed as vapour with the flue gases. Under these conditions, the operative heat of combustion to be used is the net calorific value of the fuel at constant pressure. In this European Standard the net calorific value at constant volume is described as it requires less additional determinations.
This method is applicable to all kinds of sludges.

This CEN Technical Report gives information about principles to be followed in different sludge treatment processes to reach specified hygienic requirements.

ISO 16720:2005 specifies a method for pretreatment of soil samples by freeze-drying for subsequent analysis.
ISO 16720:2005 is applicable to soil samples for subsequent determination of elements or organic compounds recognized as non-volatile under freeze-drying conditions. Generally, ISO 16720:2005 can also be applied to samples from sludges and sediments.
This method is also applicable as a first step for the determination of dry matter (or water) content, for instance in the case of samples with high water content.

The Scope of this document includes sludges from treating municipal, industrial and food processing wastewaters, sludge from treating raw water to make it potable, and other residues having similar potential environmental impacts.
The purpose of this document is to discuss risk assessment in general and especially as it has been applied to sludges for an audience of specialists and non-specialists. The objective is to set risk assessment in the context of policy making and operating sludge use and disposal.

This CEN-Report "Physical Consistency" derives from the Desk Studies "Physical Properties -Flowability"(HORIZONTAL Report No. 21 [60]) and "Physical Properties - Solidity, Thixotropic Behaviour andPiling Behaviour" (HORIZONTAL Report No. 22 [61]) of the Horizontal Project. The "Horizontal" project hasthe objective to develop horizontal and harmonised European standards in the fields of sludge, bio-waste andsoil to facilitate regulation of these major streams in the multiple decisions related to different uses anddisposal governed by EU Directives. The Horizontal Project includes the Work Package 7 "Mechanicalproperties" consisting in the development of Desk Studies on physical consistency, because it is recognizedthat this property is very important for the characterization of sludge, since it affects almost all treatment,utilization and disposal operations, such as storage, pumping, transportation, handling, land-spreading,dewatering, drying, landfilling. The importance of the physical consistency is also true for the characterizationof bio-waste and soil. Also handling and utilization of many other materials, such as cement and asphalt arestrictly depending on their physical consistency. The needs for control of operations and also materialcharacteristics are described.

This CEN Technical report describes good practices for sludge drying and it is one of a series on sludge management options. It gives guidance on
-   drying processes;
-   characteristics of dried sludge products;
-   recycling or disposal of dried sludge products.
from urban wastewater treatment plants.   
Sludges of other origin, like sludge from water supply or industrial treatment plants are not in the exact scope of this CEN Technical Report, however the handling of most of these sludges will comply to a large extent with the leads given in this CEN Technical Report.

This document specifies a method for the determination of the thickenability of sludge suspensions. This document is applicable to sludge suspensions from:
¾   storm water handling;
¾   urban wastewater collecting systems;
¾   urban wastewater treatment plants;
¾   treating industrial wastewater similar to urban wastewater (as defined in Directive 91/271 EEC);
¾   water supply treatment plants.
This method is also applicable to sludge suspensions from other origin.

This document specifies a method for the determination of the settleability of sludge suspensions. This document is applicable to sludge suspensions from:
¾   storm water handling;
¾   urban wastewater collecting systems;
¾   urban wastewater treatment plants;
¾   treating industrial wastewater similar to urban wastewater (as defined in Directive 91/271 EEC);
¾   water supply treatment plants.
This method is also applicable to sludge suspensions from other origin.

This document specifies a method for the determination of the capillary suction time. This document is applicable to sludge and sludge suspensions from:
¾   storm water handling;
¾   urban wastewater collecting systems;
¾   urban wastewater treatment plants;
¾   treating industrial wastewater similar to urban wastewater (as defined in Directive 91/271/EEC);
¾   water supply treatment plants.
This method is also applicable to sludge suspensions from other origin.

This Technical Report specifies procedures for validating characterization methods for physical properties of sludge.
This Technical Report is applicable to sludge and sludge suspensions from:
-   storm water handling;
-   urban wastewater collecting systems;
-   urban wastewater treatment plants;
-   treating industrial wastewater similar to urban wastewater (as defined in Directive 91/271/EEC);
-   water supply treatment plants.
This method is also applicable to sludge suspensions from other origin.

This European standard specifies a procedure for the determination of extractable ammonia using a 2 mol/l potassium chloride solution in raw and digested sewage sludges. The range of the method is up to 100 g/kg N assuming appropriate dilution of the potassium chloride extract in the final measurement step.
   The above wording will be modified once the round robin results are available. It may be suitable for other types of sludges, but the user should validate the method using these sludges.

This document specifies a method to determine the compressibility of sludges, conditioned or not.
This document is applicable to sludges and sludge suspensions from:
   storm water handling;
   urban wastewater collecting systems;
   urban wastewater treatment plants;
   treating industrial wastewater similar to urban wastewater (as defined in Directive 91/271/EEC);
   water supply treatment plants.
This method is also applicable to sludge and sludge suspensions of other origin.

This Technical Report specifies the requirements for interlaboratory tests to validate chemical and microbiological methods for sludges.

This European Standard specifies a procedure for complete digestion of raw/digested sludge, suitable for the subsequent determination of phosphorus.
Phosphorus in environmental samples can be present in many forms. This method of pre-treatment enables the analyst to determine all forms - i.e. total phosphorus, by quantitative oxidation yielding an aqueous solution of orthophosphate which should be analysed for phosphate according to method EN ISO 6878, EN ISO 10304-2 or an equivalent validated method.
The range of the method is up to 50 g/kg P assuming appropriate dilution of the digest in the final measurement step.

This part of the CEN Technical Report specifies a membrane filtration procedure for the quantitative resuscitation and enumeration, by culture of individual colonies on chromogenic agar media, of Salmonella spp. including potentially sub-lethally damaged Salmonella spp. in sewage sludges. It may be suitable for other sludges, soils, soil improvers, growing media and biowastes but the user shall validate the method using these materials.  The fully defined scope will be determined after the proposed validation trials have been agreed and carried out.
NOTE 1   The objective is to cover untreated and treated sludges, soils, soil improvers, growing media and biowastes.
The method is particularly suited to determining the efficiency of treatment procedures for the elimination of pathogens in sewage sludge as outlined in the Revision of Directive 86/278/EEC (3rd Draft, CEN/TC 308 – doc 525). Treatment type A processes are initially to be validated through a to be defined Log10 reduction with a test organism such as Salmonella senftenberg W775.
The method has a limit of detection of approximately 1 cfu/g wet weight sludge, dependent on the solids content which at high concentrations (> 20 % (w/v)) can restrict filtration of the sample volume through the membrane if not first diluted.
NOTE 2   Salmonella spp. can be present in biosolids including untreated and treated sewage sludge as both vegetative and sub-lethally damaged cells; the latter require resuscitation to enable colony growth for accurate enumeration on agar media.
NOTE 3   This method is not suitable for treated sludges containing less than 1 viable Salmonella spp. per 1 g wet weight.
NOTE 4   This method is not suitable for untreated sludges containing low levels of Salmonella.

This part of the CEN Technical Report specifies a most probable number (MPN) method for the quantitative detection of Escherichia coli in sludges, soils, soil improvers, growing media and biowastes. It allows further differentiation within the test than part 2 of this standard. It is suitable to evaluate the log reduction of E.coli through treatment as well as the quality of the end product.
The method is for material with dry residues of more than 10 %.
For materials with dry residues less than 10 %, the procedure given in CEN/TR 15214-1 should be used.

This part of the CEN Technical Report describes a miniaturized most probable number (MPN) method for the quantitative detection of Escherichia coli in sludges, soils, soil improvers, growing media and biowastes. It is suitable to evaluate the log reduction of E. coli through treatment as well as the quality of the end product.
This method is convenient for material with dry residue of more than 10 %. For materials with dry residue less than 20 %, the procedure specified in CEN/TR 15214-1 will be used.

This part of the CEN Technical Report specifies a presence/absence procedure to detect Salmonella spp using a four-stage presence/absence method in up to 50g (wet weight) sample.
The method has a limit of detection of approximately 10 cfu/50 g wet weight sludge.
NOTE   The objective is to cover untreated and treated sludges, soils, soil improvers, growing media and biowastes.

This part of the CEN Technical Report specifies a membrane filtration procedure for the quantitative detection, by culture of individual colonies on chromogenic agar media, of Escherichia coli. in sludges, soils, soil improvers, growing media and biowastes. This part of the Technical Report is not suitable for materials whose treatment will significantly reduce bacterial levels to less than 10 viable E. coli per g wet weight, such as lime addition, drying or pasteurisation. A liquid enrichment and most probable number estimation method may be suited for such purpose.
This membrane filtration method is not appropriate for enumeration and detection of other coliform bacteria without modifications to the chromogenic agar media.
It is suitable to evaluate the log reduction of E.coli through treatment, as well as the quality of the end product.
This method is for materials with dry residues less than 20 %. For materials with dry residues greater than 20 % and low numbers of E. coli,  CEN/TR 15214-2 and CEN/TR 15214-3  should be used.

This part of the CEN Technical Report method describes a method to detect and semi-quantitatively determine Salmonellae in sludges, soils, soil improvers, growing media and biowastes in accordance with the requirements of the European Sewage Sludge Regulation Revision of Directive 86/278/EEC (3rd Draft, CEN/TC 308 - doc525).
The fully defined scope will be determined after the proposed validation trials have been agreed and carried out. The method has a limit of detection of approximately 1cfu/g wet weight sample.
NOTE   The objective is to cover untreated and treated sludges, soils, soil improvers, growing media, biowastes and associated materials.

This CEN Technical Report gives one of a series on sludge management options and describes good practice for the disposal of sludges and sludge treatment residues to landfill where national regulations permit.
This document is applicable to sludges described in the scope of CEN/TC 308 i.e. specifically derived from :
-   storm water handling ;
-   night soil ;
-   urban wastewater collecting systems ;
-   urban wastewater treatment plants ;
-   treating industrial wastewater similar to urban wastewater (as defined in Directive 91/271/EEC ) ;
-   water supply treatment plants;
-   water distribution systems;
but excluding hazardous sludges from industry.

This Technical Report gives indication on sludge utilisation within reclamation programmes of disturbed land.
This Technical Report is applicable to sludges described in the scope of CEN/TC 308; for example:
¾ storm water handling;
¾ urban wastewater collecting systems;
¾ urban wastewater treatment plants;
¾ treating industrial wastewater similar to urban wastewater (as defined in Directive 91/271/EEC [18]);
¾ water supply treatment plants;
¾ water distribution systems;
¾ sludge derived materials;
¾ but excluding hazardous sludges from industry.
NOTE   Because of the wide range of reclamation sites where sludge use as a soil ameliorate or source of plant nutrients is beneficial, and the different potential final uses of these sites, recommendations for application should be considered on a site-by-site basis. It is far beyond the scope of these guidelines to describe all the possible situations and the individual ways in which sludge could be used. The aim is to address, in a general qualitative way, the key issues which will determine in each particular case whether, how much and which type of sludge can be used.
Planning considerations (clause 5) are emphasised due to the fact that a general scheme can be adopted as a

This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of dry residue and water content of sludges and sludge products. This method is applicable to the determination of dry residue and water content of sludges which include liquid, paste-like or solid matter.

This method describes a procedure for the determination of "Kjeldahl Nitrogen" in sludge and sludge products. The digestion is catalysed by selenium or copper, the temperature being raised by a high concentration of sodium sulphate. Although wet samples are normally taken for analysis, it is recognised practice to report results on a dry mass basis (g/kg). Consequently, it is also necessary to determine the dry residue of the homogenised sample used for analysis (see EN 12880).

This European Standard describes an empirical method for the direct determination of an amount ranging from 5 mg/kg to approximately 6 g/kg dry matter in sludge of organically bound chlorine, bromine and iodine (but not fluorine) adsorbed and occluded to the sludge matrix. Non-volatile organically bound halogens adsorbable on activated carbon present in the aqueous phase of sludge prior to drying are included in the determination.
NOTE   The upper range of the method is instrument dependent.

No scope available

This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of drainability of flocculated sludges. It is applicable to sludge and sludge suspensions from:
a)   storm water handling;
b)   urban wastewater collecting systems;
c)   urban wastewater treatment plants;
d)   treating industrial wastewater similar to urban wastewater (as defined in Directive 91/271/EEC);
e)   water supply treatment plants.
This method is also applicable to sludge suspensions from other origin.

ISO 23161:2009 specifies a gas-chromatographic method for the identification and quantification of organotin compounds (OTCs) in soils as specified in Table 1. The method is also applicable to samples from sediments, sludges and wastes (soil-like materials). The working range depends on the detection technique used and the amount of sample taken for analysis. The limit of quantification for each compound is about 10 µg/kg.
Organotin cations can only be determined in accordance with ISO 23161:2009 after derivatization. The anionic part bound to the organotin cation is mainly dependent on the chemical environment and is not determined using this method. The peralkylated organotin compounds behave in a completely different way from their parent compounds. Tetraalkylated organotin compounds which are already peralkylated, such as tetrabutyltin, are determined directly without derivatization.

This European standard defines terms for sludges described in the scope of CEN/TC 308: storm water handling; night soil; urban wastewater collecting systems; urban wastewater treatment plants; treating industrial wastewater similar to urban wastewater (as defined in Directive 91/271/EEC); water supply treatment plants; water distribution systems; but excluding hazardous sludges from industry.

This Technical Report specifies a procedure for the chemical conditioning in laboratory of sludges.
This Technical Report is applicable to sludges and sludge suspensions from:
-   storm water handling;
-   urban wastewater collecting systems;
-   urban wastewater treatment plants;
-   treating industrial wastewater similar to urban wastewater (as defined in Directive 91/271/EEC);
-   water supply treatment plants.
This method is applicable to sludge and sludge suspensions of other origin

This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of the loss on ignition of dry mass of sludges and sludge products at 550 °C after the dry residues have been determined in accordance with the method of EN 12880. NOTE It should be noted that inorganic substances or decomposition products (e.g. H2O, CO2, SO2, O2) are released or absorbed and some inorganic substances are volatile under the reaction conditions.

This standard specifies methods for the extraction, with aqua regia, of trace elements and phosphorus from sludges and sludge products. The resulting solution is suitable for the determination of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Se, Zn and P using spectrometric techniques. NOTE 1 With high solute concentrations in extract solutions, spectral interferences and background enhancement should be expected. NOTE 2 This method can be used for other elements except that portion of the elements bonded to silica.

The scope of this standard is the sludges, i.e. and sludges products from: - storm water handling; - night soil; - urban wastewater collecting systems; - urban wastewater treatment plants; - treating industrial wastewater similar to urban wastewater (as defined in Directive 91/271 EEC); - water supply treatment plants; - water distribution systems; - but excluding hazardous sludges from industry.

This Technical Report gives guidance for dealing with the production and control of sludge in relation to inputs and treatment and gives a strategic evaluation of recovery, recycling and disposal options for sludge according to its properties and the availability of outlets.
This report is applicable for sludges from:
-   storm water handling;
-   night soil;
-   urban wastewater collecting systems;
-   urban wastewater treatment plants;
-   treating industrial wastewater similar to urban wastewater (as defined in Directive 91/271/EC [1]);
-   water supply treatment plants;
but excluding hazardous sludges from industry.

This document specifies a method for determining the specific resistance to filtration of sludges, conditioned or non-conditioned.
This document is applicable to sludges and sludge suspensions from:
   storm water handling;
   urban wastewater collecting systems;
   urban wastewater treatment plants;
   treating industrial wastewater similar to urban wastewater (as defined in Directive 91/271/EEC);
   water supply treatment plants;
This method is also applicable to sludge and sludge suspensions of other origins.