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ENGINEERING ASSESSMENT OF VERMICOMPOSTING MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER SLUDGES
Citation:
ENGINEERING ASSESSMENT OF VERMICOMPOSTING MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER SLUDGES. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-81/075 (NTIS PB81196933), 1981.
Description:
Vermicomposting -- the biological degradation of organic matter that occurs as earthworms feed on waste materials -- has been advocated by some as a means of stabilizing and disposing of municipal wastewater sludges. Vermicomposting is being attempted on an experimental scale, the process has been found to be feasible and potentially competitive economically with conventional sludge-stabilization techniques such as landspreading of liquid sludge and static-pile composting. Only vermicomposting of liquid primary and waste activated sludges appears competitive at present stages of development. Costs developed for the vermicomposting of liquid sludges in protected facilities are estimated at $105 to $235 per ton. The question of whether vermicomposting is the equivalent of conventional processes in stabilizing sludge and reducing pathogens in it remains to be answered at demonstration scale.