Design of a sludge management system for Bugolobi sewage treatment plant.

Abstract

Uganda, is called the pearl of Africa because it is well endowed with natural resources beautiful environment and abundant water covering about 18% of her surface area, With the increasing population and poor management of resources, stress has been put on these existing resources Where by pollution of existing water sources both surface areal ground. water is increasing. This has put the cost of treating surface water for urban (municipal) water supply very 'high therefore for effective and sustainable use of treated water there is need for proper infrastructure management. Sludge is water that contains suspended solids from the source water and the reaction products or chemicals added in the treatment process. The treatment and disposal of sewage sludge, is an expensive and environmentally sensitive problem. It is also, a growing problem world-wide since sludge production will continue to increase as new sewage treatment works are bunt and environmental quality standards become more stringent, With Some traditional disposal routes coming under pressure, and others such as sea disposal having been phased out, the-challenge facing sludge managers is to find cost-effective and innovative solutions while responding to environmental, regulatory and public pressures. Recycling and use of wastes are the preferred options for sustainable development, rather than incineration or landfilling but with sewage sludge this is not straight forward because of perceptions over contaminants, pathogens and its faecal origin, particularly by the food retailers. If future quality standards for sludge and the receiving environment are made, too stringent, the agricultural outlet may-become untenable for the water utilities resulting in sludge being disposed of by other means that offer the utilities greater operational and financial security, but which may be less acceptable in the long-term