Summary
Do you manage a wastewater treatment plant and wish to recycle the residual sludge it produces?
Do you manage a sludge post-treatment and dewatering center processing sludge from various wastewater treatment plants?
A valid sewage sludge utilization certificate is mandatory to recycle your sewage sludge. Request your certificate, or renew an existing one, from the SPW ARNE (Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment). This procedure is free of charge.
A UTILIZATION CERTIFICATE TO MONITOR THE RECYCLING OF SEWAGE SLUDGE IN AGRICULTURE
The residual sludge from wastewater treatment plants has an organic matter and nutrient content (such as nitrogen and phosphorus) that is highly useful for enriching agricultural land. However, this sludge also contains heavy metals and organic contaminants which can prove toxic to plants and humans if present in excessive quantities in the soil.
The regulatory framework defines concentration limits for these metals and organic contaminants that must not be exceeded in soils and sludge. The SPW ARNE ensures that these limit values are respected during the land spreading of sewage sludge and applies the control measures provided by law. To this end, it issues a utilization certificate to any entity wishing to recycle the sewage sludge it produces.
The utilization certificate is valid for a limited duration not exceeding 5 years. It is renewed upon request.
THE FEDERAL MARKETING AUTHORIZATION IS ESSENTIAL
Like any fertilizer or soil improver placed on the market, sewage sludge recycled as such in agriculture must also obtain a marketing authorization issued by the SPF Public Health.
This federal authorization is an essential condition for your utilization certificate to be valid.
Consult the procedure below to request a sewage sludge utilization certificate, or to renew an existing certificate that is about to expire.
Key points
The certificate of use is only for sewage sludge intended for agricultural use. This document does not concern dredging sludge or sediments.
In detail
Sewage sludge producers, namely:
- urban or on-site industrial plants)
- Sludge post-treatment or dewatering centers independent of wastewater treatment plants
Have authorisation to market sewage sludge issued by the FPS Public Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment.
The approach explained below concerns:
• new applications for certificates of use
• the renewal of an existing certificate of use
1. PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF USE FILE
The content of the application file is detailed on the
Please note: an application must be for only one treatment plant or one treatment centre AND one type of sludge. Prepare as many files as you have facilities and types of materials involved.
Do you have federal authorisation to market your sewage sludge?
If you do not, apply at the same time by following the procedure (see "Useful links"). You must include proof that the application is in progress with your certificate of use application file.
2. SEND YOUR APPLICATION TO THE ADMINISTRATION
• Preferably by email to the following address:
• If you send your application by mail, please send one copy to:
SPW ARNE – Soil and Waste Department
Soil Protection Directorate
Avenue Prince de Liège15, 5100 Namur
3. PROCESS FOR THE ANALYSIS AND GRANTING OF THE CERTIFICATE OF USE
In general, the administration checks the admissibility and completeness of your file. Additional information may be requested.
For the renewal of an existing certificate, the administration takes into account the annual reports that you were required to submit in the context of the current certificate of use, when evaluating your application.
The SPW ARNE will inform you of its findings within 30 days of your application.
The certificate is issued within three months of the notification of the eligibility of your application. Its validity period is mentioned on the document (usually five years).
******* Please note: the above-mentioned deadlines may be extended until you have sent the requested information or received federal authorisation.
Walloon Government Decree of 12 January 1995 regulating the use on or in soil of sewage sludge or sludge from septic tank sludge treatment centres - Arrêté du Gouvernement wallon du 12 janvier 1995 portant réglementation de l'utilisation sur ou dans les sols des boues d'épuration ou de boues issues de centres de traitement de gadoues de fosses septiques
Any appeal against the decision must be lodged with the Council of State within 60 days following receipt of the decision. This appeal must be submitted either:
-
Electronically at the following address:
https://eproadmin.raadvst-consetat.be -
By dated and signed registered letter to the following address: Conseil d’État - Registry - Administrative Litigation Section - Rue de la Science, 33 - 1040 Brussels
Useful links
Visit the Soil and Waste in Wallonia website to learn more about the application file for a sewage sludge certificate of use (only available in French) Consult the authorisation procedure issued by the FPS Public Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment (only available in French)
