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<p>This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England
only.</p><p>Sewage sludge spread to land as fertiliser or soil improver can be a valuable
source of nutrients. The recycling of sewage sludge to land remains a safe activity,
provided it is carried out in accordance with the relevant regulatory controls and
good practice guidance is followed.</p><p>Currently, water companies in the UK can
spread sewage sludge under either the more commonly used Sludge (Use in Agriculture)
Regulations (SUiAR) or the Environmental Permitting Regulations. Since the introduction
of the SUiAR regulations in the 1980s, practices and treatment of sludge has changed
considerably. To modernise this regime, in March 2020 the Environment Agency published
a ‘Sludge Strategy’ which will review the safe use of sewage sludge. This strategy
will enable better management of the environmental impacts of land spreading sludge,
and modernise the regulatory framework surrounding the treatment, storage and use
of sludge. Details on the strategy can be found via this link:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/environment-agency-strategy-for-safe-and-sustainable-sludge-use/environment-agency-strategy-for-safe-and-sustainable-sludge-use"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/environment-agency-strategy-for-safe-and-sustainable-sludge-use/environment-agency-strategy-for-safe-and-sustainable-sludge-use</a></p>
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