Self-treatment of wastewater sludge

Independent treatment of sewage sludge is prohibited, except for the exceptions mentioned below (Section 38). 

As fertilizer for fields

Sludge generated in one's own home may be spread for the purpose of fertilization after treatment on one's own land or on a field under one's control. Sludge must ALWAYS be treated by lime stabilization or in another manner approved by the Finnish Food Authority. The legislation in force at that time must be taken into account. 

A written notification must always be made IN ADVANCE to the South Karelia Waste Management Authority regarding the independent processing of sewage sludge. The notification is made separately for each processing event.  

An active farmer may accept sludge generated by the residences of a maximum of four nearby properties. The sludge must be treated in the same way as his own sludge before being spread on the field for fertilization. The recipient of the sludge must notify the waste management authority of the properties from which he receives sludge.  

Composting of sewage sludge

The waste management authority must be notified in advance of any independent processing of sludge by composting.  

Sludge from the liquid sludge and grey water (washing water) septic tank can be composted on the property if only carrier water is used, or the amount of sludge produced is small (less than 20 liters/emptying or 50 liters/year). Sludge from nearby properties can be processed if the amount and quality of the sludge to be composted meets the above requirements. 

If the property has pressurized water, composting of liquid sludge is only possible if the waste management authority grants a derogation permit. The environmental protection authority must support the derogation permit. 

The sludge composter should be: 

• designed for it, closed and well ventilated 

• protected from pests 

• runoff water is prevented from entering the ground 

The composting time for fecal waste is at least one year.