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Former chair of the Environment Agency, Emma Howard Boyd, has raised concerns about the government’s failure to address the risks associated with spreading sewage sludge on farmers’ fields. Approximately 3.5 million tonnes of sludge, a byproduct of human sewage treatment, is used as fertiliser each year in England and Wales. Critics have warned about the lack of regulation in this practice and the potential contamination of sludge with harmful substances such as cancer-causing chemicals and microplastics.
Howard Boyd highlighted the presence of “forever chemicals” like PFAS in sludge, which are slow to degrade and have been linked to serious health issues, including cancer. Despite the growing concerns, water industry documents obtained by the BBC reveal that water companies are worried about the future of sludge spreading and have been lobbying for regulatory changes. The lack of legal standards for contaminants in sludge has raised alarms among environmentalists and prompted calls for urgent government action.
In response to the mounting pressure, the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) stated that regulations regarding sludge spreading are under review. The water industry, represented by Water UK, emphasized the need for evidence-based standards and techniques to address contaminants like forever chemicals and microplastics in sludge. The potential consequences of a crackdown on sludge spreading, including incineration or landfill disposal, could lead to increased costs for both water companies and consumers.
Despite the concerns raised by experts and campaigners, some farmers continue to view sewage sludge as a cost-effective fertiliser option. While the debate over the safety and sustainability of
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