Strategies of Sludge Management in the Gaza Strip

The Gaza Strip is a limited area with high population density. Four wastewater treatment plants operate in the area which are overloaded and mismanaged. There are plans to construct three more wastewater treatment plants with overall capacity of 304,000 m3/day which will make use of the activated sludge technology. The current research estimated the quantities of sludge and studies the possible options for disposal based on the Gaza Strip circumstances. It is estimated that 21,000 tons of dry solids per year will be produced in the Gaza Strip. The quality of existing sludge complies with the Palestinian Standards with respect to nutrients content and absence of heavy metals. The reuse of sludge in agriculture is the most feasible option for sludge disposal but, as the area of agricultural land is limited in the Gaza Strip, farmers throughout the Gaza Strip will need to be encouraged to use sludge.