Cost–Benefit Analysis of Municipal Sludge as a Low-Grade Nutrient Source: A Case Study from South Africa

Eyob Habte Tesfamariam, Zekarias Mihreteab Ogbazghi, John George Annandale and Yemane Gebrehiwot
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Eyob Habte Tesfamariam: Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag: X20, Hatfield, 0028 Pretoria, South Africa
Zekarias Mihreteab Ogbazghi: Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag: X20, Hatfield, 0028 Pretoria, South Africa
John George Annandale: Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag: X20, Hatfield, 0028 Pretoria, South Africa
Yemane Gebrehiwot: Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag: X20, Hatfield, 0028 Pretoria, South Africa

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 23, 1-13

Abstract: Municipal sludge has economic value as a low-grade fertilizer as it consists of appreciable amounts of the macro and micronutrients. When using sludge as fertilizer, the economic aspect should be taken into account. In this study, the following specific objectives were identified: (a) to investigate the economic feasibility of using sludge as a fertilizer; (b) to estimate the maximum economic distance sludge can be transported as a fertilizer; and (c) to test the economic feasibility of selling sludge using commercial inorganic fertilizer as a bench mark. The study showed that for anaerobically digested, paddy dried, municipal sludge consisting of 3% N, 2% P, and 0.3% K the economic feasibility of transporting the sludge was limited to a diameter of 20 km in the arid zone, 28 km in the semi-arid zone, 51 km in the sub humid zone, 66 km in the humid zone, and 75 km in the super-humid zone. Therefore, the economic feasibility of using sludge as a substitute for or complementary to commercial inorganic fertilizer is dictated by the distance between the wastewater care work and the farm, sludge nutrient concentration, agro-ecological zone (rain and temperature), and the real-time commercial inorganic fertilizer price.

Keywords: cost–benefit analyses; municipal sludge; commercial fertilizer; assumptions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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