Environmental problems from the disposal of sewage sludge in Greece

The current situation on the quantities and disposal methods of sewage sludge in European Union is discussed, together with the trends up to 2005 and the future sludge disposal possibilities. The problems relating to the methods currently used in Greece and the requirement for land suitable for the safe agricultural application of sewage sludge are evaluated. This concept will be important to the decision-makers for the purpose of the disposal of sewage sludge in the future. Soil measurements in lands used for sludge disposal in western and southern Greece show that some soils have been already polluted by heavy metals and should be abandoned while others need careful monitoring until their saturation.