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Sewage sludge

All appendices are in Finnish.

Sewage sludge is removed from septic tanks and sludge tanks of treatment plants when necessary, but at least once a year if the property has been used during the year. A sufficiently frequent emptying of septic tanks shall prevent the release of solids from septic tanks into the soil filter or the soil soakaway. Adequate sludge removal from treatment plants ensures that the equipment operates properly. The manufacturer’s instructions must always be followed.

The holding tanks must be leakproof and their filling must be monitored. The holding tanks shall be emptied as necessary. Phosphorus removal wells should also be checked regularly and emptied as necessary.

Sewage sludge and septic tank effluent may be handed over for transport to an operator who is registered in the waste management register under the Waste Management Act(sludge transporters registered in the Jätekukko area). Approval is sought from the North Savo ELY Centre. Sewage sludge and septic tank effluent from residential premises must be delivered to a collection point designated by the municipal waste management company. In Siilinjärvi, sewage sludge is primarily delivered to the municipal water supply company’s Jynkänniemi sewage treatment plant.

The waste management regulations require the property owner to keep records of sludge removals. These records must be submitted to the municipal environmental protection authority on request.

Sludge from the private dwelling may be spread, properly treated, for fertiliser purposes on a field under your own management under cultivation. Sludge may not be spread in an aquifer. Sludge must always be treated with lime stabilisation, thermophilic stabilisation or any other method approved by EFSA. The owner of the property must notify the waste disposal authority in writing of any self-treatment of sludge.