Current Status of Sludge Collection, Transportation and Treatment in Ho Chi Minh City

Abstract

In the process of construction and development, Ho Chi Minh City is discharging about six types of sludge: 1) sludge from urban wastewater drainage systems; 2) sludge from industrial wastewater drainage system; 3) sludge from the canal dredging activities periodically; 4) sludge from septic tanks; 5) sludge from the water treatment station/plant; 6) sludge from the construction sites. Sludge’s components are very different among types of sludge, sludge from the sewer network and canal dredging contain mainly sand and soil (70% - 90% dry weight), while the sludge from the wastewater/water treatment station/plant and from septic tanks contain mainly biodegradable organic substances (55% - 80% dry weight). The concentrations of all above-mentioned sludge (except sludge from the hazardous industrial wastewater treatment plant) are lower than toxic threshold. The volume of total sludge is about 3000 - 4000 m 3 /day (5000 - 6000 tons/day), excepting the amount of sludge generated from the water treatment plant (which is collected and treated separately). Sludge from wastewater treatment plants and septic tanks is collected, transported and recycled to become organic fertilizer. The other types of sludge are collected, transported, and disposed at the “ unknown” locations, even though they have different values for use.