AWWA JAW20887

Various properties of two types of alum sludge were investigated to determine whether silvicultural application was an appropriate method of disposal. These particular sludges did not produce any undesirable leachates, values of which were within limits set out in the Connecticut Public Health Code, nor did they produce aluminum toxicity in plants -- even those grown in pure sludge. Alum sludge binds phosphorus, making it unavailable or slowly available to plants and thus possibly limiting plant growth and even physiologically stressing plants. The results of analyses indicated that limited applications of this material on forested land would most likely not measurably affect tree growth. Land application of alum sludge appears to hold promise as a low-cost disposal alternative. Includes 15 references, tables, figures.