SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES RELATING TO MANAGEMENT OF RESIDUALS DERIVED FROM TREATMENT OF WASTEWATER (RDFTW) WORKSHOP INTRODUCTION

Processing and management of residuals derived from wastew ater treatment processes now absorbs about half of the total cost of treating the wastes to avoid or reduce their undesirable impact on environmental resources of air, water and land and to protect public health. Anticipated increases in production of sludges and changes in their composition in response to enforcement of existing and new regulations especially those addressing diffuse sources of pollutants suggested conduct of a workshop to address research needs. Preparation of these introductory comments provided an opportunity to review several publications relating to research supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on this topic as a step tow ard determining further needed research.