Sludge Testing
Optimizing Waste Management and Ensuring Environmental Compliance
Introduction
Sludge, the semi-solid byproduct of wastewater treatment and industrial processes, holds critical environmental and operational significance. Whether generated from municipal sewage treatment plants, food industries, or manufacturing units, sludge must be accurately characterized before reuse, disposal, or land application.
Middle East Testing Services LLC (METS Lab) provides comprehensive sludge testing services aligned with local regulations (DoE, EAD, DM), GSO, EPA, and EU guidelines. Our ISO/IEC 17025-accredited lab delivers accurate data to support safe disposal, nutrient recovery, bio-solids classification, and environmental monitoring.
Types of Sludge We Test
- Municipal Sewage Sludge (STP)
- Industrial Sludge (ETP, food, dairy, chemical)
- Sludge for Land Application or Composting
- Dewatered Sludge / Cake
- Digested or Anaerobic Sludge
- Sludge from Septic Tanks, Lagoons
Core Testing Parameters
Physical Chemical Properties
- pH
- Moisture Content
- Total Solids (TS)
- Volatile Solids (VS)
- Ash Content
- Electrical Conductivity (EC)
- Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
- Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
- Loss on Ignition (LOI)
- Flash Point
- Total Organic Carbon (TOC)
- Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC)
Nutrient Content
- Total Nitrogen (TKN)
- Ammoniacal Nitrogen
- Nitrate/Nitrite
- Total Phosphorus (P₂O₅)
- Potassium (K₂O)
- Organic Carbon
- C:N Ratio
- Chloride Content
- Flouride
- Sulphate
Heavy Metals (by ICP-OES/ICP-MS)
- Arsenic (As)
- Lead (Pb)
- Cadmium (Cd)
- Chromium (Cr)
- Nickel (Ni)
- Zinc (Zn)
- Copper (Cu)
- Mercury (Hg)
- Iron (Fe)
- Aluminium (Al)
Microbiological Contaminants
- Fecal Coliforms
- Salmonella spp.
- E. coli
Other Optional Parameters
- Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
- Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
- Oil & Grease Content
- Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Applications of Sludge Testing
- Land Application / Fertilizer Use Classification
- Disposal at Landfills / Incineration Compliance
- Industrial Waste Monitoring
- Environmental Risk Assessment
- Compost Quality Evaluation
- Regulatory Reporting (e.g., Environmental Authorities)
STANDARD AND METHOD FOLLOWED:
- APHA 24rth Edition (American Public Health Association)
- Tadweer-Annex- 1 Criteria for Waste acceptable at landfill for hazardous waste
- BS EN 12457-2:2002-Characterisation of Waste (Leaching)-Compliance test for leaching of granular waste materials and sludges