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Cost–Benefit Analysis of Municipal Sludge as a Low-Grade Nutrient Source: A Case Study from South Africa

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  • Eyob Habte Tesfamariam

    (Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag: X20, Hatfield, 0028 Pretoria, South Africa)

  • Zekarias Mihreteab Ogbazghi

    (Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag: X20, Hatfield, 0028 Pretoria, South Africa)

  • John George Annandale

    (Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag: X20, Hatfield, 0028 Pretoria, South Africa)

  • Yemane Gebrehiwot

    (Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag: X20, Hatfield, 0028 Pretoria, South Africa)

Abstract

Municipal sludge has economic value as a low-grade fertilizer as it consists of appreciable amounts of the macro and micronutrients. When using sludge as fertilizer, the economic aspect should be taken into account. In this study, the following specific objectives were identified: (a) to investigate the economic feasibility of using sludge as a fertilizer; (b) to estimate the maximum economic distance sludge can be transported as a fertilizer; and (c) to test the economic feasibility of selling sludge using commercial inorganic fertilizer as a bench mark. The study showed that for anaerobically digested, paddy dried, municipal sludge consisting of 3% N, 2% P, and 0.3% K the economic feasibility of transporting the sludge was limited to a diameter of 20 km in the arid zone, 28 km in the semi-arid zone, 51 km in the sub humid zone, 66 km in the humid zone, and 75 km in the super-humid zone. Therefore, the economic feasibility of using sludge as a substitute for or complementary to commercial inorganic fertilizer is dictated by the distance between the wastewater care work and the farm, sludge nutrient concentration, agro-ecological zone (rain and temperature), and the real-time commercial inorganic fertilizer price.

Suggested Citation

  • Eyob Habte Tesfamariam & Zekarias Mihreteab Ogbazghi & John George Annandale & Yemane Gebrehiwot, 2020. "Cost–Benefit Analysis of Municipal Sludge as a Low-Grade Nutrient Source: A Case Study from South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-13, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:23:p:9950-:d:452660
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ayalew, W. & King, J. M. & Bruns, E. & Rischkowsky, B., 2003. "Economic evaluation of smallholder subsistence livestock production: lessons from an Ethiopian goat development program," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 45(3), pages 473-485, July.
    2. Tesfamariam, Eyob H. & Annandale, John G. & Steyn, Joachim M. & Stirzaker, Richard J. & Mbakwe, Ikenna, 2015. "Use of the SWB-Sci model for nitrogen management in sludge-amended land," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 262-276.
    3. Michael Drummond, 2004. "Economic Evaluation in Health Care: Is It Really Useful or Are We Just Kidding Ourselves?," Australian Economic Review, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, vol. 37(1), pages 3-11, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Oz Sahin & Edoardo Bertone, 2022. "Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems (SDEWES)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-4, October.

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