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LV NENUPHAR event on sewage sludge management in the Lielupe basin
On February 24, the NENUPHAR seminar discussion – a stakeholder vision workshop on sewage sludge management and its use in agriculture in the Lielupe river basin territory – took place in Ceraukste, at the recreation complex “Rožmalas”. The event brought together researchers, policymakers, representatives of the water management sector, farmers and other interested parties from Latvia and Lithuania to jointly evaluate the achievements made during the year and discuss the next steps in sustainable nutrient cycling.
The event was opened by moderator Valters Zelčs, farmer and agricultural policy advisor from the association “Farmers Parliament”, presenting the agenda and objectives of the day. The project was introduced by Inga Bērziņa, project manager from “Farmers Parliament”, who explained the goals, activities and roles of the project partners of NENUPHAR. The monitoring results in the demonstration areas of the Lielupe River Basin in Latvia were reported by Dr.sc.ing. Ainis Lagzdiņš from the Latvian University of Biosciences and Technology, providing an insight into the impact of sewage sludge use and the data obtained. In turn, the monitoring results on the Lithuanian side were presented by Dr. hab. Arvydas Povilaitis from Vytautas Magnus University, outlining the similarities and differences in the experiences of both countries. After the presentations, an interactive discussion took place on how to use the monitoring results more effectively for farmer engagement and awareness-raising.
The second part of the event focused on strategies for wastewater sludge reuse. Iveta Teibe from the Water Sustainability Department of the Ministry of Climate and Energy presented the current situation in wastewater sludge management planning in Latvia. Alberts Auziņš from the Latvian Association of Water Supply and Sewage Companies shared his view on the value of wastewater sludge compost from the perspective of an industry operator and a farmer.
Associate Professor Linda Mežule from the Institute of Water Systems and Biotechnology of Riga Technical University spoke about compost quality aspects – including microbiological indicators and micropollutants. In turn, Jānis Zviedrs from SIA “Jūrmalas ūdens” presented innovations in sewage sludge treatment, focusing on the research of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and the challenges associated with them. Akvilė Jagučanskytė from the National Regional Development Agency of Lithuania reported on progress in reducing barriers to the wider use of composted sewage sludge in agriculture.
Finally, the participants engaged in a question and answer session on the governance of sewage sludge management, identifying the main barriers and opportunities for further development. The moderator summarized the conclusions, outlined the next steps and emphasized the importance of closer cooperation between science, policymakers and the agricultural sector.
The event reaffirmed that sustainable use of sewage sludge in agriculture is an essential step towards a circular economy and a healthier environment, and that close cross-sectoral cooperation is a prerequisite for the successful implementation of solutions in practice.
The event was implemented within the framework of the Horizon Europe project NENUPHAR “New governance models to enhance nutrient pollution handling and nutrients recycling”.
PRESENTATIONS:
- Inga Bērziņa – NENUPHAR: New governance models to enhance nutrient pollution handling and nutrients recycling DOWNLOAD
- Ainis Lagzdiņš – The Results of Monitoring Activities in the Demonstration Sites of the Lielupe River Basin – LATVIA DOWNLOAD
- Arvydas Povilaitis – Monitoring ativities in Lithuania -2025 DOWNLOAD
- Iveta Teibe – CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS IN SEWAGE SLUDGE MANAGEMENT PLANNING DOWNLOAD
- Alberts Auziņš – Economic Valuation of Wastewater Sludge Compost as a Product DOWNLOAD
- Linda Mežule – Quality of wastewater sludge compost: microbiological and micropollutant aspects DOWNLOAD
- Jānis Zviedris – Jurmalas udens ltd DOWNLOAD
- Akvilė Jagučanskytė – Unlocking Composted Sewage Sludge Potential: Progress in Removing Barriers to Use it DOWNLOAD
