Level measurement of sludge from wastewater treatment plants and recovery of industrial sludge
Sludge monitoring programs in aerated ponds
The sludge accumulated at the bottom of wastewater treatment ponds reduces the useful volume and therefore the retention time available to the treatment of the wastewater. The measurement of the level of sludge accumulated in the ponds must be carried out at least every three years or every year when the proportion of sludge reaches 10% of the total theoretical volume of a pond, or when the veil of sludge is less than one meter from the pond outlet pipe.

Sludge level measurement in aerated ponds
Measuring the sludge level ensures that the accumulation of sludge does not have the effect of reducing the retention time of wastewater in the ponds, which can cause:
- The passage of sludge to the effluent and the subsequent risks of contamination of the receiving watercourse (e.g. proliferation of blue-green algae)
- Poor purification performance of the station (non-compliance with discharge standards)
- Equipment breakage or reduced performance of the aeration system used in ponds.

Sludge quality sampling and analysis
The sludge monitoring program should also include sampling and analysis of the quality of the sludge in order to predict the eventual disposal methods of this sludge when it is time to empty the ponds.
Sludge sampling and analysis helps plan:
- Actions in the event of an abnormally high rate of sludge accumulation or the presence of a chemical parameter at a high concentration (interventions with industrial users and/or agreements for contributing to the cost of emptying aerated ponds)
- The budgets and planning required for emptying the ponds.

Recovery of fertilizing residual materials
Avizo Consulting has been complying, for more than 10 years, with the standards and requirements of the Programme d’accréditation d’échantillonnage environnemental (PAEE) set up by the ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MELCC) for the agricultural sector.
The studies that we carry out meets the requirements of the sampling protocol for fertilizing residual materials and the specific provisions related to accreditation, DR-12-MRF-02.
Measurement, sampling and analysis of sludge in aerated ponds and recovery of fertilizing residual materials

Sampling and analysis services
Whether you need to recover compost, industrial ash, de-inking residues, biomethanization digestates, paper mill biosolids and other wood residues, you can rely on the fertilizing residual materials recovery specialists at Avizo Consulting.
Our services include:
- Complete characterization of residual materials as described by environmental and agronomic standards certification of categories C-P-O-E
- Compliance with the various criteria of the standards of the Bureau de normalisation du Québec (BNQ)
quality control of results.