Sludge2Energy assess how wastewater sludge can be valorized as an energy resource, bringing the Sludge2Energy project closer to real-world impact.
A major milestone was reached on 16 June 2026, when the Sludge2Energy project completed its first field sampling campaign in Aqaba, Jordan. The activity was carried out at the Aqaba Water Treatment Plant (WTP), a facility responsible for treating wastewater serving Aqaba City, by the Royal Scientific Society in close collaboration with the Aqaba Water Company (AWC).
Why this matters
Every day, water treatment processes generate large quantities of sludge, a semi-solid byproduct that poses significant management and disposal challenges. In many Mediterranean cities, this material is still treated as waste. The Sludge2Energy project aims to change this, exploring how sludge can be transformed into a valuable energy resource, contributing to more sustainable and circular water management across the region.
What happened on the ground
The campaign involved an on-site visit to the Aqaba Water Treatment Plant, where the team coordinated with the Aqaba Water Company to access the sampling site and follow appropriate procedures. A representative sample of sludge was carefully collected, visually inspected, and photographically documented. The sample was then safely prepared and transferred to a laboratory for in-depth analysis.
What comes next
The collected material will undergo a comprehensive set of physical, chemical, elemental, and microbiological analyses. Parameters under investigation include moisture content, total and volatile solids, gross calorific value, elemental composition, heavy metals, as well as microbiological indicators such as fecal coliforms, Salmonella, helminth eggs, and enteroviruses.
These results will form the scientific basis for evaluating the sludge’s properties and its potential to be valorized within the Sludge2Energy project, a step that could contribute to cleaner cities, more efficient resource use, and a healthier environment for the communities of the Mediterranean.
Last Update
22/06/2026
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