Maximizing the potential of leachate from sewage sludge as a sustainable nutrients source to alleviate the fertilizer crisis.

Leachate from separate digesters in biological wastewater treatment plants contains valuable biogenic compounds that can serve as fertilizer nutrients. In this study, a method was developed to utilize leachate from sewage sludge dewatering as a raw material for the preparation of a plant conditioner, providing water, nutrients, and growth-stimulating amino acids. A chemical conditioning procedure (65% HNO) was used to prepare the leachate solution for fertilization.