Waste from the integrated water system
[GRI - 103-3],
[GRI - 306-1],
[GRI - 306-2],
[GRI - 306-3],
[GRI - 306-4],
[GRI - 306-5],
In the Water Segment, production of waste largely corresponds with the production of sludge from the treatment process, with a minimal portion from sand and screens used in the same process. The former is essentially composed of water, biomass and a portion of chemical substances used for conditioning during drying, which helps to reduce the volumes of waste outputs. Sand and screens derive from pre-treatment of wastewater and contain plastic, aggregates and paper materials. The remainder is composed of residual material from cleaning to maintain systems. This may include sludge from regeneration of cation-exchange resins. Chart no. 58 shows an example of waste streams for the water sector. The Companies are all committed to recovering sludge, with 66% of all sludge produced recovered. For example, in 2022 AdF recovered 99%, Acea Ato 2 recovered 80%, Gori recovered 60% and Acea Ato 5 recovered 23%.
Chart no. 58 – Waste streams for the Water Segment Companies
Table no. 71 – Waste produced by Companies in the Water Segment (2020-2022)
| Water Segment waste | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| t | |||
| total waste | 152,285 | 176,438 | 183,637 |
| hazardous | 239 | 379 | 449 |
| non-hazardous | 152,046 | 176,059 | 183,189 |
| of which sludge, sand and screens | 138,756 | 166,969 | 175,570 |
| detail by type of processing | |||
| entirely recovered waste | 63,570 | 110,019 | 115,167 |
| of which sludge, sand and screens for recovery (*) | 59,884 | 108,620 | 113,561 |
| entirely disposed of waste (*) | 88,715 | 66,419 | 68,470 |
| of which sludge, sand and screens for disposal (**) | 78,872 | 58,349 | 62,209 |
| incineration (with energy recovery) | 2,759 | 2,962 | 1,304 |
| incineration | 16,660 | 5,242 | 5,486 |
| landfill and other disposal operations | 69,296 | 58,215 | 61,680 |
(*) In 2022, 106,087 t of sludge and 7,474 t of sand and screens were sent for recovery.
(**) In 2022, the following was sent for disposal: 54,206 t of sludge and 8,004 t of sand and screens.
Aquaser acts as a broker for certain Group water companies (Acea Ato 2, Acea Ato 5 and AdF), carrying out the pick-up, transport and recovery/disposal of waste (solid and liquid), with identification of final-destination sites for special waste with regard to solid materials, and providing logistical services (pick-up, transport and discharge) for liquid waste that is handed over to authorised plants.