A systematic review of the water treatment sludge toxicity to terrestrial and aquatic biota: state of the art and management challenges

Abstract Safe drinking water’ supply is an essential service and depends directly on the water treatment that produces water treatment sludge (WTS) as a product, whose final destination varies and remains a challenge. The ecotoxicity assessment of the WTS address the ecological implications of the WTS disposal but these information is still scarce in the literature. In this sense, we did a systematic review of the ecotoxicological studies on WTS using databases from six platforms. From the 785 papers recovered; 16 studies were eligible and showed the ecotoxicity assays’ applicability to evaluate the WTS. We discussed WTS ecotoxicity considering sample characterization; terrestrial and aquatic toxicity assays; and WTS challenges. WTS proved to be a highly heterogeneous matrix composed mainly of coagulant precipitates, including Al and Fe. Studies lack consensus concerning the most representative/sensitive species for evaluating WTS’ toxicity. Crustaceans were the most studied aquatic group, although algae species were more sensitive. Besides, soil ecotoxicity assessed only plant growth, and a single study used the earthworm. Even papers used bioassays to indicate the recycling WTS’ feasibility, there is a lack of specific legislation regarding the WTS reuse. Furthermore, are necessary a regulation for WTS management that involves an ecological risk assessment.