World · East Asia & Pacific · 3 hrs ago
Cheongju cuts sewage sludge disposal costs after facility repairs
Cheongju repaired facilities that process sewage sludge, a waste product from treating wastewater.
The city first handles sludge at its own renewable-energy and incineration facilities, and sends excess amounts to outside contractors.
Repairs included clearing sludge from a digester and fixing a mixer at the renewable-energy facility.
In the third quarter, average monthly treatment rose about 9% at that facility and 30% at the incineration plant compared with the same period last year.
Monthly volumes sent to contractors fell by about 23%, reducing outsourced treatment fees by about 690 million won.
The city says it will strengthen its own treatment capacity to save more public money.
Cheongju said repairs to its sewage sludge facilities helped cut the amount sent to outside contractors.
In the third quarter, monthly sludge processing rose about 9% at the renewable energy facility and about 30% at the incineration facility compared with the same period last year.
Monthly outsourced processing fell by about 23%.
The city said it saved more than 690 million won in outsourcing costs.
- Who
- Cheongju city.
- What
- Repairs to city facilities increased sludge processing capacity and reduced outsourcing costs.
- When
- Results were reported on October 24, 2026, based on figures for the third quarter of 2026.
- Where
- Cheongju, South Korea.
- Why
- The city carried out repairs to reduce the amount of sewage sludge sent to outside contractors.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The city dredged a digester and repaired a mixer at its renewable energy facility.
Monthly processing rose at the city’s renewable energy and incineration facilities, while outsourced processing fell.
Cheongju announced the processing changes and cost savings.
- Renewable energy facility
- Monthly sludge processing rose about 9% year over year in the third quarter.
- Incineration facility
- Monthly sludge processing rose about 30% year over year in the third quarter.
- Outsourced processing
- Monthly volume fell about 23%.
- Cost savings
- More than 690 million won in outsourcing costs.
- Repairs
- Dredging of a digester and repair of a mixer.
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What people are saying
We will continue to strengthen our own capacity to process sewage sludge and save budget.