This text investigates the long-term environmental and agricultural impacts of applying sewage sludge and farm slurries to land over extended periods. The author, J.H. Williams, synthesizes findings from EEC Concerted Action seminars to evaluate the efficacy of these materials as fertilizers. The work focuses on the nutrient contributions of nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic matter, while addressing the logistical constraints that limit their practical application in large-scale farming.

Experts recognize this volume as a technical record of European collaborative research regarding waste-to-land application strategies. The text is primarily utilized by environmental scientists and agricultural engineers as a foundational reference for understanding the constraints and benefits of sludge management.