Sewage sludge application to land is the principal way of deriving a beneficial use for sludge by recycling plant nutrients and organic matter for crop production. It is becoming ever more important as other options for the disposal of sewage sludge are diminishing. Agricultural application also provides a cost-effective method of sludge disposal, but it is essential that sludge recycling in agriculture is regulated to minimize potential environmental problems. This book, based on work funded by the Foundation for Water Research, provides an overview of the environmental impact of sludge application to agricultural land and relates it to other accepted agricultural practices. It puts the potential environmental effects into perspective and distinguishes between perceived and real risk. It is a significant contribution to thinking on this increasingly important topic and is relevant to students and researchers in soil, crop and environmental science. It will also be vital for all those involved in the waste and water industries.