Sludge as an Asset: How Sensor Data From Shanghai ChiMay Is Rewriting Utility Balance Sheets
The Old Accounting Logic The traditional municipal accounting logic treated sludge as a disposal problem. Volume in tonnes multiplied by disposal cost per tonne, tracked as an operating expense, allocated to the wastewater cost centre. The sludge line generated a chart of costs — dewatering polymer, transport, tipping fees, land application logistics — and none…