For engineers and operators, lagoon sludge is often misdiagnosed as a simple capacity issue requiring high-cost dredging or desludging. This session presents a paradigm shift based on over 800 bathymetric sludge and sediment surveys, demonstrating that sludge accumulation is actually a key indicator of pond performance. We will dissect correlations between sludge markers and facility performance, showing how "failing" assets can often be recovered without total rehabilitation. The presentation also addresses increasing sludge contaminants and their impact on disposal logistics. Drawing on data from successful facilities, this session equips stakeholders with evidence-based strategies to assess true dredging needs, mitigate environmental risk, and delay capital expenditure. Attendees will learn to: -Differentiate between capacity issues and biological inefficiencies. -Identify risks of premature dredging versus targeted adjustments. -Apply survey data to extend asset lifecycles.
