Introduction: when operating techno-natural drainage systems, in particular silt areas, there are significant shortcomings associated with technological and structural disturbances, almost always associated with a negative impact on the environment. The reason for this is, in particular, the contradiction of regulatory and legislative requirements. Methods and materials: as an analysis method, an analysis of the conceptual apparatus of rational nature management, a number of environmental requirements and official comments of the supervisory bodies was used. Results: significant differences in the understanding of environmental activities in the operation of silt areas were identified. It is shown that the lack of clarity in this issue leads to a distortion of understanding by nature users of the existing legislation, which facilitates the transformation of the facilities of sanitation facilities for processing sewage sludge into the objects of accumulated environmental damage. Conclusion: the provisions of the article can be used in the development of methodology (measures) for identification, systematization and liquidation of objects of past environmental damage in housing and communal services, as well as in the search for technologically and economically acceptable ways of utilizing wastewater sludge.