NOVELTY - The method comprises creating a drying surface (3) directly adjacent to a settling basin (1) and/or settling tank (K) for the sewage sludge, where the drying surface slightly falls towards the settling basin at an inclination angle of 0.5-3 degrees opposite to the horizontal, sealing the drying surface against the underground (8) by a wastewater film (7), excavating the sewage sludge to be disposed from the settling basin/settling tank by a mobile excavating apparatus and then distributing on the drying surface without mechanical condensation, so that it does not exceed a layer thickness of 70 cm.    USE - Method for purifying a settling basin or settling tank from sewage sludge in houses and farmstead.    ADVANTAGE - The method is capable of effectively, economically, simply and easily purifying the settling basin or settling tank from the sewage sludge with less effort.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The method comprises creating a drying surface (3) directly adjacent to a settling basin (1) and/or settling tank (K) for the sewage sludge, where the drying surface slightly falls towards the settling basin at an inclination angle of 0.5-3 degrees opposite to the horizontal, sealing the drying surface against the underground (8) by a wastewater film (7), excavating the sewage sludge to be disposed from the settling basin or settling tank by a mobile excavating apparatus and then distributing on the drying surface without mechanical condensation, so that it does not exceed a layer thickness of 70 cm in a wet condition, and drying the sewage sludge distributed on the drying surface until it reaches a water-tight consistency. The wastewater film is introduced to a drainage device fed back to the settling basin or settling tank. A drainage flow is laid as drainage device on the wastewater film. During the sealing of the drying surface, the wastewater film is bulged on the edges (5) of the drying surface non-adjacent to the settling basin or settling tank for forming a trough-like structure. The wastewater film is displaced to the alternatively overlapping roof-like paths in parallel to the adjacent edge of the settling basin or settling tank. The sewage sludge distributed on the drying surface is covered or roofed over with a water-repellent covering film. The drainage device and the wastewater film are removed after drying and evacuating the sewage sludge. An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for a device for purifying a settling basin or settling tank from sewage sludge (K).    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of a settling basin with an apparatus for purifying the settling basin from sewage sludge.    Settling basin (1)    Drying surface (3)    Edges (5)    Wastewater film (7)    Underground. (8)