Fermentative $H_2$ production was studied using microbial consortia isolated from heat-treated ($90{circ}C$, 20 min) sewage sludge. Important parameters investigated were carbon(C) and nitrogen(N)-sources, C/N ratio, phosphate concentration, pH and temperature during anaerobic cultivation in serum bottles. Starch, ribose, sucrose and glucose were good C-sources for the culture growth and $H_2$ production. Yeast extract was better N-source than $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ or peptone when individually added to the synthetic media, however the combination of above three N-sources exhibited the additional effect for cell growth and $H_2$ evolution. Addition of 100 mM phosphate as a buffering agent prevented the rapid pH drop during the cultivation. The optimum initial pH for the cell growth was at 7.0, whereas $H_2$ production was observed at pH 5.5. Optimum temperature for the cell growth and $H_2$ production was $37{circ}C$. Initial C/N ratio of 1.22 in the media using glucose and yeast extract as the C- and N-sources, respectively, showed the $H_2$ yield 1.0 mol $H_2$/mol glucose.