SEWAGE DISPOSAL

In some urban areas sewage is carried separately in sanitary sewers and runoff from streets is
carried in storm drains.
Access to either of these is typically through a manhole. During high precipitation periods a
sanitary sewer overflow can occur causing potential public health and causing potential public
health and ecological damage.
Sewage may drain directly into major watershed [A ridge of land that separates two adjacent
river systems] with minimal or no treatment. When untreated, sewage can have serious impact on
the quality of an environment and on the health of the people. Pathogens can cause a variety of
illnesses. Some chemicals pose risks even at very low concentrations and can remain a threat for
long periods of time because of bioaccumulation in animal or human tissues.

BASIC CRITERIA IN THE DESIGN AND OPERATION OF SEWAGE AND OTHER

WASTE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS

The criteria involve the following:

1. Prevention of pollution of water supplies and contamination of fish intended for human
use.
2. Prevention of nuisances, unsightliness, and unpleasant odors.
3. Prevention of human waste coming into contact with man, animals.
4. Prevent human waste being exposed to the ground surface accessible to children and
pests.
5. Prevent fly and mosquito breeding and rodents from sewage.
Failure to observe these basic principles when designing and operating sewage or other disposal
system can result in the development of health hazards and degeneration of living conditions,
recreational areas and natural resources that are essential to the well-being of the general public.
Every effort should therefore be made to prevent pollution by improper treatment and disposal of
sewage and other waste.

DISPOSAL BY DILUTION: Where bodies of surface water such as sea, lakes or large rivers
are available near-by, the liquid wastes from dwellings or communities may be discharged into
such waters directly or after septic tank treatment. The out-fall pipe conveys the sewage
preferably near the bottom of receiving water.
This system of disposal is designed to take advantage of the natural ability of water for self-
purification.

THE CESSPOOL: A cesspool is essentially a covered pit which receives raw sewage. It may be
watertight or of leaching type. In some cases, it is made watertight and designed to hold liquid
wastes which must be removed after six months.
The leaching type on the contrary, is dug into pervious soils in order to allow the liquid portion
of the waste to seep into the ground.
Watertight cesspools are usually designed for a capacity of 681 liters [15 gallons] per person per
month or 4081 liters [90 gallons] per person when they are emptied every six months.
Leaching cesspools have diameters of 90 cm [36''] or more and are provided with an open joint
lining below the inlet level. The top part of the lining which is within 60-90 cm [2'-3'] of ground
level should be impervious and laid with mortar. Covers with inspection manholes are usually
provided. After the pores of the ground become clogged and the pit fills, an outlet tee, and an
overflow pipe lead supernatant liquid to a seepage pit.
A cesspool should be located downhill from a well – a distance of 15 meters [50ft] will prevent
bacterial pollution of the well.
Cesspools of the leaching type should be located at 6 meters [20ft] a way from dwelling
foundations. The construction is not permitted by health authorities in densely inhabited
communities where wells are used as a source of drinking water.

CESSPOOL

SEEPAGE PIT: Seepage pit consists of a round hole in the ground dug deep enough to
penetrate 18 meters [6ft] or more into a porous layer of earth. Diameters of 1-2.5 meters [39''-
100''] and depths of 2-3 meters [7'-16'] are common.
• The side walls are lined with bricks or stones laid without mortar up to below the level of
inlet pipe.
• This is a pit that receives effluent from aqua-privies, cesspools, and septic tanks and
allows it to percolate into the ground. It is sometimes used for the disposal of laundry,
bathroom, and kitchen wastes. In the latter case, grease trap [interceptor] may be
necessary on the house sewer line.
• The seepage pit may also be built at the lower ends of sub-surface disposal.
• The seepage pit must be closed with a tight cover which will prevent access of
mosquitoes and flies to the pit contents and then to the surface water or well.
• The seepage pit should last several years [6-10 years] if the effluent is only slightly turbid
as a result of efficient primary treatment of the raw materials [sewage]. In order to
increase the life span of the disposal system, it is possible to dig two or three seepage pits
and to connect them at the top. The distance between any two pits should be a least three
times the diameter of the large pit.
• The obvious disadvantage of seepage pit is the danger of polluting ground water. As in
the case of cesspool, the construction of seepage pits is not usually permitted by the
 health authorities in closely built communities where ground water is used for domestic
purposes.

DIAGRAM OF A SEEPAGE PIT

SEPTIC TANK

The septic tank is the most useful and satisfactory unit among all water carriage systems of
disposal of excreta and other liquid wastes from individual dwellings, small groups of houses or
institutions located in the rural areas away from sewer systems. It consists of a covered settling
tank into which raw sewage is directed by the building sewer. The process that takes place inside
the septic tank constitutes the primary treatment of the raw sewage and those which occur in the
disposal field form the secondary treatment. It should be noted that all liquid wastes including
those from bathrooms and kitchens may be directed to the septic tank without endangering its
normal operations.

DESIGN OF A SEPTIC TANK

This includes the provision of grease trap [interceptor].

GREASE TRAP [INTERCEPTOR]: Liquid waste from large kitchens such as those found in
hotels, small hospitals and similar institutions are likely to contain much grease which may pass
though the septic tank along with effluent and may clog the pores of the filtering medium of the
disposal field. In such a case, a grease trap [interceptor] is installed outside the building just
before the building sewer. Its operation is based on the principle that the incoming liquid waste is
warmer than the sewage already in the interceptor and is cooled by it causing the grease to
congeal and rise up to the surface of the interceptor from which it is skimmed off and disposed of
by burial at periodic intervals.
The size of the grease interceptor depends on the type of building and the volume of sewage to
be handled. For single house the capacity should about 110 liters [30 gallons]. The inlet and
outlet should be placed as far apart as possible in order to avoid direct flow and the depth below
the inlet flow line should not be less than 60cm [2ft].
 PLAN OF A GREASE INTERCEPTOR [TRAP]

SECTION THROUGH GREASE INTERCEPTOR

REQUIRED CAPACITIES FOR SEPTIC TANKS SERVING INDIVIDUAL

DWELLINGS
Liquid capacities in the table above are based on the number of persons served in dwellings. The
volume is based on total depth include air space above liquid level. These capacities should
provide sufficient sludge storage space for a period of two years or more and additional volume
equal to the sewage few for 24hours.

SIZE OF SEPTIC TANK

The principal factors to be considered in deciding on the capacity of a septic tank are:
1. The average daily flow of sewage.
2. The retention period-3-4 days usually 24 hours.
3. Adequate storage for de-sludging every 2-3 years.
The average daily flow of sewage depends on the average water consumption in the area under
consideration. The liquid capacities of septic tanks described in the table above are based on
sewage contribution of:
1. 190 liters [50 gallons] per person daily in dwellings.
2. 95 liters [25 gallons] per person daily in camps.
3. 64 liters [17 gallons] per person daily in schools.

SECONDARY TREATMENT OF SEPTIC TANK EFFLUENT

The secondary treatment of septic tank effluent is based on the oxidation of organic matter
through the activity of aerobic bacteria. The bacteria thrive in the upper layer of the soil and sand
stone beds whose pores are naturally aerated by oxygen from the atmosphere.
In sub-surface irrigation and in filter beds, the effluent is spread as uniformly as possible over the
grains of the soil or sand or over small stones.
A biological slime develops in which the aerobic bacteria and micro-organisms are active. It is
important that these biological media should not be overloaded or submerged for any great
length of time otherwise the aerobic bacteria will die, and anaerobic conditions will develop.
Natural aeration of the soil is facilitated in the case of filter trenches through the drainpipes and
incase of subsurface irrigation through a ventilation pipe or seepage pit installed at the lower end
of the disposal field. Ventilation of the filtering medium may be arrested if the pores are allowed
to become clogged by suspended matter carried by effluent or by excessive growth of slime. In
either case the trouble can be traced to defective or inefficient operation of septic tank itself
although excessive slime growth may also be due to overloading of the disposal field.

BIOLOGICAL SYSTEM IN THE SEPTIC TANK

PRIMARY STAGE: In the tank, the incoming sewage is held quiescent being retained for a
period between one and three days according to the tank capacity. During this period the heavier
solids settle at the bottom as sludge.
• Most of the lighter solids including grease and fats remain in the tank and form scum
over water surface while the rest is carried away by the effluent into the final disposal
system. The solids that are retained in the septic tank undergo aerobic decomposition
through the activity of bacteria and fungi. The significant result of this process is a
considerable reduction in the volume of sludge which allows the tank to operate for
period of between one and four years or more depending on the circumstances before it
needs to be desludged and cleaned. The effluent of a properly designed and efficient
septic tank is only slightly turbid due to finely divided solids in suspensions and has
relatively low B.O.D.
• However, septic tank is still offensive in character. The effluent from septic tank is
potentially dangerous to health as it may contain pathogenic bacteria, cysts and worm
eggs which have passed unharmed through the septic tank during the relatively short
retention period. As the sludge decomposes, gas is produced and constantly rises up to
the top surface as bubbles. The gas bubbles carry with them particles of decomposing
organic materials which inoculate the incoming sewage with organisms which are
necessary for purification.
• These particles reach the scum which in turn becomes thick and heavy and partly sink
below the water level. The floating cover of the scum may attain such dimensions that its
lower surface extends into the main sewage current. This usually coincides with the tick
accumulation of dense compact sludge over the bottom of the tank. As a result of the
flow through the section becomes so small that adequate sedimentation of the suspended
matter is no longer possible. At that time large amounts of floating matter will be seen
floating in the effluent. This condition can be prevented by regular desludging of the
tank.
• The bubbling of gas through the liquid interferes to a certain extent with the normal
sedimentation of sewage solids. The interference may be minimized by addition of a
second compartment to the tank. The lighter suspended solids carried from the first
compartment find quieter conditions for settling in the succeeding compartment. This is
especially valuable at times of rapid anaerobic decomposition when sludge solids are
found in greater quantities in the tank’s first compartment and there is less scum
production. The effluent of such tank will contain a lower proportion of suspended matter
 than that from a single compartment system. In order to ensure and speed up the
establishment of the biological process at high level of efficiency, newly constructed
septic tanks are usually seeded with a quantity of ripe sludge bailed out from another tank
already in operation. This sludge which is in an advance state of decomposition provides
the bacteria and fungi necessary for rapid alkaline fermentation which succeeds the initial
breakdown of the raw organic matter by anaerobic bacteria.

REQUIRED CAPACITIES OF FOR SEPTIC TANKS SERVING CAMPS AND DAY

SCHOOLS

The capacities shown above are based on 24-hour flow of sewage without allowance for sludge
storage space, since it is expected that septic tank serving camps and schools will receive regular
inspection and maintenance including frequent cleaning than those of private residences.
For flows between 1900 liters and 5000 liters [500-1500 gallons] per day, the capacity of the
septic tank should be equal to 1½ day’s sewage flow.
For flows between 5700 liters and 37,850 liters [1500- 10,000 gallons] per day, the minimum
effective tank capacity should be 420 liters [1,125 gallons] plus 75% of daily sewage flow or:
V=1.125+0.75Q where V= Volume.
Q= the daily flow.

LOCATION OF SEPTIC TANK: The septic tank should be located to permit:

1. easy drainage from dwelling and
2. easy drainage of effluent.
When sub-soil is used for disposal of the final effluent, the location should ensure that sufficient
area is available for disposal of effluent. Since the inspection of the tank is necessary, the tank
should not be buried more than 30-45 cm [12”-18”] below the ground level. Precautions should
be taken to prevent entrance of surface runoffs into the tank.
Due to the possibility of leakages, especially around the in-let and out-let pipes, the tank should
be located preferably downhill at least 15m away from wells and other surface water points.

OPERATIONAL AND MAINTENANCE OF SEPTIC TANKS

A newly constructed septic tank should first be filled with water up-to out-let level and then be
seeded with several – 5-8 buckets of ripe sludge.
Although the designs recommended provide for de-slugging about every two years or more. The
tank should be inspected every 12-18 months in the case of household installation and every six
months in the case of tanks serving schools and other public instructions. The inspection should
be directed toward the determination of:
1. the distance from the bottom of the scum to the bottom of the out-let i.e., scum clear
space.
2. the depth of accumulation of sludge over the tank bottom. The scum clear space should
not be less than 7.5 cm [3”] and the total depth of scum and sludge accumulation should
not be more than 50cm [20”]

DISPOSAL OF SEPTIC TANK EFFLUENT

There are five methods for disposing of septic tank final effluent:
1. dilution,
2. seepage pits,
3. sub-soil irrigation,
4. filter trenches,
5. sand filters or trickling filters.
In order to select the method, which is most appropriate to a particular location, it is necessary to
determine the following:
a) the nature of the ground water level,
b) the degree of the permeability of the soil,
c) the proximity of wells and other sources of water supplies,
d) the volume and the rate of renewal of surface water available for dilution
[streams, ponds, and other water bodies]
e) the uses of this water [e.g., domestic, fishing, bathing etc..]
Also, to be considered are:
i. the land available for disposal works,
ii. the proximity of houses,
iii. the prevailing wind direction,
iv. the vegetation cover of the disposal area,
v. Probable future expansion of the system.

DISPOSAL BY SUB-SOIL IRRIGATION

This is the method employed most often in connection with small septic tanks serving
households and institutions. It can consist simply of a tank fixed into the top layer of the soil by
means of open jointed pipes laid in trenches and covered. In this way effluent is purified through
the action of the aerobic saprophytic bacteria of the soil and percolates a way into the ground.
This method cannot be used where:
1. the sub-soil is not porous
2. where the ground water table rises to within 1.2cm [4’] of the ground surface or
3. Where there is the danger of contamination of water supplies.
TRICKLING FILTERS: They are also called percolating filters. They are used as a means of
secondary treatment of septic tank effluent. In this method of disposal of septic tank effluent, the
effluent is trickled intermittently through a thick bed of crushed stones. The depth of the trickling
filter bed varies usually from 2cm to 3cm [6’ to 10’]. The bed should consist of clean durable
material mentioned above and the stones should have angular shape and rough surfaces.
In such filters air must circulate freely in order to maintain the 200-gallon local flora which
thrives over the stones in the presence of oxygen. The larger stones, i.e., 8cm-10cm [3''-4''] in
size will form a layer 15cm-20cm [6' 8''] thick at the bottom of the bed, and smaller stones [not
less than 2.5cm or 1'' in size] will make up a filter bed.

RIVER /STREAM STANDARDS

If portable water supply is the primary use to which for water, and if no treatment facilities are
available then the river/stream standards should be imposed to protect the health of the public
using that supply.
The river/stream standards should ensure the safety of water for human. Essentially, a quality
similar to the natural state of surface water before receiving pollution is adequate.
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PROPOSED RIVER/STREAM STANDARDS FOR PORTABLE WATER SUPPLY

QUALITY PARAMETERS SUGGESTED RIVER/STREAM

LEVELS
Fecal coli form density Effluent quality similar to the natural state
of surface water.
Ph 6.5-8.5
Dissolved oxygen >2 mg/l
Arsenic <0.05 mg/l
Lead <0.05 mg/l
Chromium [Hexavalent] <0.05 mg/l
Cyanide <0.2mg/l
Phenolic substances <0.002 mg/l
Chlorides <1000 mg/l
Total dissolved solids <4000 mg/l