SEPTIC TANK DESIGN

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICE

DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL BUREAU
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Manila, Philippines

PD 856 Chapter 17
THE CODE ON
Sewage Collection and SANITATION
Disposal, Excreta OF THE
PRESIDENT DECREE 856

Disposal and Drainage PHILIPPINES

AND ITS IMPLEMENTING
RULES AND REGULATIONS
 SANITATION CODE OF THE PHILS (PD 856)
CHAPTER 17
• SEC 72: Scope of Supervision of the Department. The
approval of the Secretary or his duly authorized representative
is required in the following matters:
Plans, design data and specs of a new or existing sewerage system or
sewage treatment plant
The discharge of untreated effluent of septic tanks and/or sewage
treatment plants to bodies of water
Manufacture of septic tanks and
Method of disposal of sludge from septic tanks or other treatment
plants
 SANITATION CODE OF THE PHILS (PD 856)
CHAPTER 17
• SEC 75: Septic Tanks. Where a public sewerage is not available, sewer
outfalls from residences, schools and other bldgs. shall be discharged
into a septic tanks to be constructed in accordance with the following
minimum requirements:

a. It shall be rectangular in shape. A minimum of two compartments,

first compartment shall to 2/3 of the total volume of the tank
b. it shall be built of concrete, whether precast or poured in place.
Brick, concrete blocks or adobe may be used.
 SANITATION CODE OF THE PHILS (PD 856)
CHAPTER 17
• SEC 77: Determination of Septic Tank Capacity.
The ST capacity may be determined from the estimated unit flow
contained in Table I “Quantities of Sewage Flow” based on
adequate detention time interval resulting in efficient
sedimentation. Daily flow mattered results, may be used as
estimated flow when available. For edifices with occupants, the
number of person to be served shall be computed on the number
of rooms with each rooms considered as occupied by 2 person or
the basis of actual number of persons served by the tank,
whichever is greater.
 WHY SEPTIC TANK?
Cheaper than other water based system
Can be built and repaired with locally available materials
Simple and effective when properly designed, installed and operated
A septic tank will usually retain 60 to 80% of the solids, oil, and
grease that enter it. The scum accumulates on top and the sludge
settles at the bottom, comprising 20 to 50% of the total septic tank
volume when pumped
 WHY DO WE NEED TO SET STANDARDS?
There is no policy yet on the standard design, construction and maintenance of
a septic tank
Incorrect designed and improperly constructed septic tank leads to
environmental contamination
Major sources of water pollution in the country is inadequately treated domestic
wastewater or sewage
Regulate new construction of buildings and septic tanks
Establish technical requirements for construction and maintenance
To what code the design criteria will conform?
 Revised Plumbing Code of the Philippines
 Uniform Plumbing Code
The Supreme Court
Continuing Mandamus ERDD Action
 AO on Standard Design of
in the Manila Bay Case Septic Tank
 DOH is one of the mandamus agency
 The goal is to restore the Manila Bay to Class  Inclusion of Septic Tank and
basic sanitation facilities (in
SB
place or in addition to toilets) in
 Reduce of liquid waste discharging into the the ERDD 5-year plan
Manila Bay and comply with the effluent  Lobby w/ partners fundings for
standards complete sanitation facilities (as
 DOMESTIC LIQUID WASTE is identified as the the DOH doesn’t allows budget
major contributor (60-80%) in the Manila Bay for construction facilities).
 Justice Velasco attributes the problem to
substandard design of septic tank.
OTHER RELEVANT LAWS
AND POLICIES
What is the Legal Basis?
Several Philippine laws provide the legal basis for septage
management programs, including:

Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004

(Republic Act (RA) 9275 - Sec.7.1.2, 7.2., 8)
Local Government Code of the Philippines
(RA 7160 - Environmental Services Section)
Water District Law (PD 198)
 Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004
 SECTION 7. National Sewerage and Septage Management Program. - The Department of
Public Works and Highways (DPWH), through its relevant attached agencies, in coordination
with the Department, local government units (LGUs) and other concerned agencies, shall, as
soon as possible, but in no case exceeding a period of twelve (12) months from the affectivity of
this Act, prepare a national program on sewerage and septage management in connection
with Section 8 hereof.
 Such program shall include a priority listing of sewerage, septage and combined sewerage-septage
projects for LGUs based on population density and growth, degradation of water resources,
topography, geology, vegetation, program/projects for the rehabilitation of existing facilities and
such other factors that the Secretary may deem relevant to the protection of water quality. On the
basis of such national listing, the national government may allot, on an annual basis, funds for the
construction and rehabilitation of required facilities.
 Each LGU shall appropriate the necessary land, including the required
rights-of-way/road access to the land for the construction of the sewage and/or septage
treatment facilities.
 Each LGU may raise funds to subsidize necessary expenses for the operation and maintenance of
sewerage treatment or septage facility servicing their area of jurisdiction through local property
taxes and enforcement of a service fee system.
 Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004
SECTION 8. Domestic Sewage Collection, Treatment and Disposal. - Within five (5)
years following the effectivity of this Act, the Agency vested to provide water supply
and sewerage facilities and/or concessionaires in Metro Manila and other highly
urbanized cities (HUCs) as defined in Republic Act No. 7160, in coordination with
LGUs, shall be required to connect the existing sewage line found in all subdivisions,
condominiums, commercial centers, hotels, sports and recreational facilities,
hospitals, market places, public buildings, industrial complex and other similar
establishments including households to available sewerage system. Provided, That the
said connection shall be subject to sewerage services charge/fees in accordance with
existing laws, rules or regulations unless the sources had already utilized their own
sewerage system: Provided, further, That all sources of sewage and septage shall
comply with the requirements herein.
In areas not considered as HUCs, the DPWH in coordination with the Department,
DOH and other concerned agencies, shall employ septage or combined sewerage-
septage management system.
REFERENCES CURRENTLY USED IN THE DESIGN OF
SEPTIC TANK
USEPA – US Environmental Protection Agency
IAPMO – International Association of Plumbing and
Mechanical Organization
ASPE – American Society for Precision Engg
REVISED PLUMBING CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES
ARCHITECTURAL UTILITIES :PLUMBING & SANITARY
BY GEORGE SALVAN
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING BY J.A. SALVATO
CODE ON SANITATION OF THE PHILIPPINES
DOH AO 2019-0047
National Standard on the
Design, Construction,
Operation and Maintenance of
Septic Tank Systems
 DOH AO 2019-0047
National Standard on the Design, Construction, Operation and Maintenance of Septic Tank Systems

I. RATIONALE:
The National Government, through the Department of Health, is
taking a big leap to make sanitation programs effective and
sustainable to protect the environment and public health. In the past
decades, sanitation has not been prioritized. The misconception that
sanitation is just a human excreta disposal and management, limits
the Department into the distribution of toilet bowls as the primary
strategy in addressing sanitation related diseases and environmental
related problems.
 DOH AO 2019-0047
National Standard on the Design, Construction, Operation and Maintenance of Septic Tank Systems

I. RATIONALE:
In compliance with Sustainable Development Goal # 6 which is to
“Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and
sanitation for all,” a basic sanitation facility (toilet facility with a
standard size of a septic tank) in every household is deemed necessary
in preparation for the advance sanitation facilities to achieve the safely
managed sanitation services.
 DOH AO 2019-0047
National Standard on the Design, Construction, Operation and Maintenance of Septic Tank Systems
I. RATIONALE:
At present, poorly designed septic tank and the lack of basic sanitation
facilities and on-site sewage treatment makes the domestic sewage as the
highest contributor to environmental pollution and impact negatively on
public health (World Bank Monitor, 2003). The occurrence of diarrheal
outbreaks from different regions of the country and other environmental
sanitation related diseases manifests the real situation of the environment
wherein the communities are exposed to. Pursuant to the roles and
responsibilities of DOH as provided in Section 72 Chapter XVII of PD No.
856, otherwise known as the Code on Sanitation of the Philippines, the
Department’s scope of supervision shall include plans, design data and
specifications of a new or existing sewerage system or sewage treatment
plant; and method of disposal of sludge from septic tanks or other
 DOH AO 2019-0047
National Standard on the Design, Construction, Operation and Maintenance of Septic Tank Systems

II. OBJECTIVES:

To set a national standard on the design,

construction/installation, operation and maintenance of
septic tank as the major component of basic sanitation
facilities and other alternative sanitation technology
design.
 DOH AO 2019-0047
National Standard on the Design, Construction, Operation and Maintenance of Septic Tank Systems

III. SCOPE AND COVERAGE:

This national standard on the design and construction of septic tank shall
apply to all public and private sewage collection system project planned by
any government agency or instrumentality including government-owned or
controlled corporations, private organizations, firms, individuals or other
entities.
This standard details the technical aspects, sets out requirements and
guides all sanitation practitioners and designers for the approval of the
designs. Further, it applies to all aspects of planning, construction,
operation, maintenance, rehabilitation, replacement, inspection and
modification of on-site sanitation facilities for all existing and proposed
establishments or residential building or institution.
 SEPTIC TANK + ADDT’L TREATMENT =
1st treatment/primary treatment 2nd treatment/secondary treatment

SEPTIC TANK SYSTEM = OWTS

 • SUBSURFACE DISPOSAL
FIELD
• DISINFECTION
• FILTRATION
• SEWERAGE SYSTEM

SEPTIC TANK + ADDT’L TREATMENT

SEPTIC TANK SYSTEM = OWTS

Proper septic tank design
 The septic tank is sized properly with
appropriate detention time and volume;
 There are proper inlet and outlet structures;
 There is at least one baffle separating the
tank into multiple compartments;
 It is water tight; and
 There is an access port for each
compartment that allows for inspection and
pumping.
 Leaching Chamber is not allowed
 SEPTIC TANK DESIGN
FOUR ZONES
1 SCUM STORAGE     VSC    

  VSED    
2 SEDIMENTATION ZONE
       

3 SLUDGE DIGESTION ZONE   VSL    

             

4 DIGESTED SLUDGE STORAGE ZONE VD    

             
 FOUR ZONES OF A SEPTIC TANK
 SEDIMENTATION ZONE (VSED)
The time required to permit sedimentation of
settleable solids decreases with the number of people
served (this reflects the reduced peak flows that occur
as the population serve increases), according to the
equation:
where:

VSED =10-3 Pqth th = hydraulic retention time required for sedimentation, days
P = contributing population
q = wastewater flow, liter per capita per day (lcpd)

th = 1.5 - 0.3 log (Pq) but not less than min retention,th(min) = 0.2 day
FOUR ZONES OF A SEPTIC TANK
SLUDGE DIGESTION ZONE (VSL)
The volume of fresh sludge is around 1 Liter per person per
day. This is digested in td days when it passes to the sludge
storage zone. So the average volume of digesting sludge
present during the period td is 0.5 lcd. Thus, the volume of
the sludge digestion zone (VSL, m3) is given by:
θMIN = 1/YkT
td = 1853T-1.25
Where
VSL = 10-3 PqSLtd :Y = yield coefficient, mg VSS produced per
mg BOD utilized
td = 30 (1.035)35-T
kT = maximum BOD utilization rate, per
day
FOUR ZONES OF A SEPTIC TANK
DIGESTED SLUDGE ZONE (VD)
The volume of the sludge storage zone depend on the accumulation of sludge
in digestion zone and the residue of the digested sludge that settles to the
bottom of the tank…. and the interval between successive desludging
operations (n, years). Measurements of sludge depth in septic tanks cannot
distinguish between digesting sludge and digested sludge, so reported rates
of sludge accumulation ( r) depend on the period of observation, from
which the following design values for r are obtained:
For n < 5: r = 0.06 m3 / person year
and n > 5: r = 0.04 m3 / person year
VD =rPn
 FOUR ZONES OF A SEPTIC TANK
 SCUM STORAGE (VSC)
Scum accumulates at approximately 30-40 percent of the
rate at which sludge accumulates and so the tank volume
for scum storage (VSC, m3) can be taken as 0.4 VSD
 Overall Design Capacity, VT = VSC + VSED + VSL + VSD
SEPTIC TANK DESIGN
FOUR ZONES
1 SCUM STORAGE     VSC    

  VSED    
2 SEDIMENTATION ZONE
       

3 SLUDGE DIGESTION ZONE   VSL    

             

4 DIGESTED SLUDGE STORAGE ZONE VD    

             
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS:

TEMPERATURE (T): 25 O
C (Choose bet 20 OC to 35OC)

DEPTH OF TANK (D): 1.2 meter (Choose bet 1.2m to 1.5m)

FREEBOARD (FB): 0.3 meter (Choose bet 0.3m to 0.5m)

POPULATION (P): 10 cap (no. of person per HH as per NSO)

WW FLOW PER CAPITA PER DAY 50 gpcd (as per PD 856 for dwellings)
(q): 189.2 lcd or 0.189 m3

No. of Years (n): 5 years (cycle of desludging)

(choose from 30 to 40%)

rate of scum accumulation (iSC): 30 %
 COMPUTATIONS:

❶ VOLUME OF SLUDGE AT SEDIMENTATION ZONE ( VSED)

VSED = 10-3 Pqth

where:
th = 1.5 - 0.3 log (Pq)
= 1.5 - 0.3 log(6)(189.27)
th = 0.517 day

th(min) = 0.2

th > th(min)
Therefore use:
th = 0.517 day

VSED = 1.103 m3
VOLUME OF SLUDGE AT DIGESTION ZONE (VSL)

VSL = 10-3 PqSLtd

where:
1 lcd (fresh sludge per capita per day)
qSL = 0.5 of fresh sludge per cap per day
qSL = 0.5 lcd

td(min) = 1853 T-1.25

td(min) = 33.15 days

td(max) = 30 (1.035)35-T
td(max) = 42.32 days

VSL(min) = 0.166 m3
VSL(max) = 0.212 m3
 VOL. OF ACCUMULATED SLUDGE
❸
AT STORAGE ZONE (VD)

VD = rPn

where:
n = 5 years

for n<5, r = 0.06 m3/cap/year

for n>5, r = 0.04 m3/cap/year

r = 0.04 m3/cap/year

VD = 2.0 m3
VOLUME OF SCUM (VSC)
VSC = iSC VD

VSC = 0.6 m3

VOLUME TOTAL (VT)

VT = VSC + VSED + VSL + VSD

VT(MIN) = 3.869 m3
VT(MAX) = 3.915 m3
Location/Features
Septic tanks should be located not less than 25 meters away from
potable water to prevent contamination.
Where there is public sewer pipe, septic tanks are not allowed.
No septic shall be installed within or under a house.
The inlets and outlets are submerged and arranged so as not to disturb
the sludge or SCUM.
The bottom of the Tank should slope (1:10) minimum towards the
manhole in the center to facilitate cleaning.
The top cover and manhole are usually extended 15 cm above the
surface of the soil to overcome surface water infiltration.
Design details:
Provide a pipe, at either the tank or latrine, to vent waste gases.
1. Ensure the wastewater inlet is below liquid level.
2. Provide a barrier at the outlet pipe to avoid discharge of sludge or scum.
3. Provide access for maintenance and desludging.
4. A slight slope on the tank base makes desludging easier.
5. Tanks having more than one compartment should have openings
through dividing walls at liquor level.
6. Never attempt to disinfect or completely empty tanks. New tanks will
start to work quickly if a bucket of sludge from a working tank is poured
into them.
Roles & Responsibilities:
Department of Health - Center for Health Development
Formulate and develop plans and procedures to adopt and implement this AO.
Conduct advocacy activities with different stakeholders, i.e. LGUs, NGOs, and other partners.
Provide technical assistance and facilitate training to personnel of sanitation service providers and
LGUs.
Allocate funds for the staff capacity building of the Building Officials, Local Health
Authority and Sanitation Service Providers.

Department of Public Works and Highways

Guide the City and Municipal Building Officials in the performance of their duties and
responsibilities pertinent to Building Codes of the Philippines and the provisions of this
AO.
Prescribe and adopt the rules and regulations necessary for carrying out the provisions of this AO
Issue and promulgate additional rules and regulations in the form of Memorandum Circulars or
guidelines to implement the provisions of this AO and ensure compliance with policies, plans,
standards.
Roles & Responsibilities:
Local Government Unit

Enforce provisions of this Order through Building Officials and LHO.

Conduct progressive inventory of septic systems.
Facilitate education to households and system owners on their operation and
maintenance responsibilities for all types of systems.
Evaluate, review, approve and/or take final action on changes and/or
amendments on plans, design, location, data and specification of new or
existing septic tank or sewage collection and disposal system.
Pass an ordinance for the implementation and enforcement of the provisions of
this AO and prescribe fines and other penalties for violation.
Thank You Very Much !!!