SEWERAGE SYSTEM

Sewerage system is a system that contains pipes of several lengths and diameters which are very
important to convey the wastewater, including domestic, residential, industrial and commercial
treatment services (Ansari et al., 2013). It plays a critical role in that it supports public health and
environmental protection.
Sewage is a liquid waste or wastewater produce as a result of water use.
Sewer is the pipe or conduit for carrying sewage. It is generally closed and flow takes place under
gravity (atmospheric pressure).
Sewage Treatment is the process of removing contaminants from municipal wastewater,
containing mainly household sewage plus some industrial wastewater.
SOURCES OF WASTEWATER

 Domestic  Industrial  Storm water

TYPES OF SEWERAGE SYSTEM

Combined Sewerage System
It is a sewer that accepts storm water, sanitary water/sewage, then the sewage is treated in STP
(sewerage treatment plant). This system is mainly used in towns where streets are narrow and
rain fall is less than the moderate. It is favoured when combined sewage can be disposed without
treatment and both sanitary and storm water need treatment.
Separate Sewerage System
In this system the sanitary sewage and storm water carried separately in two sets of sewers. The
sewage is conveyed to WWTP (wastewater treatment plant) and the storm water is discharges
into rivers without treatment. This system is preferred when there is an immediate need for
collection of sanitary sewage but not for storm water and when sanitary sewage needs treatment
but the storm water does not.
Partially Combined or Partially Separate System
It is a combination of a combined and separate sewerage systems. This type of sewerage system
helps decrease the load from a combined sewerage system because only the water from initial
rainfalls (water from acid rain) is added to sewage water and after than this system work as
separate system.
HOW DOES THE SEWERAGE SYSTEM WORKS
Treating wastewater has the aim to produce an effluent that will do as little harm as possible
when discharged to the surrounding environment, thereby preventing pollution compared to
releasing untreated wastewater into the environment.

PHASES OF TREATMENT PROCESS

1. Screening and Pumping

- The incoming wastewater passes through screening equipment where objects such as
rags, fragments, plastics, and grease are removed. The material removed is washed
and pressed and disposed of in a landfill. The screened wastewater is then pumped to
the next step: grit removal.
 2. Grit Removal
- In this step, heavy but fine material such as sand and gravel is removed from the
wastewater. This material is also disposed of in a landfill.
3. Primary Setting
- The material, which will settle, but at a slower rate than step two, is taken out using
large circular tanks called clarifiers. The settled material, called primary sludge, is
pumped off the bottom and the wastewater exits the tank from the top. Floating
debris such as grease is skimmed off the top and sent with the settled material to
digesters. In this step, chemicals are also added to remove phosphorus.
4. Aeration/ Activated Sludge
- In this step, the wastewater receives most of its treatment. Through biological
degradation, the pollutants are consumed by microorganisms and transformed into
cell tissue, water, and nitrogen. The biological activity occurring in this step is very
similar to what occurs at the bottom of lakes and rivers, but in these areas the
degradation takes years to accomplish.
5. Secondary Setting
- Large circular tanks called secondary clarifiers allow the treated wastewater to
separate from the biology from the aeration tanks at this step, yielding an effluent,
which is now over 90% treated. The biology (activity sludge) is continuously pumped
from the bottom of the clarifiers and returned to the aeration tanks in step four.
6. Filtration
- The clarified effluent is polished in this step by filtering through 10 micron polyester
media. The material captured on the surface of the disc filters is periodically
backwashed and returned to the head of the plant for treatment.
7. Disinfection
- To assure the treated wastewater is virtually free of bacteria, ultraviolet, disinfection
is used after the filtration step. The ultraviolet treatment process kills remaining
bacteria to levels within our discharge permit.
8. Oxygen Uptake
- The treated water, now in a very stabilized high quality state, is aerated if necessary
to bring the dissolved oxygen up to permit level. After this step, the treated water
passes through the effluent outfall where it joins the river or any bodies of water. The
water discharged to the river must meet stringent requirements set by the authority.
Pollutant removal is maintained at 98% or greater.

WHERE DOES THE SLUDGE GO?

The sludge from primary and secondary treatment is processed further in sludge digesters,
where it is mixed and heated to reduce its volume and kill disease-causing bacteria. These where
transported to the pelletizing plant where it is dewatered, heat-dried and converted to a pellet
fertilizer for use in agriculture, forestry and land reclamation.
ROLE OF SEWARAGE SYSTEM

 To ensure a clean and healthy living environment

 To protect the environment
 To promote the reuse of resources
 To prevent the city from flooding
Sources:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sewerage
http://www.mwra.state.ma.us/03sewer/html/sewhow.htm
https://civilengineerspk.com/design-of-sewr-system/
https://medium.com/@rohitgurjar009/sewerage-sytem-a8f554e5c8d0

Reporter: Alan Wright V. Alib