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Domestic Wastewater Disposal

System
Operation and Maintenance of • Domestic wastewater streams are in general
separated into;
Septic Tank Systems – Toilet wastewater
– Kitchen wastewater and
– Other wastewater
• Why it this Separated important??
Toilet wastewater contains solids, high strength liquid
waste and pathogens
Kitchen wastewater contains oils and grease
Other wastewater are generally of low strength and
requires only limited treatment
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What is a Septic Tank System? A typical onsite WW disposal

system
• It is a wastewater disposal system specifically
designed to accommodate domestic wastewater Grease-Trap
Kitchen
Oil/Grease
In Sri Lanka mostly toilet waste is Wastewater removal
treated by Septic Tanks systems
Screen

• It is an on-site system Septic Tank

Toilet Effluent
Solid-Liquid
• Three main elements of a septic tank system Wastewater
Separation
Disposal

– Septic Tank
– Distribution system
Other
– Septic tank effluent disposal system Wastewater

Screen

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Complete system Special Attention

SEPTIC TANK
• Septic Tanks must be water tight
• Inlet – Outlet through ‘T’ connections
• Tank top above the high season groundwater level
• Need regular inspection
• Essential to have a ventilation pipe

Leaching Field
• Good soaking ground
• High season groundwater sufficiently deep
• Distance away from drinking wells
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Trouble shooting
Structural failures
Top Slab Collapsed
Need regular inspections for;
1. Structural failures
2. Septic tank overflowing with sludge
3. Drainage filed failures Structural failures
Total Collapse

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Leaching filed problems Inspection and maintenance

1. Inspection for;
• Sludge layer thickness
• Scum layer thickness
• Structural failures

Clogged pipe/ drainage filed

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Sludge layer and scum layer thickness Septic Tank Inspections - Steps
measurement

(a)

(a) Scum thickness measurement

(b)
(b) Sludge thickness measurement

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Septic Tank Design Septic Tank Effluent Disposal

• Minimum Retention Time required is 1 day, however for designs
use on average is 3 days HRT
• Preferred geometry rectangular with length to width ratio between
2 to 4.
• Surface area (m2) be at least 1/3 working capacity of tank (m3)
• Total Volume preferably less than 15 m3 (SLS 745 less than 12 m3)
• Minimum internal width 0.75 m, depth 1 m (preferably less than 2.5 m).
• ‘T” fittings at inlet and outlet, inlet pipe shall extend at least 20 %
liquid depth below, outlet at least 300 mm below the liquid level of
the tank.
• Invert of outlet pipe shall be preferably 100 mm (minimum 50 mm)
below the invert of the inlet
• Have 2 or more compartments, free-board 300 mm or more,
openings for access and cleaning, 25 mm diameter vent pipe with
fly-mesh CE673/GBBH Set 1 13
OPTION I Soakage Pits
• Used for soaking the septic tank effluent into the surrounding soil.
No other treatment, treatment within soil mass by soil
bacteria/adsorption.
• Suitable only in areas where the high season groundwater table is
fairly deep (at least 2.5 m below surface level). Soil percolation
rate preferably between 25 (30 L/m2.d) and 125 mm/hr.
• They shall be located;
– at least 18m away from the nearest well or other drinking water source,
– at least 5 m away from the nearest building.
– A minimum distance of 6 m (edge to edge) between units.
• Soakage pit bottom preferably above1.2 m (for 25 mm/hr) and
3.0m (for 125 mm/hr percolation rates) from the normal
groundwater table.
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Typical Sections of a Soakage Pit Septic Tank Effluent Disposal

OPTION II Infiltration Trenches (Seepage Beds)
• Used when groundwater table is not very deep.
Plan • They provide partial treatment prior to soil absorption.
• Suitable in areas where the groundwater table is around 4-6 m
deep with seasonal high groundwater table is greater than
2.0m below the ground surface.
• Soil percolation rate must be between 25 and 125 mm/hr.
Fill
• They also shall be located;
– at least 18m away from the nearest well or other drinking water source,
– at least 5 m away from the nearest building.
– A minimum distance of 2.5 m between two trenches.
• The maximum length of a bed shall be 20 m.

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ALTERNATIVE Septic Tank Effluent Disposal

OPTIONS OPTION III Anaerobic Filter (Bio Filter)
• Used when;
Septic Tank and Gray Water from individual houses – groundwater table is shallow during most period of time,
– soil is of poor soaking capacity,
– places where excavation cannot be done.
Bio- Disinfection and
Wetland • Process - treat organic waste in the absence of oxygen where
Filter Disposal
organic matter is converted to bacteria cells, CH4 and CO2.
• Up-flow type filter with rock or plastic media as packing materials.
Disinfection and
Bio-Filter
Disposal • HRT of between 24 to 48 Hrs, Organic Loading Rate of 1.0 to 4.8
kg COD/m 3.d, surface loading less than 2.8 m/day.
• Water tight structure, usually made out of r/f concrete in areas
where soil can bear the loads.
• May be located above/below ground surface. May be buried under
car parks, driveways, terraces etc., provided that due consideration is
Septic Tank and Gray Water from individual houses given to the structural integrity of the structures nearby.
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Septage Management

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END

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