23

Design of Combined and Partially Separate Sewers

For these, the design flow rate is made up of all of the surface water runoff plus an
allowance for foul sewage flows (usually 2.5 times DWF or 1500L per dwelling unit).
As the foul sewage flows will be much less than the design flow rates, particular
consideration should be given to self-cleansing velocities during dry weather. As flows
during times of storm are often up to 20 times DWF, one or more overflows may be
necessary to regulate the flow to the treatment works in times of storm.

Combined Sewer Overflows CSO’s

Storm overflows pass diluted wastewater to a stream or river, either directly or by way
of storm holding tanks, through special storm relief sewers. The receiving water should
provide sufficient dilution to excess sewage flows in wet weather.

The number of overflows should be kept to a minimum commensurate with limiting the
sizes of sewers downstream. They should not normally be installed on sewers <450mm
diameter.

Storm overflows should be set so that they only discharge when the flow in the
incoming sewer is greater than:

Q = DWF + 1360P + 2E litres/day.

where DWF is in l/day

P is the contributing population
E is the average trade effluent flow (l/day)

The wastewater in combined sewers is always more polluted during the early stages of
a storm as it will contain washings from roads etc., as well as pockets of accumulated
sludge and silt from the sewers which have been dislodged by the increased velocity of
flow.

Any overflow should be designed to pass these ‘first flushes’ forward for treatment so
that the liquid which overflows will contain the minimum of polluting matter. Steps
should also be taken to reduce to a minimum the discharge of floating solids to the
receiving waters. Scumboards offer a partial solution but raked screens may be required
where amenity considerations are important.

CE200 Environmental Engineering 2: I.T.Tralee © S.O’M

 24

Storm sewage overflows should only be considered where there is an overriding

economic justification and the consequences of such discharges will not adversely
affect the quality of the receiving waters.

The simplest type of storm overflow is a pipe built into the wall of a manhole so that it
comes into operation when the water level exceeds a specified value. However, there is
poor hydraulic control of the flow passing forward for treatment and little control over
the quality of effluent being discharged through the overflow pipe. More suitable
overflow arrangements include the use of side weirs, stilling ponds and vortex
overflows.

CE200 Environmental Engineering 2: I.T.Tralee © S.O’M

 25

CE200 Environmental Engineering 2: I.T.Tralee © S.O’M