Module 8 (Part 1)

Septage Systems
 Infiltration
Outside System
Evapo-Transpiration

Water and Waste

Flow Diagram Divert Factor Waste Water
Water
Consumer
Supply
Return Factor
Sewer Septic
Rivers Pipes Tank
Storm
Drainage
Water
Liquids
Sewage Treatment
Plant (STP) Sewers Sewage

Septage Treatment Sludge

Plant (SpTP) Trucks Septage
Matter
Common Uses of Water

Clip from: NEW Manila Water Lakbayan Video (Tagalog-English)

Water Supply Used Water Septic Tank

Divert Return
Factor Factor
𝑈𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟
𝐷𝑓 = 1 − 𝑅𝑓 𝑅𝑓 =
𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑆𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑦
Septage in Septic Tank

SEWAGE
mostly liquid

SEPTAGE
mostly with solid
Septic
Truck
Tank

Farms Fertilizer solid

Septage
Treatment

Garden or Liquid or
River Effluent semi-solid
Septage Processes
1. Desludging – suction of septage
from septic tanks into trucks.
2. Acceptance – filtering of septage,
separation of solids (e.g. rocks)
from the water.
3. Dewatering – septage pressing of
sludge until its dry and addition of
polymer to fuse activated sludge
(bacteria for decomposition).
4. Aeration – bacterial action for
continuous treatment of
wastewater through the aid of air
demand of bacteria.
5. Settling – clarification of water
through settling of heavier
materials in the water.
6. Disinfection – killing of bacteria
in water prior to disposal to rivers.
Post – Septage Processes
1. Biosolids – the retrieved solids
from septage is used as soil
conditioner or fertilizer.

2. Effluent Water – two post

treatment end result:

a. Disposed into the river as

Class C water which is clean
enough for aquatic life.

b. Used as watering of urban

gardens instead of using the
potable water from the tap.
Septage Practices in Metro Manila (Manila Water)

From: NEW Manila Water Lakbayan Video (English)

 Septage Practices in Metro Manila (Maynilad Water)

From: Paano nililinis ng Mynilad ang ating wastewater

 Sanitation Prime Purpose

From : NEW Manila Water Lakbayan Video (English)

References
 Module 8 (Part 2)

SEPTIC TANK
 SEPTIC TANK

Is a receptacle or vault used to collect organic waste which function is to liquefy and precipitate solid
waste purifying odorous materials. About 60-70% of the suspended solid is removed largely by
sedimentation to form sludge. Parts of the solid are formed into floating scum. Both scum and sludge
are transformed into liquid and gas by anaerobic bacteria through digestion.

Decomposition of organic matter from human waste is a bacteriological process caused by:
❖ Aerobic bacteria called aerobes (presence of material oxygen)
❖ Anaerobic bacteria called anaerobes (absence of free oxygen)
❖ Facultative bacteria (functions with or without free oxygen)

These bacteria thrive naturally in sewage, and will function when conditions are favorable in terms of:
❖ Food supply
❖ Temperature
❖ Moist
 SEPTIC TANK

Gases produced inside the septic tank

❖ Methane gas, 𝐶𝐻4, combination of

hydrogen and carbon, a principal
component of natural gas
❖ Carbon dioxide gas, 𝐶𝑂2, combination of
carbon and oxygen, simplest oxide of
carbon
❖ Carbon monoxide gas, 𝐶𝑂, a by-product
of methane, poisonous gas
❖ Hydrogen, 𝐻2, evolves as a moist gas
from organic waste
❖ Hydrogen sulfide, 𝐻2𝑆, a colorless gas
with offensive odor
❖ Sulfur dioxide, 𝑆𝑂2, a colorless gas
having an irritating odor
 SEPTIC TANK
GENERAL CONDITIONS:

❖ The ST is usually constructed in rectangular form.

❖ The minimum inside dimension of a ST is 90 cm 50cm 15cm diam.
wide by 150 cm long.
90cm
❖ For effective decomposition of the organic
materials inside the ST, a 120 cm depth of liquid
Manhole Manhole
content is necessary. The depth of the tank should
not be deeper than the groundwater table.
❖ The inlet and outlet of the ST should be a sanitary
150cm
tee. The inverts are installed in the wall at least
120 cm from its bottom floor equally spaced from TEE TEE
both sides. FLOW LINE
❖ The invert is extended down the liquid of the tank
not more than 30 centimeters. This is to assure SLUDGE
smooth delivery of the incoming sewage below the 120cm
scum line.
 SEPTIC TANK
GENERAL CONDITIONS:

❖ The bottom of the digestion chamber should be

sloped to one low point, to gather the settled organic 50cm 15cm diam.
materials into one mass favor the propagation of the
anaerobic bacteria. 90cm
❖ The ST should be provided with a manhole, extended
a few centimeters above the surface of the soil to Manhole Manhole
overcome infiltration of surface water.
❖ ST has a minimum of two chambers; namely digestion
chamber and leaching well. The leaching well is 150cm
estimated to be ½ to 1/3 of the size of the digestion
TEE TEE
chamber.
FLOW LINE
❖ The ST may be located closer to the building it will
serve, providing a minimum distance of 2.00 meters
SLUDGE
from the outside wall. 120cm
❖ As much as possible, the ST should not be closer to
the doors and windows
❖ ST should be at least 15 meters away from any
source of water supply. The farther, the better.
QUANTITY OF SEPTAGE FLOW
Technical Data in Determining Volume of Septic Tank

❖ Minimum width 90 cm
❖ Minimum length 150 cm
❖ Minimum depth 120 cm

❖ For a family of 6 persons, the minimum tank capacity should be approximately 1.3 cubic meters with a
minimum size of 90 cm wide by 150 cm long by 120 cm deep.
❖ For residential installation, the practice is to allow 5-6 cubic feet of tank volume per person. (1 cubic foot =
748 gallons)
❖ Residential buildings to serve larger number of people, per capita (0.14 to 0.17 cu.m.)
❖ For small residential house to serve up to 12 persons, the chamber should have a liquid content of not more
than (2.0 cu. m.)
❖ For school, commercial and industrial establishments, the volume of the ST should not be less than 0.057
cu.m. nor more than 0.086 cu.m. per capita
❖ Assume 1.2 meters width of tank per 100 persons
❖ It is not advisable to permit entry of water waste from shower bath, laundry and others to the septic tank.
QUANTITY OF SEPTAGE FLOW (METHOD A)
Determine the size of a septic tank to serve 200 persons in a commercial establishment. Assume a depth of
liquid, 1.5m.

For school, commercial and industrial establishments, the volume of the ST should not be less than 0.057 cu.m. nor more than 0.086 cu.m.
per capita

200 persons x 0.057cu.m/capita =11.4 cu.m

Assume 1.2 meters width of tank per 100 persons

200 persons x 1.2m = 2.4m width

V= L x W x H
11.4 cu.m = L x 2.4m x 1.5m
L=3.2m (Length of Digestion Chamber only)

𝐿
𝐿 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = L+
2
3.2
𝐿 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 3.2 + = 4.80 m
2
QUANTITY OF SEPTAGE FLOW (METHOD B)
V= 1.125 + 0.75Q (in gallons)

A motel with toilet and bath and kitchen facilities will serve a maximum of
100 persons. Determine the capacity and dimensions of the septic tank.
Assuming depth of liquid 1.5m and width of 3.00m.

From the table, 50 gallons per person per day

100 x 50= 5,000 gallons per day

V= 1.125 + 0.75 (5000)
V=3751.125gallons
1 cu.m
converting to cu.m, 3751.125 x 264 gallons = 14.2 cu.m
V= L x W x H
14.2 cu.m = L x 3.00 m x 1.5m
L=3.2m

𝐿
𝐿 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = L+ 2
3.2
𝐿 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 3.2 + = 4.80 m
2