DISPOSAL OF SEWAGE

NATURAL METHOD OF SEWAGE DISPOSAL

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 GENERAL

• The method used for disposal of sewage are called

disposal methods.
• The sewage can be disposed of after suitable
treatment or without treatment.
• Sewage is finally disposed off either on land or in
large bodies of water like sea, river or lake.

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 SEWAGE

• Waste water often contain high level of organic

matter from industrial, agricultural & human waste.
• Sewage is a collection of all domestic, industrial &
storm-water run off.
• The treatment of human waste impacted waters with
many pathogens that may be present is very
important.

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 WASTE WATER

• Defined combination of liquid or water carried

wastes removed from residences, institutions &
commercial & industrial establishment.
• If it is left untreated , may cause spread diseases .

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OBJECTS OF SEWAGE DISPOSAL

• To eliminate or reduce danger to the public health by

possible contamination of water supplies.
• To render the sewage inoffensive without causing odour
or nuisance.
• The destruction of fish & other Aquatic life can be
prevented by the swage disposal methods.
• With proper sewage disposal the environment or the
areas does not become polluted.
• Sanitary condition are maintained in the area.
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 METHODS OF DISPOSAL
There are two principal methods of sewage disposal by utilizing
natural agencies i.e.,
1. Dilution i.e., disposal of sewage of water.
2. Land disposal or irrigation.

Both methods are very simple.

But these may be regulated carefully so that the quantity of
sewage put in water or applied to land is such that they are
capable of receiving the organic load present in the effluent.
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 DILUTION

• Dilution is the disposal of sewage by discharging it into

large bodies of water like sea, streams, rivers etc.
• This method is possible only when the natural water is
available in large quantity near the town.
• Proper care should be taken while discharging sewage in
water so that sewage may not pollute natural water and
make it unfit for any other purposes like bathing, drinking,
irrigation etc.
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 CONDITIONS FAVOURING DILUTION

1. Where sewage is fresh.

2. Where favorable currents exits in a stream.
3. Where sewage is almost free from floating settle able
solids.
4. Where through mixing is possible.
5. Where diluting water has high quantities of dissolved
oxygen.
6. When the city is situated near river or sea.
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 SOURCES OF SEWAGE DISPOSAL

1. CREEKS
2. LAKES
3. STREAM & RIVERS
4. GROUND WATER
5. SEA OR OCEAN

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 SOURCES OF SEWAGE DISPOSAL

1.CREEKS :-
• These are in the form of an inlet on sea coast. These may or may not
have DWF (Dry water flow ).
• Sewage in creeks should be disposed off very carefully.
2.LAKES :-
• These are enclosed depressions & are sometimes used for the dilution
of sewage.
• The factors which affect the process of dilution of sewage by this
method include size, shape, nature of area, volume of fresh water
flowing in it etc .
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 SOURCES OF SEWAGE DISPOSAL

3. STREAMS & RIVERS :-

• The discharge in rivers & streams is less in summer.
• Due to the reason, it is difficult to carry our dilution of sewage
in summer because the temp. in summer is high which results in
low solubility of oxygen.
• Therefore disposal, sewage should be properly treated .
4.GROUND WATER :-
• In this case, sewage is applied on land.
• It filters through different soil layers & meets ground water. 13
 SOURCES OF SEWAGE DISPOSAL

5.SEA OR OCEAN :-
• Sewage can be disposed off in the sea water .
• The temp. of sea water is lower than the sewage temp.
But the specific gravity is higher.
• Due to above reason, the sewage discharged into the sea
water remains at the surface & forms a thin film due to its
lower specific gravity .
• The prevailing dissolved matters & the various chemical
actions in the sea water reduce its capacity in absorb more
quantity of water. 14
 SOURCES OF SEWAGE DISPOSAL

Some precautions to be taken while diluting sewage into

sea water.
1. The sewage should be discharged at that point where the
depth of water is more.
2. The sewage discharging pipe should be taken sufficiently
deep in sea say 1.5 km so that the sewage may not come
back again to the shore by heavy tides & create nuisance.
3. The outfall sewers should be provided with reflux valve to
prevent back flow of sewage.
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 NUISANCE DUE TO DISPOSAL

1. PHYSICAL NUISANCE
2. CHEMICAL NUISANCE
3. BACTERIAL NUISANCE

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1.PHYSICAL NUISANCE;-
• The deposits of suspended solids depends upon the bed
& banks of a stream have certain nuisance characteristics.
• The physical nuisance are unsightliness due to floating
matter which causes turbidity & colour.
• The volume of water & velocity of following water are the
factors which affect the physical nuisance.

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 NUISANCE DUE TO DISPOSAL

2.CHEMICAL NUISANCE :-
• The biological oxidation results in changes of chemical nature.
• Dissolved oxygen is water is consumed by the bacteria's & in
extreme case, the water without dissolve oxygen may destroy
green plant & fish life .
3.BACTERIAL NUISANCE:-
• It deals with the possible presence of pathogenic bacteria's in the
sewage & thus in polluted stream, such bacteria's if present may
cause various diseases & even death of fishes & the aquatic life .

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 SELF-PURIFICAION OF STREAMS

The natural process in which

the oxygen of water of streams
is consumed by sewage and at
the same time it is filled again
by the atmosphere is called self-
purification of streams.

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FACTORS HELPING SELF-PURIFICATION OF
STREAMS:-

1. Dilution

2. Sedimentation

3. Sun-light

4. Oxidation

5. Reduction

6. Temperature

7. Bacteria.
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FACTORS AFFECTING SELF PURIFICATION
OF STREAM

1. Dilution
1. When sewage is discharged into the stream water, the
offensiveness of the organic matter is diminished by its
dispersion through the diluting water.
2. The sewage always remains in aerobic condition & anaerobic
conditions never comes because dissolved oxygen always
remains present in the water.
3. Organic matter present in sewage is diluted due to dilution
by water and therefore nuisance value is decreased.
4. Surface tributaries and underground streams accelerate the
process.
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FACTORS AFFECTING SELF PURIFICATION OF
STREAM

2. Sedimentation
1. The heavier solids with slow current settle in the stream bed &
start anaerobic decomposition.
2. The products of decomposition are mixed again with water by
the currents.
3. An aerobic condition will not develop if dilution is sufficient
& scouring tendency of streams during floods will wash the
deposits.
4. Settleable solids drop down to the bottom of the stream in the
form of sludge deposits. Hence it is purified to some extent.
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FACTORS AFFECTING SELF PURIFICATION OF
STREAM

3.SUNLIGHT
1. It has sterilizing effect on certain bacteria's, bleaching powder
& photosynthesis by which chlorophyll bearing organisms take
energy from sun & convert it into food for other forms of
life.
2. Carbon dioxide is absorbed & oxygen is evolved in the
process.

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FACTORS AFFECTING SELF PURIFICATION OF
STREAM
4.Oxidation
1. The oxidation of the organic matter starts as soon as sewage is
discharged into the diluting water due to
1. Chemical reaction
2. Growth & activity of oxidising organisms.
2. When the organic matter meets the water; it starts getting oxidized due
to development of oxidizing organisms in water.
3. The process continues till the organic matter has been completely
oxidized.
4. The oxygen demand is fully satisfied, the stream becomes pure. Water
always contains some dissolved oxygen and it is responsible for
oxidation of organic matter.
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FACTORS AFFECTING SELF PURIFICATION OF
STREAM

5.Reduction
1. When organic matter hydrolyses either chemically or
biologically by anaerobic organisms to form gases from the
liquids, the process is known as reduction.
2. It occurs due to hydrolysis of organic matter other biologically
or chemically.
3. It also helps for stabilization by oxidation.

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 FACTORS AFFECTING SELF PURIFICATION
OF STREAM

6. Velocity Of Current:-
1. The natural self purification of the stream directly depends
upon the currents of water.
2. When there is no current, the sewage matter deposits near the
outfall causing formation of sludge tanks & foul odour.

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FACTORS AFFECTING SELF PURIFICATION OF
STREAM
7.Temperature:-
1. The activities of the organisms depends on the temparture lower the
temp. slower the activity of organisms hence slower the rate of
decomposition of organic matter of sewage & vice versa. Therefore,
stream will get self purified in less time in summer than in winter.
2. The various actions involved are physical, chemical and biological.
These are effect by turbulence of water which causes aeration.
3. Hence it is always desired to discharge sewage into a fast moving body
of water
4. Temperature also plays an important role in purification. 29
FACTORS AFFECTING SELF PURIFICATION
OF STREAM.

8.BIOLOGICAL FORCES:-
1. Biological forces include bacteria which attack organic matter .
2. The organic matter is converted into chemical substances.
3. Various types of bacteria, algae, protozoa etc; are responsible
for the self purification of the streams as they convert the
organic matter into simple mineral & other matter.
4. Protozoa like algae as well keep some bacteria growing.
Organic solid matter is converted into gases and liquids by
bacteria, therefore it helps the streams to purify itself.

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LAND DISPOSAL OR IRRIGATION

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SUITABILITY OF LAND TREATMENT OF
SEWAGE DISPOSAL
The method is suitable when :-
1. The overall rainfall is very low.
2. The natural water courses are not available.
3. The quantity of sewage is more which pollutes the natural water courses.
4. The rivers have very small discharge during summer.
5. The water table is very deep and is not likely to be polluted by adopting
the land treatment method of disposal.
6. The vegetables have good market value as by adopting land treatment,
the income also increases.
7. The soil is porous as it will allow good aeration. 32
 ADVANTAGES OF LAND DISPOSAL

1. Adds manure to land

2. Pollution of natural water courses is minimized.
3. Increase fertility of land.
4. Gives high calorific value to crops grown in sewage farms.
5. Does not require any installation of equipment involving high initial cost.
6. Crops could be grown and hence a return value is always possible to
obtain.
7. Method specially suitable where large quantity of river water is not
available at all times of the year.
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1. Difficult to get land during rainy and harvest seasons.
2. Additional land is required for reserve.
3. Sanitary reasons may not permit growing of crops on sewage
farms.
4. More land area is required is sewage volume is greater since land
capacity is limited.
5. If all precautions are not taken, sewage farming results in sewage
sickness to land and health to life.

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 METHOD OF LAND TREATMENT

• Sewage mainly contains water which can be used for

irrigation purposes.
• The fertilising value of sewage is more because it
contains, potash & phosphate.
• The sewage can be applied in the following forms

1. BROAD IRRIGATOIN
2. SEWAGE FARMING.
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 BROAD IRRIGATION

• In this method, sewage is allowed to flow over cultivated lands,

from which a part of the sewage evaporates, some percolates and
the rest escape into surface drainage channels.
• Sewage waters the land and adds to its fertilizing value, due to the
presence of nitrogen, phosphorus, potash etc.
• These fertilizing elements of sewage are consumed by the roots of
crops.
• Crops like cotton, potatoes, sugarcane, grass etc, can be profitably
growth.
• This is also called sewage farming.
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BROAD IRRIGATION

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 SEWAGE FARMING

• The process in which sewage is used for growing crops is known

as sewage farming.
• The fertilising elements of sewage i.e. nitrates, sulphates, &
phosphates are used by the roots of crops.
• The nutrients of sewage make the fields fertile.
• It is a profitable business & a good income can be generated by
sewage farming.

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 APPLICATION OF SEWAGE
METHODS

1. FLOODING METHOD
2. SURFACE IRRIGATION METHOD
3. ZIG ZAG METHOD
4. LAGOONING METHOD
5. BASIN METHOD
6. SUB-SOIL IRRIGATION METHOD
7. RIDGE AND FERROW IRRIGATION METHOD.
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 FLOODING:-

• The area to be irrigated is divided into various parts

surrounded by dykes.
• The sewage is filled like small ponds in between the dykes.
The depth of dose varies from 3.0 cms. To 5.0 cms.
Depending on the irrigation requirements.

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 2.SURFACE IRRIGATION:-

• This method is most suited in sloping area.

• Here, parallel drains are constructed in the fields.
• All these drains are connected to a distributaries drain with the
help of regulating device so that sewage may flow in the
required drain.
• Here when sewage flows over the fields, its large quantity is
absorbed by the field and only excess quantity reaches another
drain.

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SURFACE IRRIGATION METHOD

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 3.THE ZIGZAG RUN METHOD:

In this method the ridges are arranged in a zag-zag method

with corresponding furrows by their side.

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 4.LAGOONING

• These are used cheaply for sewage disposal.

• In this method the sewage is allowed to in a natural depression
available or artificial constructed tanks.
• Detention period is about a month.
• During this period the sludge is stabilized and dried.
• The purified effluent passes way from an outlet placed at the
other end.
• Lagoons should be shallow and must be constructed away from
the town.
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 5.BASIN METHOD

 In this method big trees are planted in an isolated manner,

basins are formed around each tree.
These basins are filled with sewage.
This method is suitable for fruit gardens.

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 6.SUB SURFACE IRRIGATION
• Here sewage is applied at the roots of plants, through the
open jointed agricultural drain-pipes.
• These pipes are laid about 1.0 m below the ground level.
• The sewage rises up due to capillary action. Here soil
takes less load but this is an economical method.

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FAVOURABLE CONDITIONS FOR SUB-
SURFACE IRRIGATION

1. Subsoil water level is low.

2. Land is cheap.
3. Rainfall is less and irrigation water demand is
heavy.
4. Large areas are available.
5. Where dilution water is not easily available.
6. Sub-surface strata is porous, favoring infiltration.
7. Climate is dry favoring drying up conditions.
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7.RIDGE AND FURROW IRRIGATION METHOD

• In this method, sewage is supplied in furrows between crop rows.

• The land is ploughed deep up to 30 cm and levelled and divided in
plots and subplots.
• Then each subplot is enclosed by small dykes.
• Now ridges and furrows are formed in each subplot.
• Sewage spreads laterally irrigating the area between two furrows.
• The percolated effluent is collected in underground drains flows
towards natural drainage for disposal.
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RIDGE AND FURROW METHOD

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Comparison

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 SEWAGE SICKNESS

• The phenomenon by which the soil looses its

capacity of receiving the sewage load is known as
sewage sickness.

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PREVENTION OF SEWAGE SICKNESS:-

• Primary treatment like screening & sedimentation should

be given to sewage before its application to land so that
suspended solids are removed & the pores of soil will not
be clogged.
• The sewage should be applied intermittently on land i.e by
giving rest to the land for sometime.
• The land should be ploughed during non supply period of
sewage so that soil gets aerated.
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 PREVENTION OF SEWAGE SICKNESS

• Keeping some portion of land reserved in order to use the same in resting
period.
• Enough area will be required for this purpose.
• By planting different crops on the same land by rotation system of crops.
• The soil will be aerated & will utilise the fertilizing elements of sewage.
• By providing sufficient under drainage system to collect the excessive
sewage quantity.
• By frequent ploughing & rotation of soil.
• By not applying the sewage in excess quantity .

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