Sewerage systems can be classified into combined sewerage (also known as

conventional sewers) and separate sewerage. Combined sewerage carries both

surface run-off and wastewater, while separate sewerage carries surface run-off and
wastewater separately.
Recent trends have been for the development of separate sewerage systems.
 Combined Sewer System
In this system, only one set of sewer is laid and it carries both sewage and
stormwater. The sewage and stormwater are carried to the sewage treatment
plant and finally disposed of.

Conditions Favourable for Combined System

1) If the rainfall is small and evenly spread throughout the year.

2) When space available for the laying of sewer is restricted.

3) When pumping is required for sanitary sewage as well as stormwater.

4) When the amount of sewage is less.

Advantages of Combined Sewer System

1) The cleaning of sewer is easy as they are large in size.

2) The maintenance cost is less.

3) The stormwater reduces the strength of sewage by dilution.

4) The self-cleaning velocity is easily achieved.

5) This system requires only one set of sewer. Thus it becomes economical.
Disadvantages of a Combined Sewer System
1) The load on the treatment plant becomes high.

2) The stormwater is unnecessarily polluted.

3) The sewers are large in diameter.

4) This system proves to be uneconomical when pumping is required for the

lifting of sewage.

5) During a heavy storm, the combined sewer may be overflown which may
create trouble for the people.

Partially Separate Sewer System

In this system, two sets of sewers are laid. A portion of stormwater is allowed
to enter in the sewers carrying sewage and the remaining stormwater flows
through a separate set of the sewer. Thus, the load on the treatment plant is
controlled and kept within the capacity of the treatment plant.

Advantages of Partially Separate Sewer System

1) It combines the advantages of both the combined system and separate
system.

2) The entry of stormwater prevents the silting of the sewer.

3) The sewers are of reasonable size.

4) The problem of disposing stormwater from houses is simplified.

Disadvantages of Partially Separate System

1) The velocity of flow is low in dry weather.

2) There is a possibility of overflow.

3) The entry of stormwater in the sewer may increase the load on the pumping
and treatment unit.

4) If the diversion of stormwater is not done at a proper time, then it may

create unnecessary troubles.
 Separate Sewer System
Separate sewerage consists in the separate collection of municipal
wastewaters (blackwater from toilets, greywater and industrial wastewater)
and surface run-off (rainwater and stormwater). The separate collection
prevent the overflow of sewer systems and treatment stations during rainy
periods and the mixing of the relatively little polluted surface run-off with
chemical and microbial pollutants from the municipal wastewater. The design
of the sewers and the (semi-)centralised treatment stations thus needs to
consider the volume of the wastewater only and the surface run-off and
rainwater can be reused (e.g. for landscaping or agriculture) after a simplified
treatment.

Advantages of Separate Sewer System

1) Surface run-off, greywater and blackwater can be managed separately (no
contamination of surface run-off by sewage)
1) Limited or no risk of sewage overflow
2) Convenience (minimal intervention by users)
3) Low health risk
4) No nuisance from smells, mosquitoes or flies
5) No problems related to discharging industrial wastewater
6) Moderate operation costs
7) Surface run-off and rainwater can be reused (e.g. for landscaping or
agriculture) after a simplified treatment.
Disadvantages of Separate System
1) Needs a reliable supply of piped water

2) Difficult to construct in high-density areas, difficult and costly to maintain

3) High capital costs, more expensive than combined sewer system (two
networks are necessary)

4) Unsuitability for self-help, requires skilled engineers and operators

5) Need for pumping on flat ground

6) Problems associated with blockages and breakdown of pumping equipment

7) Adequate treatment and/or disposal required for a large point source

discharge

8) Higher risk of water pollution by accidents (e.g. oil, chemicals, etc.)

Choice of The Separate Sewer System

The modern trend is toward the adoption of a separate system.
Following arguments are mainly advanced in favour of the adoption of a
separate system;

1) The length of the sewer of large diameter is greatly reduced as there are two
sets of sewers.

2) The load on the treatment unit is decreased when the separate system is
adopted.

3) The natural water is not unnecessarily polluted.

4) This system proves to be economical when pumping is required for the

lifting of sewage.

5) The stormwater can be discharged into natural streams without any

treatment.
Comparison Between Combined And Separated System
SL
No Combined Sewer System
In this system, only one set
of the sewer is laid and
1
carries both sewage and
stormwater.
The cleaning of sewers is
2 easy as they are of large in
size.
The maintenance cost is
3
less.
The load on the treatment
4 plant becomes high.
Self-cleaning velocity is
5
easily achieved.
6 Strength of sewage is less.
This system proves to be
uneconomical when
7
pumping is required for
the lifting of sewage
The stormwater is
8
unnecessarily polluted.
The initial cost is less.
9 compared to the combined sewer
This system is suitable
when the rainfall is small
10
and evenly spread
throughout the year.
Separate Sewer System
In this system, two sets of sewers
are laid for carrying sewage and
stormwater separately.
The cleaning of sewers is difficult
as they are of small in size.
The maintenance cost is high
The load on the treatment plant is
less.
The self-cleaning velocity is not
easily achieved.
Strength of sewage is more.
This system proves to be
economical when pumping is
required for the lifting of sewage
The stormwater is
not unnecessarily polluted
The initial cost is more as
system
This system is suitable when the
rainfall is uneven or it is heavy for
a short duration
Types Of Sewer According To Material And Place of
Use:
The following 19 types of sewer are classified according to their
place of use and material used in the sewer:

I ) According to the Place of Use

According to the place of use, the sewer is classified as follows:

• Main Sewer.
• Branch or sub-main Sewer.
• Lateral Sewer.
• Combined Sewer.
• Depressed Sewer.
• Intercepting Sewer.
• Outfall Sewer.
• Trunk Sewer.
• Relief or Overflow Sewer.

1) Main Sewer
The sewer which obtains its discharge from a few branches or sub-main sewers
is termed the main sewer.

2) Branch or sub-main Sewer

The sewer which obtains its discharge from a few laterals, and delivers it to the
main sewer is termed a branch or sub-main sewer.

3) Lateral Sewer
The sewer which obtains its discharge directly from buildings is known as a
lateral sewer.

4) Combined Sewer
The sewer which carries sewage and stormwater is known as a combined sewer

5) Depressed Sewer
When an obstruction is met, the sewer is constructed lower than the adjacent
sections to overcome the obstruction. Such a section of the sewer is termed
depressed sewer.
6) Intercepting Sewer
The sewer which obtains the discharge from a number of main or outfall
sewers and carries the same to the point of treatment and disposal is termed
an intercepting sewer.
7) Outfall Sewer
The length of the main or trunk sewer between the connection of the lowest
branch and the final point of disposal is termed an outfall sewer.

8) Trunk Sewer
The sewer which obtains its discharge from two or more main sewers is known
as a trunk sewer.

9) Relief or Overflow Sewer

The sewer which carries the excess discharge from an existing sewer is known
as a relief or overflow sewer.

II) According to the Material Used

According to the material used sewers are classified as follows:

• Asbestos cement sewer.

• Brick sewer.
• Cast Iron sewer.
• Cement concrete sewer.
• Plastic sewer.
• Stoneware sewer.
• Corrugated iron sewer.
• Steel sewer.
• Wood sewer.
• Lead sewer.

1) Asbestos Cement Sewer

These are manufactured from a mixture of cement and asbestos fibers. These
pipes are normally available in sizes from 5 cm to 90 cm in diameter and 4 in
length. These pipes are suitable for domestic sanitary fittings.

2) Brick Sewer (Masonry Sewer)

Bricks are used for constructing large size sewers. These sewers are plastered
outside and lined inside with stoneware or ceramic blocks.
These sewers are used at places where the sewers are required to be
constructed at the site. They are also preferred for constructing large-sized
combined sewers or for the stormwater drain. The sewer section is always
rectangular in section.
3) Cast Iron Sewer
The Cast iron sewer possesses high strength and durability. These are highly
resistant to corrosion and have a long life. But these are very heavy and
difficult to handle. These sewers are used under the following condition:

1. When the sewage is conveyed under high pressure.

2. When the sewer line is to be laid in an exposed position or in suspension.
3. When sewers are to be laid below heavy traffic loads.

4) Cement Concrete Sewer

These pipes are manufactured using cement concrete with or without
reinforcement. They may be pre-cast or cast-in-situ. The pre-cast R.C.C pipes
are known as Hume pipes.

The diameter of plain cement concrete pipes may be up to 60 cm. The Hume
pipes are available up to 250 cm in diameter. The length of the pipe varies
from 1 to 3 m. These pipes are most suitable for combined sewer and
stormwater Sewer.

5) Plastic Sewer
The plastic pipes are used for carrying industrial sewage and in domestic
sanitary fittings. These are highly resistant to corrosion and light in weight.
These pipes may be available in diameter varying from 5 cm to 15 cm and of
longer length.

6) Stoneware Sewer
These pipes are manufactured from vitrified clay by moulding and burning.
The diameter of these pipes varies from 10 to 90 cm. These pipes are joined by
a bell and spigot joint.

These pipes offer high resistance to sulphide corrosion. Their interiors are very
smooth and they are hydraulically very efficient. These pipes are widely used in
domestic sanitary fittings and for laterals.

Different Shapes of Sewers

A sewer is an underground pipe used to carry wastewater. Or, we can say it is
an underground system used to carry sewage. In this post, I will show you 10
different shapes of sewers with diagrammatic images as well. Mostly circular-
shaped sewer is preferred for most places and is suitable for all types of
sewage. Shapes of sewer can also be called types of sewer according to their
shapes
1. Circular Shaped Sewer
Circular sewer is mostly used sewer and is preferred for all types of sewage.
This shape of sewer is easy to construct, requires less construction materials
and is economical.

2. Standard Egg-shaped Sewer

In the same flow condition, a standard egg-shaped sewer gives higher velocity
as compared to a circular-shaped sewer. Therefore, it is suitable for low flow
conditions. The construction process of such types of sewers is difficult and
requires more amount of construction materials. Hence, it is costly. A
Standard egg-shaped sewer is preferred for combined sewer.
3. New Egg-shaped Sewer
The new egg-shaped sewer is also preferred for the combined sewer. The
advantages and disadvantages are the same as I said for standard egg-shaped
sewer.

4. Horse Shoe Shaped Sewer

As the name suggests, its shape looks like a Horseshoe. Horse-shoe shaped
sewer is a large size of sewer mostly preferred for the location where heavy
discharge is required. The invert portion may be circular, parabolic or flat. The
height of such types of sewer is more than its wide. As the size is large,
maintenance work is also so easy.
5. Parabolic Shaped Sewer
Parabolic-shaped sewer is used for lower quantities of sewage discharge. This
is small in size and the upper edge of the sewer is made like a parabola. The
invert section of this sewer may be parabolic or elliptical in shape. It is
economical as well.

6. Semi-Elliptical Shaped Sewer

Semi elliptical shape sewers are mostly preferred for carrying large amounts of sewage. The
upper arch of this sewer forms an elliptical shape. The invert of this sewer may be parabolic
or elliptical.
7. Rectangular Shaped Sewer
A rectangular-shaped sewer is a large sewer mostly used for carrying a large
quantity of sewage, it is also used for discharging stormwater. Construction
and maintenance work is very easy for this type of sewer. This section is very
stable as compared to others. As they are rectangular in shape, the upper and
invert both portions are flat.

8. U-shaped Sewer
As the name suggests, its shape is similar to the English capital letter “U”. The
U-shaped sewer is used for heavy discharge of sewage. As it is large in size, it is
also used for carrying stormwater as well. The invert portion for such types of
sewer is semi-circular in shape. It is also used as a combined sewer. As is it
large in size, its maintenance works are also easy. Read Also: – Plastic
Sewer.

9. Semi-circular Shaped Sewer

It is suitable for the location where a large sewer is required. The upper arch of
the sewer forms a semi-circular shape. It has a large section and is used for
heavy sewage discharge. But, it is old and outdated. Hence, it is not preferred
at the present time.
10. Basket Handle Shaped Sewer
Basket Handel shaped sewer is used for the small amount of sewage discharge.
Its upper portion is like a basket Handel and its lower portion got the shape of
a narrow channel. But its outer surface is circular. It is also an outdated sewer.