PREFACE

This document " Water Quality and Simple Treatment Units" is entirely a new and additional part of
this guideline. This part mainly focuses on treatment of surface as well as ground waters containing
objectionable impurities/pollutants/ contaminants present in the raw waters. In most of the ground
waters of Nepal iron and manganese concentration exceed WHO guidelines values for drinking water
quality. So for groundwater treatment, iron and manganese removal units has been proposed in this
document. Similarly surface waters especially from stream sources contain high level of suspended
solids, which results high turbidity in rainy seasons and pathogenic microorganisms. These waters
should be also treated to reduce contaminants unto the desired level. So intake filtration, Plain
sedimentation, roughing filtration, slow sand filtration and disinfection by chlorination has been
proposed as simple, users friendly and appropriate unit operations of water treatment in rural and semi-
urban areas in our country.

Volume I : Procedural Guidelines

Volume II : Design Criteria
Volume III : Standard Drawings
Volume IV : Rate Analysis Norms
Volume V : Quantity Estimate with Schedule of Materials & Labour for Standard
Components
Volume VI : Water Quality and Simple Treatment Units
Volume VII : Formats for Project Documentation
Volume VIII : Operation and Maintenance Manual : Policy & Procedures
Volume IX : Operation and Maintenance Manual : Reference Manual
Volume X : General Specifications
Volume XI : Guidelines for Tubewell Program
(a) Community Based Shallow Tubewell
(b) Pumps
Volume XII : Pipe Fittings Requirements and Details
 1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Sector Background

In the past, rural and semi-urban water supply schemes were designed basically to provide sufficient
quantity of water as HMG policies and strategies on drinking water sector were focused on only
coverage of the population by piped water supply. It was mainly due to the availability of safe drinking
water sources. But during the implementation of the schemes choice of safe drinking water sources
become hardly possible due to several environmental problems like deforestation, soil erosion,
depletion of spring sources, maximum utilization of water sources for other purposes and population
pressure on natural resources. So utilization of stream sources has become unavoidable even though
these sources contain impurities, which should be removed for drinking purposes. It is observed that
the major water quality in Nepal is bacteriological in nature. Surface water supplies can often have
high turbidity and colour both of which impede the effectiveness of disinfection and such waters are
rejected by consumers. Similarly researches in ground water quality in several districts of Terai
Region indicate that arsenic concentration exceed WHO guideline value in most of the cases. In this
regard interim arsenic policy has been approved by MPPW in 2001, which recommends that the value
of 0.05 mg/l as maximum allowable concentration for drinking purposes.

After the implementation of eighth five-year plan it was realised that water supplied without assurance
of water quality reduction of the prevalence of water borne diseases, which leads to adverse effect on
public health, is not possible. So the ninth five-year plan and 20 years perspective plan of HMG
considers water quality as one of the indicators of service level improvement program of water supply
sector. To assure water quality, treatment becomes essential component of water supply schemes.
Treatment should be done considering water quality parameters enforced by laws and regulations. But
in this regard National Water Quality Standards are being set in the near future. Now, in the absence of
National Standards WHO Guideline Values for selected parameters has been practiced in our context.
WHO guideline values and Proposed Nepal Standard/Guideline Values of selected water quality
parameters are presented in Table No. 6.1

Table. No. 6.1: Selected Water Quality Parameters

S.No. Water Quality Parameters WHO Guidelines Proposed Nepal

Values Standard/Guideline Values
1. Turbidity, NTU 5.00 5.00
2. Colour, TCU 15 15
3 Taste Unobjectionable Unobjectionable
4 Odour Unobjectionable Unobjectionable
5 pH 6.5 - 8.5 6.5 - 8.5
6 Iron, mg/l 0.30 0.30
7 Manganese, mg/l 0.10 0.10
8. Total hardness as CaCO3, mg/l 300
9. Ammonia, mg/l 1.50
10 Dissolved Solids, mg/l 1000 500
11 Nitrate, mg/l 50 50
12 Chloride, mg/l 250 250
13 Free Chlorine, mg/l 0.20 - 0.60 0.20 - 0.50
14 Arsenic, mg/l 0.01 0.05
15 Aluminium, mg/l 0.20
16. Lead, mg/l 0.01 0.05
17 Cadmium, mg/l 0.003 0.003
18 Boron, mg/l 0.30 0.30
19 Chromium, mg/l 0.05 0.05
20 Fluoride, mg/l 1.50 1.50
21 Nickel, mg/l 0.02 0.02
22 Hydrogen Sulphide, mg/l 0.05 0.10
23 Sodium, mg/l 200 200
24 Copper, mg/l 1.00 1.00
25 Zinc, mg/l 3 3
26 Mercury, mg/l 0.001 0.001
27 E Coli (Thermotolerant or faecal nil nil
coliform), CFU/100 ml

Considering the possibilities of likely contamination, the above stated parameters have been selected
for setting standards/ guideline values. But the phase wise setting of standards/ guidelines is
recommended as follows due to several reasons like lack of resources, regulatory mechanism, and
coordination among different agencies involved in this sector and others.

For large systems (> 5000 population) to adopt standards Bacteriological parameters, Colour,
Turbidity, Taste, pH, Hardness, TDS, NH3, NO2/NO3, Chloride, Chlorine Residue, Fe/ Mn, As, F, H2S.

For both large and small systems adopt guidelines for:

Bacteriological parameters, Colour, Turbidity, Taste, pH, Hardness, TDS, NH3, NO2/NO3, Chloride,
Chlorine Residue, Fe/ Mn, As, F, H2S

Future lower priority for guidelines would be: Al, Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, Na, Cu, Zn, Hg, sulphate
1.2 Water Treatment Options

1.2.1 Ground water quality and necessary treatment options:

For the most part, groundwater originates from infiltrated rainwater, which after reaching the
aquifer flows through underground. During infiltration, the water will pick up many impurities such
as inorganic and organic solid particles, debris from plant and animal life, micro organisms, natural
or man made fertilizers, pesticides, etc. during its flow underground, however, a great improvement
in water quality will occur. Suspended particles are removed by filtration, organic substances are
degraded by oxidation, and microorganisms die away because of lack of nutrients. The dissolved
minerals and mineral compounds are not removed; in fact, the mineral content of the water can
increase considerably through the dissolving of salts from the underground layers.

Generally, groundwater withdrawn will be free from turbidity and pathogenic organism. When it
originates from a clean sand aquifer, other hazardous or objectionable substances will also be
absent. In these cases, direct use of withdrawn groundwater for drinking proposes can be permitted.
When the water comes from the aquifer containing organic matter, oxygen will be consumed by
organic matters and carbon dioxide content of the water is likely to be high. The water will than be
corrosive unless calcium- carbonate in one form or another is present.

In case where the amount of the organic matter in the aquifer is high, the oxygen content may be
completely depleted. The water containing no oxygen (anaerobic water) will dissolve iron,
manganese and heavy metals from the underground. Through treatment these substances can be
removed, i.e. by aeration. It depends on the type of aerator whether the carbon dioxide content of
the water will be reduced or left unchanged. A reduction is desirable if the water is corrosive but in
other cases it can result in troublesome deposits of calcium carbonate.

Sometimes, groundwater contains excessive amounts of iron, manganese, arsenic and ammonia.
When no other options are available and users are able to pay, such ground water source also can be
used after the treatment by chemical coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation and filtration to render
them fit for drinking proposes. However, for small community water supplies in developing
countries these processes are too complicated should be avoided whenever possible. For the
selection of treatment necessary combination of options and processes are given below in Table No
6.2 and 6.3 respectively.
TableNo. 6.2: Ground water quality and necessary treatment options

Aeration for
Plain
S.No Water quality Increase O2 Reduce Rapid filtration Post-chlorination
sedimentation
CO2
1 Aerobic Fairly hard, not
- - - - optional
corrosive
2 Aerobic soft and corrosive - necessary - - optional
3 Anaerobic, fairly hard, not
corrosive no iron and necessary - - - optional
manganese
4 Anaerobic, fairly hard, not
corrosive with iron and necessary - optional necessary optional
manganese
5 Anaerobic, soft, corrosive
necessary necessary - - optional
no iron and manganese
6 Anaerobic, soft, corrosive
necessary necessary optional necessary optional
with iron and manganese
Table No.:6.3 Processes of iron and manganese removal
Oxidation Equipment/treat. PH range Treatment
S.No Character of water Chemical required Remarks
required unit required required process
Iron alone in absence of Aeration, Settling Aeration, Easily operated and can be
1 appreciable concentrations of yes basin and sand Over 7 None Sedimentation adopted in urban as well as in
organic matter filter and filtration rural areas.
Aeration;
Iron and manganese loosely Contact aerator of
Over 7 for Contact Easily operated but needs
bounded to organic matter coke, gravel or
iron, oxidation double pumping. It can be
2 but no excessive carbon yes crushed pyrolusite; None
7.5-10 for Sedimentation adopted in urban and semi-
dioxide or organic acid settling basin, sand
manganese and sand urban areas.
content. filter
filtration
Aerator and filter Double pumping and air
Iron and manganese bound to bed of manganese- Over 7 for compressors are required in
Aeration;
organic matter but no coated sand, Birm, iron, Lime for manganese this process. Operation is not
3 yes Contact
excessive organic acid crushed pyrolusite 7.5-10 for removal so easily and difficult to
filtration.
content. ore or manganese manganese adopted in rural and semi-
zeolite. urban areas.
Filter bed of
Iron and manganese bound Over 7 for Filter bed reactivated Single pumping but needs
Yes, but manganese-coated
to organic matter but no iron, by using chlorine or Contact chemical for the regeneration
4 not by sand, Birm, crushed
excessive carbon dioxide or 8.5 for potassium filtration. of filter bed. It can be adopted
aeration pyrolusite ore or
organic acid content. manganese permanganate in urban areas.
manganese zeolite.
Manganese changed in
Catalytic action,
Closed pyrolusite manganous hydroxide by
Manganese in combination aeration
5 Yes, bed, aerator, second Over 7 None catalytic action in absence of
with organic matter. sedimentation
open contact bed. air , than oxidation. It can be
and filtration.
adopted in urban areas.
Effective aerator, Aeration, lime PH control is necessary and
Iron and manganese in
lime feeder mixing treatment, skilled operator is required. It
6 combination with organic Yes, 8.5-10 Lime
basin, settling basin sedimentation can be adopted in urban and
matter; organic acids.
and sand filter and filtration. semi-urban areas.
Lime and ferric Aeration,
Coloured turbid surface Complete laboratory control is
Conventional rapid chloride/ferric coagulation and
water containing iron and required. It is difficult to adopt
7 Yes, sand filtration 8.5-9.6 sulphate/chlorinated lime treatment,
manganese combination with in rural and semi-urban areas
plant. copperas or lime and sedimentation
organic matter. of developing countries.
copperas and filtration.
1.2.2 Surface water quality and necessary treatments options:

Surface water can be taken from streams, rivers, lakes and irrigation canals. Water in such surface
sources originates partly from groundwater outflow and partly from surface runoff. Groundwater
outflows will bring dissolved solids in to the surface water; the surface runoff is the main
contributor of turbidity and organic matter, as well as pathogenic organisms. In surface water
bodies, the dissolved minerals will remains unchanged but the organic impurities are degraded
through chemical and microbial processes. Sedimentation in impounded or slow flowing surface
water results in the removal of suspended solids.

Sometimes clear water from the rivers and lakes might require no treatment to make it suitable for
drinking. However, taking in to consideration the risk of incidental contamination, simply
chlorination as a safety measure should be provided whenever possible. Unpolluted surface water of
low turbidity may be purified by slow sand filtration as a single treatment process, or rapid filtration
followed by chlorination only. Roughing filtration followed by slow sand filtration will be the best
and easily acceptable option for developing countries due to its simplicity, low cost and no
chemical demand.

When turbidity of the water is high or algae are present slow sand filters would rapidly clog. A pre
treatment will be needed, such as sedimentation, roughing filtration or rapid filtration any one or
combination of both. For colloidal suspended particles, the removal by settling can be greatly
improved through chemical coagulation and flocculation. The removal of algae is promoted by pre-
chlorination. Water from rivers and lakes is of a wide variety in composition. Table No. 6.4 shows
the systems more or less applicable to small and medium size community water supplies. Similarly,
Algorithm for the design of Surface Water Treatment Schemes using Roughing Filters and Slow
Sand Filter is presented in Table No. 6.5
 Table No. 6.4: Surface water quality and necessary treatments options

Pre- Slow
Chem.coag Pre-treatment Rapid
S.No Water quality chlori- Sedimentation sand Post-chlorination
& floc. (Rough.Filtr.) filtration
nation filtration
1 Unpolluted and clear - - - - - - optional
2 Slightly polluted and low turbidity - - - necessary - necessary Optional for SSF
3 Slightly polluted, medium turbidity - - - necessary - necessary Optional for SSF
4 Slightly polluted, high turbidity - - necessary necessary - necessary Optional for SSF
5 Moderately polluted, low turbidity necessary necessary Rapid Filter or SSF Optional for SSF
6 Moderately polluted, medium turbidity necessary necessary necessary necessary Rapid Filter or SSF Optional for SSF
7 Moderately polluted, high turbidity necessary necessary necessary necessary Rapid Filter or SSF necessary
8 Heavily polluted, low turbidity necessary optional necessary - necessary necessary
9 Heavily polluted, medium turbidity necessary necessary necessary necessary Rapid Filter or SSF necessary
10 Heavily polluted, high turbidity necessary necessary necessary necessary Rapid Filter or SSF necessary
11 Moderately polluted, high algal growth necessary necessary necessary necessary necessary - necessary

Note:
Pollution level:
Unpolluted - CFU**< 0 & BOD* = 0mg/l ,
Slightly polluted - CFU< 5/100ml) & BOD < 5 mg/l ,
Moderately polluted - CFU = 5-50/100ml & BOD = 5-50 mg/l ,
Heavily polluted - CFU >50/100ml & BOD >50 mg/l ,
* BOD measurement is desirable but not always practical for rural schemes. Wherever possible it is recommended to measure BOD level to judge the pollution level.
** CFU = Colony forming units
Turbidity level:
Clear - Max. Turbidity <5 NTU
Low Turbidity - Max. Turbidity 5-50 NTU
Medium Turbidity - Max. Turbidity 50-200 NTU
High Turbidity - Max.Turbidity >200 NTU
Table No.6.5: Algorithm for the design of Surface Water Treatment Schemes using Roughing Filters and Slow Sand Filter
Raw water Quality:
Start

Solid Average Average and peak

matter characteristic Turbidity faecal coliform
level level

Coarse settleable Average

IF or DF None
solids (e.g. gravel and Max. 0-5 CFU/100ml
+Grit None
sand in fast flowing upland <5 and
rivers) chamber
NTU Max.<10 CFU/100ml

Average URF Average Normal SSF

Fine settleable solids IF or DF 5-50 CFU/100ml
5-30 operation
(e.g. silt in slowflowing + and Max.
lowland rivers with high Sed. tank NTU
suspended solids 10-1000 CFU/100ml
concentration)
HRF Careful SSF
Average or operation
Average
30-200 URFS or SSF +
No or nominal >50 CFU/100ml
No NTU disinfection
amounts of and Max.
settleable solids (e.g. Special 1000-5000 CFU/100ml
lakes, ponds or rivers with Treatmen Average HRF SSF
moderate turbidity) t >200 +disinfectio
Max.
NTU n
>5000 CFU/100ml

Initial treatment Pre-treatment Final treatment

+ +
Note: URFL- Upflow Roughing Filter in Layers, URFS-Upflow Roughing Filter in Series, HRF-Horizontal flow Roughing Filter, SSF- Slow sand
Filter, DF- Dynamic filter, IF- Intake filter, NTU- Nephelometric Turbidity Unit, CFU- Colony Forming Units,
1.2.2 Layout of Schemes

Layout and combination of components of a water supply schemes using surface water mainly
depends upon topography, raw water quality and expected water quality after treatment. General
layout possibilities are illustrated in Table No. 6.6 and Figures No. 6.1 and 6.2.

Table No. 6.6: Layout of Schemes

Raw water supply Treatment Unit Distribution

Gravity Scheme Sedimentation tank Clear water reservoir

Stream intake Roughing filter Piped system

Public or private tapstand.
Slow sand filter/Chlorinator

Pumped Scheme Sedimentation tank Clear water reservoir

Stream intake Roughing filter Piped system

Pumping system Slow sand filter/Chlorinator Public or private tapstand.

Raw water tank

Single stage pumping scheme

Clear water reservoir
Infiltration gallery Load distribution tank
Piped system
pumping system Slow sand filter/Chloronator
Public or private tapstand.

Double stage pumping scheme

Clear water reservoir
Raw water pumping (low lift pump)
Piped system
Treatment facilities (near to the intake point)
Public or private tapstand.
Clearwater pumping up to clear water reservoir (high lift pump)
Gravity scheme

Stream
Chlorination
intake

Sedimentation tank
Roughing filter
Slow sand filter

Figure No. 6.1 Reservoir

Distribution

Pumping scheme
Chlorination
Loading tank

Roughing filter
Slow sand filter

Reservoir
Stream
intake Distribution
Sump well,
Pumping
Sed. tank Installation

Figure No. 6.2

1.3 Simple Treatment Units

Simple Treatment Units mostly applicable in our context for surface waters treatment advised in
this section are:

 Intake filter and Dynamic filter

 Plain Sedimentation Tank

 Roughing filter

Horizontal flow

Vertical flow (upflow and downflow)

 Slow sand filter

 Chlorine dosing unit

1.3.1 Intake filter and Dynamic filter

Design of Intake Filter and Dynamic Filter

Intake filter: Intake filters are combined with water abstraction structures and installed next to
small and narrow riverbeds. A small weir regulates the level of the surface water and channels part
of the flow into an adjacent filter compartment. This filter fox is filled with two layers of gravel.
Recommended guideline values are given below in tabular form.

Dynamic filter: Dynamic filters are similar in layout to intake filters, but differ in filter material
size and filtration rate. Especially the gravel size of the top filter layer is smaller; while filtration
rate is usually higher. Recommended guideline values are given below in tabular form.

Selection of intake filter or dynamic filter depends on suspension characteristics and turbidity picks.
Before the selection of these structures clear picture of turbidity and suspension characteristics
should be prepared.

ΔH
VF

Q
Q+q

L q

Figure No. 6.3

Table No. 6.7 Design Criteria

S.No Design Guidelines Intake filter Dynamic filter

1
VF= Q/(LxW)=Q/A 0.3-2 m/h > 5 m/h

2 Max headloss (operation) ΔH 20-40cm 20-40cm

3 Gravel Size
4 dg = 2-4 mm
5 dg = 4-8 mm
6 dg = 8-12 mm
List of symbols:
dg (mm) - Gravel size,
A (m2) - Filter area,
VF (m/h) - Filtration rate,
- 20 –30cm
30-40cm 10cm
10-20cm 10cm
L (m) – Filter length, W(m) – Filter width,
ΔH (cm) - Headloss, Q (m3/h) – Flow rate,
q (m3/h - Surplus flow rate
1.3.2 Plain Sedimentation

Raw water may contain suspended, colloidal and dissolved impurities. The purpose of water
treatment is to remove all those impurities, which are objectionable either from taste and odor point
of view or from public health point of view.
Most of surface sources used in rural water supply schemes contain suspended impurities, which
can be removed by plain sedimentation.
When the impurities are separated from suspending fluid by action of natural forces alone (without
adding coagulants) the operation is called plain sedimentation.

Design of Plain sedimentation tanks

Design Criteria

1. Detention Time: The average period of time the water remains in the tank in quiescent condition
is referred as detention time. Greater the particle size shorter the detention time and vice versa.
Detention time should be determined by observing the settling process in a transparent jar to
determine the optimum size of tank
2. Water depth: Removal efficiency of the sedimentation tank does not depend on the depth of the
tank. Efficiency is the function of the settling velocity of the particles and of the surface area of
the tank.
3. Surface overflow rate: The quantity of water passing per hour ( or per day ) per unit area is
known as the surface overflow rate. Surface overflow rate and settling velocity of particles are
numerically equal.

Table No. 6.8 Summary of design criteria

S.N. Parameters Value

1 Detention Time 1-3 hr

2 Surface Overflow Rate 0.625-1.25 m3/m2/h (0.625-1.25 m/h)
3 Water Depth 1.5-2 m
4 L/B ratio for rectangular tank 3-8
5 Sludge Zone depth 0.3-1m (as per cleaning interval)
6 Free Board 0.25m
7 Bottom Slope 2-5 %
8 Horizontal flow velocity 0.40 m/s
9. Weir loading rate 4-12 m3/m.h

Drawing

1.3.3 Roughing filter

Design of Roughing Filter as a pretreatment unit

Roughing Filters can be considered a major pre-treatment process for turbid surface waters since
they efficiently separate fine solid particles over prolong periods without the use of any chemicals.
There are three types of roughing filters such as; horizontal flow roughing filter, down flow
roughing filter and up flow roughing filter.

Selection of treatment options or type of roughing filter depends on the of raw water characteristics,
type of surface water, topography at the intake site and treatment plant site, economic aspects and
operational aspects. Before the selection of roughing filter designer should have clear picture of
suspended particles and turbidity.

1.3.3.1 Horizontal flow roughing filter

Hole size of separation wall <12mm, < 8mm, <4mm, ∆H

20-12mm, 2-4m 12-8mm, 1-3m 8-4mm, 1-2m

Figure No. 6.4

Table 6.9 Design Criteria

S.No Design parameters Recommended Values

1 VF= Q/(HxW) = Q/A 0.3 - 1.5 m/h
2 Vd= Qd/[(L1+L2+L3..)xW] 60-90m/h
3 Max headloss ΔH 30cm-40cm
4 H (recommended filter depth) 0.8-1.20m
5 Filter media fraction (gravel size)
6 First Compartment L1 = 2-4m dg = 20-12 mm
7 Second Compartment L2 = 1-3m dg = 8-12 mm
8 Third Compartment L3 = 1-2m dg = 4-8 mm
May be more compartments with other fractions of filter media
List of symbols:
dg (mm) - Gravel size L1,2,3 (m) – Filter length, W(m) – Filter width, H (m) - Filter depth
A (m2) - Filter cross- section area, ΔH (cm) - Headloss, Q (m3/h) – Flow rate, Qd
3
(m /h) – Drainage flow rate, VF (m/h) - Filtration rate, Vd (m/h) – Drainage rate,
 1.3.3.2 Vertical flow roughing filter

Design of downflow roughing filter

L
L ΔH L
Q

VF VF VF
Q

Figure No. 6.5

Upflow roughing filter
L
L ΔH L

V V V
F F F
Q

Figure No. 6.6

Table No. 6.10 Design Criteria

S.No Design parameters Recommended Values

1 VF= Q/(LxW) = Q/A 0.3 - 1 m/h

2 Vd= Qd/[(LxW) 40-60m/h
3 H (recommended filter depth) 0.6-1m
4 Max headloss ΔH 10cm
5 Filter media fraction (gravel size)
First Compartment dg = 20-12 mm
Second Compartment dg = 8-12 mm
Third Compartment dg = 4-8 mm
May be more compartments with other fractions of filter media
List of symbols:
dg (mm) - Gravel size L1,2,3 (m) – Filter length, W(m) – Filter width, H (m) - Filter depth
A (m2) - Filter cross- section area, ΔH (cm) - Headloss, Q (m3/h) – Flow rate, Qd
3
(m /h) – Drainage flow rate, VF (m/h) - Filtration rate, Vd (m/h) – Drainage rate,
1.3.4 Slow sand filter

Basically a slow sand filter consists of a tank, open at the top and containing the bed of sand. At the
bottom of the tank an under drain system is placed to support the filter bed. Dimensions and other
required parameters are given below in design considerations.

Design considerations:

For the actual design of a slow sand filter four dimensions have to be chosen in advance;
 depth of the filter bed,
 grain size distribution of the filter material,
 rate of filtration, and
 depth of supernatant water.

As far as possible, these design factors should be based on experience obtained with existing
treatment plants, which use the water of comparable nature. When such experience is not available,
design should base on the recommended parameters and dimensions. In the case of large size
projects design should be based on the results obtained with pilot tests carried out with
experimental filters.

Procedures:

1 For the initial design, the bed thickness is chosen at 1.0-1.1m. this is sufficient to allow for
the necessary filter bed scraping before the minimum thickness of 0.50m is reached.

2 Analyze the grain size distribution of locally available sand and determine the effective size
and uniformity coefficient. Select sand with recommended the effective size and uniformity
coefficient 0.2-0.3mm and <5 respectively desirable value of uniformity coefficient is below

3 For the initial design fix the depth of supernatant water at recommended range 1-1.1m.

4 Provide at least two filter unit

5 Provide space for additional filter unit.

6 As soon as operation starts, carefully note the length of the filter runs. An average filter run
of about 2 months is most appropriate. When filter runs prove to be much longer, filtration
rates can be raised. If filter runs are shorter than expected additional units will have to be
constructed at an earlier date than was anticipated.
Table No. 6.11 Design Criteria

S.No Description Recommended design values

1 Design period 10-15 years
2 Number of filter beds:
a) Minimum 2
b) Area up to 20m2 2
c) Area 20 to 249m2 3
d) Area 250 to 649m2 4
e) Area 650 to 1200m2 5
f) Area 1200 to 2000m2 6
3 Depth of supernatant water 1-1.1 m
4 Filtration rate 0.1-0.2 m3/m2/h
5 Depth of filter sand
Initial 1m
Minimum 0.5-0.6 m
6 Sand specification
Effective size 0.2-0.3 mm
Uniformity coefficient <5 desirable <3
7 Gravel depth 0.3 m
8 Under drains 0.2 m
9 Depth of filter box 2.7 –2.9 m
10 Free board 0.2 m
11 Length to Breath Ratio Less than 2:1
12 Effluent weir level above sand bed 20-30mm
13 Turbidity of filtrate Less than 3 NTU
14 Desirable turbidity level of process water Less than 30NTU
15 Maximum turbidity pick of process Less than 50NTU
water
16 Initial head loss Should not exceed 5 cm
17 Final Head Loss Should not exceed 100 cm
1.3.5 Chlorine Dosing Units

In rural water supply systems, if water contains pathogenic microorganisms, disinfection of water is
essential prior to the distribution of water to the consumers. For this purpose, several disinfectants
are used. Chlorine is widely used in both developed and developing countries. Chlorine in both
solid (Bleaching powder containing 30 to 35 % chlorine) and gaseous (cylinder) forms may be
introduced into the water. Being easy for handling and storage bleaching powder is commonly
adopted in our country. For making bleaching powder solution of required strength mixing can be
done either mechanically or manually. Since, most of our water supply systems fall below 2500-
m3/d capacities and electricity supply is not also continuous and reliable, manual mixing and
gravity flow feeding is most practical in our context.

As bleaching powder produces large amount of calcium hydroxide sludge and mixing vessels need
frequent cleaning, it can be replaced by commercial high-test hypochlorite (HTH). HTH contains 65
to 70 % available chlorine, is stable, easily soluble, free flowing, no hygroscopic and less sludge
forming.

Bleaching powder solution of required strength can be made by dissolving the calculated amount of
bleaching powder with water in plastic bucket or tank. For this purpose wooden stirrer may be used.
After properly mixing and stirring bleaching powder with water sufficient time should be provided
to settle sludge at the bottom of the tank or bucket. When clear solution is observed, it should be
transferred into another plastic tank to store and feed it by gravity to the reservoir of rural water
supply system or sedimentation basin of overhead tank. Sludge settled at the bottom of bucket or
plastic tank should be removed manually after each and every preparation of solution.

Chlorine solution should be fed vertically in downward direction to the flowing water entering into
the reservoir. This may be the reliable option of homogeneously mixing the disinfectant with the
entire volume of the treated water.

Data for disinfection process (contact time, residual chlorine, concentration of disinfectant, etc ) are
taken from the AWWA committee report (1969). In post-chlorination practices where relatively
low chlorine residuals are usually maintained and in water of about 20 o C and pH values not more
than 8.0-8.5, a free chlorine residual of 0.2-0.50 mg/l. would probably destroy most viruses so far
examined in 30 minutes.

Chlorine dose (chlorine consumed for killing microoganisms and oxidation of organic as well as
inorganic pollutants plus residual chlorine) depends upon water quality and temperature of water
under treatment. But rough estimation of chlorine dose for minimal treatment of water can be based
on the values listed in Table No. ???, if reasonable allowances are made for water temperature and
water quality. Chlorine consumption (bleaching powder consumption with 25 % available
chlorine) for different waters is presented in Table No. 6.12

Table No. 6.12 Bleaching powder requirement

S.No. Type of water Chlorine required, Bleaching powder

mg/l required, mg/l
1. Deep well water 0.50-1.00 2.00-4.00
2. Shallow well water 1.00-1.50 2.00-60.00
3. Spring water 1.50-2.00 6.00-8.00
4. Turbid river water 2.00-2.50 8.00-10.00
Calculation of Bleaching Powder Requirement:
Calculate the required quantity of commercial bleaching powder for the disinfection of water in
rural water supply schemes:
Chlorine content in the commercial bleaching powder = 25%
Dose of chlorine =2.00 mg/l.
Water demand per day = 100000 liters

Required quantity of chlorine = 100000*2/1000*1000 kg = 0.20 kg

Required quantity of bleaching powder per dayt = 0.20kg/0.25 = 0.80 kg

2 Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance:

Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance is an integral part of formulation, promulgation and
enforcement of National Drinking Water Quality Standards. Thus, programmes developed for
Monitoring and Surveillance activities at different levels should be such that both compliance
requirements and local constraints are realistically addressed and incorporated.

2.1 Monitoring

Usually implementing and operating agencies should be responsible at all times for the quality of
water supplied to the consumers under their jurisdiction. As such, it's primary functions may be
cited as follows:

 Continuous control of quality on a routine basis to ascertain that the supplied water
complies with the objectives and regulations

 Periodic Public Health and sanitation monitoring of the entire water supply system
from source to consumer

 Proper supervision, inspection, maintenance and observance of good practice in the

operation of the water supply schemes

 Development of infrastructure necessary for quality control including manpower

training, water quality test facilities etc

Sanitary Inspection

Sanitary Inspection is the second most important function which a monitoring agency has to carry
out in order to insure continued delivery of safe drinking water up to the consumers' household and
it involves on site inspection and evaluation of all devices and practices employed in running the
supply system and in doing so, points outs conditions and places that pose actual or potential threats
to the human health and well being of consumers.

Periodic sanitary inspection especially for small community water supplies involves two major
activities:
1. Sanitary Inspection of source
2. Sanitary Inspection of other components (intake structures, transmission main, distribution
system, storage reservoirs, BPTs, DCs, Tapstands, Household water storage and handling
practices and others).

Sanitary inspection hazard score and faecal coliform grading are vitally essential for the
analysis of risk associated with water supplied from unsanitary systems and prioritise the
improvement activities. For this purpose different formats have been designed to summarize
the data related with individual components of the schemes. Sanitary Inspection formats for
different components are attached in the annexes.

2.2 Surveillance

According to WHO definition, surveillance is the continuous and vigilant public health
assessment and overseeing of the safety and acceptability of drinking water supplies. In broader
definition Water System Surveillance is the continuous monitoring, assessment and control of
all aspects and components of water supply, which affect the safety of drinking water.

While developing national water quality standards/guidelines surveillance agency has to be

identified. For surveillance, agencies related with public health other than implementing and
operating agencies have to be made responsible for regulation and command; at the highest
level, promulgation of national guidelines/standards for achieving compliance with laws and
standards; and at the level of water supply agency; promotion of local codes of good water
works practiced together with formal instruction and trainings