Principles & design concepts of

sewers

BY
R.V.SINGH
Head-water & wastewater (CO)
Practical Hints for Designing a
Sewerage Scheme- General

 The out-fall point should be very carefully selected first and then adhered to strictly.

 While selecting the out fall point, the direction of wind should also be kept in view so that
wafts of bad odour are avoided. All town improvements and town planning schemes
should be carefully considered so that shifting of out-fall point with the growth of town in
that directions is avoided.

 The scheme should be started from outfall end so that sewers may be utilized from the
beginning, thus ensuring that the functioning of scheme has not to wait for till the
completion of the entire scheme.
 Carrying Capacity:

The carrying capacity of the sewers is designed on the basis of prospective population
and taking into consideration that 80% of water supply will reach the sewer,
multiplied by the peak factor as under, depending upon the contributory population.

Design Period: 30 Yrs

Peak Factor
Contributory Population

Upto 20,000 3.5

20,000 – 50,000 2.5
50,000- 7,50,000 2.25
Above – 7,50,000 2.0
 Population Forecast

Size of town Density of population per hectare

Upto 5000 75 - 150

5000 - 20000 150 - 250

20000 - 50000 250 - 300

50000 – 100000 300 - 350

Above 100000 350 - 1000

 Depth of flow in sewers

Due to consideration of ventilation in waste water flow, sewers are not designed to run full.

Manual on sewerage recommends the following depths of flow:

Size of Sewer Depth of Flow

Upto 400 mm dia 1/2 depth

400 mm – 900 mm dia 2/3 depth

Larger than 900 mm dia 3/4 depth

Minimum size of sewer
As per CPHEEO Manual 150 mm

Recommended Practice 200 mm

In hilly areas where steep slopes are 100 mm

prevalent
Minimum and Maximum Velocity
 Sewers should be constructed with gradients, which Present Peak Slope per 1000
produce self cleansing velocities sufficient to carry Flow in lps
forward all solids and avoid settlements.
2 6
 A minimum velocity of 0.8 m/sec at design peak flow
subject to a minimum velocity of 0.6 m/sec for 3 4
present peak flows.
5 3.1
 In upper reaches in case of small size of sewer lines,
running only partially full even at ultimate flow, 10 2
because of the adoption of prescribed minimum size
of sewer, problem of silting may have to be faced in
early years. In such a situation it is recommended that 15 1.3
for present peak flows up to 30 lps, the slopes given in
table should be adopted which would ensure the 20 1.2
minimum velocity of 0.60 m/sec in early years .
30 1
 Manholes

Manholes should be provided at

 all places of start of sewer lines
 Change of direction
 Change of gradients
 Change of size
 Junction of two or more sewers.

Size of Sewer Max Distance Between Manholes

along straight length of sewers

Upto 300mm dia 30 m

Larger Sewers 100m or more

 Flushing Manholes:

Located at the head of the sewer lines.

Carried out once or twice a day.

Velocity so generated through flushing tanks gets dissipated after a length of about 100m.

Quantity of Water (Litres)

Slope 200 mm 250 mm 300 mm

dia dia dia
0.005 2300 2500 3000
0.0075 1500 1800 2300
0.0100 1300 1500 2000
0.0200 500 800 1000
0.0300 400 500 700

To economize the use of potable water, flushing of sewers by heading up of sewage in sewers may be considered.
 Oblique Junctions for House Sewer Connections:

The house sewer connections are generally with 150mm or more dia
with a minimum slope of 0.025 laid, to a straight line and grade.

Connections are made through oblique junction (Y branches).

The oblique junction is fitted with a branch about 45 0 from the horizontal to avoid back – flooding.

Connection to sewer lines of larger dia are also done above the spring line of the main sewer.

Future connections are given particular attention and necessary provision is made in original construction.

 The free end of Y tees, when not required immediately are closed with carefully fitted stoppers.

The current trend is to omit intercepting traps. It is considered that these traps do not serve any useful purpose.

Direct connections are recommended.

Table: Design of Sewerage System ( As per CPHEOO
Manual on Sewerage and Sewage Treatment )

Manhole Area Served

Ground Ground
Location Sewage
Level at Water
Line (Name of Length (Ha) Total Population Flow
Starting infiltration
Street) Increment (MLD)
From To Manhole (MLD)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

(Above Table Continued)

Invert Elevation Remarks

Peak Flow Discharge (lps) Velocity( m/s)
Dia of Total m
Sewer Slope Fall
(mm) Q Q V V m Upper Lower
MLD LPS
Full Actual Full Actual End End

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Column (1), (2), (3) and (4) are generally completed from the plan of the system before computations are made.
Column (5) is completed from spot levels indicated on the plan or from L-section of the particular sewer line.
Column (6) M.H. numbers decrease in the direction flow . Distance between manholes is taken from the plan and incorporated
in the L-section.
Column (7) Incremental area tributary to lower manhole

Column (8) Accumulated total of area tributary to lower manhole

Column (9) Population of tributary area based on density per unit area i.e. Area X density of population/ha
Column (10) Population X rate of water supply per head X 0.80 .

Column (11) Tributary Area x Maximum rate of infiltration lpd per ha.

Column (12) Sewage flow Mld x peak factor + (ground water infiltration).

Column (13) Col. 12 x 106 = Lps

24 x 60 x 60

Column (14) & (15) Dia of sewer and slope will be determined from Manning’s Chart depending upon the ground profile and
limitation of minimum self cleansing velocity and maximum velocity keeping in view the type of pipe used and
discharge intended to be carried.
Column (16) Indicates discharge through pipe flowing full from Manning’s Chart.
Column (17) Actual discharge through the pipe i.e. as per column 13
Column (18) Determined from Manning’s chart when pipe flowing full.
Column (19) Calculated from hydraulic elements for circular sections.
 Table: Selection of Sewer Slope

Ground Slope Sewer Slope

1. Flatter than minimum allowable slope, or Use minimum allowable slope
against flow
2. Greater than minimum allowable slope, but less 1. If upper manhole is at minimum cover,
than maximum parallel ground grade
2. If upper manhole is deeper than minimum
cover, use:
a) Slope to bring lower manhole to min.
cover or if this is less than min. slope;
b) Minimum allowable slope
3. Greater than maximum allowable slope 1. If upper manhole is at minimum cover,
make lower manhole at minimum cover and
by deepening the upper manhole, use
maximum slope
2. If upper manhole is deeper than min. cover
use:
a) Slope to bring lower manhole to
minimum cover, or if this exceeds
maximum slope;
b) Maximum allowable slope deepening
upper manhole as necessary.

Excavation may be reduced by: (a) using C.I pipes permitting high velocity, (b) using additional intermediate manhole.
Table: Proportionate Values of Hydraulic Elements for Circular Sewers
when flowing partially full

Proportionate Proportionate Proportionate Proportionate Proportionate Proportionate

Depth area Wetted H.M.D. Velocity Discharge
d/D a/A Perimeter r/R v/V q/Q
(1) (2) p/P (4) (5) (6)
(3)
1.00 1.00 1.00 1.000 1.000 1.000
0.90 0.949 0.857 1.192 1.124 1.066
0.80 0.858 0.705 1.217 1.140 0.988
0.70 0.748 0.631 1.185 1.120 0.838
0.60 0.626 0.564 1.110 1.072 0.671
0.50 0.500 0.500 1.000 1.000 0.500
0.40 0.373 0.444 0.857 0.902 0.337
0.30 0.252 0.444 0.684 0.776 0.196
0.20 0.143 0.369 0.482 0.615 0.088
0.10 0.052 0.296 0.254 0.401 0.021
0.00 0.000 0.205 - - 0.000
 Types of Pipes for Sewer

The most commonly used types of pipes for the construction of sewer are

 S.W. (stone ware) pipes

 Concrete pipes

 Asbestos cement pipes

 HDPE

PVC

GRP

Cast Iron Pipes.

 Salt Glazed Stone-Ware (S.W.) Pipes:

Used for conveyance of sewage, industrial waste in size 100mm to 600mm.

Corrosion proof.

Sizes greater than 300mm dia are generally not used because of economic considerations

Often necessitates special bedding or concrete cradling

 Used in preference to other pipes in ordinary ground.

 Suitable particularly where acid effluent or acid soil conditions are likely to be met.

Used in all sewers and drains except where supports are required (N.B.C.)
 Cement Concrete Pipes

Alternative to S.W. pipes,

Cement concrete pipes with socket and spigot or collars can be used over 150 mm dia

Not suitable to carry acid effluent or sewage under conditions favorable for the production of
hydrogen Sulphide.

Used for surface water drains in all diameters.

Reinforced concrete pipes are manufactured by centrifugal (or Spun) process

while the unreinforced cement concrete pipes by spun or pressure process.

The unreinforced (non-pressure) pipes shall withstand a test pressure equivalent to 0.7 kg/cm 2
 a) Cast Iron Pipes:

Laid in bad and unstable soils where soil movement is expected.

Provide strength and are suitable for sewers laid at insufficient depth or where exposed or laid
above ground on supports.

Suitable for laying under the building and where the velocity is more than 2.4 m/sec

External wrapping of pipes with suitable treatment to be done to avoid corrosion in soils with
concentration of Sulphates.
Asbestos Cement Pipes:

Commonly used for house drainage.

Not recommended underground.

A.C. pressure pipes conform to IS 1592 can be used in underground situations

where they are not subjected to heavy superimposed loads.

Can be drilled and tapped for connections.

Test Pressure Working Pressure

Class of Pipe Kg/cm2 Kg/cm2
Class 5 0.5 0.25
Class 10 1.0 0.50
Class 15 1.5 0.75
Class 20 2.0 1.00
Class 25 2.5 1.25
 Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastic Pipes (GRP Pipes )

The diameter range is from 350mm to 2400mm.

 Pressure class is 3,6,9,12 and 15kg/cm2.

 Standard lengths are 6 & 12 metres.

 The specials are made out of the same pipe material

 Corrosion resistant

 Smooth surface

 High strength to weight ratio.

 Higher in weight compared to metallic and concrete pipes.

 Longer lengths and hence minimum joints enable faster installation.

 Plastic Pipes – PE, HDPE, PVC

 Relatively light in weight and easy to handle and install.

 Resistant to corrosion

 Very smooth inner surface and offer minimum frictional resistance to flow of liquids.

 Hazen – William coefficient 150 as against 100 generally used for metal pipes.

Low thermal conductivities and thus water transported through these pipes remains at more uniform temperature.

Residual chlorine in water has negligible effect on plastic pipe

However, use of PVC pipes for transporting bleaching powder solution is not recommended.

Susceptible to rodent attack.

Polyethylene may continue to burn once ignited while PVC is self extinguishing.

Cannot be located by conventional electronic pipe locators