“BASIC TRAINING FOR STP OPERATORS”

SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT

(STP)
_________________________________________

ACTIVATED SLUDGE PROCESS,

STP PROCESS FLOW, THEORY AND DESIGN

Conducted by:
 OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION

PART I
 OBJECTIVE OF SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT
 DEFINITION OF SBR
 FUNCTION OF EACH TREATMENT FACILITY

PART II
 ROLE AND WORK OF STP OPERATORS
 SAMPLING PROCEDURES
OBJECTIVE OF STP
TO MEET DENR or LLDA STANDARDS AT
ALL TIME –

Further Elaboration:
To produce effluent water with
quality that can be discharged
to our environment without
harming the quality of
receiving water such as rivers
and streams.
Image of LLDA Governing Bodies of Water
WASTEWATER TREATMENT
• A PROCESS OF ELIMINATING CONTAMINANTS
PRESENT IN THE WASTEWATER PRIOR TO ITS
DISCHARGE IN THE ENVIRONMENT OR TO COMPLY
WITH A STANDARD SET FOR A SPECIFIC USE (E.G.
RECYCLING FOR GARDEN USE, FLUSHING,
EQUIPMENT WASHING, HANDWASHING, BATHING,
OR DRINKING)
WHY TREAT WASTEWATER?
• RA 9275 – PHILIPPINE CLEAN WATER ACT OF 2004
“DISCHARGING, DEPOSITING OR CAUSING TO BE DEPOSITED
MATERIAL OF ANY KIND DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY INTO THE
WATER BODIES OR ALONG THE MARGINS OF ANY SURFACE WATER,
WHERE, THE SAME SHALL BE LIABLE TO BE WASHED INTO SUCH
SURFACE WATER, EITHER BY TIDE ACTION OR BY STORM, FLOODS
OR OTHERWISE, WHICH COULD CAUSE WATER POLLUTION OR
IMPEDE NATURAL FLOW IN THE WATER BODY;” IS PROHIBITED.
(RA 9275, CHAPTER 5 SECTION 7A)
WHY TREAT WASTEWATER?
• DAO 2021-19 : WATER QUALITY AND GENERAL
EFFLUENT GUIDELINES OF 2021
“NOPERSON SHALL DISCHARGE, WHOLLY OR PARTIALLY,
UNTREATED OR INADEQUATELY TREATED EFFLUENT
DIRECTLY INTO A RECEIVING WATER BODY OR LAND OR
THROUGH BYPASS CANALS AND/OR PUMPS, AND OTHER
UNAUTHORIZED MEANS.”
DENR/LLDA REQUIREMENTS
Parameters Units DAO 2021-19
Limits
BOD mg/L 50
Coliform
Fecal MPN/100 ml ≤ 400
Total ≤ 10000
NH3 as N mg/L 4
NO3 as N mg/L 14
PO3 as P mg/L 4
Oil & Grease mg/L 5
Surfactants mg/L 15

Tabulated standard Parameters for Class C

Sequencing Batch Reactor
(SBR)
 What is an SBR ?

Sequencing Batch Reactors (SBR) or Sequential Batch

Reactors are a type of activated sludge process for the
treatment of wastewater. The technology used by SBR is phase
separation that is gravity setting method. SBR reactors treat
wastewater such as sewage (industrial or commercial) or output
from anaerobic digesters or mechanical biological treatment
facilities in batches. Oxygen is bubbled through the mixture of
wastewater and activated sludge to reduce the organic matter
present in waste water. The treated effluent may be suitable for
discharge to surface waters or possibly for use on land or in
recycling facility.
 PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAM
SEQUENCING BATCH REACTOR SYSTEM
Air Chlorine

Raw Chlorine Treated

Equalization SBR water for
Wastewater Tank Contact
Tank discharge
to drainage

Aerobic Stabilized sludge,

Digester hauled and disposed
offsite

Air
 Static Fill –
30 mins

Decant – 1
hour and 30 React Fill -
mins 1 Hour

SBR MODE
OF
OPERATION
Anoxic
Settle 1 Zone -
hour
30 mins
React 1
hour and 30
mins
ACTIVATED
SLUDGE PROCESS
SCREEN CHAMBER
(SOLIDS REMOVAL)
• SCREENING IS DONE
TO REMOVE SOLIDS
(CLOTH, FOOD
PARTICLES, FECAL
MATTER, PLASTICS,
ETC.) THAT COULD
POTENTIALLY AFFECT
THE EFFICIENCY OF
THE TREATMENT
PROCESS (E.G. CLOG
UP PUMPS, PIPES)
ACTIVATED
SLUDGE PROCESS
EQUALIZATION
(EQT)
• NEUTRALIZATION
AND STABILIZATION
OF WASTEWATER
• PH ADJUSTMENT AND
PRE-AERATION
• AVOID SHOCK
LOADING DUE TO
FLOW FLUCTUATION
ACTIVATED
SLUDGE
PROCESS
ANOXIC PHASE
(ANAEROBIC)
• NO OXYGEN
INVOLVED
• REDUCTION OF
PHOSPHATES IN
THE
WASTEWATER
ACTIVATED
SLUDGE PROCESS
SEQUENCING
BATCH REACTOR
(SBR)
• MAIN TREATMENT
PROCESS
• USES ACTIVATED BASIC CYCLE:
SLUDGE TO REMOVE FILL
REACT FILL
THE POLLUTANTS ANOXIC ZONE
AERATION
PRESENT IN THE SETTLE
WASTEWATER DECANT
ACTIVATED
SLUDGE PROCESS

AERATION PHASE
(AEROBIC)
• HEART OF THE STP
• WITH OXYGEN
• REDUCTION OF
BOD5, COD,
AMMONIA (NH3-N),
PHOSPHATES (PO4),
OIL AND GREASE,
SURFACTANTS
ACTIVATED
SLUDGE PROCESS
ANOXIC PHASE
(ANAEROBIC)
• NO OXYGEN
INVOLVED
• REDUCTION OF
NITRATES AND STEP 1:
NITRIFYING

PHOSPHATES IN NITRIFICATION NH3-N BACTERIA

NO3 + H2O
THE WASTEWATER
DENITRIFYIN
G BACTERIA
STEP 2:
DENITRIFICATIO NO3 N2 GAS
N
ACTIVATED
SLUDGE PROCESS
SETTLING PHASE
(CLARIFICATION)
• ACTIVATED SLUDGE
MASS (SOLIDS)
SUSPENDED IN THE
AERATED
WASTEWATER IS
ALLOWED TO SETTLE
AT THE BOTTOM OF
THE TANK.
ACTIVATED
SLUDGE PROCESS
SETTLING
PHASE
(CLARIFICATION)
• REDUCTION OF
TOTAL
SUSPENDED
SOLIDS
ACTIVATED
SLUDGE PROCESS
SETTLING PHASE
(CLARIFICATION)
• SETTLED ACTIVATED
SLUDGE IS
MEASURED /
MONITORED WHILE OPTIMUM VOLUME OF
THE CLEAR WATER IS ACTIVATED SLUDGE MASS IN THE
TRANSFERRED TO AERATION SYSTEM IS 30-40%.
THE CHLORINATION IF ACTIVATED SLUDGE VOLUME
TANK FOR EXCEEDS 40%, THERE IS A NEED TO
DISINFECTION. CONTROL THE VOLUME BY USING THE
AEROBIC SLUDGE DIGESTER.
ACTIVATED
SLUDGE PROCESS
CHLORINATION
(DISINFECTION)
• CLEAR SUPERNATANT
WATER IS
DISINFECTED
(REMOVAL OF
COLIFORMS) VIA
ADDITION OF
CHLORINE SOLUTION.
ACTIVATED
SLUDGE PROCESS
MULTIMEDIA
FILTRATION
(TERTIARY TREATMENT)
• TREATED WATER IS
PASSED THRU A
MULTIMEDIA FILTER TO
IMPROVE COLOR AND
REMOVE REMAINING
IMPURITIES SUCH AS
TSS, PHOSPHATES, ETC.
ACTIVATED
SLUDGE PROCESS

AEROBIC SLUDGE
DIGESTION
(SLUDGE MANAGEMENT)
• EXCESS SLUDGE IS
SUBJECTED TO
EXTENDED AERATION
WHERE IT IS
CONVERTED INTO
STABLE SOLIDS
READY FOR DISPOSAL.
 FACTORS AFFECTING SBR TREATMENT
PROCESS

1. FOOD SUPPLY
Refers to the Amount of Food that is Measured in Terms of BOD.

2. NUTRIENT AVAILABILITY
Every 100 Kg of BOD Removed Requires Approximately 5 Kg Nitrogen and 1 Kg Phosphorus.

3. TEMPERATURE
The efficiency of Treatment depends on Temperature. The desired temp is ambient temp.

4. pH
Most Microorganisms cannot Tolerate pH Below 4 and Above 9.0. Optimum Microorganism Growth
Is at pH 6.5-8.5.

5. TOXIC SUBSTANCES
Includes Heavy Metals, Cyanides, Pesticides, and Disinfectants that Destroy or Inhibit Biological
 Chemicals harming
microorganisms in the reactor
CHEMICALS
MURIATIC ACID/HYDROCHLORIC ACID
CAUSTIC SODA
CHLORINE
OTHER SUBSTANCES
EXCESSIVE FATS, OIL and GREASE
(FOG)
CHEMICALS from SALONS
PAINTS
CHEMICALS from PHOTO SHOPS
SOLID WASTES like MEAT PRODUCTS
 PART
II OF STP
ROLE
OPERATORS
LIFT STATION
The function of
Maintenance/Operators
1. INSPECT LIFT STATION DAILY.
2. CHECK THE PH OF WATER.
3. REMOVE ALL SOLID MATERIALS
THAT HAVE ACCUMULATED DAILY.
4. INSPECT AND CLEAN FLOAT AND
LEVEL SENSORS AT LEAST ONCE A
MONTH OR WHEN IT DOES NOT
DETECT AUTOMATICALLY.
5. CHECK FOR ANY TRIP OR FAILURE
IN THE CONTROL PANEL.
6. CONDUCT QUARTERLY CLEANING
OF THE LIFT STATION TO PREVENT
EQUIPMENT FROM CLOGGING.
BAR SCREEN

The function of
Maintenance/Operators
1. INSPECT BAR SCREEN DAILY.

2. REMOVE ALL SCREENED

MATERIALS THAT HAVE
ACCUMULATED DAILY.

3. PLACE ALL SCREENED

INSIDE WASTE PLASTIC BAG.
GREASE TRAP

The function of
Maintenance/Operators
1. INSPECT GREASE TRAP DAILY.

2. REMOVE ALL FLOATING FOG,

PLASTIC, ETC. THAT HAVE
ACCUMULATED DAILY.

3. PLACE ALL FOG INSIDE

PLASTIC BAGS AND DISPOSED
OFFSITE.
EQUALIZATION TANK
The function of
Maintenance/Operators
1. CHECK AND REMOVE ALL FOGS
AND FLOATING SOLIDS ON THE
SURFACE OF THE TANK

2. PLACE ALL FOG INSIDE PLASTIC

BAGS AND DISPOSE OFFSITE.

3. CHECK OPERATION DAILY AND

CONDUCT QUARTERLY CLEANING
OF TRANSFER PUMPS
AIR BLOWERS

The function of
Maintenance/Operators
1. CHECK FOR ANY ABNORMAL
SOUND OF THE BLOWER DAILY.
2. CHECK OIL LEVEL DAILY
3. CHECK V-BELT TENSION
WEEKLY. REPLACE THE BELT
ONCE A YEAR.
4. ADD LUBRICANTS AT LEAST
ONCE EVERY 6 MONTH OR
WHEN NEEDED.
SBR REACTOR

The function of
Maintenance/Operators

1. COLOR OF SBR MUST BE LIGHT BROWN TO

DARK BROWN INDICATING GOOD BIOMASS
GROWTH.
2. CHECK FOR ANY FOAMING INSIDE THE SBR
AND REMOVE THE SCUM ON TOP OF IT DAILY.
3. CHECK THE SLUDGE VOLUME INDEX
(SVI)/SLUDGE LEVEL OF THE SBR.
4. CHECK THE D.O. OF WATER.
5. MAINTAIN THE SETTLEABLE SLUDGE
VOLUME BETWEEN 200 TO 300 ML / L.
6. REPORT TO PEI WHEN SBR CHANGES FROM
BROWN TO BLACK, POSSIBLY SBR HAS UPSET.
DECANTER

The function of
Maintenance/Operators
CLEAN THE SOLENOID VALVE
AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK
(TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTION
IN DISMANTLING THE
SOLENOID VALVE).
WAS PUMP

The function of
Maintenance/Operators
1. OPERATE WAS PUMP WHEN
SETTLEABLE SOLIDS EXCEED 400
ML. OPERATE IT 10 MINS PER DAY
OF PUMPING ONLY.
2. CHECK SETTLEABLE SOLIDS
USING THE GRADUATED
CYLINDER DAILY, IF POSSIBLE.
3. CHECK AND REMOVE
DIRT/SOLIDS FOR ANY CLOGGING
IN THE WAS PUMP.
CONTACT TANK

The function of
Maintenance/Operators
1. INSPECT THE TANK IF THERE IS
CHLORINE SOLUTION AVAILABLE.
2. DO NOT OPERATE DOSING PUMP
WHEN THERE IS NO SUFFICIENT
CHLORINE SOLUTION
3. CLEAN SUCTION STRAINER
WEEKLY
4. CHECK SUCTION AND DISCHARGE
TUBING FOR ANY SIGNS OF
CRACKING, DISCOLORATION
CONTROL PANEL

The function of
Maintenance/Operators
1. REMOVE DUST PARTICLES FROM
CONTROL PANEL DAILY.
2. RETIGHTEN LOOSE TERMINALS AT
LEAST ONCE A MONTH.
3. CHECK FOR ANY TRIP OR FAILURE
LIGHTS AND CHECK THE RESPECTIVE
EQUIPMENT.
4. CONDUCT MEGGER TESTING AT
LEAST ONCE A YEAR TO DETERMINE
ALL CIRCUIT BREAKERS ARE IN GOOD
OPERATION.
 RE-USE TANK

The function of
Maintenance/Operators

1. INSPECT THE TANK DAILY AND

CONDUCT QUARTERLY
CLEANING OF TANKS

2. CHECK REUSE WATER QUALITY

DAILY SUCH AS TSS, COLOR,
ODOR, ETC.
 Process Monitoring Activities
The operator in-charge of the STP shall conduct the
following monitoring activities on a regular basis;

SLUDGE MONITORING/SETTLEABILITY TEST SLUDGE WASTING

IMPORTANT!
THIS IS DONE DURING REACT PERIOD 15 MINUTES PRIOR
TO SETTLING PHASE.
USING A 1000 ML GRADUATED CYLINDER,
TAKE SAMPLE OF MIXED LIQUOR AT THE SBR TANK AND
FILL THE 1000 ML GRADUATED CYLINDER UP TO 1000 ML
MARK.
ALLOW TO SETTLE FOR 1 HR.
RECORD SLUDGE LEVEL AFTER 30 MINUTES AND AFTER 1
HR.
THE FREQUENCY AND AMOUNT OF SLUDGE
WASTING IS DETERMINED BY
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS ( SLUDGE
LEVEL, EFFLUENT QUALITY).
SLUDGE WASTING IS USUALLY DONE
AUTOMATICALLY OR MANUALLY.
A 10 MINUTES WASTING TIME IS
RECOMMENDED PER DAY UNTIL DESIRED
SLUDGE LEVEL IS ACHIEVED.

MAINTAIN SLUDGE LEVEL AT 300 ML TO 400 ML.

Process Monitoring Activities
HOUSEKEEPING
 Always CLEAN STP area!
REMOVE COBWEBS daily!
Always KEEP the area DRY
 Report any equipment failure to supervisors
immediately!
Do not allow an unauthorized person to enter the STP
site!
PROPER WAY OF LIFTING
SERVICE PUMPS
 PROPER WAY OF LIFTING SERVICE PUMPS

Use chain/rope in lifting pumps.

Use both hands in pulling chain/rope.

DO NOT PULL WIRE

to lift pump.
 Sampling Procedure
• PREPARE 3-LITERS
PLASTIC BOTTLE,1 WIDE
MOUTH BOTTLE, 1
STERILIZED MICRO
BOTTLE, 2 FLAT GLASS
BOTTLES
• WEAR GLOVES, GOGGLES
• TAKE SAMPLE FROM
EFFLUENT WET WELL
• PLACE IN THE SAMPLING
BOTTLES
• STORE IN ICE CHEST
• BRING TO THE
LABORATORY
Sampling Procedure
SAMPLING EQUIPMENT
 SAMPLING EQUIPMENT

 Plastic Gallon:for physico-chemical parameters

(TSS, BOD, COD, Color)
 Wide mouth bottle:for oil and grease
 SAMPLING EQUIPMENT

Coliform Bottles:
without chlorination (L) & with chlorination (R)
SAMPLING EQUIPMENT

 Properly Labeled, Signed & Sealed

Sampling Bottles
SAMPLING EQUIPMENT

ICE CHEST with ICE

 REGULATORY PERMIT AND
DOCUMENTATION

Documentation/Reporting by Pollution Control Officer

(PCO);
1. Discharge Permit (DP)- Yearly
2. Self Monitoring Report (SMR) - Quarterly