Sludge thickening

To reduce the volume of sludge

to increase sludge solids at least 4 %

Gravity thickening and mechanical thickening

Gravity thickening
Used for primary and tricking filter solids
Without chemical flocculants
loading rate: 30-60 kg/m2 per day

Mechanical thickening

Used for activated sludge solids

With chemical flocculants
dissolved air flotation, gravity belt thickeners, and centrifuge thickening
loading rate: 10-20 kg/m2 per day (dissolved air flotation), 400-1000 L/m
(gravity belt thickeners), 1500-2300 L/m (centrifuge thickening)

The concentration of pathogens increased during this process

Gravity belt thickener

Dewatering
To concentrate sludge by removing water
Pressure filtration, centrifugation, and
screw press
Pressure filtration (belt filter press and
plate-and-frame filter)
Usually with polymer flocculation
Loading rate: 40-60 gpm/m (hydraulic) and
500-1000 lb/m/h (solid)
Feed solid: 1-6 %
Cake solids: 15-30 %

Sludge drying beds

Belt filter press

Sludge dewatering

Sludge incineration

Septic tanks

Septic tank design

Sewage flow
Settling of incoming sewage
Digestion of settled sewage
Storage of digested sludge

For
population
upto 50

For
population
over 50

Disposal of septic tank effluent

Preliminary data
Nature of soil and subsoil condition
Site plan showing the proposed or existing
buildings as well as reduced ground levels over the
site
Discharge from the septic tank.
The position and nature of outfall ditches, wells,
tanks or small streams in the vicinity, if any

Methods
Soil absorption system
Biological filters
Upflow anaerobic filters

Soil absorption system

Seepage pit
Dispersion trench

LAND DISPOSAL
Advantages: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.

Disadvantages: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 if 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.

Comparison of dilution and land

disposal

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 n, potash & phosphate .The
sewage can be applied in the following forms
BROAD IRRIGATOIN
SEWAGE FARMING.

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.

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.

S.NO

NATURE OF SOIL

MAXIMUM DOSE OF SEWAGE IN

M3/HECTARE/DAY
RAW SEWAGE

SETTLED SEWAGE

LOAM SOIL

50-80

110-180

CLAYEY LOAM SOIL

40-50

55-110

CLAYEY SOIL

30-35

33-55

SANDY LOAM SOIL

80-110

170-225

SANDY SOIL

120-150

225-300

Methods
FLOODING METHOD
SURFACE IRRIGATION METHOD
ZIG ZAG METHOD
LAGOONING METHOD
BASIN METHOD
SUB-SOIL IRRIGATION METHOD
RIDGE AND FERROW IRRIGATION METHOD.

 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

 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 require drain. Here when sewage flows
over the fields, its large quantity is absorbed by the field
and only excess quantity reaches another drain.

 zigzag run method: In this method the ridges are

arranged in a zag-zag method with corresponding
furrows by their side.

 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.
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.

 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.

 RIDGE AND FERROW IRRIGATION METHOD

In this method , sewage is supplied in furrows between
crop rows. Sewage spreads laterally irrigating the area
between two furrows. The width of furrow varies from
120-150 cm and the depth from 25-50 cm. The width of
the ridge varies from 125-250 cm and length from 10-30
m. The percolated effluent is collected in underground
drains flows towards natural drainage for disposal.

SEWAGE SICKNESS
The phenomenon by which the soil looses its capacity of
receiving the sewage load is known as sewage sickness.
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.

 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 .

OXIDATION DITCH

Oxidation ponds/ stabilization ponds

The oldest wastewater treatment systems
Requires a minimum of technology
Relatively low in cost

Used for raw sewage as well as primary or

secondarytreated effluents.
Facultative ponds and aerated lagoons

Facultative ponds

 3 zones: upper photic (aerobic) zone, facultative

(aerobic and anaerobic) zone and lower anaerobic zone.
Upper aerobic zone: algae use CO2, sunlight and
inorganic nutrients (photosynthesis) to produce
oxygen and algal biomass.
Facultative zone: bacteria and other heterotrophs
convert organic matter to carbon dioxide, inorganic
nutrients, water and microbial biomass.
Lower anaerobic zone: anaerobic bacteria degrade
the biomass from upper zones
Influence by many factors
Sunlight
Temperature
pH
Biological activities

 To remove suspended solids, nitrogen, phosphate, and

pathogens
Operating water depth: 1-2.5 meters
Maximum BOD loading: 2.2-5.6 g/m3 /day
Retention time: 3-6 months
>90 % SS and BOD removal (warm and sunny climates)
Microbe removal may be quite variable depending upon
pond design, operating conditions and climate.
90-99% removal of indicator and pathogenic bacteria
99.9 reduction of Giardia and Cryptosporidium

Aerated Lagoons

Chlorination
Disinfection of sewage effluent
Controlling the odour produced
For the formation of floc in coagulation process in
combination with other chemicals
For the removal of grease, oils in skimming tanks
For prevention of sludge bulking in activated sludge
plants
For overcoming ponding due to clogging in trickling
filters
Reduction of BOD of raw sewage, treated sewage and