BRITISH STANDARD

BS 6297:1983
Incorporating
Amendment No. 1
Code of practice for
Design and installation
of small sewage
treatment works and
cesspools
(Formerly CP 302 and CP 302.200)
UDC 628.314.2-181.4+696.138
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
This British Standard, having
been prepared under the
direction of the Building Services
Standards Committee, was
published under the authority
of the Board of BSI and
comes into effect on
29 April 1983
BSI 01-1999
The following BSI references
relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference SEB/19
Draft for comment 80/15003 DC
ISBN 0 580 13123 8
Cooperating organizations
The Building Services Standards Committee, under whose direction this
British Standard was prepared, consists of representatives from the following:
Association of District Councils* Greater London Council
Bath Manufacturers Co-ordinating Committee Heating and Ventilating Contractors
British Gas Corporation Association
British Ironfounders Association Incorporated Association of Architects and
British Plastics Federation Surveyors*
British Plumbing Employers Council Institute of Plumbing
British Precast Concrete Federation Ltd. Institution of Environmental Health Officers
Builders Merchants Federation Institution of Gas Engineers
Building Services Research and Information Institution of Municipal Engineers*
Association Institution of Public Health Engineers*
Chartered Institution of Building Services Institution of Water Engineers and Scientists*
Clay Pipe Development Association Limited Local Authorities Organization
Consumer Standards Advisory Committee of
Metal Sink Manufacturers Association
BSI National Brassfoundry Association
Convention of Scottish Local Authorities* National Coal Board
Council of British Ceramic Sanitaryware
National Federation of Building Trades
Manufacturers Employers
Department of Health and Social Security National Water Council
Department of the Environment (PSA)* Royal Institute of British Architects*
Department of the Environment (Building Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
Research Establishment) Royal Society of Health*
Department of the Environment (Water Scottish Development Department*
Directorate) Trades Union Congress
Department of the Environment (Housing Water Companies Association
and Construction)*
Domestic Solid Fuel Appliances Approval
Scheme
The organizations marked with an asterisk in the above list, together with the
following, were directly represented on the Technical Committee entrusted
with the preparation of this British Standard:
British Water and Effluent Treatment Plant Institute of Clerks of Works of Great Britain
Association Inc.
Cement and Concrete Association Institute of Water Pollution Control
Institute of Building Control Officers Water Research Centre
Amendments issued since publication
Amd. No. Date of issue Comments
6150 December 1990 Indicated by a sideline in the margin
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
BSI 01-1999 i
Contents
Page
Cooperating organizations Inside front cover
Foreword iii
Section 1. General
1 Scope 1
2 References 1
3 Definitions 1
4 Collection of information 3
Section 2. Materials
5 Notes on materials 3
Section 3. Design
6 Design: general 4
7 General requirements for tanks 6
8 Cesspools 6
9 Septic tanks 7
10 Preliminary treatment 10
11 Primary and secondary settlement tanks 11
12 Biological filters including rotating biological contactors,
and secondary settlement tanks 13
13 Activated sludge units 16
14 Tertiary treatment (polishing) processes 19
15 Disposal of final effluent 20
16 Pumping 22
17 Automatic monitoring and alarm systems 23
Section 4. Installation
18 Installation 23
Appendix A References to standards not included in the text 25
Appendix B Relevant sections of statutes and regulations currently
applicable to small treatment works and cesspools 26
Index 41
Figure 1 Sewage treatment: broad options for small communities 8
Figure 2 Typical septic tanks, two in series, separate, for
populations of up to 30 27
Figure 3 Typical septic tanks, two in series, separate, for
populations of over 30 28
Figure 4 Typical septic tanks, two in series, combined,
for populations of up to 30 29
Figure 5 Typical septic tanks, two in series, combined
for populations of over 30 30
Figure 6 Twin inlets for tanks in excess of 1 200 mm wide 31
Figure 7 Typical tank inlet (crested weir) 32
Figure 8 Typical upward flow settlement tank 33
Figure 9 Typical horizontal flow settlement tank 34
Figure 10 Typical rectangular biological filter 35
Figure 11 Typical circular biological filter 36
Figure 12 Treatment on grass plots 37
Figure 13 Typical upward flow clarifier 38
Figure 14 Cross section of typical underdrain 39
Figure 15 Typical sludge drying bed 40
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
ii
BSI 01-1999
Page
Table 1 Filter medium capacity 14
Table 2 Grading limits for 50 mm filter medium 15
Table 3 Air supply 17
Publications referred to Inside back cover
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
BSI 01-1999 iii
Foreword
This code of practice, prepared under the direction of the Building Services
Standards Committee, encompasses the subject matter previously covered by
codes of recommended practice for small sewage treatment works, CP 302:1972,
and for cesspools, CP 302.200:1949. CP 302 and CP 302.200 are withdrawn.
The use of cesspools or of septic tanks without further treatment of their effluent
is generally considered not to be good practice but it is recognized that in some
situations such installations are the only practicable means of dealing with
sewage.
The increasing and wider application of synthetic materials and the production of
larger prefabricated (package) units has been recognized and the scope of the code
has been extended to include treatment units to deal with sewage from
populations of up to 1 000 persons.
New processes developed since the publication of the previous code, such as the
rotary biological contactor, are now included and it is intended that the code
should not inhibit the development and application of other suitable new
processes.
The code gives guidance for those experienced in the design of small sewage
treatment works. However, it is recognized that not all works are regularly
designed by such persons and it is strongly recommended that specialist advice
should be sought where appropriate, including where ground conditions are
difficult, where there are likely to be abnormal flow or pollution loads, and for the
design of tanks, and biological or other processes.
It is not within the scope of this code of practice to set out in detail the full
operation and maintenance requirements of small sewage treatment works.
Adequate maintenance is essential for even the smallest works to ensure that it
produces the standard of effluent required, and instructions for proper operation
and maintenance should be provided by the designer. For general guidance
see National Water Council Technical Paper No. 4 The Operation and
Maintenance of Small Sewage Works.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
This code of practice represents a standard of good practice and takes
the form of recommendations. Compliance with it does not of itself
confer immunity from relevant legal obligations.
Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i to iv,
pages 1 to 42, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on
the inside front cover.
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
iv
blank
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
BSI 01-1999 1
Section 1. General
1 Scope
This code of practice deals with the design and
installation of sewage treatment works suitable for
the domestic discharge from domestic and
industrial communities ranging from single
households up to about 1 000 population equivalent
and with the storage of sewage by means of a
cesspool, the contents of which are periodically
removed for disposal or treatment.
Domestic discharges are taken to include those from
schools, hotels, restaurants, etc. but the code does
not deal with the treatment of trade effluents, or the
effluent from chemical closets.
General guidance only is given on good design and
installation practice. Particular requirements will
be determined by local conditions. The codes
recommendations should be supplemented as
required by skilled engineering advice based on a
knowledge of sewage works practice and of local
conditions.
Materials for tanks and other structures are not
indicated on the diagrams, which are included for
guidance on general proportions and details of
inlets, outlets and other features, and should not be
scaled.
2 References
The titles of the publications referred to in this
British Standard are listed on the inside back cover.
A list of other standards of interest in this field is
given in Appendix A.
3 Definitions
For the purposes of this code of practice the
following definitions apply.
3.1
activated sludge
a flocculent microbial mass, produced when sewage
is continuously aerated
3.2
aerobic action
a biological process promoted by action of bacteria in
the presence of dissolved oxygen
3.3
anaerobic action
a biological process promoted by the action of
bacteria in the absence of dissolved oxygen
3.4
baffle
a device used in a tank to check eddies and promote
a more uniform flow through the tank
3.5
biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)
the amount of dissolved oxygen consumed by
microbiological action when a sample is incubated,
usually for 5 days at 20 C
3.6
biological filter
a bed of relatively inert material (such as slag,
moulded plastics, clinker, etc.) to promote or assist
natural aerobic degradation of sewage
3.7
bottom water level (BWL)
the minimum operating water level in a pump well
or dosing chamber
3.8
cesspool
a covered watertight tank used for receiving and
storing sewage from premises which cannot be
connected to a public sewer and where ground
conditions prevent the use of a small sewage
treatment works including a septic tank
3.9
combined system
a drainage system in which both foul and surface
waters are conveyed in the same pipe
3.10
distributor
a device for spreading settled sewage over the
surface of a biological filter
3.11
dosing chamber
a small tank which receives settled sewage until the
desired quantity has accumulated, when it is
discharged automatically to the distributor of a
biological filter
3.12
dry weather flow (DWF)
when the sewage flow is mainly domestic in
character, the average daily flow to the treatment
works during seven consecutive days without rain
(excluding a period which includes public or local
holidays) following seven days during which the
rainfall did not exceed 0.25 mm on any one day
NOTE With domestic sewage from industrial premises the dry
weather flow should be based on the flows during five working
days if production is limited to that period. Preferably, the flows
during two periods in the year, one in the summer and one in the
winter, should be averaged to obtain the average dry weather
flow.
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
2
BSI 01-1999
3.13
effluent polishing (tertiary treatment)
a further stage of treating sewage by removing
suspended solids. Consequential removal of residual
BOD may occur
3.14
filter medium
the material of which the biological filter is formed
and on which a biological film containing bacteria
and fungi develops
3.15
final effluent
the effluent discharged from a sewage treatment
plant
3.16
humus tank
see secondary settlement tank
3.17
mixed liquor
a mixture of sewage and activated sludge
undergoing circulation and aeration in the aeration
tank or channel of an activated sludge plant
3.18
mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS)
the concentration of dry solids in milligrams per
litre of mixed liquor in the aeration tank or channel
of an activated sludge plant
3.19
package plant
a prefabricated factory-built sewage treatment
installation
3.20
population equivalent
the equivalent, in terms of a fixed population, of a
varying or transient population, e.g. of a hospital or
restaurant, based upon a figure of 0.060 kg BOD per
head per day or 120 L per head per day
3.21
primary settlement tank
a tank in which the majority of settlable solids are
removed from the crude sewage flowing through it
3.22
rotary biological contactor
a unit consisting of a series of closely spaced,
parallel discs, mounted on a rotating shaft which is
supported just above the surface of the waste water
to be treated
3.23
scumboard
a device used at the outlet end of a tank to retain
scum and other floating material
3.24
secondary settlement tank
a tank in which settlable solids or humus is
separated from the effluent flowing through it from
biological filters or an activated sludge plant
3.25
separate system
a drainage system in which foul and surface water
are conveyed by separate pipes
3.26
septic tank
a type of settlement tank in which the sludge is
retained for sufficient time for the organic matter to
undergo anaerobic decomposition
3.27
sewage
the water-borne wastes of a community
3.28
storm sewage
sewage flowing to a treatment works in wet weather
or discharged from storm overflows, when the
sewage is diluted with rainwater
3.29
sludge
a mixture of solids and water produced during the
treatment of waste water
3.30
sludge loading
the mass of BOD applied daily per unit mass of
activated sludge MLSS
3.31
specific surface
a property of biological filter media expressed as
surface area per unit volume (m
2
/m
3
)
3.32
supernatant liquor
the liquor in a settlement tank, lying between the
deposited solids and any floating scum
3.33
suspended solids (SS)
solids in suspension in sewage liquors as measured
by filtration either through a glass fibre filter paper
followed by washing and drying at 105 C, or by
centrifuging followed by washing and removal of the
supernatant liquid
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
BSI 01-1999 3
3.34
top water level (TWL)
the maximum water level in a settlement tank, an
aeration tank, or a sludge storage tank
3.35
water table
the level below which the ground is saturated with
water
4 Collection of information
The following main items of basic information
should be obtained before designing small sewage
treatment works:
a) requirements of the local building control and
planning authority;
b) requirements of the appropriate water/river
authority or its agent;
c) minimum and maximum number of persons
(resident and non-resident) to be served;
d) average 24 h water consumption, and any
special conditions affecting the composition of
sewage and peak rates of flow; data are
obtainable from the local water undertaking in
many instances;
e) existence of infiltration water;
f) particulars of site;
1) distance from nearest habitable building
2) prevailing winds
3) levels
4) information as to the nature of the ground
including the level and variations of the water
table
5) access for vehicles and plant
g) particulars of outfall, e.g. tidal or inland
waters, rivers, streams, ditches or soakage; also
the proximity, highest known flood level and
minimum flow of any stream or other
watercourse to which discharge of the effluent is
possible;
h) conditions under which the works will
normally operate and be maintained;
i) possibility of the need for future extensions of
the works or of their elimination by a
comprehensive scheme;
j) availability of electric power and mains water;
k) facilities for eventual disposal of sludge and
screenings.
Section 2. Materials
5 Notes on materials
5.1 General. All materials used in the construction
of any of the works described in this code should
comply with the relevant British Standards.
Where no British Standard exists, materials should
be suitable and adequate for the purpose for which
they are used.
5.2 Aggregates for concrete. Aggregates should
comply with the requirements of BS 882, BS 1201
or BS 1047. The nominal maximum size of coarse
aggregate should be as large as possible within the
limits specified in the appropriate British Standard,
provided that the concrete can be satisfactorily
placed and compacted. Where tests are required
they should be carried out in accordance
with BS 812.
5.3 Aggregates for mortar. The fine aggregates
for mortar should consist of sand complying with the
requirements of BS 1198, BS 1199 or BS 1200, or
concreting sands in zones 3 and 4 from which the
excess coarse materials in grading zones 1 and 2
of BS 882, BS 1201 have been removed.
5.4 Cement. Cement used for works included in
this code should comply with the requirements
of BS 12, BS 146, BS 915, BS 4027 or BS 4248
1)
.
5.5 Cement mortar. Selection of the correct
cement and aggregate for use in mortars should
follow the recommendations of 5.3 and 5.4. A mortar
mix having a 1 : 3 cement sand ratio is suitable for
the following purposes:
brickwork;
jointing clay or concrete pipes where flexible
joints cannot be used;
rendering of inverts and benchings;
bedding and haunching manhole covers and
frames.
Calcium chloride should not be added to mortars.
5.6 Concrete
5.6.1 General. Concrete work should be in
accordance with CP 110-1 and BS 5328, as well as
with Building Research Establishment Digest
No. 174 and other publications issued by the
Building Research Establishment and by the
Cement and Concrete Association. Reference should
also be made to the National Water Council Civil
Engineering Specification for the Water Industry.
1)
It should be noted that supersulphated cement made to BS 4248 is no longer manufactured in the United Kingdom although it
can be imported if it is required in relatively large quantities.
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
4
BSI 01-1999
5.6.2 Admixtures. Admixtures for promoting
workability, for improving strength, for entraining
air or for any other purpose should be used only with
the prior approval of the client or his representative.
Calcium chloride as an admixture should not be
used in reinforced concrete, prestressed concrete or
any concrete made from sulphate-resisting Portland
cement. For guidance, reference should be made to
CP 110.
5.6.3 Workmanship. Concrete should be mixed in a
mechanical mixer until there is a uniform
distribution of the materials and the mix is uniform
in colour. It should be transported to the point of
placing as rapidly as practicable by methods that
will prevent segregation or the loss of any of the
ingredients, placed as soon as possible and
thoroughly compacted by rodding, tamping or
vibration so as to form a void-free mass around any
reinforcement and into the corners of the formwork
or excavation. Exposed concrete should be cured by
keeping it in a damp condition for at least four days.
Concreting should not be carried out when the
ambient temperature is below freezing point or
when a falling temperature of 4 C is indicated.
If concreting has to be carried out at or near freezing
point, precautions should be taken to ensure that
the concrete when placed has a temperature of at
least 5 C and is maintained above 5 C until it has
thoroughly hardened. When necessary, the finished
concrete should be insulated and protected after
placing. Frozen materials, or materials containing
ice should not be used.
5.7 Glass fibre reinforced cement (GRC). Tanks
of GRC for use for small septic tanks and cesspools
are under development; reference should be made to
Building Research Establishment Digest No. 216 on
the suitability of this material where its use is
proposed.
5.8 Glass fibre reinforced plastics (GRP). The
structural performance and durability of tanks
constructed of GRP is dependent upon the quality of
the resin, the glass fibre reinforcement and the
conditions and workmanship involved in the
laying-up and curing of the finished product. GRP
has a lower modulus of elasticity relative to its
tensile or compressive strength in comparison to
steel, so it is essential that care be taken in the
design to limit strain to acceptable levels; liaison
with the manufacturer and close supervision on site
are therefore strongly recommended, and the
requirements of BS 4994 should be followed.
5.9 Steel tanks. Pressed steel tanks complying
with BS 1564 may be used, but should be
adequately protected, both on the inside and the
outside, against corrosion.
5.10 Clay and concrete pipes and fittings. All
clay and concrete pipes and fittings should comply
with the relevant British Standards, and wherever
practicable should have flexible joints.
Section 3. Design
6 Design: general
6.1 Climatic considerations. Design factors in
this code are for average UK temperate conditions
only and the performance of treatment units will
vary with changes in temperature, exposure and
altitude. Design factors recommended should not
therefore be adopted for use in non-temperate
climates or in temperate climates with extremes of
conditions without special consideration. The
operation of works is also affected by the prevailing
weather. For example, the desludging of tanks may
have to be carried out more frequently in hot
conditions, and during periods of frost, filters and
mechanical plant may be affected by freezing.
6.2 General design considerations
6.2.1 Installation. Sewage treatment works provide
for the settlement and retention of solids and
usually include biological treatment carried out by
the use of biological filters or activated sludge, or for
the biological treatment of raw sewage followed by
separation of solids. Before any process or
combination of processes is used, the required
standard of effluent
2)
should be ascertained from
the water/river authority.
Cesspools are provided to receive and retain crude
sewage and form no part of sewage treatment
(see clause 8).
A septic tank installation provides only partial
treatment of sewage but is permissible without
undue risk of pollution in some locations. Biological
treatment to follow primary settlement may be
necessary and, in some cases, a further polishing
stage is required (see clause 14).
The design criteria given in this code relate
specifically to foul drainage flows and surface water
and subsoil water should be excluded from works
designed in accordance with the code. Where this is
not possible, i.e. with partially separate or combined
systems, specialist design advice should be sought.
2)
For example, normal requirements are 30 mg/L max. suspended solids and 20 mg/L max. BOD (described as 30 : 20).
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
BSI 01-1999 5
It is emphasized that a multiplicity of small sewage
treatment works in a limited area, particularly for
single houses, is undesirable. Greater efficiency of
operation as well as economy of construction can be
achieved by collective drainage and treatment
arrangements. Consideration should first be given
to the possibility of providing such a scheme as a
preferable alternative to several individual works.
In choosing the type of treatment, the designer
should compare the costs of maintenance and
operation as well as the initial capital cost of the
works. For example, the availability and type of
labour should be investigated and the cost of
electricity and fuel in operating treatment units,
pumps or other plant should be considered. With
regard to capital costs, the cost of different types of
filter media and the probable life of the various
materials of construction are relevant.
The designer should make adequate provision,
where appropriate, for unusual pollution loads.
These may arise from the use of waste disposal units
and from the specialized occupancy of premises
(e.g. public houses, industrial premises), or from
high flows from establishments such as hospitals,
institutions and hotels. Domestic use of detergents
and disinfectants is not detrimental but excessive
use may have a harmful effect on the performance of
the works.
Rags and floating debris are always a problem in
sewage treatment works, causing blockages and
fouling mechanical plant. Prior removal from the
incoming flow is advisable.
Excessive quantities of grease and oil may cause
malfunction of a small sewage works. In such cases,
arrangements should be made where practicable for
grease and oil to be removed at source or for them to
be excluded from the sewerage system.
Sludge is continuously produced in the settlement
tanks and needs to be removed at frequent
intervals. The disposal of the liquid sludge usually
accounts for 40 % of the works operating costs.
Drying beds on site are an option but can give rise to
odour and insect nuisance and pose problems
regarding clearance. The cost of removal by tanker,
ideally to a larger works for treatment, or to
agricultural land, is dependent upon distance
travelled, but is likely to be comparable in overall
cost to drying beds and less problematical.
Measurement of flows on small works is difficult.
Nevertheless, where practicable this should be
done. To minimize blockages it is more satisfactory
to measure flow of the final effluent. Where
continuous measurement is not installed a facility
such as a V-notch weir should be provided to permit
the use of portable measuring equipment when
required. Portable tipping troughs with recording
meters attached have proved to be satisfactory.
6.2.2 Location and safety
6.2.2.1 Siting. Sewage treatment works should be as
far from habitable buildings as is economically
practicable. The direction of the prevailing wind
should be considered in relation to any properties
when siting the works. A small treatment works
serving more than one premises incorporating
conventional biological treatment should be a
minimum of 25 m from any dwelling and this should
be progressively increased for larger treatment
works.
For works where noise is a factor, e.g. extended
aeration installations, it is difficult to be specific on
the distance from dwellings that will avoid nuisance
from noise, as different circumstances, including the
relative sizes of plant, merit individual
consideration. Compressors mounted directly over
tanks produce much more noise, because of
reflection and vibration, than they would if located
on the ground. Special provisions to reduce noise
include placing compressors under cover and
surrounding installations with earth banks or
close-boarded fences.
Good road access should be provided to enable the
tank-emptying vehicle to operate within its
suction-lift capability. Wherever possible, pumping
should be avoided by locating the plant lower than
the premises to be served. If pumping is inevitable
it is preferable to use settled sewage rather than
crude sewage. Treatment units should not be
located in an area subject to flooding or where the
water table can rise to such levels as to cause flow
into the treatment units.
6.2.2.2 Safety. Safety should be given full
consideration in the design of sewage treatment
works. They should be adequately fenced against
unauthorized interference to prevent potential
accidents.
Attention is drawn to the provisions of the Health
and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and to the advice
given in Health and Safety Guideline No. 2 Safe
working in sewers and at sewage works and other
publications of the National Joint Health and Safety
Committee for the Water Service.
3)
3)
Available from Information Services Division, National Water Council, 1 Queen Annes Gate, London SW1H 9BT.
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
6
BSI 01-1999
6.3 Types of installation (see Figure 1). The
following types of installation, or combinations of
them, are covered in the clauses referred to below.
Cesspools (see clause 8).
Septic tanks (see clause 9 and Figure 2,
Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6 and
Figure 7).
Preliminary treatment: removal of rags and
debris (see clause 10).
Settlement tanks (see clause 11) and Figure 8
and Figure 9).
Biological filters, including contactors
(see clause 12 and Figure 10 and Figure 11).
Activated sludge units and secondary settlement
tanks (see clause 13).
Tertiary treatment (polishing) processes
(see clause 14)
grass plots (Figure 12)
clarifiers (Figure 13)
lagoons.
7 General requirements for tanks
It is essential that tanks constructed to hold or treat
sewage, e.g. cesspools, septic tanks, primary and
secondary settlement tanks and chambers, should
be of watertight construction so that they permit
neither ingress of ground water nor egress of sewage
to the ground.
Engineering bricks, concrete bricks, in situ concrete
and large precast concrete pipes are all used for the
construction of tanks, also units prefabricated from
steel and plastics materials, including glass
reinforced plastics. Brickwork should normally be in
cement mortar and of not less than 229 mm nominal
thickness. In situ concrete for walls, floors and
surrounds should be not less than 150 mm thick and
of C/25/P mix (see clause 4 of BS 5328). Plastics
materials should be to an appropriate specification.
Where construction in waterlogged ground is
unavoidable, provision should be made for the
prevention of tank flotation during construction,
emptying and maintenance.
A roof should always be provided to a cesspool for
safety purposes, to prevent nuisance and to preclude
entry of surface water and rainwater. The tank roof
should have structural strength adequate for the
location of the tank. Access, with cover, should be
provided in the roof for emptying, cleansing and
maintenance. Where entry is likely to be required,
at least two access openings should be provided.
Similarly, a roof should be provided to a septic tank,
in which case it may be wholly or partially
removable and be of concrete or timber. If fixed, the
roof should have adequate access openings, with
covers, including those necessary for inspection and
cleansing of the inlet and outlet arrangements.
Where it is not roofed a septic tank should be
provided with a protective fence to prevent
unauthorized access. Materials should be
adequately protected against corrosion and
electrolytic attack where appropriate.
Cesspools and septic tanks should be adequately
ventilated and access to rod the horizontal inlet pipe
should be provided. An integral inspection chamber
can be provided.
8 Cesspools
8.1 General
8.1.1 It is essential that cesspools are, and remain,
impervious to ingress of ground- or surface-water
and to leakage.
8.1.2 Before deciding to provide a cesspool, the
available local facilities for continual emptying
should be carefully ascertained and whether such a
service will be provided by public authority or
private contractor. The cost of emptying by tanker
vehicles may be high, and it should be noted that an
average household of three persons will
produce 7 m
3
(the capacity of a typical tanker) in
about 3 weeks, necessitating some 17 journeys per
annum. Each journey may involve the haulage of 7 t
of material a distance of several miles.
8.1.3 The relevant sections of current legislation are
set out in Appendix B. The Building Standards
(Scotland) Regulations do not recognize the
provision of cesspools as a means of dealing with
foul drainage.
8.1.4 The responsibility for ensuring that new or
existing buildings have a proper means of drainage
rests with the local authority whose approval is to
be obtained.
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
BSI 01-1999 7
8.2 Locations
8.2.1 The site selected for a cesspool should not be so
near to any inhabited building as to be liable to
become a source of nuisance or a danger to health
(a minimum of 15 m is desirable) and it is essential
that no well, stream, river, spring or aquifer likely
to be used for drinking or domestic or amenity
purposes is liable to be polluted.
8.2.2 The site of the cesspool should preferably be on
ground sloping away from and sited lower than any
existing building in the immediate vicinity.
8.2.3 Consideration should also be given to the
direction of the prevailing wind.
8.2.4 Adequate means of vehicular access should be
provided to within 30 m of the cesspool.
8.2.5 The possibility of connection to a public sewer
in the future should be borne in mind as a factor in
the siting of a cesspool.
8.3 Capacity
8.3.1 Normally the capacity required will limit the
choice of a cesspool as a means of disposal to single
houses or buildings within the same curtilage, the
total population of which does not exceed about
eight people.
8.3.2 Constructional considerations will probably
limit the economic capacity of a single tank cesspool
to a maximum of about 50 m
3
. It should be noted
that the Building Regulations prescribe a minimum
of 18 m
3
.
8.3.3 As a general rule a capacity of not less than 45
days storage should be allowed
4)
.
8.3.4 The drainage should be on the totally separate
system, and every precaution should be taken to
ensure that there is no entry of surface or subsoil
water into the foul drains.
8.4 Arrangement. The most satisfactory shape for
a cesspool is cylindrical with the diameter equal to
the length/depth, but it may be square or
rectangular in plan to suit the conditions of the site.
The depth from the cover of the access opening to
the floor of the tank should not normally exceed 4 m
on a flat site and may need to be further restricted
on a sloping site to limit the suction lift when
emptying.
8.5 Drain connection. The inlet drain should be
provided with access appropriate for the drainage
system and should terminate with the pipe
projecting about 75 mm clear of the inside of the
wall of the cesspool.
8.6 Ventilation. Stored sewage in a cesspool
becomes extremely foul, and particular attention
should therefore be paid to ventilation, which is
normally through the ventilation pipe on the house
drainage system.
A separate fresh air inlet of not less than 100 mm
diameter incorporating a suitable non-return flap
should be provided, its point of entry into the
cesspool being as high as possible beneath the cover.
This should have a suitable head or grating
about 800 mm above ground level and well clear of
the cesspool cover. Attention should be paid to the
maintenance of the flap.
8.7 Entry into confined spaces. The access
should not be less than 600 mm clear opening to
enable inspection, maintenance or removal of
consolidated sludge to be carried out. Entry into the
cesspool chamber may be necessary. The chamber
should be made as safe a place of work as possible
and safe methods of working should be adopted
(see 6.2.2.2).
8.8 Abandonment. When a cesspool is to be
abandoned, it is essential that it be left in a
condition that is neither dangerous nor prejudicial
to health. This normally entails removal of the
remaining contents and backfilling of the chamber
with hardcore or similar stable non-compressible
material, demolition of the structure within 500 mm
of ground level, and reinstatement of the ground
surface.
9 Septic tanks
9.1 Capacity. Calculation of the total capacity of
septic tanks for the populations covered by this code
should be made on the basis of the number of
persons to be served, and the following formula is
recommended for general use, where desludging is
carried out at not more than 12-monthly intervals:
C = (180P + 2000)
where
This formula allows for proportionately larger
retention at the lower populations in order to cover
the surges in flow which are experienced in small
systems.
4)
Effective storage time will depend on the population served, the water consumption and whether there is any infiltration into
the foul drains, but in general a minimum of 150 L per head per day should be a reasonable provision for average circumstances.
C is the capacity of the tank (in L) with a
minimum value of 2 720 L; and
P is the design population (see clause 4) with a
minimum value of 4.
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
B
S
6
2
9
7
:
1
9
8
3
8

B
S
I

0
1
-
1
9
9
9
Figure 1 Sewage treatment: broad options for small communities
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
BSI 01-1999 9
For schools, similar premises and hotels, capacity
requirements can be evaluated separately or
included in the general formula using population
equivalent (see 3.20) figures for P after taking into
account factors such as part-time occupancy and
shared cooking facilities; for example, in
appropriate circumstances allowance might be
made in the factor P on the basis of two part-time
occupants being equivalent to one full-time
occupant. Specialist advice is necessary for plants
treating abnormal flows or non-domestic sewage.
Where waste disposal units are installed, additional
sludge solids are discharged with the sewage and
the capacity of septic tanks should be increased
by 70 L for each person served.
Where multi-compartment tanks are used, the inlet
(settlement) zone should have a capacity of not less
than 2/3 C and the subsequent zones should have a
combined capacity of not less than 1/3 C.
The calculated capacity C is recommended as a
minimum for all types of septic tanks and the figure
of 180 in the formula may be regarded as made up
as follows.
NOTE 120 L per head per day is quoted in NWC publication
The Water Industry in Figures October 1980.
Capacities may, however, be increased to take
account of particular circumstances (use of high
consumption fittings, projected growth in water
usage, reliable information on infiltration, etc.).
9.2 Arrangement. The design of septic tanks
should be such that the discharge of solids in the
tank effluent is kept to a minimum. This is best
achieved by the use of tanks in series.
For rectangular tanks two in series should be used,
either by constructing two separate tanks or by
dividing a single tank into two by a partition. In
either case the compartments should be not less
than 1 200 mm deep below TWL for up to 10 persons
and not less than 1 500 mm deep below TWL for
larger populations. The first compartment should
have a length of not less than twice its width. In the
larger installations serving over 30 persons, a baffle
should be provided at the inlet and a scumboard at
the outlet. In order to facilitate desludging
operations, the floor of the first compartment should
have a fall of 1 : 4 towards the inlet end.
Typical arrangements for installations using two
separate tanks are shown diagrammatically in
Figure 2 (for populations of up to 30) and Figure 3
(for populations of over 30). Where the two
compartments are separated by a dividing partition
as in Figure 4 (up to 30 persons) and Figure 5
(over 30 persons), connection between the
compartments should be made either as orifices
arranged horizontally or as vertical slits at each side
of the partition (Figure 4) and not by the use of a dip
and communicating pipe (see 9.3).
For populations of over 60, duplicate tanks, each of
half the total calculated capacity required, should be
provided and operated in parallel; this arrangement
permits all the flow to be passed through one unit
while the other is being desludged. To enable the top
water to be decanted when desludging, a decanting
valve should be provided in the wall dividing the two
tanks; the invert of this valve should be 625 mm
below TWL. Each tank should comprise two
compartments but, where the installation is for
more than about 100 persons and surge flows cause
less disturbance, consideration should be given to
the use of two single-compartment tanks in parallel.
Except where emptying and desludging will be
carried out only by a tank emptying vehicle, tanks
should be provided with a valve-controlled sludge
pipe not less than 100 mm in diameter at their lower
end, arranged so as to discharge to a sludge drying
bed or beds. Positioning the sludge pipe slightly
above the floor level of the tank will facilitate the
retention of a proportion of the sludge for reseeding
purposes.
This code does not preclude the use of prefabricated
materials, e.g. concrete and glass fibre reinforced
cement or plastics, and the guidance given
previously on the proportioning of
multi-compartment tanks may be difficult to apply
directly to non-rectangular tanks made from such
materials. The inherent principles are nonetheless
commended and should be followed where
reasonably practicable. Some adjustment to volume
may be necessary to achieve this.
9.3 Inlets and outlets. The design of septic tank
inlets and outlets should be such as to introduce the
crude sewage and to remove the clarified liquid with
the least possible disturbance of the settled sludge
or the surface scum.
A satisfactory form of inlet for rectangular tanks not
more than 1 200 mm wide is a T-shaped dip pipe of
cast iron or other suitable material not less than the
nominal bore of the incoming drain, fixed inside the
tank, with the top limb rising above scum level and
the bottom limb extending about 450 mm below
TWL.
L
Sludge storage capacity 90
Balance to cover
a) 12 h storage of average domestic
water usage of 120 L per head per
day assumed as passing to drains
60
30
90
b) higher consumptions and/or
infiltration etc.
180

L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
10
BSI 01-1999
For tanks in excess of 1 200 mm in width, two
submerged inlets having inverts at the same level
are preferable. One method of overcoming the
difficulties of dividing small flows is by the use of
submerged bends of the same nominal bore (not less
than 100 mm) set as closely together as practicable
in a shallow sump formed within a small benched
chamber (see Figure 6). It is important that the
invert of the benched channel of this chamber
be 50 mm above TWL, and the inlet ends of the
submerged bends should be set flush with the floor
of the sump, which should not be less than 75 mm
below TWL. The sump may be the full width of the
chamber, but should not exceed 1.5 times the
nominal bore of the inlet bends in the other
direction.The inverts of the outlet end of these bends
should be between 300 mm and 525 mm below TWL
in the tank. A baffle should be provided 150 mm
from the inlet end of the tank, extending 150 mm
below the invert of the inlet pipes and 150 mm
above TWL.
Where duplicate tanks are required, each of which is
in excess of 1 200 mm in width, the flow may be
divided equally by forming a crested weir of suitable
length (see Figure 7) on the centre line of the
dividing wall between the tanks at the inlet end so
that the top of the weir is 75 mm below the standing
water level in the tanks and 100 mm below the
invert of the inlet pipe. This should be so arranged
that the flow from each side of the crested weir
passes through a handstop frame to enable either
tank to be shut off for cleaning purposes by the
insertion of a suitable handstop.
It is important that the incoming drain or sewer
should be precisely in line with the centre of the two
tanks for a distance of at least 6 m.
Where the incoming drain has a steep gradient, at
least the last 12 m should be laid at a gradient not
steeper than 1 : 50 in order to minimize turbulence.
The final outlet for tanks which are less
than 1 200 mm wide should be by a 100 mm
nominal bore dip pipe of cast iron or other suitable
material fixed inside the tank in a similar manner to
the inlet dip pipe and 25 mm below it. For wider
tanks it is necessary to use a weir outlet extending
the full width of the tank and protected by a
scumboard, e.g. of suitable protected timber,
plastics or asbestos cement fixed 150 mm from the
weir and extending 150 mm above and 450 mm
below TWL. It is important that the top edge of the
weir be true and set level 50 mm below the inlet
drain. A deflector should be formed either in the
structure of the end (outlet) wall or by a
purpose-made deflector to prevent rising particles
from reaching the outlet weir.This deflector should
be located 150 mm below the base of the scumboard
and protrude 150 mm into the tank (see Figure 3
and Figure 5). Consideration should be given to the
provision of access to the outlet pipe for rodding.
Where two or more tanks are served by a common
incoming drain or sewer it is important that the
invert of the outlet dip pipes serving tanks up
to 1 200 mm wide and of the weirs serving tanks
more than 1 200 mm wide are set at precisely the
same level.
9.4 Further treatment of septic tank effluent.
When required, further treatment of septic tank
effluent should be carried out by the use of a
biological filter or disc. Where this is not practicable,
the tank effluent may be given treatment on land.
This latter method is unlikely to produce an effluent
satisfying a 30 : 20 standard (see 6.2). There are two
ways by which this can be carried out, as described
in clause 12, but the dangers arising from pollution
of local water supplies, from airborne and fly-borne
contamination of food and from rat infestation,
should be carefully considered.
10 Preliminary treatment
Rags and floating debris will inevitably form part of
the flow reaching the works and to reduce blockages
and fouling of plant, particularly with larger
installations, one of the following methods may be
adopted.
a) The placing of a small metal screen
with 30 mm to 75 mm clear spacing between the
vertical bars in the inlet channel. Provision
should be made for overflow or by-pass of the
screen in the event of blockage. Provision should
also be made for the regular and safe disposal of
screenings.
b) The provision of a macerator in the inlet
channel or pipe to chop up all the debris before it
enters the plant.
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
BSI 01-1999 11
c) If the sewage has to be pumped at any stage
before treatment, a pump incorporating a cutting
edge or a separate macerator unit.
Specialist design advice on the need for grit removal
facilities may be necessary.
11 Primary and secondary settlement
tanks
11.1 General. It is particularly important that
specialist engineering advice be obtained when
considering the installation of settlement tanks.
The efficiency of a settlement tank is dependent on
the velocity of the flow, which is determined by the
tank dimensions. In small sewage treatment works
in particular, the considerable variations in flow
which occur can reduce settlement efficiency.
Settlement tanks may be of the horizontal flow or
upward flow type. Although generally more
expensive to construct than a horizontal flow tank,
an upward flow tank has two distinctive
advantages. Since the tank is desludged
hydrostatically, the need for two tanks in parallel
for draining down, as in the case of a horizontal
tank, is eliminated, and workmen are not required
to enter it to remove sludge, thus eliminating an
unpleasant and potentially hazardous task.
Facilities should be provided for the regular removal
of sludge, which is crucial to the performance of all
settlement tanks, and for this to be carried out at
intervals such as will prevent the onset of
septicity.Failure to do so will result in a serious
reduction in the efficiency. In normal operation,
tanks should be desludged at least once each week.
Unless otherwise specified, scum retention boards
and removal facilities should be provided for
settlement tanks, since small sewage treatment
works are more likely to receive relatively high
proportions of oils, fats and grease than are large
works.
11.2 Primary settlement tanks. Primary
settlement tanks are used to settle out solids prior
to biological treatment and thus reduce the BOD
load on following units. They should not normally be
used for populations of fewer than about 100.
An upward flow tank for the range of populations
considered in this code is normally square in plan
with a hopper bottom having steeply sloping sides to
provide sludge storage. Sewage enters the tank via
a feed pipe and is initially deflected downwards by a
stilling box. As the sewage is dispersed into the body
of the tank it rises steadily towards a peripheral
weir and suspended material falls into the hopper.
In designing hopper bottomed tanks an angle of
slope of 60 (giving 51 valley slope) will usually be
satisfactory. In order to reduce possible sludge
accumulation in the valley angle, a tank of steeper
angle of slope of 68 (giving 60 valley slope) may be
considered. This will be approximately 1.4 times the
depth of the shallower tank, and consequently more
expensive.
A typical arrangement is shown in Figure 8.
Prefabricated units are available in steel or plastics
based materials.
A horizontal flow settlement tank is normally
rectangular in plan and should have a length of
approximately three times its width and a depth
below TWL of about 1 500 mm. The floor should
have a fall towards the inlet end of the tank with a
gradient of 1 : 10. To facilitate desludging, twin
tanks should be provided in parallel, and a
decanting valve, having an invert level 300 mm
above the floor level of the higher end of the tanks,
should be located in the wall dividing the two tanks.
A desludging valve should be provided from the
deep end of each tank and be connected to sludge
drying beds or a sludge pumping chamber. These
arrangements will vary according to site conditions
and may be unnecessary when emptying is to be
carried out only by a tank emptying vehicle.
Dividing very small flows of crude sewage between
the tanks is difficult and the use of submerged bends
or a crested weir as described in 9.3 is
recommended. The final outlet for horizontal flow
settlement tanks should be of the weir type in
accordance with the recommendations for a septic
tank as described in 9.3.
A typical arrangement is shown in Figure 7.
11.3 Capacities of primary settlement tanks
11.3.1 Upward flow tanks. The arrangement of an
upward flow settlement tank should be such that
the nominal upward flow velocity through it is less
than the settling velocity of the material to be
removed. A figure of 0.9 m/h at maximum flow rate
is recommended. Where the maximum flow rate is
unknown, the surface area of the tank may be
calculated from the formula:
where
A
is the minimum area (in m
2
) of the tank at
the top of the hopper; and
P is the design population (see item c) of
clause 4 and 9.1).
A
1
10
-------- p
0.85
=
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
12
BSI 01-1999
This formula allows for increased variability of flow
rates which occurs as populations decrease. It is
based on a dry weather flow of 180 L per head per
day but should be adjusted pro rata for other values
of the dry weather flow. The dimensions and
capacity of the hopper can be determined from a
knowledge of its volume and surface area.
Sludge may accumulate at the rate of 10 L per head
per week and should be accommodated in the lower
two-thirds of the depth of the hopper. At dry
weather flows of less than 180 L per head per day
this criterion may be critical in determining the
capacity of the hopper. The layout should be such
that the inlet arrangement never becomes
submerged in sludge.
Additional capacity should be provided above the
hopper in a vertical side-wall section between the
top of the hopper and TWL, as shown in Figure 8.
The side-wall height to be adopted should be not less
than 400 mm and the gross capacity of the tank
should be such as to provide a detention period of
not more than 12 h at dry weather flow. It is also
recommended that the gross capacity should be not
less than that determined by the formula for
capacity given in 11.3.2.
11.3.2 Primary horizontal flow tanks. The
calculation of the capacity of a horizontal flow tank
should be based on the number of persons to be
served and the dry weather flow. The detention
period should not exceed 12 h at dry weather flow
and the following formula is recommended:
where
This formula allows for the increased variability in
flow rates which occurs as populations decrease, It
is based on a dry weather flow of 180 L per head per
day but should be adjusted pro rata for other values
of the dry weather flow. Use of the formula will give
gross detention periods of less than 12 h at dry
weather flow for all values of dry weather flow and
for a population in excess of 100 (i.e. ranging
from 12.0 h at population of 100 to 8.5 h at 1 000).
It is also recommended that the surface area of the
tanks should be not less than that determined by
means of the formula given in 11.3.1.
11.4 Secondary settlement tanks. Secondary
settlement tanks, usually known as humus tanks
when used in conjunction with biological filters, are
essential components of secondary sewage
treatment where a 30:20 or better quality effluent is
required. They are installed immediately following
biological treatment, either as independent units or
as integral parts of packaged systems. It may be
advantageous to arrange for recirculation of some of
the final effluent through the biological filters.
Secondary sludge may also be transferred to the
primary compartments of septic tanks for storage
and final disposal with the septic sludge. In the case
of activated sludge units sludge requires to be
continuously withdrawn from the settlement tank
for return to the aeration tank.
The design principles for secondary settlement
tanks are similar to those for primary tanks but
where recirculation of final effluent is adopted as
part of the biological filtration process (see 12.2.4) it
will be necessary, with specialist advice, to increase
the surface area and capacity of secondary
settlement tanks relative to the amount of effluent
recycled. Guidance for the design of secondary
settlement tanks to be used with activated sludge
units is given in 13.5.
For design, constructional and operational
convenience, it may be desirable to make secondary
settlement tanks of equal size to primary tanks.
Otherwise, the formulae in 11.5 for determining
capacities are recommended.
11.5 Capacities of secondary settlement tanks
11.5.1 Upward flow tanks. The surface area should
be not less than:
where
This formula is based on a dry weather flow of 180 L
per head per day and allows for increased variability
of flow rates at small populations. It may be
adjusted pro rata for other values of dry weather
flow.
Sludge should be accommodated in the bottom
two-thirds of the depth of the hopper and this
criterion may be critical in determining the capacity
of the hopper to be adopted.The layout should be
such that the inlet arrangement never becomes
submerged in sludge.
C is the gross capacity of the tank (in L); and
P is the design population (see item c) of
clause 4 and 9.1).
C 180 P
0.85
=
A is the minimum area (in m
2
) of the tank at
the top of the hopper; and
P is the design population (see item c) of
clause 4 and 9.1).
A
3
40
-------- P
0.85
=
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
BSI 01-1999 13
Additional capacity should be provided above the
hopper in a vertical side-wall section between the
top of the hopper and TWL, as shown in Figure 8.
The side-wall height should be not less than 400 mm
and the gross capacity of the tank should be not less
than that determined by use of the formula for
capacity given in 11.5.2.
11.5.2 Secondary horizontal flow tanks.
(see Figure 9). The calculation of the capacity of a
horizontal flow tank should be based on the number
of persons to be served and the dry weather flow.The
following formula is recommended:
where
This formula is based on a dry weather flow of 180 L
per head per day and allows for increased variability
of flow rates at small populations. It may be
adjusted pro rata for other values of dry weather
flow. Use of the formula will give gross detention
periods of less than 9 h at dry weather flow for all
values of dry weather flow and a population in
excess of 100.
It is also recommended that the surface area of the
tanks be not less than that determined by means of
the formula given in 11.5.1.
12 Biological filters, including
rotating biological contactors, and
secondary settlement tanks
12.1 General. In a conventional biological filter, the
effluent from a septic tank or a primary settlement
tank is brought into contact with a suitable medium,
the surface of which becomes coated with a
biological film. The film assimilates and oxidizes
much of the polluting matter through the agency of
micro-organisms. The biological filter requires
ample ventilation and an efficient system of
underdrains leading to an outlet.
A form of rotary biological contactor has now been
introduced employing a medium in the form of discs
or random elements packed in a perforated drum.
12.2 Conventional biological filters
12.2.1 Distribution. The effluent should be
distributed evenly over the surface of the biological
filter, through which it percolates to the floor.
Biological filters are usually either rectangular
(see Figure 10) or circular (see Figure 11) in plan,
and various methods of distribution may be used,
the most suitable for use in small installations being
a series of fixed channels or a rotating-arm
distributor.
12.2.2 Fixed channels for rectangular filters. A
series of fixed channels of suitable material should
be provided and so adjusted in level that the effluent
flows uniformly through notches in their sides.
These channels should be dosed intermittently by
means of a tipping trough or other mechanism. This
method of distribution should not normally be used
for populations of over 50.
12.2.3 Rotating-arm distributor for circular filters.
A rotating-arm distributor, consisting of one or more
arms extending from the central axis towards the
outer edge of the filter, should be provided. The
effluent should be fed into the rotating arm or arms
so that on discharge it is sprinkled evenly over the
whole surface of the filter medium. This type of
distributor requires a greater hydraulic head to
operate it than does the fixed channel type.
A head of liquid is necessary to effect rotation of the
distributor arms by hydraulic means. If the
mechanism is such that the separate dosing
chamber with siphon has to be constructed outside
the bed, the capacity of the chamber should be
from 3 L to 4 L per m
2
of filter. The dose, and
therefore the capacity of the chamber, should be
such as to ensure efficient distribution.
12.2.4 Volume of filter. It is essential that the
volume of filter medium provided is sufficient to
allow for surge flows which occur with small
installations, such variations being more
pronounced the smaller the number of persons
served.
The volume of mineral medium required can be
calculated by the formula
where
C is the gross capacity of the tank (in L); and
P is the design population (see item c) of
clause 4 and 9.1).
C 135
P
0.85
=
V is the volume of medium (in m
3
); and
P is the design population.
V 1.5 P
0.83
=
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
14
BSI 01-1999
In Table 1 shown below, the volumes of medium
required for representative numbers of users are
given; intermediate values may be interpolated on a
linear basis. The volume of medium per user is also
given and it can be seen that surge flows are allowed
for. When waste disposal units are installed, the
volume of medium obtained from the formula or
from the tables should be increased by 30 %, pro
rata for that part of the population equipped with
waste disposal units.
Where
It may be possible, with specialist advice, to reduce
the volume of the filter by introducing recirculation
of part of the final effluent in order to dilute the
influent to the filter. This also eliminates the danger
of the filter medium drying out during periods of low
flow. Where this is done the arrangements provided
for secondary settlement in humus tank(s) should
be increased relative to the amount of effluent which
is recycled.
12.2.5 Mineral filter media. Mineral filter media
should comply with the requirements of BS 1438
and be chosen with regard to the following
considerations.
a) It should be strong enough to resist crushing
under its own weight or when walked on.
b) It should be obtained washed and dust-free.
c) It should not contain any toxic substances or
other undesirable matter likely to be dissolved
into the sewage flow.
d) It should be capable of resisting breakdown
due to the flow of the sewage or under frost
action.
e) The general shape of the individual pieces
should be roughly cubical rather than very
elongated or flat.
f) The surface of the pieces should preferably be
rough and pitted.
g) Local availability, having regard to suitability.
Several mineral materials are suitable for this
purpose, the most usual being hardburnt clinker,
blastfurnace slag, hard broken stones and hard
crushed gravel.
Efficiency is dependent on careful grading; a
suitable grading for mineral media is 100 mm
to 150 mm at the bottom for a depth of
about 150 mm, the remainder being 50 mm nominal
maximum size which requires, in accordance with
BS 1438, the grading limits given in Table 2.
12.2.6 Plastics filter media. Media fabricated from
plastics materials are now available and may be
used in biological filters in place of mineral media.
Three main types are available in the form of
pressed laminar sheets supplied in modules,
tubular form media and random fill media. These
have high void capacity, extended specific surface,
and low bulk density enabling high hydraulic flow to
be accommodated in smaller working volumes and
lightweight structures in comparison with mineral
media. Costs of plastics media are however
relatively higher per unit volume than mineral
media, and the risks of freezing or drying in periods
of low hydraulic flow are greater in plastics media.
The specific surface and wetting properties of
plastics media vary widely from one type to another,
and no general simple formula can be given to relate
the performance of plastics media to mineral media.
It is essential to follow the manufacturers
recommendations with care and if possible to
consider the performance of existing plastics media
in similar conditions. Manufacturers should be
consulted in all cases on the installation and
orientation of plastics media to avoid possible
damage to the filter and to maximize the efficient
utilization of the special design of the media.
Table 1 Filter medium capacity
function V = 1.5 P
0.83
V is the volume of medium (in m
3
)
P is the design population.
P 4 6 8 10 15 20 25 30 40 50
V 4.7 6.6 8.4 10.1 14.2 18.0 21.7 25.2 32.0 38.6
V/P 1.18 1.11 1.05 1.01 0.95 0.90 0.87 0.84 0.80 0.77
P 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1 000
V 69 122 171 217 261 303 345 385 425 464
V/P 0.69 0.61 0.57 0.54 0.52 0.51 0.49 0.48 0.47 0.46
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
BSI 01-1999 15
Table 2 Grading limits for 50 mm filter
medium
Where plastics media are used they need to be
contained against loss by wind action. A perforated
walkway should be provided to give access to the
distributor where necessary.
12.2.7 Design. The depth of mineral medium should,
where practicable, be 1 800 mm, corresponding with
conventional practice. Where insufficient hydraulic
head is available the depth may be reduced
but 1 200 mm is the minimum depth recommended.
Where adequate head is available the depth may be
increased up to 2 500 mm. Deeper filters enable
economies to be made in foundations, underdrains
and in distribution. The higher hydraulic flow rate
on the surface of the filter reduces problems of
distribution and drying at low flow but may not
necessarily eliminate them. Where small increases
in loading rate occur filter loading per unit volume
may be reduced by adding medium to the surface of
an existing filter provided hydraulic conditions
permit.
12.2.8 Ventilation. Adequate ventilation of a
biological filter is essential; air vents
communicating with the floor level of the filter
should be provided. Where the filter is below
ground, the ventilating pipes from the ends of the
underdrains should be carried to 150 mm above
ground level outside the filter (see Figure 11).
Normally the filter should not be covered, but wire
netting may be used to prevent falling leaves fouling
the surface of the filter or blocking the ventilating
pipes.
Where the filter is above ground, ventilation holes
or porous construction can be provided at the base of
the walls of the filter.
A minimum of four 100 mm diameter ventilators
should be applied to underground filters below
ground and these should be at a maximum of 2 m
centres for larger units. Gratings should be kept
clear.
12.2.9 Grassland. Treatment of filter effluents on
grassland is a method of removing humus as an
alternative to secondary settlement. In this method
the filter effluent should be evenly distributed over
the grass from a system of channels and, after
flowing over the surface, collected in a second
system of channels. The land should be well graded
and to avoid scouring should have a gentle slope of
about 1 : 60 to 1 : 100. Special seeding of the land is
not necessary and the grass and other vegetation
needs only occasional cutting to keep the growth
from becoming too rank. The cuttings should be
removed from the irrigation area and the
accumulated solids should be removed periodically.
The area of grassland required per head of
population is about 3 m
2
and the total area should
be divided into three approximately square plots,
used in rotation for a period of 2 months to 3 months
at a time.
This method should not be confused with final
disposal of effluent over grass plots described
in 14.2.
12.3 Rotary biological contactors
12.3.1 General. Rotary biological contactors are
normally package units that incorporate facilities
for primary and secondary settlement. The
recommendations of the manufacturer concerning
selection of plant, maintenance and operation
should be followed with care.
The biological organisms which oxidize the
impurities in the sewage are supported on a rotating
structure which exposes them to absorb,
alternately, air and sewage. Rotation also assists
aeration of the sewage in the immersion tank.
Some units include novel or patented features that
cannot be covered in this code of practice. Users
should seek to establish that any claims made can
be justified.
12.3.2 Input arrangements and capacity. Wherever
possible installations using rotary biological
contactors should be supplied by gravity and means
provided to minimize surges in flow, especially
where package units are used. Where crude sewage
is admitted by pumping, it is important that the
average frequency of pumping should not be less
than four times per hour throughout most of the
day.
Septic tanks built integrally with rotary biological
contactors should be able to hold at least the total
volume of sludge deposited in 1 month to 3 months
use, dependent on the size of the plant, at the full
design loading. They should provide convenient
access for desludging and should be sufficiently
rigid to withstand pressure from adjoining
compartments during desludging.
BS 410 test sieves Proportion by mass passing
mm %
63 100
50 85 to 100
37.5 0 to 30
28 0 to 5
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
16
BSI 01-1999
In integral plants it is desirable for the inlet zone to
be baffled or for a weir providing a headloss
of 10 mm to 20 mm to be installed to minimize the
effect of surges in flow. Treatment is more efficient
when longitudinal mixing is minimized in the
treatment zone by installation of a number of
transverse baffles each providing a headloss of
about 10 mm.
The design should facilitate the transfer of excess
film, shed from the rotating surfaces, from the
treatment zone to a secondary settlement unit,
either by positive mechanical means or by ensuring
that sufficient turbulence is induced to carry it
forward in the effluent stream. Some systems
incorporate novel or patented features of design.
12.3.3 Rotor units and drive mechanisms. The
rotational speed (usually 1 r/min to 3 r/min) and
diameter of the rotating structure govern the
peripheral velocity, which should not
exceed 0.35 m/s to avoid stripping of the biomass.
Random media, where employed, should be tightly
packed for the same reason. Biological film
accumulates more thickly on the surfaces nearest
the inlet to the treatment zone, and the spacing
between adjacent surfaces of discs in this region
should be designed to prevent the bridging of gaps
between surfaces.
12.3.4 Construction. The design and alignment of
the drive shaft should provide adequate strength to
assure long trouble-free life. Failure of power or
other interruption of rotation may, if continuing
more than 24 h, allow the biomass on the rotor to
become unbalanced due to drainage and drying of
the exposed areas. If rotation recommences without
the proper maintenance and cleaning of the discs,
severe strain will be placed on the shaft and drive.
It is therefore essential that proper provision for
overload protection of the motor is made and that
automatic restart for the motor is provided after an
electrical failure.
Structures supporting the rotor bearings and drive
should have adequate long term rigidity to maintain
alignment. Bearings, drive chains and sprockets
should be protected from moisture and provided
with easy access for lubrication and adjustment.
Discs can be made from a variety of durable
materials including expanded metal, plastics mesh,
GRP, unplasticized polyvinyl chloride or similar
materials, or high density polystyrene foam. The
packing used in rotating cylinders may be similar to
random fill media used in high rate biological filters.
Rotors are also used with a variety of surfaces
disposed in a spiral or honeycomb form.
12.3.5 Secondary settlement tanks for biological
contactor units. Secondary settlement tanks can be
either integral parts of package systems or separate
structures and should conform in principle to the
provisions of clauses 10 and 11. The capacity
provided should be not less than conventional
secondary settlement tanks and should allow for the
accumulation of about 3 months discharge of
humus sludge. Provision may also be made for
humus sludge to be transferred to the primary
settlement tank or septic tank.
12.3.6 Loading and performance of the biological
stage. Where full treatment of domestic sewage
to 30 : 20 standard (see 6.2.1) is required, the
loading of the rotating surfaces in the biological
zone should not exceed 5 g BOD per m
2
per day of
settled sewage or 7.5 g BOD per m
2
per day as crude
sewage entering an integrated package plant
5)
. The
loading should be based on the maximum
population to be served especially in camping or
holiday areas serving varying numbers. Where
quality standards are critical, additional tertiary
treatment (polishing) should be provided
(see clause 14).
13 Activated sludge units
6)
13.1 General. For the purposes of this code,
installations operating on activated sludge
principles are those providing for the aeration of
crude unsettled sewage with activated sludge. An
important feature of these installations is that a
long period of aeration should be provided at some
stage in the process in order to bring about oxidation
of sludge, thus reducing the rate of production of
surplus sludge and the frequency with which this
sludge should be removed. In all activated sludge
systems there is a need regularly to remove
quantities of surplus sludge. To ensure that an
effluent of 30 : 20 standard is achieved it may be
necessary to provide a polishing stage of
treatment (see clause 14).
5)
Higher loadings may be used provided that adequate technical support data has been supplied.
6)
See Technical memorandum on activated-sludge sewage-treatment installations providing for a long period of aeration,
HMSO, London, 1969.
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
BSI 01-1999 17
13.2 Location. Attention is drawn to the
recommendation given in 6.2.2 that the site should
be sufficiently far from habitable buildings to avoid
the risk of noise nuisance. An electricity supply is
required.
13.3 General requirements. The installation
should incorporate the following features:
a) adequate protection against corrosion;
b) standby electrical equipment incorporating
automatic changeover, where practicable;
c) automatic restarting in the event of power
failure;
d) arrangements for the removal and disposal of
surplus sludge;
e) adequate control of flow to minimize risk of
washout of activated sludge;
f) if below ground level, adequate protection
against flotation.
13.4 Types of installation
13.4.1 General. There are three types of installation:
a) extended-aeration;
b) contact stabilization;
c) oxidation ditches.
Types a) and b) are normally prefabricated
factory-built units, often referred to as package
plants. The minimum capacity varies with different
manufacturers; as a guide, type a) is suitable for
populations of not less than 25 and types b) and c)
for populations of not less than 70.
Specialist advice is necessary when considering the
use of any of the three types. Where waste disposal
units are installed, due allowance should be made
regarding air supply requirements and tank
capacities.
13.4.2 Extended-aeration installations
13.4.2.1 General. The extended-aeration process
involves treatment in two compartments, an
aeration or mixed liquor compartment and a
settlement compartment. Sewage, which will
usually be screened or macerated, flows to the
aeration compartment where it is aerated in
admixture with activated sludge. The sludge is
separated from the mixed liquor in the settlement
compartment which is usually integral with the first
compartment but separated from it by a partition.
The sludge is recycled to the aeration compartment
either by gravity pump or by air-lift. The
supernatant liquor (treated effluent) leaves the
plant over a weir.
13.4.2.2 Capacities. The capacity of the aeration
compartment should be not less than 230 L
7)
per
head of resident population. Retention time should
be at least 24 h and up to 48 h may be provided
depending on the strength of sewage and the
standard of effluent required. Maximum daily BOD
loading should be between 0.05 kg/(kgd)
and 0.15 kg/(kgd) MLSS and a concentration
maintained of 2 000 mg/L to 5 000 mg/L MLSS. The
design of the settlement compartment should be
such that the maximum surface loading (flow per
unit area) does not exceed 22 m
3
/m
2

per 24 h [0.9 m
3
/(m
2
h)].
13.4.2.3 Air supply. The duty air compressor(s)
should be capable of producing up to 17 m
3
per day
of air at 2 m water depth per head of population, the
volume required being dependent upon the bubble
size and depth of immersion as shown in Table 3.
Table 3 Air supply
With mechanically aerated systems the aerator
capacity potential should be not less than 2 g oxygen
per g BOD applied.
7)
As in the Technical Memorandum, this figure is equivalent to a BOD loading of 240 mg/L of aeration capacity per day on the
basis of 55 g BOD per head per day.
Bubble
size
Depth of
aerator
Air supply per
day per head of
population
mm m m
3
Coarse bubbles 8 2 16.8
3 12.0
3.5 9.5
Fine bubbles 2 to 4 2 8.4
3 6.0
3.5 4.8
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
18
BSI 01-1999
13.4.3 Contact stabilization installations
13.4.3.1 General. The contact stabilization process
involves treatment in four distinct compartments.
In the first compartment, sewage, which will
usually be screened or macerated, is aerated in
contact with activated sludge for a period of
between h and 2 h, the mixed liquor then passing
to the settlement compartment. After settlement,
the supernatant liquor (the treated effluent) is
discharged, and the sludge is transferred to a third
(re-aeration) compartment where it is aerated for a
period of several hours during which time oxidation
of absorbed organic material occurs. A large
proportion of the activated sludge is then recycled to
the first (contact) compartment. There may be a
fourth (aerobic digester) compartment where
surplus sludge is further aerated to oxidize it as
completely as possible before being removed for
disposal.
13.4.3.2 Capacities. The combined capacities of the
first (contact) and the third (re-aeration)
compartments should not be less than 114 L per
head of population served. The design of the second
(settlement) compartment should be the same as for
extended aeration installations.The capacity of the
fourth (aerobic digester) compartment should be not
less than 90 L per head of population. The
BOD/sludge loading for the combined stages should
lie between 0.05 kg/(kgd) and 0.15 kg/(kgd) MLSS.
13.4.3.3 Air supply. The duty air compressor(s)
should be capable of producing a volume of air
consistent with Table 3. Air input should be
allocated to the three stages, contact, re-aeration
and digestion, approximately in proportions 2 : 4 : 3
respectively.
13.4.4 Oxidation ditch installations
13.4.4.1 General. The oxidation ditch consists
essentially of a continuous shallow channel 1 m
to 3 m in depth usually forming an oval circuit in
plan. The same depth below TWL and preferably of
the same cross-sectional area should be maintained
for the complete circuit. The ditch should be
equipped with one or more mechanical aerators
arranged to maintain a velocity of flow in the ditch
sufficient to keep the activated sludge in
suspension. The construction should be in concrete
or in earthwork. Where the latter method is used,
some form of lining may be required according to
ground conditions and type of construction. A rigid
lining should always be provided in the vicinity of
the rotor, extending to at least 4.5 m downstream.
Provision should be made for separate settlement of
sludge before discharge of final effluent if the ditch
is designed for continuous operation.
13.4.4.2 Capacities. The capacity of the ditch should
be not less than 260 L per head of population. In the
case of continuous operation, where separate
settlement is required, the design of the settlement
compartment should be the same as for
extended-aeration installations. The BOD/sludge
loading should lie between 0.05 kg/(kgd)
and 0.15 kg/(kgd). Mixed liquor suspended solids
should be maintained between 2 000 mg/L
and 5 000 mg/L.
13.4.4.3 Aeration. The mechanical aerator should
provide not less than 2 g of oxygen per g BOD
8)
.
13.5 Settlement of activated sludge
13.5.1 General. Prefabricated factory-built
treatment units generally include settlement
facilities. However, for the larger units it may be
necessary to construct settlement facilities in situ or
in vessels separate from the biological section.
Designs of settlement tanks vary with the
manufacturer, but the following basic elements
should be included.
13.5.2 Loading rates. Surface loading should not
exceed the rate of 0.9 m
3
/(m
2
h) at peak flow, and
the capacity of the tank should be sufficient to
provide a minimum retention of 2 h at peak flow.
The maximum solids load per unit surface area
should not exceed the rate of 5 kg/(m
2
h).
8)
Biological treatment plants are constantly under development and new methods may become available in the future which
may lead to different design parameters.
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
BSI 01-1999 19
13.5.3 Inlet arrangements. The inlet pipe should
be 100 mm minimum diameter in suitable material
such as low carbon steel, unplasticized polyvinyl
chloride or cast iron. On entering the centre feed
well or stilling box, the pipe should turn through 90
to discharge vertically as close as possible to the
tank centre at approximately liquid level. The
stilling box should be square or circular and should
have a side length or diameter of approximately 1/6
of the tank side length or diameter. Its upper edge
should be not less than 75 mm above water level and
its lower edge should extend to the bottom of the
vertical side wall level in the case of an upflow tank,
and 800 mm to 1 000 mm below water level in the
case of a scraped circular tank.
13.5.4 Overflow outlets. The effluent should be
removed by overflow at adjustable notched weirs at
the periphery of the tank, discharging into a
collection channel of sufficient depth to prevent it
flooding at sustained peak flow rate. Notched weirs
are essential when weir overflow rates fall
below 150 m
3
/(mh).
13.5.5 Sludge withdrawal. Sludge should be
continuously withdrawn from the settlement tank
for return to the aeration tank at a controlled rate.
The rate of return should be adjustable
between 0.5 DWF and 1.5 DWF. The return
sludge pump should be adequately dimensioned to
avoid it becoming blocked.
14 Tertiary treatment (polishing)
processes
14.1 General. Conventional biological treatment
can produce an effluent of 30 : 20 standard
(SS : BOD), or better, after separation of solids, but
for reliable production of higher quality effluents a
tertiary or polishing stage of treatment is
necessary before final disposal. Polishing processes
rely mainly on flocculation, sedimentation or
filtration of residual suspended solids. The BOD
associated with the solids is removed and some
methods also provide further biological purification.
Polishing is suitable only for dealing with good
quality secondary effluents and, in general, will
operate efficiently only at works where biological
treatment is adequate. If a suitably chosen
polishing process is applied to a good quality
secondary effluent it should normally be possible to
achieve at least a 10 : 10 standard.
Several methods are now available. These include
slow sand filtration, rapid sand filtration,
microstraining and retention in lagoons. In small
sewage treatment works the following methods are
more common:
a) treatment over grass plots;
b) upward-flow clarifiers (not normally used with
activated sludge plants).
14.2 Treatment over grass plots (see Figure 12).
This method is inexpensive and can remove
about 70 % of residual suspended solids and 50 % of
BOD. The rate of treatment, calculated on the area
in use at any one time, should not
exceed 0.85 m
3
/(m
2
d) at maximum flow of
about 0.3 m
2
per head of population. (The use of
grassland for irrigation of filter effluent is described
in 12.2.9.)
14.3 Upward flow clarifiers. In the gravel-bed
clarifier effluent is passed upwards through
a 150 mm layer of 5 mm to 7 mm gravel
9)
supported
on a perforated floor in a suitable tank. The floor
should be made of metal suitably protected against
corrosion, stainless steel, concrete or other suitable
material. The perforated area of the floor should be
such that the rate of flow does not
exceed 1.0 m
3
/(m
2
h) under peak flow conditions.
The method is effective in removing about 50 % of
the suspended solids and 30 % of the BOD provided
that the solids which accumulate in, above and
below the gravel are regularly removed.
It is preferable that duplicate tanks should be
provided if practicable to permit proper cleaning.
Each tank should be designed on similar lines to a
settlement tank with a surface area sufficient to
contain the gravel bed and allow access at the inlet
end for cleaning (see Figure 13). As an alternative,
the gravel bed may be installed in the humus tank
provided that the size and design of the tank comply
with the requirements of this section, as well as
with those in Figure 7 and Figure 8. Solids which
accumulate in, above, and below the gravel should
be removed by back-washing, that is, lowering the
water level by draining off effluent from below the
gravel bed and washing the surface of the drained
bed with a jet of water or effluent where necessary.
9)
Reference: Tertiary Treatment and Advanced Waste Water Treatment. Manuals of British Practice in Water Pollution
Control. The Institute of Water Pollution Control, 1974.
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
20
BSI 01-1999
The top of the perforated floor supporting the gravel
should be 450 mm below the surface of the liquid in
the tank as controlled by the level of the outlet,
which should be in the form of a weir 300 mm above
the surface of the gravel. The perforations in the
floor should be able to retain the medium but be of
sufficient size to allow a free flow of liquid through
it. The floor and its support should be designed to
accommodate both the weight of the medium and
the superimposed weight of a man when cleaning.
The edges of the floor adjoining the walls should be
sealed for a distance of 100 mm to obviate the risk of
the flow short-circuiting between the gravel and the
wall.
A vertical inlet baffle should be provided to achieve
even distribution of flow beneath the gravel bed, and
should project not less than 300 mm below the
underside of the perforated floor. It should project
not less than 75 mm and not more than 225 mm
above the level of the outlet weir to prevent the
medium blowing and thereby discharging solids.
The ends of the baffle should be sealed to the tank
walls.
There are also a number of methods of clarifying
effluent by upward flow through fabricated
materials. Metal and plastics mesh are those most
commonly used. These clarifiers can be comparable
in performance to gravel-bed units, but it should be
noted that plastics mesh may be structurally
vulnerable as it will not normally bear a mans
weight.
14.4 Effluent lagoons. Although effluent lagoons
are not commonly used for tertiary treatment at
small works they can be very successful. Additional
settlement of solids results, and further biological
oxidation is also possible in warm sunny conditions
aided by oxygen provided by algal growth. The
minimum mean retention time recommended
is 4 days. Greater retention times may be employed,
but no single lagoon should have a mean retention
time greater than 6 days. After retention times
of 4 days or more, both BOD and suspended solids
concentrations can be reduced by 40 % accompanied
by 70 % reduction in E. Coli numbers.
In warm sunny conditions tertiary treatment
lagoons may behave similarly to oxidation ponds but
they should be designed to suit the least favourable
conditions at the site. In the design, advantage can
sometimes be taken of local topography, and natural
depressions may be modified if the soil is sufficiently
impervious. In order to encourage plug flow, lagoons
should preferably have a length about 3 times their
width. Inlet pipes should be provided with baffles or
other means of quickly spreading the flow across the
width of the lagoon. The depth of lagoons should not
be less than 1.5 m. In order to prevent the discharge
of scum or of excess algal growth in hot weather,
baffles should be provided at the discharge point to
permit discharge from not less than 0.5 m below the
surface.
15 Disposal of final effluent
15.1 General. After treatment, the disposal of final
effluent should be by one of the methods in 15.2
to 15.5.
15.2 Disposal to inland or tidal water. When it
is proposed to discharge effluent to inland or tidal
waters, it is essential that the consent of the
appropriate water, river or other controlling
authority be obtained. Such consent will include
conditions as to the quality and quantity of the
discharge and may contain provisions relating to
the construction of the outlet and the point of
effluent sampling.
15.3 Disposal to underground strata
15.3.1 General. When it is proposed to discharge
final effluent or septic tank effluent to underground
strata, the appropriate authority will need to be
consulted. Although consultation is not mandatory
in Scotland, except in part of the area of the Clyde
River Purification Board, it is recommended that it
should take place in every case. The appropriate
authorities are water authorities in England and
Wales, river purification authorities in Scotland and
the Department of the Environment in Northern
Ireland.
If the discharge is to be made to a porous subsoil,
such as gravel, sand or chalk, at a level above that
of the water table in winter, a soakaway pit may be
used. This consists essentially of an excavation
filled with brickbats or other large pieces of inert
material, or unfilled but lined, e.g. with dry-laid
brickwork or precast concrete (porous or perforated)
rings, from which the effluent may percolate into
the surrounding ground. The pit should be covered
by a slab incorporating an inspection cover.
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
BSI 01-1999 21
In less porous subsoils, a subsurface irrigation
system may be practicable as a more suitable
alternative. It should be very carefully designed and
consists of a system of field drains which should be
constructed using porous or perforated pipes, laid in
trenches, with a uniform gradient which should be
not steeper than 1 : 200. The pipes should be laid on
a 150 mm layer of clinker, clean gravel or broken
stone 20 mm to 50 mm grade and the trenches filled
to a level 50 mm above the pipe and covered with
strips of plastics material laid to prevent the entry
of silt. The remainder of the trench can be filled with
normal soil. Pipes should be laid at a minimum
depth of 500 mm below the surface. If the level of the
water table rises in the winter to within 1 m of the
proposed invert of the irrigation system, it is not
normally advisable to use subsurface irrigation.
The floor area of subsurface drainage trench
(A
t
in m
2
) required to disperse effluents from septic
tanks may be calculated from:
where
For effluents which have received secondary
treatment followed by settlement, this area should
be reduced by 20 %, i.e.:
The area determined should be used to calculate
either the total floor area of the drainage trench and
therefore the length of land drain, or alternatively
the floor area of one or more shallow soakaways.
Drainage trenches should be from 300 mm
to 900 mm wide, and areas of undisturbed
ground 2 m wide should be maintained between
parallel trenches.
15.3.2 Percolation test. To determine the area of
land required a percolation test is essential; the
following method should be adopted.
Excavate a hole 300 mm square to a
depth 250 mm below the proposed invert level of
the land drain. Where deep drains are necessary
the hole should conform to this shape at the
bottom but may be enlarged above the 250 mm
level to enable safe excavation to be carried out.
Fill the 300 mm square section of the hole to a
depth of at least 250 mm with water and allow it
to seep away overnight. Next day, refill the test
section with water to a depth of at least 250 mm
and observe the time, in seconds, for the water to
seep away completely.
Divide this time by the depth in millimetres of
water placed in the hole. The answer gives the
average time required for the water to
drop 1 mm. Take care, when making the test, to
avoid abnormal weather conditions such as heavy
rain, severe frost or drought. The percolation test
consists of carrying out the above measurement
three times, and taking an average of the three
results. In the event of any of the measurements
in a test being 50 % or more above or below the
average, make a further three measurements and
calculate a further average. unless an average
value of V
P
of 24 s/mm or less is obtained (in
which case no further tests are needed) make
further tests on a minimum of three different
locations on the route of the land drain, or at least
three tests on separate days on the site proposed
for a soakaway.
Where deep excavations are necessary a modified
test procedure may be adopted using a 300 mm
earth auger. Bore the test hole vertically to the
appropriate depth taking care to remove all loose
debris.
Make water level observations referring to a fixed
datum using a dip stick or some suitable
alternative water level indicator.
The value found in this way is called the percolation
value (V
p
in s) of the soil and can be used to
determine the area of drainage trench floors
required to disperse effluents. If the percolation
value exceeds 140 s the soil is not suitable for
drainfields. From 140 s to 100 s (about 10 h to 7 h to
fall 250 mm), underdrains are desirable.
15.3.3 Underdrains. Where underdrains are
necessary, drainage trenches should be constructed
not less than 600 mm deeper than the above
trenches, and the lower part filled with pea gravel
(see Figure 14). A second system of drainage pipes
should be laid on the bottom of the trenches to
convey surplus drainage to an outfall in a surface
ditch or watercourse. Underdrains are costly, and a
secondary treatment system able to produce an
effluent suitable for surface discharge may be
preferable.
P is the number of persons served by the
tank; and
V
p
is the percolation value obtained as
described in 15.3.2
A
t
P V
P
0.25 =
A
t
P V
P
0.25 =
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
22
BSI 01-1999
15.4 Disposal on land. Disposal of effluent on land
involves the distribution of the effluent overground
so that loss occurs by seepage into the ground and by
evapo-transpiration. The area of land required,
which should be divided into two portions to permit
each to be rested in turn, will vary according to its
nature. Up to 100 m
2
per person may be required
where the ground is of heavy clay. The percolation
test carried out in the surface strata as described
in 15.3.2 may be helpful in the determination of the
area of land required. Distribution of the effluent on
the land should be made by a system of channels.
Where the final effluent is to be pumped,
distribution of the effluent on land could be made by
the use of a spray irrigation system.
15.5 Drying and disposal of sludge
15.5.1 General. The storage, treatment and drying
of sludge on site and the handling of both wet and
dried sludge can lead to problems of smell and
alternative methods of treatment and disposal
should be carefully assessed.
15.5.2 Sludge drying. Sludge may be transferred to
a sludge-drying bed or suitable dewatering plant.
This method may involve pumping (see clause 16) if
site levels do not permit gravity flow. Requirements
for valves, sumps or pump well will depend on
particular site conditions.
Air drying of sludge is carried out on underdrained
clinker-ash or grit-sand drying beds consisting of an
adequate number of separate bays where drainage
and evaporation occur simultaneously. At
least 0.4 m
2
of bed area should be provided per
person and where waste disposal units are installed
this figure should be increased to 0.7 m
2
. Typically
it may take 6 to 10 weeks for the sludge to dry
sufficiently for removal but the period can be
considerably longer depending on weather
conditions and the time of year.
The floor may be of concrete laid to a fall of 1 : 200
and the walls of brick, in situ concrete or precast
panels. The height of walls should be kept to a
minimum in order to avoid obstruction to the
passage of air over the surface of the sludge, which
assists evaporation of the surface liquor. Porous or
perforated pipes of 75 mm nominal bore should be
laid on the floor, with 225 mm average depth of
coarse medium (clinker or other hard material)
graded from 40 mm to 28 mm topped with a 50 mm
layer of fine medium (clinker-ash or sharp sand) and
finished with a level surface. Purpose-made tiles
may be used instead of the pipes, laid in accordance
with the manufacturers recommendations, with
appropriate adjustments to the nature and depth of
the medium. The size of each bed should be such
that it is filled to a depth of not more than 225 mm
(according to the nature of the sludge) at one
desludging operation. The sludge should discharge
on to a precast concrete slab to avoid scouring of the
surface of the bed. Decanting devices should be
provided for the removal of the supernatant liquor
which forms in the initial stages (see Figure 15).
An area, preferably paved, should be provided for
the storage of the clinker-ash or sand. An area for
storing the dried sludge prior to removal may also be
needed and the provision of a sludge loading
platform may be advantageous.
15.5.3 Removal of sludge by tanker. As an
alternative to drying sludge on site, it may be loaded
into a tanker and conveyed away from the works. It
is preferable that it should be discharged at a
treatment works so that it can be treated. The use of
a tank emptying vehicle is dependent upon suitable
road access being available to within suction-lift
distance of the tanks, and on distance of travel.
The size of each bed should be such that it is filled to
a depth of not more than 225 mm (according to the
nature of the sludge) at one desludging operation.
The sludge should discharge on to a precast concrete
slab to avoid scouring of the surface of the bed.
Decanting devices should be provided for the
removal of the supernatant liquor which forms in
the initial stages (see Figure 15).
An area, preferably paved, should be provided for
the storage of the clinker-ash or sand.
16 Pumping
16.1 General. Where pumping is unavoidable
because of site conditions (see 6.2.2) the following
points should be considered:
a) availability of electricity (almost essential);
b) the location of pumps;
c) availability of a suitable pump;
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
BSI 01-1999 23
d) the advisability of installing pumping units in
duplicate;
e) suitable housing for equipment;
f) lagging of all exposed pipework to prevent
damage by frost;
g) occurrence of septicity.
It is strongly recommended that specialist
advice be sought.
16.2 Flow control. Where electricity is available
and automatic flow control is adopted, the sewage or
effluent should be delivered from a sump having a
capacity between top and bottom water levels
10)
of
not more than 1/24 DWF
11)
. Capacity should also be
provided between the inlet to the sump and the
cut-in level of the pump, to provide storage in the
event of power failure or other emergency.
16.3 Pump location. Site conditions usually
determine the most suitable position for the pump
within the treatment works. Generally, the most
satisfactory arrangement is to pump septic tank or
settlement tank effluent to a filter bed built mainly
above ground. If the inlet to the works is deep (2 m
or more) pumping the crude sewage flow to the
sewage treatment works built at a higher level may
then be the most economical arrangement.
16.4 Pump selection. There are many types of
pump and ejector suitable for raising crude sewage,
tank effluents and final effluents but in each case a
robust unit is necessary. Where crude sewage is
being pumped, provision should be made to avoid
blockages.
The required output of the pumping plant is most
important and will influence the choice of pump.
Three times DWF is the maximum pumping rate
recommended (except for raising final effluent) and
the design of the sewage treatment works should
compensate for any higher rate of flow.
16.5 Pumping effects. The limitation of the output
of a pump or ejector to three times DWF is most
difficult to achieve when small flows of crude sewage
are to be pumped. If crude sewage is pumped to the
septic tank or settlement tank at a rate greater than
three times DWF then additional tank capacity is
needed to improve the flow characteristics.
Pumping settled sewage to the biological filter will
usually cause the least interference to the natural
flow of sewage through a treatment works. Should
the rate of flow exceed three times DWF it will be
necessary to provide increased filter and humus
tank capacity.
Where settled sewage is pumped to the biological
filter bed, consideration should be given to the use of
the pumping equipment to recirculate a proportion
of the humus tank effluent; this will enable the size
of the biological filter to be reduced and also obviate
the incidence of septicity in the system.
16.6 Standby equipment. All mechanical
equipment should be in duplicate. The arrangement
should ensure that the operation of the standby
pump is automatic and cuts out the duty pump.
Where practicable an overflow facility and a
warning device should be provided to cover the
possibility of total pump or power failure.
16.7 Pump house. Any pump house should be of
adequate size and have adequate access and
facilities to allow for proper maintenance of
equipment including removal where necessary. The
pump house should be provided with adequate
ventilation, lighting and heating.
16.8 Septicity. Oversizing of sumps and rising
mains may result in septicity due to sewage being
held for long periods. Septic sewage causes odour
problems and can lead to poor sludge settling
characteristics in activated sludge plants.
17 Automatic monitoring and alarm
systems
Consideration should be given to an automatic
alarm system, actuated by plant failure or
malfunction:
a) where the final discharge is to a potentially
vulnerable watercourse requiring a high quality
effluent;
b) where there is a need for a quick reaction to
malfunction, e.g. flooding; and/or
c) to reduce the time and expense spent on
routine inspections.
Section 4. Installation
18 Installation
18.1 Workmanship. Workmanship should be of a
good standard and methods of working should be in
accordance with the relevant British Standard
codes of practice and the National Water Council
Civil Engineering Specification for the Water
Industry. Electrical installations should be in
accordance with the appropriate recommendations
of the Institution of Electrical Engineers.
10)
Top and bottom water levels, as applied to a pump sump, are the levels at which the pump cuts in and out respectively.
11)
In practice it may be difficult to build a sump of less than 180 L capacity (i.e. 1 200 mm 900 mm 150 mm draught) or
provide a suitable pump of less than 0.30 L/s.
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
24
BSI 01-1999
18.2 Inlet and outlet pipes. Inlet and outlet pipes
should, wherever practicable, be built into the walls
as work proceeds, ensuring that a flexible joint is
located within 200 mm of the structure, followed by
a short length, not exceeding 1 m, of flexibly jointed
pipe. Boxing out may be necessary where the pipe
has to be fixed very accurately for connecting to
machinery.
Where the wall through which the pipe passes forms
part of a liquid-retaining structure, special care
should be taken to ensure that there is no leakage
through the wall along the line of the pipe, and
normal good practice should be adhered to in this
regard.
18.3 Machinery. All machinery should be installed
under skilled supervision and in accordance with
the manufacturers instructions (see 18.6).
18.4 Placing of filter media
18.4.1 Mineral filter media. Filter media should not
be tipped into the filter but should be placed with
suitable tined forks. If the medium is to be placed in
position by means of conveyors, it should first pass
through suitably graded vibrating screens, sited
outside the filter and angled to ensure that dust or
deleterious matter is not conveyed into the filter
(see BS 1438).
18.4.2 Synthetic filter media. Synthetic filter media
should be placed in the bed in accordance with the
suppliers recommendations.
18.5 Testing. Upon completion of the work, and
before testing, sewers, tanks and all pipework
should be thoroughly cleaned out. Before being put
into use, tanks and other structures which are to
hold liquids should be satisfactorily tested in
accordance with clause 32 of BS 5337:1976. This
requires that after a preliminary period of soaking,
usually 3 days, the drop in water level over a further
period of 7 days should not exceed 1/500 of the
average water depth of the full tank or 10 mm
whichever is the lesser.
Appropriate tests should be applied to all
mechanical and electrical equipment. All equipment
should be checked after installation so as to ensure
that no damage has occurred during storage,
transit, unloading or erection and that no incorrect
or faulty connections or settings have been made
during installation. Such site tests should be
performed by the manufacturers of the equipment
and be witnessed by the client or his representative.
18.6 Commissioning. The works should be
commissioned under appropriate competent
supervision.
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
BSI 01-1999 25
Appendix A References to standards not included in the text
In addition to the publications referred to in this code and listed on the inside back cover, the following will
also be of interest in this field.
BS 65, Specification for vitrified clay pipes, fittings and joints.
BS 187, Calcium silicate (sandlime and flintlime) bricks.
BS 405, Expanded metal (steel) for general purposes.
BS 437, Specification for cast iron spigot and socket drain pipes and fittings.
BS 486, Specification for asbestos-cement pressure pipes and joints.
BS 497, Specification for manhole covers, road gully gratings and frames for drainage purposes
Part 1: Cast iron and cast steel.
BS 648, Schedule of weights of building materials.
BS 988, BS 1076, BS 1097, BS 1451, Mastic asphalt for building (limestone aggregate).
BS 1162, BS 1418, BS 1410, Mastic asphalt for building (natural rock asphalt aggregate).
BS 1194, Concrete porous pipes for
under-drainage.
BS 1196, Clayware field drain pipes.
BS 1211, Centrifugally cast (spun) iron pressure pipes for water, gas and sewage.
BS 1247, Manhole step irons.
BS 1387, Steel tubes and tubulars suitable for screwing to BS 21 pipe threads.
BS 1973, Polythene pipe (Type 32) for general purposes including chemical and food industry uses.
BS 2035, Cast iron flanged pipes and flanged fittings.
BS 2494, Materials for elastomeric joint rings for pipework and pipelines.
BS 2760, Pitch-impregnated fibre pipes and fittings for below and above ground drainage.
BS 3506, Unplasticized PVC pipe for industrial purposes.
BS 3656, Specification for asbestos-cement pipes, joints and fittings for sewerage and drainage.
BS 3796, Polythene pipe (Type 50) for general purposes including chemical and food industry uses.
BS 3921, Clay bricks and blocks.
BS 4211, Steel ladders for permanent access.
BS 4461, Specification for cold worked steel bars for reinforcement of concrete.
BS 4466, Specification for bending dimensions and scheduling of reinforcement for concrete.
BS 4482, Hard drawn mild steel wire for the reinforcement of concrete.
BS 4483, Steel fabric for the reinforcement of concrete.
BS 4622, Grey iron pipes and fittings.
BS 4660, Unplasticized PVC underground drain pipes and fittings.
BS 4772, Specification for ductile iron pipes and fittings.
BS 4962, Specification for plastics pipe for use as light duty sub-soil drains.
BS 5262, Code of practice for external rendered finishes.
BS 5390, Code of practice for stone masonry.
BS 5480, Specification for glass reinforced plastics (GRP) pipes and fittings for use for water supply or
sewerage Part 1: Dimensions, materials and classification.
BS 5481, Specification for unplasticized PVC pipe and fittings for gravity sewers.
BS 5493, Code of practice for protective coating of iron and steel structures against corrosion.
(formerly CP 2008)
BS 5572, Code of practice for sanitary pipework. (formerly CP 304)
BS 5628, Code of practice for the structural use of masonry.
BS 5911, Precast concrete pipes and fittings for drainage and sewerage.
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
26
BSI 01-1999
BS 5930, Code of practice for site investigations. (formerly CP 2001)
BS 5955, Code of practice for plastics pipework (thermoplastics materials) Part 6: Installation of
unplasticized PVC pipework for gravity drains and sewers.
BS 6031, Code of practice for earthworks.
BS 6073, Precast concrete masonry units Part 1: Specification for precast concrete masonry units.
CP 111, Structural recommendations for loadbearing walls.
CP 114, Structural use of reinforced concrete in building.
CP 116, The structural use of precast concrete
Addendum No. 1 Large panel structures and structural connections in precast concrete.
CP 121, Walling Part 1: Brick and block masonry.
CP 204, In-situ floor finishes.
CP 301, Building drainage.
CP 312, Plastics pipework (thermoplastics materials). Part 2: Unplasticized PVC pipework for the
conveyance of liquids under pressure.
CP 2004, Foundations.
CP 2005, Sewerage.
Appendix B Relevant sections of statutes and regulations currently applicable
to small treatment works and cesspools
Act Section and subtitle
United Kingdom including Scotland (where applicable)
Public Health Act 1936 37 Drainage of new buildings and extensions
39 Drainage of existing buildings
50 Overflowing and leaking cesspools
61 (Enabling powers Building Regulations)
72 Removal of cesspool contents and
74 power to make charges.
290 Appeals against, and enforcement of Notices
Rural Water Supplies & Sewage Acts 1944-1970
Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) Act 1951 2 Prohibition of pollution of watercourses
Local Employment Acts 1960-1970
Water Resources Act 1963 72 Control of discharges into underground strata
Control of Pollution Act 1974 31 Control of pollution of and discharges
32 into rivers and controlled waters
46 Operations by Water Authorities to remedy or
forestall pollution of water
Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
Building Regulations 1976 N Drainage, private sewers and cesspools
N.17 Cesspools, septic tanks, etc.
Scotland alone (additional to UK legislation above)
Burgh Police (Scotland) Act 1892
Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) (Scotland) Act 1951
Building (Scotland) Acts 1959 and 1970
Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) (Scotland) Act 1965
Sewerage (Scotland) Act 1968
The Building Standards (Scotland) (Consolidation)
Regulations 1971 & Amended Regulations 1973-1980
Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
BSI 01-1999 27
Figure 2 Typical septic tanks, two in series, separate, for populations of up to 30
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
B
S
6
2
9
7
:
1
9
8
3
2
8

B
S
I

0
1
-
1
9
9
9
Figure 3 Typical septic tanks, two in series, separate, for populations over 30
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
BSI 01-1999 29
Figure 4 Typical septic tanks, two in series, combined for populations of up to 30
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
B
S
6
2
9
7
:
1
9
8
3
3
0

B
S
I

0
1
-
1
9
9
9
Figure 5 Typical septic tanks, two in series, combined for populations over 30
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
BSI 01-1999 31
Figure 6 Twin inlets for tanks in excess of 1 200 mm wide
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
32
BSI 01-1999
Figure 7 Typical tank inlet (crested weir)
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
BSI 01-1999 33
Figure 8 Typical upward flow settlement tank
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
34
BSI 01-1999
Figure 9 Typical horizontal flow settlement tank
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
BSI 01-1999 35
Figure 10 Typical rectangular biological filter
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
36
BSI 01-1999
Figure 11 Typical circular biological filter
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
BSI 01-1999 37
Figure 12 Treatment on grass plots
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
38
BSI 01-1999
Figure 13 Typical upward flow clarifier
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
BSI 01-1999 39
Figure 14 Cross section of typical underdrain
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
40
BSI 01-1999
Figure 15 Typical sludge drying bed
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
BSI 01-1999 41
Index
12)
access to tanks 7
activated sludge 3.1, 13
aerobic action 3.2
aggregates for concrete 5.2
aggregates for mortar 5.3
anaerobic action 3.3
baffle 3.4
biochemical oxygen
demand (BOD) 3.5, 6.2.1, 11.2, 12.3.6 etc.
biological filters 3.6,12
bottom water level (BWL) 3.7
cement 5.4
cesspool 3.8, 8
clay pipes 5.10
climate 6.1
combined system 3.9
concrete 5.6
concrete pipes 5.10
contact stabilization 13.4.3
design information 4, 6
disposal of effluent 15
distributor 3.10
dosing chamber 3.11
dry weather flow (DWF) 3.12, 11.3 etc.
effluent lagoons 14.4
effluent polishing 3.13, 14
extended aeration 13.4.2
filter medium 3.14, 12.2.5, 18.4
final effluent 3.15, 15
glass reinforced cement
(GRC) 5.7
glass reinforced plastics
(GRP) 5.8
grass plots treatment 14.2
grassland treatment 12.2.9
horizontal flow tanks 11.3.2, 11.5.2
humus tank 3.16, 11.4
location 6.2.2
macerators 10
materials for construction 5
mixed liquor 3.17
mixed liquor suspended
solids (MLSS) 3.18
monitoring and alarm system 17
oxidation ditch 13.4.4
package plant 3.19
percolation test 15.3.2
planning 4
polishing processes 14
population equivalent 3.20
preliminary treatment 10
primary settlement tanks 3.21, 11.2
pumping 16
rags and debris 10
regulations Appendix A
rotary biological contactor 3.22, 12.3
safety 6.2.2.2
scumboard 3.23
secondary settlement tank 3.24, 11.4, 12.3.5
separate system 3.25, 6.2
septic tank 3.26, 9
sewage 3.27
storm sewage 3.28
sludge 3.29
sludge drying and disposal 15, 9.2, 13.5.5, 15.5
sludge loading 3.30
specific surface 3.31
steel tanks 5.9
supernatant liquor 3.32
suspended solids 3.33
tanks 7
testing 15.3.2, 18.5
top water level (TWL) 3.34, 9.2
upward flow clarifiers 14.3
water table 3.35
weir outlets 9.3
work on site 18
12)
This index is not exhaustive but contains references to most main topics.
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
42
blank
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BS 6297:1983
BSI 01-1999
Publications referred to
Standards publications
BS 12, Specification for ordinary and rapid-hardening Portland cement.
BS 146, Portland-blastfurnace cement.
BS 146-2, Metric units.
BS 812, Methods for sampling and testing of mineral aggregates, sand and fillers.
BS 882, BS 1201, Aggregates from natural sources for concrete (including granolithic).
BS 882-2 BS 1201-2, Metric units.
BS 915, High alumina cement.
BS 915-2, Metric units.
BS 1047, Specification for air-cooled blastfurnace slag coarse aggregate for concrete.
BS 1047-2, Metric units.
BS 1198, BS 1199 and BS 1200, Building sands from natural sources.
BS 1438, Media for biological percolating filters.
BS 1564, Pressed steel sectional rectangular tanks.
BS 4027, Specification for sulphate-resisting Portland cement.
BS 4248, Supersulphated cement.
BS 4994, Vessels and tanks in reinforced plastics.
BS 5328, Methods for specifying concrete, including ready-mixed cement.
BS 5337, Code of practice for the structural use of concrete for retaining aqueous liquids.
CP 110, The structural use of concrete.
CP 110-1, Design, materials and workmanship.
Other publications
Building Research Establishment Digest No. 174.
Building Research Establishment Digest No. 216.
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
HMSO. Technical memorandum on activated-sludge sewage-treatment installations providing for a long
period of aeration.
Institute of Water Pollution Control. Manuals of British Practice in Water Pollution Control. Tertiary
treatment and Advanced Waste Water Treatment.
National Joint Health and Safety Committee for the Water Service, Health and Safety Guideline No. 2.
National Water Council. Civil Engineering Specification for the Water Industry .
National Water Council. Technical Paper No. 4.
National Water Council. The Water Industry in Figures.
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I
BSI
389 Chiswick High Road
London
W4 4AL
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BSI British Standards Institution
BSI is the independent national body responsible for preparing British Standards. It
presents the UK view on standards in Europe and at the international level. It is
incorporated by Royal Charter.
Revisions
British Standards are updated by amendment or revision. Users of British Standards
should make sure that they possess the latest amendments or editions.
It is the constant aim of BSI to improve the quality of our products and services. We
would be grateful if anyone finding an inaccuracy or ambiguity while using this
British Standard would inform the Secretary of the technical committee responsible,
the identity of which can be found on the inside front cover. Tel: 020 8996 9000.
Fax: 020 8996 7400.
BSI offers members an individual updating service called PLUS which ensures that
subscribers automatically receive the latest editions of standards.
Buying standards
Orders for all BSI, international and foreign standards publications should be
addressed to Customer Services. Tel: 020 8996 9001. Fax: 020 8996 7001.
In response to orders for international standards, it is BSI policy to supply the BSI
implementation of those that have been published as British Standards, unless
otherwise requested.
Information on standards
BSI provides a wide range of information on national, European and international
standards through its Library and its Technical Help to Exporters Service. Various
BSI electronic information services are also available which give details on all its
products and services. Contact the Information Centre. Tel: 020 8996 7111.
Fax: 020 8996 7048.
Subscribing members of BSI are kept up to date with standards developments and
receive substantial discounts on the purchase price of standards. For details of
these and other benefits contact Membership Administration. Tel: 020 8996 7002.
Fax: 020 8996 7001.
Copyright
Copyright subsists in all BSI publications. BSI also holds the copyright, in the UK, of
the publications of the international standardization bodies. Except as permitted
under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 no extract may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic,
photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior written permission from BSI.
This does not preclude the free use, in the course of implementing the standard, of
necessary details such as symbols, and size, type or grade designations. If these
details are to be used for any other purpose than implementation then the prior
written permission of BSI must be obtained.
If permission is granted, the terms may include royalty payments or a licensing
agreement. Details and advice can be obtained from the Copyright Manager.
Tel: 020 8996 7070.
L
i
c
e
n
s
e
d

c
o
p
y
:
S
c
o
t
t

W
i
l
s
o
n

H
o
l
d
i
n
g
s
,

2
7
/
0
4
/
2
0
0
4
,

U
n
c
o
n
t
r
o
l
l
e
d

C
o
p
y
,

B
S
I