DesignGuidelinesForSewageWorks

TheOntarioMinistryoftheEnvironmentandClimateChangesDesignGuidelinesforSewageWorksisintended
foranaudiencethatincludesengineerswhoareresponsiblefordesigningsewageworks,ministryengineers
responsibleforreviewingandapprovingthedesignsofsuchworksandthemunicipalities/ownersofthesewage
works.

MinistryoftheEnvironment

ISBN9781424984381

PIBS6879

Acknowledgements
TheDesignGuidelinesforSewageWorkswerepreparedundertheguidanceoftheOntarioMinistryofthe
EnvironmentSewageTechnicalWorkingGroupwiththeassistanceofHydromantis,Inc.inassociationwithXCG
ConsultantsLtd..ThisdocumentunderwentreviewbyvariousbranchesoftheOntarioMinistryofthe
Environment(MOE)andthefollowingstakeholdersandreviewers.

MinistryoftheEnvironmentSewageTechnicalWorkingGroup

VincePileggi,M.A.Sc.,P.Eng.,StandardsDevelopmentBranch,MOE
JanuszBudziakowski,M.Sc.,P.Eng.,Env.AssessmentandApprovalsBranch,MOE
ManoManoharan,Ph.D.,P.Eng.,StandardsDevelopmentBranch,MOE
SumithraNaguleswaran,P.Eng.,StandardsDevelopmentBranch,MOE
YixunShen,M.Sc.,StandardsDevelopmentBranch,MOE

StakeholdersandReviewers

AhmedSharaf,P.Eng.,OntarioMunicipalAffairsandHousing(MAH)
AsimMasaud,P.Eng.,OntarioCleanWaterAgency(OCWA)
BillDeAngles,P.Eng.,ConsultingEngineersofOntario(CEO)
BrianGage,B.Sc.,OntarioPollutionControlEquipmentAssociation(OPCEA)
ChadoBrcic,P.Eng.,AssociationofMunicipalitiesofOntario(AMO)
ChrisHoward,P.Eng.,AssociationofMunicipalitiesofOntario(AMO)
DaveTidy,P.Eng.,OntarioPollutionControlEquipmentAssociation(OPCEA)
DeannaBarrow,P.Eng.,AssociationofMunicipalitiesofOntario(AMO)
GerryRupke,M.Eng.,P.Eng.,EngineeringAdvisor
JohnHaanstra,P.Eng.,OntarioGeneralContractorsAssociation(OGCA)
MattUza,B.A.Sc.,LandandWaterPolicyBranch(LWPB),MOE
MikePearce,P.Eng.,ConsultingEngineersofOntario(CEO)
MohsenKeyvani,M.Eng.,WasteManagementPolicyBranch(WMPB)
PervezSunderani,P.Eng.,AlbertaEnvironment(AENV)
TomCopeland,P.Eng.,MunicipalEngineersAssociation(MEA)
TroyBriggs,P.Eng.,WaterEnvironmentAssociationofOntario(WEAO)
WayneParker,Ph.D.,P.Eng.,UniversityofWaterloo
ZafarBhatti,Ph.D.,P.Eng.,Env.AssessmentandApprovalsBranch,MOE

PeerReviewers

AndrD.Schnell,M.Eng.,P.Eng.,StandardsDevelopmentBranch,MOE
BobPutzlocher,M.Eng.,P.Eng.,EasternRegion,OperationsDivision,MOE
CharlesGoulet,M.Eng.,P.Eng.,OttawaDistrictOffice,MOE
 DavePorter,P.E.,MichiganDepartmentofEnvironmentalQuality
DebraAbbott,P.Geo.,NorthernRegion,OperationsDivision,MOE
GeraldNovotny,P.E.,WisconsinDepartmentofNaturalResources
HeatherBrodieBrown,P.Geo.,StandardsDevelopmentBranch,MOE
IrmiPawlowski,P.Geo.,StandardsDevelopmentBranch,MOE
JamieConnelly,P.Geo.,WestCentralRegion,OperationsDivision,MOE
JeffMarkle,M.Eng.,P.Eng.,SouthwesternRegion,OperationsDivision,MOE
LouAnnCornacchio,NorthernRegion,OperationsDivision,MOE
MarkWespetal,MinnesotaPollutionControlAgency
MyronZurawsky,P.Geo.,CentralRegion,OperationsDivision,MOE
ParimalParikh,P.E.,PennsylvaniaDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection
PeterSeto,Ph.D.,P.Eng.,EnvironmentCanada
RandyThorson,P.E.,MinnesotaPollutionControlAgency
RobertP.Ryan,M.E.S.,R.P.P.,Env.AssessmentandApprovalsBranch,MOE
RonBell,P.E.,OhioEnvironmentalProtectionAgency
TedBelayneh,P.Geo.,CentralRegion,OperationsDivision,MOE
TerryKirschenman,P.E.,IowaDepartmentofNaturalResources
TonyHo,P.Eng.,StandardsDevelopmentBranch,MOE

HistoricalNote
SincetheestablishmentoftheOntarioWaterResourcesCommissionundertheOntarioWaterResourcesAct
(1956),thecommissionengineersusedtheTenStatesStandardsforSewageWorksasthereferencedesign
guidelinesforsanitaryengineeringpractice.Thesepublicationswereprepared,editedandpublished,
approximatelyeveryfiveyears,bytheGreatLakesUpperMississippiRiverBoardofStatePublicHealth
EngineersandGreatLakesBoardofPublicHealthEngineers.Thecommissionengineershadalsodevelopedand
appliedinternaladvisorysewageworksdesignguidelinesbasedprimarilyontheTenStatesStandardsandincluded
design,constructionandoperationalexperiencespecifictoOntario.

ThispracticehascontinuedaftertheestablishmentoftheMinistryoftheEnvironmentin1973.TheProvinceof
OntariojoinedtheGreatLakesUpperMississippiRiverBoardofStateandProvincialPublicHealthand
EnvironmentalManagersandtheTenStatesStandardsWastewaterCommitteein1977.

Overtheyears,engineeringdesigncriteriabasedongenerallyacceptedgoodengineeringpracticeinOntariohave
beendevelopedandthefollowingministryguidelineswerepublished:

GuidelinesfortheDesignofSewageTreatmentWorks(1980,1984)
GuidelinesfortheDesignofSanitarySewageSystems(1979,1985)
GuidelinesfortheDesignofStormSewerSystems(1979,1985)
GuidelinesforServicinginAreasSubjecttoAdverseConditions(1985)

TheseguidelineshavebeenrevisedandupdatedbasedonOntariospecificengineeringpractice,thelatestTen
StatesStandards(RecommendedStandardsforWastewaterFacilities,2004)andotherrelevantNorthAmerican
designguidelinesandpublishedastheDesignGuidelinesforSewageWorks(2008).

Preamble
TheOntarioMinistryoftheEnvironment'sDesignGuidelinesforSewageWorksisintendedforanaudiencethat
includesengineerswhoareresponsiblefordesigningsewageworks,ministryengineersresponsibleforreviewing
andapprovingthedesignsofsuchworksandthemunicipalities/ownersofthesewageworks.

ItisintendedthatthisDesignGuidelinesdocumentbeusedwithprofessionaljudgmentandexperienceinthe
designofsewageworksandintheengineeringreviewofapplicationsforapprovalofsuchsystems.TheMinistry
recognizesthatthechoiceofsewageworksdesignsmaybeinfluencedduringtheplanningstagesbysustainability
issues,suchasthecosttodesignandbuildsewageworksaswellastheongoingcosttooperate,maintain,
rehabilitateandreplaceinfrastructure.

Designersshouldnotethattheministryhasanumberofspecificguidelinesand/orprocedureswhichrelateto
sewageworksthatmayaffectdesign.SuchspecificguidelinesandprocedurestakeprecedenceovertheseDesign
Guidelines.
Similarly,theuseofactualsitespecificdataisencouraged.Whereverpossible,designersareencouragedtouse
actualdataderivedfromthesewageworksmonitoringrecordsandcharacterizationstudies.Actualdatacanbe
comparedtothetypicalvaluesprovidedintheseDesignGuidelinesforcomparisonandconsideration.

Aswell,itshouldbenotedthatthisDesignGuidelinesdocumentprovidesdesignguidancerelatedtoestablished
technologies.ThefactthatothertechnologiesorequipmentarenotmentionedintheDesignGuidelinesshouldnot
beconstruedasprecludingtheiruse.Itisnottheintentionoftheministrytostifleinnovation.Theministrywill
approvedesignsofsewageworksiftheapplicantanddesignercandemonstratethattheworkswillhavea
reasonableandsubstantialchanceofsuccessfortheparticularapplication.However,designofsewageworksusing
newandinnovativetechnologiesandequipmentwouldbeapprovedonlywhereoperationalreliabilityand
effectivenessoftheworkshasbeendemonstratedwithasuitablysizedprototypeoperatingatitsdesignloadinthe
conditionssuitablefortheparticularapplication.

Finally,itshouldbeemphasizedthatthisdocumentcontainsdesignguidelines.Legislation,includinglegislated
standardsandregulations,takesprecedenceovertheDesignGuidelinesandmustbefollowed.Readersare
cautionedtoobtaintheirownlegaladviceandguidanceinthisrespect.

Chapter1:LegislativeFramework
Thischapterprovidesabriefintroductiontotheactsandregulationswhichmaybeapplicabletothedesignof
municipalsewageworkswhicharedefinedandregulatedbytheOntarioWaterResourcesAct(OWRA).

1.1Introduction
Thedesignersandproponentsofsewageworksareresponsibleforunderstandingandincorporatingallrelevant
federalandprovincialrequirementsintheplanning,design,constructionandoperationofsewageworksand
obtaininglegaladvicewithrespecttothis.Itisrecommendedthatdesignersandproponentsbeawareofany
pendinglegislativerequirementsthatmayimpactdesignconsiderations.Itisessentialtoconfirmanylegislative
requirementswiththemostuptodateversion,aschangesoccurfrequently.

1.2ApplicableLegislationAdministeredbytheMinistry

TheEnvironmentalAssessmentAct(EAA),theOntarioWaterResourcesAct(OWRA),theCleanWaterAct
(CWA),theNutrientManagementAct(NMA),theEnvironmentalProtectionAct(EPA)andtheEnvironmentalBill
ofRights,1993(EBR)arestatutesadministeredbytheOntarioMinistryoftheEnvironment(ministry)thatare
applicabletomunicipalsewageworks.ThesestatutescanbeaccessedfromtheOntarioeLawswebsiteorthe
ministrywebsiteundertheeLawslink.

MunicipalundertakingswouldfollowtheapprovedMunicipalEngineersAssociation(MEA)MunicipalClass
EnvironmentalAssessment(MEA2007ormostrecentversion)planningprocessandtherebymeetthe
requirementsoftheEAA.ForprivateundertakingsthatrequireEAAapproval,referenceshouldbemadetothe
DesignationandExemptionPrivateSectorDevelopersRegulation(O.Reg.345/93),madeundertheEAA.

ThestatutoryrequirementsforapprovalofsewageworksarecontainedinSection53oftheOWRA.

ThedesignerorownershouldcontactthelocalDistrictOfficeoftheministryforpresubmissionconsultation
regardingapplicationsforapprovalofproposedsewageworks.

1.3SewageWorksRegulationsandSupportingDocuments

ThedesignershouldrefertotheregulationsundertheapplicableActsadministeredbytheministryaswellasthe
GuidelinesandProceduresrelatedtosewageworks.Beforethedesignofsewagetreatmentworkscanbeinitiated,
thedesignerneedstodeterminetheeffluentqualitycriteriathatthesewagetreatmentworkswillneedtoachieve
consistently.Generally,thedeterminationoftheeffluentcriteriawillrequiresitespecificcalculationstoensure
consistencywiththeministry'sGuidelineB1,WaterManagementPolicies,GuidelinesandProvincialWater
QualityObjectives.

GuidelineswithassociatedProceduresthatshouldbeconsultedinclude:
 GuidelineF5,LevelsofTreatmentforMunicipalandPrivateSewageTreatmentWorksDischargingto
SurfaceWaters(1994):
ProcedureF51,DeterminationofTreatmentforMunicipalandPrivateSewageTreatmentWorks
DischargingtoSurfaceWaters
ProcedureF52,RelaxationofNormalLevelofTreatmentforMunicipalandPrivateSewageWorks
DischargingtoSurfaceWaters
ProcedureF53,DerivationofSewageTreatmentWorksEffluentRequirementsfortheIncorporation
ofEffluentRequirementsintoCertificatesofApprovalforNeworExpandedSewageTreatment
Works
ProcedureF54,EffluentDisinfectionRequirementsforSewageWorksDischargingtoSurface
Watersand
ProcedureF55,DeterminationofTreatmentRequirementsforMunicipalandPrivateCombinedand
PartiallySeparatedSewerSystems
GuidelineF6,SewerandWatermainInstallation:SeparationDistanceRequirements(1994):
ProcedureF61,ProcedurestoGovernSeparationofSewerandWatermains
GuidelineF8,ProvisionandOperationofPhosphorusRemovalFacilitiesatMunicipal,Institutionaland
PrivateSewageTreatmentWorks(1994):
ProcedureF81,DeterminationofPhosphorusRemovalRequirementsforMunicipal,Institutionaland
PrivateSewageTreatmentWorks
GuidelineF10,SamplingandAnalysisRequirementsforMunicipalandPrivateSewageTreatmentWorks
(LiquidWasteStreamsOnly)(1994):
ProcedureF101,ProceduresforSamplingandAnalysisRequirementsforMunicipalandPrivate
SewageTreatmentWorks(LiquidWasteStreamsOnly)

Thedesignershouldensurethatthemostcurrentversionsoftheguidelinesandproceduresarebeingusedaccess
isavailablefromtheministrywebsite.Thelistprovidedaboveisforinformationonlyandtheministrywebsite,
Forms,ManualsandGuidelinesshouldbeconsultedforuptodatereferencesoncurrentlyactiveproceduresand
guidelines.

1.4OtherApplicableLegislation
SewageworksmaybesubjecttoplanningorientedlegislationsuchasthePlanningAct,theMunicipalAct,2001,
theOntarioMunicipalBoardActandothers.Inaddition,itmaybenecessarytoobtainapprovalfromanumberof
otherorganizationswhichhavejurisdictionoverallorpartoftheproject,primarilyinvolvingtheMinistryof
Labour.ApprovalsmaybenecessaryfrompublicbodiesandauthoritiessuchasOntarioPowerGeneration,
municipalplumbingand/orbuildingdepartments,conservationauthoritiesandtheFederalGovernment(Parks
Canada,theDepartmentofTransportation,theDepartmentofFisheriesandOceans).Liaisonwithutilityproviders
suchastelephone,powerandgascompaniesandrailwaysmayalsoberequired.Designersshouldfamiliarize
themselveswiththerequirementsofalllegislationdealingwithsewageworks,includingrelevantsectionsofthe
BuildingCode,theElectricalSafetyCode,theFireCodeandlaboursafetyregulations.ExistingOntariolegislation
maybefoundatthefollowingeLawswebsite.Additionally,theSustainableWaterandSewageSystemsAct,
2002,isaprovincialstatutewhichmanymunicipalitiesreferencewhenpreparingsewagebusinessplansandwhen
consideringtheeconomicviabilityofproposedprojects.

1.5MinistryApprovalProgramforSewageWorks

Theministry'sapprovalsprogramisdesignedsothatallundertakingsrequiringapprovalunderthelegislation
administeredbytheministryarecarriedoutinaccordancewiththatlegislationandtheministry'sGuidelinesand
Procedures.TheGuidelinesandProceduresareintendedtoprovideaconsistentapproachtovariousaspectsof
environmentalprotectionthroughouttheProvince.

ThedesignerofsewageworksshouldconsultthenewesteditionoftheministrydocumentGuideforApplyingfor
ApprovalofMunicipalandPrivateWaterandSewageWorks.Thisdocumentisintendedtoprovideguidanceto
applicantsrequestingapprovalofmunicipalandprivatesewageworks(otherthanindustrialsewageworks)under
Section53ofOWRA.Theguidedescribestheapprovalprocessingeneral,clarifiestheinformationneededto
completetherespectiveapplicationforms,andoutlinesthetechnicalinformationthatmayberequiredinsupportof
variousapplicationsforapproval.

ThereareMinistryGuidelinesandrelatedProceduresthatcovereffluentqualityrequirementsforsewagetreatment
plants.Designersshouldconsultwiththeministry'sstafffromtheRegionalOfficetodeterminetheeffluentquality
requirementsforspecificproposals.
Higherlevelsoftreatment,beyondsecondarytreatment,maybenecessaryinsomewatershedsduetolimited
assimilationcapacityorduetocriticaldownstreamusesofthereceivingwaterbody.Manywatershedsinthe
Provincehavebeendesignatedasrequiringhigherlevelsoftreatment.

Assumingthatacompleteandsatisfactoryapplicationforsewageworksisprovidedandallnecessary
preconditions(e.g.compliancewiththeEAA)havebeenmet,theministrywillbeabletoissueaCertificateof
Approval(CofA)thatwillallowconstructionandoperationofthesewageworks.Inthecaseofsewagetreatment
works,theCofAwilloutlinetheeffluentqualitycriteriathatneedtobecompliedwithandtheeffluentquality
objectivestowhichthesewageworksshouldbedesignedto,operatedandmaintainedatalltimes.Theeffluent
noncompliancelimitsandeffluentqualityobjectiveswillgenerallybeprovidedasbothconcentrationsandmass
loadings.

1.6LegalConsiderations
Thedesignershoulddetermineapplicablestatutes,regulations,guidelinesandproceduresfortheproposedsewage
worksandensurefamiliaritywiththetreatment,designandapprovalsrequirements.Thereisawiderangeof
legislationthatmayapplytotheplanning,design,constructionandoperationofsewageworks.Whilesomeare
referencedhere,noattemptismadeforthislistingtobecomplete.Theuserofthisguideshouldobtainlegaladvice
andunderstandandabidebyanyapplicablelegalrequirements.

Chapter2:ProjectDesignDocumentation
Thischapterprovidesrecommendationsregardingdocumentationtosupportthedesignandconstructionofsewage
works.Theplanningandengineeringdesignofsewageworkscanvarywiththesizeandcomplexityofthe
undertakingandthereforenotalldocumentslistedinthischaptermayberelevantforaparticularproject.

ThetermsusedareconsistentwiththeProfessionalEngineersOntario(PEO)GuidelineEngineeringServicesto
Municipalities(1986Revised12/11/98).

Thedescriptionoftechnicalinformationanddocumentationneededtosupportapplicationsforapprovalofsewage
worksareprovidedintheministry'sGuideforApplyingforApprovalsofMunicipalandPrivateWaterandSewage
Works.

2.1General

Theprocessofplanninganddesigninvolvespreparationofanumberofseparatedocumentsinseveralphases.The
numberandcomplexityofthedocumentsdependonthecomplexityofthesewageworks.Theplanninganddesign
ofnewsewagetreatmentplantsrequirethepreparationofseveralreportsandmanydrawings.Thedesignofa
sanitarysewerextensionmayonlyrequirepreparationofasingleengineeringdrawingwiththebasisofdesignand
specifications.

Athreestageapproach,outlinedbelow,identifiesthetypicalplanninganddesignphasesinvolvedtowardsthe
developmentofappropriateprojectdesigndocumentation:

Stage1Therecommendedapproachtomeettheprojectobjectivesistypicallydeterminedthroughafeasibility
andpredesigninvestigation.Normally,Stage1willinclude:anEnvironmentalAssessment(EA)andthe
preparationofanEnvironmentalStudyReport(ESR),arequirementoftheEnvironmentalAssessmentAct(EAA)
throughtheapprovedMunicipalEngineersAssociation(MEA)MunicipalClassEA,feasibilitystudies,master
plansandotherspecialservices.ThetermsoftheMEA'sClassEA,aplanningdocumentapprovedundertheEAA
foruseinplanningmunicipalsewageworks,shouldbereferredtoandfollowedthroughouttheinitialplanning
process,asandifapplicable.

Stage2Preliminarydesignandreportsshouldincludepreliminaryplansandreportsintheformofdrawingsand
documentsoutliningthenatureoftheproject,asummaryofthebasisoftheengineeringdesign,apreliminarycost
estimate,projectscheduleandadescriptionoftheextentofservicesandrecommendations.Thisissometimes
referredtoasthepreliminaryengineeringreport,butshouldnotbeconfusedwithpredesignandfeasibility
studieswhicharecompletedinStage1.

Stage3Detaileddesign,finaldrawingsandspecifications,shouldincludepreparationof:adesignbrief,final
plans(detailedengineeringdrawings),specifications(forconstruction,processes,materialsandequipment),afinal
costestimate,geotechnicalandspecialinvestigations(e.g.,hazardousbuildingmaterialreport)anddocuments
requiredforallapprovalorpermitapplications(e.g.,permitsforconstruction,approvalforwastedischarges,
streamcrossings,airemissions).Detailedengineeringdrawingsincludeallstructural,civil,architectural,
mechanical,electricalandSupervisoryControlandDataAcquisition(SCADA)drawingsrequiredtoadequately
andcompletelydetailtheworkbeingproposedtoensuretheworksareconstructedasdesigned.Areportoutlining
operationandmaintenancerequirementsmayalsobenecessary.

2.2Stage1Documents
Mostdesignswillrequirefeasibilityorpredesigninvestigations.Ifanenvironmentalassessment(EA)is
necessary,itshouldbecompletedinaccordancewiththerequirementsoftheEAA.Forprojectsthatdonotrequire
anEA,feasibilitystudies,treatabilityandpilotstudies,predesignreportsandotherspecialservicessuchasthe
followingmaybeneeded:

Soilsinvestigation
Preparationoffeasibilitystudiescomparingalternativesintermsofcapital,operationandmaintenancecosts,
landrequirements,operatingefficiencyandenergyconservation
Obtainingtopographicplansorphotogrammetricmappingand
Otherspecialserviceswhichmayprecedethepreliminarydesignanddetaileddesignservicesdescribedin
Stage2andStage3.

Wheretheproposedsystemincorporatesprocessesforwhichestablishedguidelinesarenotavailable,orinclude
equipmentandmaterialswherenoreliabledatafromfullscaleoperationareavailable(e.g.,processesthatarenew
orindevelopmentSection3.9TechnologyDevelopment),thefollowinginformationmayalsobeneeded
dependingonthescopeandrisksinvolvedintheproject:

Allavailabledatapertainingtotheproposedprocess,equipment,ormaterial
Resultsofanytestingprogramswhichhavebeenundertakenbyindependenttestingagencies,research
foundationsanduniversities
Identificationofanyknownfullscaleapplicationsoftheproposedprocess/equipment/material,includinga
descriptionofthetypeofapplicationandthenameandaddressofthepersonwhocouldbecontactedfor
technicalinformationontheapplication
Discussionoftheimpactofthepotentialfailureoftheproposedprocess/equipment/materialand
identificationofthemeasuresproposed
tobeundertakentopreventorremedyanyhealthhazardornoncomplianceasaresultofsuchfailure
proposedcontingenciestomodifyorreplacetheproposedprocess,equipmentormaterialincaseoftheir
failureandliabilitiesassociatedwiththeproposal
Descriptionofthemonitoring,testingandreportingprogramproposedtobeundertakenduringthe
experimentalperiodand
Theproposeddurationoftheexperimentalperiod.

2.3Stage2Documents

Ifapreliminarydesignreportisbeingpreparedfortheproposedworks,itshouldpresentthefollowing
information,whereapplicable.IftheseissueswereaddressedinanESR,referenceshouldbemadetothat
document.

Summaryofrawsewagecharacteristicsanddesignloads
Summaryofreceivingenvironmentinvestigationsandeffluentqualitycriteria
Briefdescriptionoftheproposedfacilitiesincludingsludgemanagement,whereapplicable
Summaryofpreliminarydesignbasis,unitoperationsandprocessdesignparametersincludinginformation
onoperationalreliability,unitredundancy/backup(includingsludgemanagementfacilities)
Briefdescriptionofnoiseandodourgenerationpotentialincontextwiththeseparationdistancebetweenthe
sewagetreatmentplant(STP)andtheperipheryofthenearestsensitivelanduse(bufferzone)
DescriptionofavailabilityofstandbypowerfortheSTP
Documentationoftheextent,natureandanticipatedpopulationoftheareatobeserviced,facilitiesproposed
toservetheareaandprovisionsforfutureexpansionofthesewageworkstoincludeadditionalserviceareas
and/orpopulationgrowth
Itemizationanddiscussionofpresentandfuturedomesticsewageproductionfigures,industrial,commercial
andinstitutionalsewageproduction,infiltrationandwetweatherinflowsusedinsizingvariouscomponents
ofthesewagecollectionand/ortreatmentworks
 Identificationofallyardpipingincluding:pipelocation,size,depth,materialandbedding,suitableinletsand
outlets,thedesignandlocationofcatchbasins,manholes,buildingconnectionsandotherappurtenances
DescriptionofallwastestreamsgeneratedintheSTP,includingtheirvolumes,composition,proposed
treatmentandpointsofdischarge
Descriptionoftheproposedflowmetering,samplingandmonitoringprogram,includingmonitoringofall
wastestreams
Descriptionoftheproposedpumpingfacilities,includingthenumberandcapacitiesofdutyandstandby
pumpsanddiscussionontheabilityofthesewageworkstotreatsewageduringpowerfailureeventsthrough
standbypowerfacilitiesand/orequalizationfacilities
Briefdiscussionofthelocationsofallsignificantsewageworksstructuresandtheirproximitytosourcesof
potentialwatercontamination(e.g.,lakes,streams,wells)andsusceptibilitytoflooding
Considerationanddiscussionofcosteffectivedesignalternativesintermsofcapitalandoperationand
maintenancecosts
Descriptionofenergyefficientsystemsincorporatedintotheproposeddesigntominimizetheimpacton
futureenergydemands.Thisshouldincludeenergyconservationandutilizationpracticesintheselectionof
processmachinery,thelocationandorientationofstructures,useofbiogasandtheinsulationofbuildings
Identificationofsuitableproceduresanddocumentsforthepreselectionofmachineryandequipment
Specificationofhydraulicgradeline
Discussionofthedesigncriteriausedforproposedsewersincludingdesignflows,minimumdepthofcover
andminimumseparationdistancefromwatermainsandotherutilities
Discussionoftheplanningforanyfutureextensionsand/orimprovementstothesewagecollectionand
treatmentsystems
Preliminarydesignplans,allbearingtheprojecttitle,nameofthemunicipality/owner,nameofthe
developmentorfacilitywithwhichtheprojectisassociated,nameofthedesignengineerandpreparation
dateand,whereapplicable,theplanscale,northpoint,landsurveyingdatumandanymunicipalboundaries
withintheareashown.Wherepertinent,thefollowinginformationmayneedtobeprovided:
Generallayoutandsizeofexistingandproposedsewersandlocationofmajorcomponentsofother
existingandproposedworks
Generallayout(linediagram)oftheworks(exceptforsewers)
ProcessFlowDiagrams(PDFs)forthesewagetreatmentprocesses,showingallprocesscomponents,the
directionofflowofallrawandtreatedsewage,thelocationofallchemicaladditionpoints,themaximum
flowofallstreamsenteringandleavingeachcomponentoftheprocessandamassbalanceforalldesign
parametersaroundeachprocesscomponent
Briefdescriptionofanyrenovationsorimprovementstotheexistingstructures,sewerrehabilitationandflow
modificationsand
Briefdescriptionofbuildingsandothersignificantsewageworksstructuresintermsofspecificdocument
needs(e.g.,CodeforDigesterGasandLandfillInstallationsCAN/CGAB105andOccupationalHealthand
SafetyAct(OHSA)).

2.4Stage3Documents

2.4.1DesignBrief/BasisofDesign

Adesignbrief,summarizingthedesigncriteriaandpresentingthedesignbasesandcalculationsusedinsizing
individualcomponentsofthesewageworks,shouldbepreparedalongwithfinalplansandspecifications.Wherea
preliminaryreportwasnotpreparedorwheresomepartsoftheinformationinthepreliminaryreportarenolonger
validorapplicable,thedesignbriefshouldincludetheapplicableinformationoutlinedinSection2.2Stage1
Documentsaswellastheapplicableinformationoutlinedinthefollowingsubsections:

2.4.1.1DesignBriefSewers

Natureandpopulationoftheareaserved(currentanddesign)
DesignPeakFlow
Designdataandcalculationsforindividualsewers,includingtherequiredcapacities
Capacityoftheexisting(orproposed)sewageworkstomeettheadditionaldemandand
Fieldinvestigations.

2.4.1.2DesignBriefMajorFacilities
Majorfacilitiesincludepumpingstations,sewagetreatmentplants,outfallsandcombinedseweroverflow(CSO)
facilities.

Basicdataontheestimatedsewagegenerationratesfromthepopulationandareatobeserved,including:
Designperiod
Designservicepopulationandareaandpopulationdensity
Designindustrial,commercialandinstitutionalsewageflows
Wetweatherflowand
Designflows(average,peakdailyandpeakhourly).
Designflowsusedinsizingofindividualcomponentsofthesewageworks(outfalls,pumps,channels,
treatmentprocessunitsandstorageunits,transportandcollectionfacilities)
Description(types,numberandsizes)ofallproposedsewageworks,processunitsandequipment,including
treatmentanddisposalfacilitiesandidentificationoftheirprocessdesignparameters(e.g.,screensizing,
surfaceoverflowratesandretentiontimesinsettlingtanks,oxygenlevelsinaerationtanks,chemicalfeed
rates,chlorineconcentrationandcontacttime)
Detailedprocessandhydraulicdesign(orsizing)calculationsforallfacilities,treatmentprocessunitsand
equipment
Accuratehydraulicprofilesthroughtreatmentplantsandpumpingstationspreparedforminimumand
maximumflowconditionstoaverticalscaleadequatetoclearlyshowtheelevationsoftanktops,channel
andtroughinverts,weirsandotherfeaturesdirectlyaffectingthehydraulicgradient
PDFsshowingallprocesscomponents(i.e.,includingtype,size,pertinentfeatures,ratedcapacityofprocess
unitsandmajorequipment,tanks,reactors,pumps,chemicalfeeders),directionofflowforallprocesses,
recycle,backwashandwastestreams,thelocationofallpointsofchemicaladditionandtreatedsewage
effluentsamplingandmonitoring,andindicatingtheminimumandmaximumflowratesofallstreams
enteringandleavingeachprocesscomponentaswellasamassbalanceforalldesignparametersaround
eachprocesscomponent
Proposedflowmeteringsystem,includingrawsewage(influent),recycle/returnflows,wasteflowsand
treatedsewage(effluent)
Proposedinfluentsewageandtreatedsewageeffluentqualitymonitoringprogram,identificationofsampling
points,andfrequencyofsamplingandcalibrationprocedures.
Proceduresforcalibratingplantinstrumentation
Proposedsystemautomationandbackupprocedures
ProcessNarrativeand
Proposedratedcapacityoftheneworexpandedsewagetreatmentplant.

2.4.2FinalPlansandSupportingDocuments

Allfinalplansshouldbeartheprojecttitle,nameofthemunicipality/owner,nameofthedevelopmentorfacility
withwhichtheprojectisassociatedandnameofthedesignengineer,includingasignedanddatedimprintof
ProfessionalEngineer'ssealand,whereapplicable,theplanscale,northpoint,landsurveyingdatumandany
municipalboundarieswithintheareashown.

Engineeringplansshouldincludeplanviews,elevations,sectionsandsupplementaryviewswhich,togetherwith
thespecificationsandgenerallayoutplans,wouldprovidetheworkinginformationforfinalizationofthe
constructioncontractfortheworks.Thesedrawingsshouldshowdimensionsandrelativeelevationsofstructures,
thelocationandoutlineofequipment,locationandsizeofpiping,liquid/waterlevels,locationofutilitiesand
groundelevations.

2.4.2.1PlansofSewerSystems

GeneralPlan

Acomprehensiveplanoftheexistingandproposedcomponentsofthesewageworksshouldbepreparedfor
projectsinvolvingnewsewersystemsorsubstantialadditionstoexistingsystems.Thisplanshouldshow:

Allmajortopographicfeaturesincludingexistingandproposedstreets,contourlinesatsuitableintervals,
drainageareas,watercourses,municipalboundariesandlandsurveyingdatumused(orassumedbench
mark)
Locationandsizeofexistingandproposedsewersandmanholesand
 Locationandnatureofallexistingandproposedcomponentsofthesewageworksassociatedwiththe
proposedsewers,includinganyexistingsewermanholesandoverflows.

DetailedEngineeringDrawings

Adetailedplanandprofiledrawingsshouldbeprovidedfortheproposedandadjacentsewers.Theprofilesshould
haveahorizontalscaleofnotmorethan1:1000andaverticalscaleofnotmorethan1:100.Theplanviewshould
bedrawntoacorrespondinghorizontalscale.Detailedengineeringdrawingsshouldshow:

Locationofstreets,sewersandmanholes
Existingandproposedgroundsurface,size,materialandclassofpipe,locationofvalvechambers,manholes
andotherappurtenances
Locationofallknownexistingstructureswhichmightinterferewithoraffecttheproposedsewers,especially
watermains,stormsewersandotherappurtenances
Geotechnicalinformationandgroundwatertableelevationsalongthesewerroute
Detailsincludesewerbeddingandanchoring,serviceconnections,bridgecrossings,streamcrossings,
supportstructuresforexistingstructuresinthepathofconstruction,trenchbracing,thrustblocks,manhole
installationsand
Anyadditionaldescriptivespecificationsandinformation,notincludedinaseparatespecifications
document,requiredtoinformthecontractorofallprojectrequirementsregardingthetypeandqualityof
constructionmaterialsandprefabricatedcomponents,qualityofworkmanship,testingofstructuresand
materialstomeetdesignstandardsandoperatingtestsforthecompletedworksandprocesscomponents
(e.g.,leaktestingofsewers).

2.4.2.2PlansofMajorFacilities

Themajorfacilitiesincludepumpingstations,STPandsludgestoragefacilities.

GeneralPlan

Acomprehensiveplanoftheexistingandproposedsewageworksshouldbepreparedforallprojectsinvolving
newmajorsewageworks.Thisplanshouldshow:

Areatobeservicedandthelocationoftheproposedsewageworks
Allmajortopographicfeaturesincluding,butnotlimitedto,drainageareas,existingandproposedstreets,
watercourses,contourlinesatsuitableintervals,municipalboundaries,landsurveyingdatumused(or
assumedbenchmark)and
Locationandnatureofallexistingandproposedmajorcomponentsofthesewageworksassociatedwiththe
proposedfacilities,includingpumpingstations,treatmentplant,storagefacilities,andoutfallstogetherwith
theirindividualgeoreferencecoordinates(UniversalTransverseMercatorEastingandNorthing).

SitePlans

Individualsiteplansshouldbeprovidedforallproposedmajorfacilitiesofthesewageworksand
modifications/upgradesofsuchfacilities.Eachsiteplanshouldshow:

Theentirepropertywherethefacilityistobeorislocated,includingthepropertylinesandidentificationof
thenatureoftheadjoininglands
Topographicfeaturesofthepropertyandadjoininglands,includingexistingandproposedstreets,contour
linesatsuitableintervals,drainageareas,watercourses,theelevationofthehighestknownfloodlevel,
municipalboundariesandthelandsurveyingdatum(orassumedbenchmark)used
Layout,sizeandnatureoftheexisting,proposedandfuturestructuresonthepropertyshowingdistances
frompropertylinesandshowresidencesandotherstructuresonadjoiningproperties
Testboringsandgroundwaterelevationswithinsitelimits
Utilityroutingwithinsitelimits
Eachsiteplanshouldbedevelopedaccordingtolocalmunicipalbylawsandbeapprovedbythelocal
municipalityand
EachdrawingshouldbearasealofaprofessionalengineerlicensedinOntario.
GeneralLayoutandDetailedEngineeringDrawings

Thefollowinggenerallayoutanddetailedengineeringdrawingsshouldbeprovidedforallnewmajorfacilitiesof
thesewageworksandmodificationsorupgradesofexistingmajorfacilities:

Accuratehydraulicprofilesthroughsewageworkssuchascollectionfacilities,sewagetreatmentplantsor
pumpingstations,preparedforminimumandmaximumflowconditionstoaverticalscaleadequateto
clearlyshowtheelevationsoftanktops(topofconcrete),channelandtroughinverts,weirsandother
featuresdirectlyaffectingthehydraulicgradient
Generallayoutplansforallmajorfacilitiesoftheworks(e.g.,layoutofallprocessestogether)includingall
associatedprocessflowchannelsandpiping(showdirectionofflow),processandancillaryequipment,air
andchemicalfeedlines,pointsofchemicaladdition,andwastestreams
Constructionscaleplanandprofiledrawings(withdimensionsandelevations)ofallfacilitiesproposedtobe
constructedormodified,includinganyadditionaldescriptivespecificationsandinformationnotincludedina
separatespecificationsdocument.
Allengineeringdisciplinedrawingsasrequiredtoadequatelycharacterizetheworksneedtobeprovided
and
Processandinstrumentationdiagrams(P&ID)showingtheinterconnectionandoperationcontrol
arrangementsforallprocessandancillaryequipmentandappurtenances.

2.4.2.3Specifications

Detailedtechnicalspecificationsshouldbeprovidedforallsewageworksprojects.Inthecaseofminorworkssuch
asminorsewerextensions,thesespecificationscangenerallybenotedonthefinalplans.Formoreextensive
works,separatespecificationsdocumentsshouldbeprepared.

Thesespecificationsshouldincludeallconstructionandinstallationinformationnotshownonthedrawingsbut
requiredtoinformthecontractorofallprojectrequirementsregarding:

Typeandqualityofconstructionmaterialsandprefabricatedcomponents
Qualityofworkmanship
Type,size,rating,operatingcharacteristicsandqualityofmechanicalandelectricalequipmentand
installations(e.g.,processandancillaryequipmentandappurtenances,valves,pipingandpipejoints,
electricalapparatus,wiring,meteringandmonitoringequipment,laboratoryfixturesandequipment,special
tools)
Typeandqualityofprocessmaterials(e.g.,filtermedia)andchemicals
Testingofstructures,materialsandequipmentnecessarytomeetdesignstandards
Marginoferrorandcalibrationfrequencynecessarytomeettheperformancecriteriaofeffluentmonitoring
Operatingtestsforthecompletedworksandprocesscomponents(e.g.leaktestingofsewersandother
piping)
Aprogramforkeepingexistingsewageworksfacilitiesinoperationduringconstructionofadditional
facilitiessoastominimizeinterruptionofservice
Laboratoryfacilitiesandequipment
Thenumberanddesignofchemicalfeedingequipment
Proceduresfortesting,asneeded,priortoplacingtheprojectinserviceand
Materialsorproprietaryequipmentforfacilitiesincludinganynecessarybackfloworbacksiphonage
protection.

2.5SewageTreatmentPlantProcessOptimization

Thedesignermayoptimizeanexistingsewagetreatmentplanttoobtainadditionalcapacityorimproved
performanceratherthanexpandingorphysicallyupgradingtheplant.Theresultsofanyplantoptimization
investigation,whichformsthebasisforanyproposeddesignchanges,needtobeadequatelydocumentedor
referenced(Section3.10.3ProcessReRating).

Processoptimizationneedstoensurethattheproposedchangestotheexistingsewageworkswillconsistentlyand
reliablysatisfytherequirementsoftheCofA.

ProcessoptimizationcanplayanimportantroleintheassessmentofanSTPabilitytoincreaseitscapacityorto
meetmorestringenteffluentquality.Therearemanysourcesofinformationonplantprocessoptimizationthatcan
bereferencedandfourministrysponsoredreferencesinclude:
 GuidanceManualforSewageTreatmentPlantProcessAudits(1996)
TheOntarioCompositeCorrectionProgramManualforOptimizationofSewageTreatmentPlants(1996)
AssessmentoftheComprehensivePerformanceEvaluationTechniqueforOntarioSewageTreatmentPlants
(1994)and
AssessmentoftheComprehensiveTechnicalAssistanceTechniqueforOntarioSewageTreatmentPlants
(1995).

Chapter3:GeneralDesignConsiderations
Thischapterdescribesgeneraldesignconsiderationsrelatedtotheconstruction,operationandmaintenanceof
municipalsewageworks.Topicscoveredinthischapterincludesiteselection,security,energyconservation,
reliabilityandodourcontrol.SpecificdetailsondesignconsiderationsforPumpingStationsandSewageTreatment
PlantsareprovidedinChapter7PumpingStationsandChapter8DesignConsiderationsforSewageTreatment
Plants.

3.1General
Sewagepumpingandtreatmentworksshouldbeabletohandleallflowsandloadingstobeexpectedattheworks
andmeettheoverallrequirementsoftheworksintermsoffacilityoperation,treatmentandeffluentqualitycriteria.
Designsshouldanticipatefuturechangesintermsofhydraulicand/orcontaminantloadingsandprovideflexibility
intermsofmeetingallreasonableexpectations.

3.2DesignBasis

Sewagepumpingstationsandtreatmentworksneedtobedesignedtomeetthecurrentandplanneddevelopment
needs,eliminatebypassesandoverflows(Section8.5.6BypassesandOverflows).Furtherdetailsonthedesign
basisforfacilitiesandtreatmentprocessunitsarecontainedintheirrespectivesections.

3.3SiteSelection

Sewagepumpingstationandsewagetreatmentplantsitesshouldbelocatedasfaraspracticablefromanyexisting
commercialorresidentialareaoranyareathatwillprobablybedevelopedwithintheplant'sdesignlife.Theplant
siteshouldbeseparatedfromadjacentusesbyabufferzoneandprovidedwithadequateareaforanyforeseeable
futureexpansion.Plantoutfallsshouldbeplacedsoastominimizeimpactsonpublicwatersupplyintakesand
whereapplicable,satisfytherequirementsofthefederalNavigableWatersProtectionAct(NWA).Informationon
siteselectionforsewagetreatmentplantsisincludedinSection8.1SewageTreatmentPlantLocation.

3.3.1Constructability

Thedesignofthesewageworksshouldallowfor:

Practicality/easeofconstruction
Aphasedapproach
Maintainingoperationsduringconstructionand
Planningforfutureadditions/expansion.

3.4OperationandMaintenance

Allsewagepumpingandtreatmentworksshouldbedesignedwithconsiderationtooperationandmaintenance.All
equipmentshouldbeabletobeservicedbothroutinelyandduringbreakdownwithaminimumofdisruption,
includingprovisionsforisolatingequipment,removingequipmentandsafety.Criticalequipmentshouldbe
providedwithbackupcapacitytoensureuninterruptedoperationoftreatmentprocessunitsandpumpingfacilities.
Specialattentionshouldbegiventoareasthatwouldbedesignatedasconfinedspaceareas.

Facilitiesneedtobeprovidedforstaff,includingpersonnel,laboratoryandmaintenancefacilities.Thefacilities
requiredwilldependonthesizeandremotenessofthesewageworks.

Forasewagetreatmentplant,personnelfacilitiesaregenerallylocatedintheadministrationbuilding.Thisbuilding
wouldservetheneedsofthesupervisorystaff,theoperationandmaintenancepersonnelandoftenthelaboratory
staff.

Asewagetreatmentplantstaffedforeighthoursormoreeachdayshouldpossesssupportfacilitiesforthestaff.

Thefollowing,inconformancewithapplicablebuildingcodes,shouldbeprovided:

Washingandchangingfacilities.Theseshouldincludeshowers,lockers,sinksandtoiletssufficientforthe
entirestaffnecessarytooperatethefacilityatdesignconditions.Aheatedandventilatedmudroomis
desirableforchangingandstoringboots,jackets,glovesandotheroutdoorgarmentswornonthejob.Each
staffmembershouldhaveseparatelockersforstreetclothesandplantclothes.Separatewashingand
changingfacilitiesshouldbeavailableformenandwomen,withtheexceptionofthemudroom
Eatingfacilities.Provideaclean,quietareawithfacilitiesforstorageandeatingoflightmeals
Meetingfacilities.Provideaplacetoassembletheplantstaffandvisitors.Insomecases,themeeting
facilitiesandtheeatingfacilitieswillbethesameand
Supervisors'facilities.Provideaplacewherediscussionsandpaperworkcanbecarriedoutinprivate.

Smalltreatmentplantsthatarenotstaffed8hoursadayneednotcontainallofthepersonnelfacilitiesrequiredfor
largerplants,butshouldhavearoomwithadoorcapableofbeinglockedandcontainatminimumawashroom.

Laboratoryfacilitiesrequiredwilldependontheamountofanalyticalworkconductedonsite.Generally,regulatory
samplesaresenttoanoffsitecertifiedlaboratoryforanalysiswhileprocesssamplingandanalysisaredoneonsite.

Facilitiesshouldbeprovidedtoallowforadequatemaintenanceofequipment.Suchfacilitiesgenerallyincludea
maintenanceshop,garage,storagespaceandyardmaintenancefacilities.Accesstonearbymunicipalgaragesand
othermaintenancecentresshouldbeconsideredandduplicationoffacilitiesavoidedwherepossible.

Storagespaceshouldbeprovidedforspareparts,fuelsupplies,oilsandlubricants,groundsmaintenance
equipmentandcollectionsystemequipment.Inlargerfacilitiesitmaybedesirabletohaveaseparatestorage
building.Insmallerfacilitiesitmaybedesirabletocombinestoragewiththeshoporgaragesothatthestored
materialcanbeprotectedagainstunauthorizedaccessanduse.Fordesigninformationonstorageandhandlingof
chemicalsrefertoChapter20HandlingofChemicals.

Allbasementsshouldhaveafloodalarmsystemconnectedtothecentralalarmsystemofthefacility.

3.5FloodProtection
Sewagepumpingstationsandtreatmentplantsshouldbeprotectedagainstflooding.Thetreatmentprocessunits
shouldbelocatedatanelevationhigherthanthe100yearfloodlevelorotherwisebeadequatelyprotectedagainst
100yearflooddamage.Newlyconstructedplantsshouldremainfullyoperationalduringa100yearfloodevent.
InformationonfloodprotectionofsewagepumpingstationscanbefoundinSection7.1.2Floodingandfor
sewagetreatmentplantsinSection8.1.2FloodProtection.

3.6Security

Measuresshouldbeprovidedtopreventunauthorizedentryofpumpingandtreatmentfacilitieswhichmayresultin
personalmishapordisruptionofoperations.Measuresshouldinclude:

Fencing,railingsandwalls
Securedentrancegates
Provisionsforemergencyvehicles(workcloselywiththelocalfiredepartment)
Trafficcontrolsignsorsignals
Provisionsforsafetransportofchemicals,fuelsuppliesandsludgeand
Careshouldbetakentoavoidtrappingpersonnelwiththesesecuritymeasures.

SuggestedsecurityprovisionsforremotepumpingstationsareoutlinedinSection7.6AlarmSystems.

3.7EnergyConservation
Thedesignershouldconsidertheuseofenergyefficienttreatmentprocessesandequipmentincludingmotors,
blowersanddiffusersoverthelifeoftheequipmentorprocess.Thetreatmentprocessesandequipmentshouldbe
evaluatedintermsoflifecyclecostingtoensuremaximumbenefits.
3.8ReliabilityandRedundancy

Reliabilityandredundancycriteriashouldbedeterminedtoensureprotectionofpublichealthandtheenvironment.
Standbyorredundantcapabilitiesneedtobeprovidedforsatisfactoryoperationofthesewageworksduringpower
failures,flooding,peakloads,equipmentfailureandmaintenanceshutdowns.Generally,sewagepumpingstations
andtreatmentworksshouldbedesignedsothatwiththelargestflowcapacityunitoutofservicethehydraulic
capacityoftheremainingunitscanhandlethedesignpeakinstantaneousflow.Thedesignershouldensurethatthe
sewageflowtoanytreatmentprocessunitoutofservicecanberoutedtoremainingunitsinservicewithminimum
impactontheirperformance.

Thedesignofasewagetreatmentplant,sinceithasaneffluentdischargeintotheenvironment,shouldbebasedon
thepremisethatthefailureofanysinglecomponentshouldnotpreventthesewageworksfrommeetingthe
requiredeffluentqualityandquantitycriteria,whileoperatingatdesignflows(i.e.,minimumtomaximumdesign
flows).

Atreatmentplantthathasstrictlydefinedeffluentqualitycriteriaintermsofobjectivesandnoncompliancelimits
shouldhaveacommensuratelevelofreliabilityandredundancyofitscomponents.Thedesignerofasewage
treatmentplantshouldconsiderthefollowingwhenevaluatinganddocumentingreliabilityoftheproposed
treatmentcomponents:

Theeffluentnoncompliancelimitsandothersitespecificqualityandquantitycriteria(i.e.,concentrations
andloadings)duringthefullrangeofdesignflows(i.e.,minimumtomaximumdesignflows)
Thelikelihoodofthesystemhavingreducedleveloftreatmentorperformance
Therisktotheperformanceofthesystemandinturntotheenvironment,publichealthandsafetyifthelevel
oftreatmentandperformanceofitscomponentsisreducedand
Themannerandmethodsbywhichreliabilityisprovidedsothatreducedtreatment/performanceand
overflowsorbypassescanbeeliminated.

Aspartofthereliabilityandredundancyanalysisofindividualprocessunits,equipmentorelements,thedesigner
shouldalsoconsiderthedefinitionofthefollowing:

Criticalprocesselement,unitorequipment
Criticalevents:
Estimateddurationofevents
Actions/safeguardsand

Effectontheeffluentqualityversusnoncompliancelimits.ThisanalysismaybecarriedoutusingTable3.1asan
example.

SuchatableshouldthenformapartoftheOperationsandMaintenanceManualtoensurethelongterm
satisfactoryperformanceofthesewagetreatmentsystem.

3.9TechnologyDevelopment

Implementationofnewtechnologiesandreratingofexistingfacilitiesrequirespecialconsiderations.Forthe
purposeofthisDesignGuidancesdocument,newtechnologyandproventechnologyaredefinedbelow.

3.9.1NewTechnology

Anymethod,process,orequipmentproposedtocollect,convey,treatordisposeofsewagethatisbeingtestedor
hasbeentestedatpilotscaleoratfullscalelevel,butlacksanestablishedperformancerecord.

3.9.2ProvenTechnology

Aproventechnologyhasanestablishedperformancerecordandmeansatechnologywith:

Aminimumofthreeseparateinstallations,operatedatneardesigncapacity
Aminimumofthreeyearsofoperatingrecordatthreeseparatelocationsand
Aminimumofthreeyearsoperatingrecordshowingreliableandconsistentcompliancewiththedesign
performancecriteriawithoutmajorfailureofeithertheprocessorequipment.
Thedesignershouldbeawarethatnewtechnologiesmayhaveahigherriskoffailurethanproventechnologies.
Thedegreeofriskoffailurecanbeevaluatedthroughreviewofsequentialstagesofanewtechnology
developmentwheretheriskoffailureisreducedwitheachofthefollowingsequentialsteps:

theoreticalconcept
developmentatthelaboratoryorbenchscale
experimentalstageconsistingofpilotscaleprogramandfieldapplicationtesting
extensivepilotorfullscaletestingand
establishedperformancerecord.

Table31ExampleofReliabilityAnalysisofSewageTreatmentPlantComponents
Example Event
Element Frequency Action/Safeguard EffectonEffluent
Events Duration
firmcapacity
1in5 standbypump
Pumps pumpfailure Weeks none
years offpeakhours
storage
components alarm,analyzer
Chemicalsystem Minutes 1in1year minimal
failure autoswitch
1in3 backupsystem
Chemicalsystem pumpfailure Hours minimal
years spares
equipmentor 1in5 firmcapacity,backup
Pretreatment Weeks none
processfailure years systemsorbypasses
replacemotor 1in10
Primaryclarifier Hours sparepartsonsite minimal
orgearbox years
equipment 1in5 runwithunitoutof
Primaryclarifier Weeks minimal
failure years service
sparemotoronsite somedegradationofeffluent
replacemotor 1in10
Finalclarifier Hours bypasstoother qualityforshortperiodof
orgearbox years
clarifier,ifavailable time
Liquidtrain sparepartsonsite,run
equipment 1in5 somedegradationofeffluent
biological Weeks withunitoutof
failure years quality
processes service
equipment 1in5 alarms,sparepartson significantimpactoneffluent
Disinfection Days
failure years site quality
firmcapacityor
Biosolids equipmentand 1in5
Weeks operatewithfewer minimal
processes processfailure years
units
1in5
Power poweroutage Days alternategrid none
years
equipment 1in3
Power Days generator minimal
failure years

Anewtechnologythatisconsideredforasitespecificapplicationaspartofanexperimentalorpilotprogram
shouldmeetthefollowingrequirements:

Thesizeoftheprincipalcomponentsanddurationofthepilotprogramshouldbesuchthatphysical,
chemicaland/orbiologicalprocessesareaccuratelysimulatedunderrepresentativeconditions
Processvariablesnormallyexpectedinfullscaleapplicationhavebeensimulated
Allrecyclestreamshavebeenconsidered
Variationsininfluentsewagecharacteristicsthatcansubstantiallyaffectperformanceinfullscaleapplication
havebeenanticipatedandsimulated
Thedurationoftestinghasbeenadequatetoensurestableoperatingconditionsandsubsequentconsistent
performancehasbeenconfirmed
Theservicelifeofhighmaintenanceorreplacementitemshavebeenaccuratelyestimated
Basicprocesssafety,environmentalandhealthriskshavebeenconsideredandfoundtobewithinreasonable
limits
 Typesandamountsofallrequiredprocessadditiveshavebeendeterminedandtestedand
Acontingencyplanshouldbeinplaceintheeventthatthenewtechnologyfailstomeettheexpected
performance.

Designersconsideringafullscaleapplicationofanynewtreatmenttechnologyshouldevaluatethedataandother
informationofanytestingprogramswhichhavebeenundertakenbyindependenttestingagenciesnecessaryto
ensuretheviabilityoftheproposedtreatmenttechnologyandapplicationanddocumenttheirfindingsinthe
DesignBrief(Chapter2ProjectDesignDocumentation).

NotethatspecificnewtechnologiesarenotdiscussedinthisDesignGuidancesdocument.

3.10SewageTreatmentPlantCapacityRating

3.10.1DesignCapacity

Inthecaseofanewmunicipalsewagetreatmentplant,aconceptualdesigncapacitywillbedevelopedthroughthe
MunicipalEngineersAssociation'sMunicipalClassEnvironmentalAssessment(i.e.,ClassEA)processandwillbe
documentedintheEnvironmentalStudyReport(ESR).OncetheESRhasmettherequirementsofClassEA,this
conceptualdesigncapacitywillformthebasisofdetailedengineeringdesignresultinginplansandspecifications
which,inturn,willbeusedforobtainingaCertificateofApproval(CofA)fromtheapprovingDirectoratthe
MinistryoftheEnvironment(ministry).ThisconceptualdesigncapacityshouldbedocumentedintheESRand
confirmedastheproposedratedcapacityinthefinaldesignbrief.Theratedcapacityisthehighestaverageannual
flowduringwhichthesewagetreatmentplantcanconsistentlymeetsitespecificeffluentqualitycriteria.Itwillbe
specifiedintheCofAastheratedcapacityoftheapprovedsewagetreatmentplant.

Incaseswhereanexpansion,alterationormodificationisrequiredtoanexistingtreatmentplant,theproponent
willneedtodeterminetheapplicableSchedule(ScheduleA,A+,BorC)ofClassEAthatisrelevanttothe
undertaking.Oneofthefactorsinmakingthisdeterminationistheexistingratedcapacityoftheexisting
sewagetreatmentplantreferredtointheSchedulesincludedinAppendix1ofClassEAdocument.Thisexisting
ratedcapacityistheratedcapacityofthesewagetreatmentplantspecifiedintheexistingCofAforthefacility.If
theproposedundertakingresultsinflowstothesewagetreatmentplantthatexceedtheratedcapacity,theexpanded
flowrequirementneedstoformthebasisoffurtherMunicipalClassEAconsiderationsandsubsequentdetailed
engineeringdesign.

3.10.2RatedCapacity

Theratedcapacityofasewagetreatmentplant,inaccordancewiththeCofA,isdefinedastheaveragedailyflow
whichthesewagetreatmentworkshavebeenapprovedtohandle,calculatedasthecumulativetotalsewageflowto
thesewageworksduringacalendaryear,dividedbythenumberofdaysduringwhichsewagewasflowingtothe
sewagetreatmentworksthatyear.ThisisequivalenttotheDesignAverageDailyFlow.

Inestablishingthedesigncapacityofthesewagetreatmentplantthedesignershouldconsider:

Theabilityofthesewagetreatmentplanttoconsistentlyproducetreatedeffluentmeetingallapplicable
Ontarioregulations,guidelines,proceduresandsitespecificeffluentqualitycriteria
Theratedcapacityshouldbeestablishedbyassessingthecapacityandperformanceofeachprocessin
isolationandinconjunctionwiththeentireprocesstrainoperatingasasystemtoidentifytheprocesswith
thelowesttreatmentcapacitythatrepresentsthecapacitylimitingprocessorthetreatmentrateofitsslowest
unitoperationthatformstheratecontrollingstep[1]and
Theflow(s)andloadingsintothesewagetreatmentplant,processcomponents,trainsorstages,(thedesign
maximum,minimum,hourlyandinstantaneousflowsforeachindividualtreatmentprocessandtheoverall
plant).

Thedesignershouldundertakeadetaileddesigntomeettheserequirementsinthecontextoftheissuesaddressed
inthesedesignguidelinesandspecificallyinSection8.5MajorDesignCriteria.Theratedcapacityofthesewage
treatmentplantwillbeconfirmedinthereviewoftheproposeddesignbytheministryaspartoftheCofA
applicationreviewprocessandwillbeincludedintheCofAissuedafterthereviewiscompleted.

Thesewagetreatmentplantratedcapacity,asdefinedinthefinaldesignbriefandsubsequentlyintheCofA,is
basedonthedesignassumptionsatthetimeofapplyingforapproval.Improvementstooperationalknowledge,
technologies,changesinsewagequalitycharacteristics,conditionsofthephysicalfacilities,andprocess
optimizationcanchangetheperformanceofanSTPandprovidingabasisforthereevaluationoftherated
capacityoftheSTP.

3.10.3ProcessReRating

Sewagetreatmentplantreratingisthepracticeofevaluatingsewagetreatmentplantsorunittreatmentprocessesto
determineifitispossibletoconsistentlyoperatetheSTPorunittreatmentprocessesatahighercapacitythanthe
originalratedcapacity.ProcessunitorSTPreratingrequiresatleastthefollowing:

Operationaldatafromcontinuousoperationofafullscaleinstallationtreatingorconveyingthetypeand
strengthofsewagetobetreated
Automaticindicating,recordingandtotalizingflowmeasurementequipmentshouldbeprovided.Totalflow
andotherprocesscontrolmeasurementsshouldbetakenandrecordeddailyoratafrequencyrequiredto
verifytheoperationofthefacilityorunitprocessattheproposedreratedcapacityand
Aproperprocessauditwithstresstestingshouldbecarriedout,withadequatesamplecollectionand
analyses,todemonstrateeffectivenessandefficiencyunderminimumandmaximumdesignflowandloading
conditionsoverextendedperiodsoftimesuchthatstableoperatingconditionshavebeenachieved.

Inaddition,thefollowingspecificelementsneedtobeaddressedinallproposalsforsewagetreatmentplantre
rating:

Impactsoftheproposedchangeonthesewagetreatmentplantabilitytoreliablyandconsistentlycomply
witheffluentqualitycriteriaandCofAconditions
Anevaluationofthepotentialforthetreatmentsystemupset,overflow,bypassornoncompliancewith
effluentlimits
Anevaluationofreratingthesewagetreatmentplantversusexpandingoftheplantbasedonthecapacityto
accommodatenewgrowth.Thecommunity'shistoricalandanticipatedrateofgrowthshouldbeconsidered
Anevaluationoftheimpactofreratingthesewagetreatmentplantonoperationandmaintenanceofthe
facilities.Thisevaluationshould,ataminimum,includetheimpactontreatmentplantoperators,including
levelofcertificationneededandtheneedforadditionalprocesscontrolandmonitoringand
Formoredetailedinformationonsewagetreatmentplantreratingandtreatmentprocessesoptimization,the
designerisreferredtothefollowingministrydocuments:
GuidanceManualforSewageTreatmentPlantProcessAudits(1996)
TheOntarioCompositeCorrectionProgramManualforOptimizationofSewageTreatmentPlants
(1996)
AssessmentoftheComprehensivePerformanceEvaluationTechniqueforOntarioSewageTreatment
Plants(1994)and
AssessmentoftheComprehensiveTechnicalAssistanceTechniqueforOntarioSewageTreatment
Plants(1995).

3.11EmissionsofContaminantstoAir

Forallsourcesofemissionofcontaminantstotheairatsewageworks(e.g.gasesfromairstripingprocess,exhaust
emissions,noiseofstandbyorstationarygenerators,noiseofairblowersorcompressors,odours)therequirements
ofSection9oftheEnvironmentalProtectionAct(EPA)needtobesatisfied.

TheAirPollutionLocalAirQualityRegulation(O.Reg.419/05)madeundertheEPAspecifiesthemaximum
allowableconcentrationofthespecificaircontaminantsatthepointofimpingement.Complianceisachievedby
maintainingthepointofimpingementconcentrationsofthecontaminantsdischargedfromthesourceofemission
belowthemaximumconcentrationsstipulatedintheregulation.Typicalpointsofimpingementaretheproperty
lineandallcriticalreceptorssuchasbuildingairintakesorwindows.

3.12SamplingandMonitoringEquipment
Samplingdevicesshouldbecompatiblewiththeneedsoftheinfluentandeffluentqualitymonitoringprogram.The
typeofsamplerandsamplecontaineruseddependsontheparameterbeingtestedinthesample.Sampledevices
includedippers,vacuumliftsandpumps(peristaltic,positivedisplacementorcentrifugal).Theamountoflift
shouldbeadesignconsideration.
Samplersneedtomaintainasamplingvelocitywhichwillpreventthesolidsinthesamplefromsettlinginthe
samplerlines.Compositesamplersshouldbeflowproportionalandcapableofsamplingflowovera24hour
period.Samplinglinesshouldbelargeenoughtocarrysuspendedmatter.Asamplershouldhaveapurgecycleto
expelanymaterialleftinthesamplelinefromtheprevioussampling.Tocomplywithsamplepreservation,most
samplerswillneedameansofrefrigerationforthesample.

Generalguidelinestobeusedforautomaticsamplersincludethefollowing:

Thesamplingdeviceshouldbelocatednearthesourcebeingsampled,topreventsampledegradationinthe
line
Longsamplingtransmissionlinesshouldbeavoided.Ifsamplingtransmissionlinesareused,theyshould
havevelocitiessufficienttopreventsedimentation.Provisionsshouldbeincludedtomakesamplelines
removableandeasilycleanable.Minimumvelocitiesinsamplelinesshouldbe1m/s(3ft/s)underall
operatingconditions
Samplercontrolshouldconsidercontinuousfloworflushingtoensurearepresentativesampleistaken
Samplesneedtoberefrigeratedunlessthesamplesarenotaffectedbybiologicaldegradation
Samplerinletlinesshouldbelocatedwheretheflowstreamiswellmixedandrepresentativeofthetotal
flow
Samplingaccesspointsshouldbeprovidedforreturnandrecyclelines,sewageinflowsandoutflowsand
wastesludgelinesand
Accesstosamplingsitesshouldbeprovidedinthedesignofsewagepumpingandtreatmentfacilitiesto
obtaingrabsamples.

3.13Hydraulics
Thedesignerofnewsewageworksneedstoevaluatetheexistingandproposedhydraulicgradelinestoensureraw
sewageoreffluentpumpingrequirementsaremetundersteadystateandpeakflowconditionsforthedesignlifeof
thefacility.Theuseofgravityflow,whereappropriate,mayresultinlowercapitalandoperatingcosts,but
generallyrestrictsthesitingofthetreatmentworksandmaynotbesuitableforusewithsometreatmentprocesses.
Suchfactorsshouldbecarefullyevaluatedtodeterminethebestpossiblehydraulicandsitingconfiguration.

3.13.1FlowMetering

Allsewagepumpingstationsandsewagetreatmentplantsshouldhaveflowmeasuringdevicestomeasurethe
sewageflowtotheworksandthroughthesewagetreatmentplant,includingoverflowsandbypasses.Inaddition,
flowthroughunitprocesses,backwashflow,chemicalandgasflowsshouldbemeteredformonitoringand
controllingthetreatmentprocesses(Chapter9InstrumentationandControl).

Thedesignershouldconsidertheimportanceofmeteraccuracy,specificallyasitrelatestocompliancewithCofA
effluentqualitycriteriarelatingtocontaminantloadings.

3.13.2FlowDistribution

Flowdistributionorsplittingreferstotheseparationofaflowstreamintotwoormoresmallerstreamsofa
predeterminedproportionalsize.Flowsplittingallowsunitprocessestobeusedinparallelandappliesmainlyto
liquidstreamsbutcanalsobeusedforsludgestreams.

3.13.2.1FlowSplittingDevices

Thefollowingdevicescanbeusedforflowsplittingmanycanalsobeusedforflowmeasurement.Theseinclude:

FlumesFlumesareopenchannelstructuresordevicesthatproduceaheadwater(upstream)elevation
relatedtoapredictableflowgoingthroughthestructureaslongastheflumesareoperatinginanon
submergedcondition.Thehighertheflow,thehighertheheadwaterelevation.Twoormoreidenticalflumes
willpassthesameflowwiththesameupstreamhead.Iftwoormoreidenticalflumessharethesame
headwatersuchasinasplitterbox,theywilleffectivelysplittheflowevenlyamongtheflumes.One
advantageinusingflumestosplittheflowisthattheycanoperateaccuratelywithverylittleavailablehead.
Flumesarenotrecommendediftheflowneedstobesplitunevenlybecausetheflowisnotlinearlyrelatedto
thethroatwidthoftheflume
 WeirsWeirsareflatplatessetinachannelwhich,likeflumes,produceanupstreamheadproportionalto
theflowgoingovertheweir.Themainadvantageofweirsisthattheyarefairlycompactandinexpensive.
Theirmaindisadvantageisthattheyneedsufficientheadtooperateproperly.Generally,theweirplateitself
hastobeintheorderofaminimumoftwotimesthemaximumheadgeneratedbehindtheweirinheight.If
theflowistobesplitunevenly,suppressedweirs,circularweirsorCipollettiweirsshouldbeconsidered
ControlValvesControlvalvesareusedtosplittheflowwhenlittleornoheadisavailableorspace
constraintsprohibittheuseofasplitterbox.Thereareseveralvalvessuitabletocontrolflowsplitting.
Butterflyvalvescanbeusedinlargeflowsituationswherethechanceofpluggingwithstringymaterialsis
low.Pinchvalvesareideallysuitedforflowcontrolwhenthereisnodebrisinthefluid.Plugvalves,ball
valvesandothervalveswhichdonotplugareappropriateforflowsplittingcontrol.Itisbestifthevalvesare
automaticandcontrolledbyaflowsignalfromeachoftheindividualflowpaths.Inthiswaytheflowcanbe
instantaneouslytotaledanddividedoutinapredeterminedwayand
SymmetrySymmetryhasbeenreliedontosplitflowswithmixedresults.Symmetricalflowsplittingrelies
onthesymmetryoftheinletstructurestotheupstreamflowthatisbeingsplit.Oneproblemwithrelianceon
thistypeofflowschemeismaintainingcompletedynamicsymmetrythroughouttheactualdesignflow
range.Smallvariationsinapproachvelocity,channelandpiperoughnessanddownstreamheadlossescan
haveamajorimpactontheaccuracyoftheflowsplit.

3.13.2.2FactorsAffectingFlowSplitting

Thefollowingpointsshouldbeconsideredinthedesignofthevariouscomponentsofthehydraulicflow
distribution:

UpstreamConditionsIftheupstreamflowvelocityisabove0.3m/s(1ft/s)significantvelocityheadcan
develop.Iftheflowisnotperfectlysymmetricalinrelationtothesplittingdevices,thevelocityheadcan
developunevenpressureheadonthedifferentflowsplittingdevices.Thiscausesanunevenorunintended
flowsplit.Asufficientamountofheadhastobeavailableupstreamofthesplittingdevicessoasnottocause
floodingoftheupstreamprocesses.
InadequateHeadorPressureIfthereisinsufficientelevationdifferencebetweentheupstreamprocessand
thedownstreamtanks,theflowsplittingdeviceswillnotfunctionproperlyandsubmergenceofthesplitting
devicecanoccur.Whenadeviceissubmerged,thetailwaterdepthpreventsfreefallandanaeratednappe
fromoccurringthroughthedevice.Theheadonthedevice,inthiscase,isnolongerrelatedinaconsistent
waytotheflowgoingthroughthedevice.Ifoneormoreofthedevicesaresubmerged,buthavethesame
headwater,thedevicescannotreliablysplittheflowintherequiredratio.Theresultswouldbeunpredictable
andinconsistent.
ApproachConditionsTheflowconditionsapproachingthesplittingdevicesarecriticaltothesuccessofthe
flowsplittingeffort.Theflowvelocityintheheadwaterareashouldbe0.3m/s(1ft/s)orlesstominimize
anypotentialvelocityhead,whichisdescribedbytheequationV2(2g)(whereVisvelocityandgis
accelerationduetogravity).Theadditionalvelocityheadcouldturnintopressureheadresultinginuneven
headlossamongthesplittingdevices,changingtheflowsplit.Anunevenapproachvelocitydistributioncan
alsoresultinanunacceptablechangeintheflowsplit.
DownstreamConditionsDownstreamconditionscanseriouslyaffecttheflowsplittingcapabilityof
splittingweirs.Sufficientheadneedstobeavailablebetweenprocessunitstoallowtheproperfunctioningof
theflowsplittingdevices.Inparticular,theflowsplittingdeviceneedssufficientfreefalltothetailwaterfor
ittoworkproperly.
SubmergedFlowSubmergedflowoccurswhenthetailwaterdepthistoohightoallowfreefallthroughthe
splittingdevice.Withoutfreefall,thesplittingdevicewillnotworkproperly.Certaindevicessuchasflumes
cantolerateadegreeofsubmergenceandstillfunction.Weirsneedatleast0.3m(1ft)offreefalltoallow
foranaeratednappe.Ifadeviceisoverlysubmerged,theflowthroughthedeviceisaffectedbythetailwater
depth,whichalterstheflowsplitdesign.
ImproperSizingofPrimaryDeviceForsatisfactoryresults,thesizeoftheprimaryflowsplittingdevice
needstomatchtheflowbeingdivided.Iftheprimaryflowsplittingdeviceistoolarge,itwillnotfunction
properly.Aminimumamountofheadlosshastobegeneratedthroughthedevice:Forsmallflows,atleast
0.2m(0.7ft)headlossneedstobegenerated.Forlargerflows,moreheadlossisrequiredtosplittheflow.If
theflowoveraweirisinsufficientitmayresultinthespilloverrunningdownthefaceoftheweir.Thenappe
isnolongerconsideredaeratedanditactsasthoughitwereasubmergedflow.Thiscanresultinapulsingof
theflowovertheweirasthenappehugsandthenseparatesfromtheweir.Theresultingsplitflowis
unpredictable.Iftheprimarysplittingdeviceistoosmallitwillgeneratetoolargeaheadtobeaccurate.It
willalsogenerateexcessiveheadlosswhichmaynotbeacceptable.Finally,thedevicewouldneedahigher
freefalltofunction.
3.14Manuals&Training

3.14.1OperationsManual

AnOperationsManualshouldbesuppliedtothesewagetreatmentplantasanessentialpartofthedesign.The
OperationsManualshouldincludedetaileddescriptionsandexplanationsofthetreatmentprocessesand
operationalstrategiesformeetingtheeffluentqualitycriteriaspecifiedintheCofA.Allstandardoperating
proceduresdevelopedfortheplantshouldbeincludedintheOperationsManual.Themanualshouldbeprovided
instandardelectronicformatandcoverthefollowingtopics:

Aplantoverviewandprocesscontrolphilosophystatement
Detailedunitoperationsandchemicaldosingfornormaloperationandemergencysituations
Simplifiedsystemschematicsthattakeintoaccountthespatialrelationshipsinvolved
Descriptionsandoperationalproceduresforfacilityutilities(e.g.Heating,Ventilating,andAirConditioning
(HVAC),plantservicewater,security)
Generalsafetyinformation,includingprovisionstokeepMaterialSafetyDataSheets(MSDSs)uptodate
Spillcontainmentandemergencyproceduresandreporting
Emergencypowersystemsandelectricalsystemoperation
Securityofinfrastructure,electronicfilesand/orprogramsandresponseprocedurestobreachesorintrusions
ThelicensingrequirementsasindicatedinLicensingofSewageWorksOperatorsRegulation(O.Reg.
129/04)madeundertheOntarioWaterResourcesActandotherapplicableregulations
Monitoring,reportinganddocumentationprocedures
Proceduresforbringingequipmentonlineaftermaintenance
Reliabilityandredundancyanalysisofsystemcomponents
Detailedroutinemaintenanceprocedures
Alarmnotificationsandresponseprocedures
Alistofemergencycontactsandlocationsofcontingencyplansand
Alistofmajorequipmentsuppliers.

3.14.2EquipmentManuals

Equipmentmanualsincludingpartslistsandpartsorderforms,operatorsafetyproceduresandanoperational
troubleshootingsectionshouldbesuppliedtotheowneraspartofanyproprietaryunitinstalledattheworks.

3.14.3Training

Provisionsshouldbemadeforoperatorinstructionswithdocumentationatthestartupofanynewfacility,
equipmentorprocess.

3.15HealthandSafety

Considerationneedstobegiventothesafetyofsewageworkspersonnelandvisitors.Thedesignershouldreferto
allapplicablecodesandregulationsundertheOccupationalHealthandSafetyAct,theBuildingCodeAct,1992
andtheFireProtectionandPreventionAct,1997.Itemstobeconsideredincludenoisearresters,noiseprotection,
confinedspaceentry,protectiveequipmentandclothing,gasmasks,safetyshowersandeyewashes,handrailsand
guards,ladders,warningsigns,smokedetectors,toxicgasdetectorsandfireextinguishers.

Equipmentandchemicalsuppliersshouldalsobecontactedregardingparticularhazardsoftheirproductsandthe
appropriatestepstakeninthefacilitydesigntoensuresafeoperation.ThedesignermayalsorefertotheU.S.
NationalFireProtectionAssociation(NFPA)NFPA820StandardforFireProtectioninWastewaterTreatment
andCollectionFacilities.

OdourControlandDesignofSewer
Chapter4:OdourControl
Sewagecontainsnumerouspotentiallyodouroussubstances,butthepredominantgroupsarethereducedsulphur
compounds.Ofthese,hydrogensulphide(H2S)isperhapsthemostcommonandeasilyidentified.
Thereareseveraltextswhichdiscussodourgeneration,particularlyasrelatedtosulphides.Thedesignerisreferred
totheU.S.EPADesignManual,OdourandCorrosionControlinSanitarySewageSystemsandTreatmentPlants
(EPA/625/185/018)andtheASCEManualofPracticeNo.69SulfideinWastewaterCollectionandTreatment
Systems.

4.1OdourMeasurementsandLimits
Odourmeasurementislargelysubjective.ThemostcommonlyacceptedmethodofcharacterizationistheOdour
Unit(OU).TheOUisbasedonthenumberofdilutionswithcleanairrequiredtoreachathresholddetectionlevel.
OUvaluesarepresentedasanodoursample'sEffectiveDose50thpercentile(ED50),meaningthenumberof
dilutionsatwhichanodourisdetectedbyhalfthemembersofanodourpanelusingadynamicdilution
olfactometer.Thus,asamplewhichrequires4dilutionstoreachED50willcontain5OU(4dilutionsplusthe
originalvolume).

Thedesignershoulddetermine,inconsultationwiththeowner(andoftenthepublic),theappropriateodourlimits
andhowtheyshouldbeappliedtothesewageworks.Oftenafencelineodourlimitisappliedwhichdetermines
themagnitudeoftheodoursacceptableattheboundaryofthefacility.Thelimitwilldependontheproximityof
residentialandcommercialdevelopmentandothersitespecificfactorssuchastheproximityofparks,trailsor
roadsandthesensitivityoftheodourproblem.

4.2PotentialOdourSources

Odourproblemstendtodevelopwhendissolvedhydrogensulphideconcentrationsexceed0.5mg/L,orlessifthe
pHisdepressed.Productionofsulphidescommencesinthecollectionsystemandwillcontinuetooccurwherever
depositsaccumulateunderanaerobicconditions.Therateofsulphidesproductionandodourgenerationareboth
temperaturedependent.Industrialdischargesfrequentlyexacerbateodour.Typically,highsulphidescontentin
dischargesismostprevalentatlowpHorhightemperatureconditions.

Turbulencepromotessulphidesstrippingandhenceodours.Inthecollectionsystemthisoccursatdropmanholes,
sharpbends,forcemaindischargepointsandanyhydraulicstructurewhereturbulenceorsupercriticalflow
develops.Generally,theodouremissionpotentialattreatmentplantsdecreasesateachsuccessivetreatmentstage.
Theinfluentsewerandheadworkshaveahigherpotentialforodouremissionssincetheyreceiverawsewagewith
ahighersulphidecontentandareoftenturbulentareas.Preliminarytreatmentprocessescangenerateodoursfrom
thescreeningsandgrithandlingareas.Aeratedgrittankswillalsostripsulphides.

Furthersulphidesgenerationoftenoccursasaresultofanaerobicconditionsinthesludgeblanketsaccumulatingin
primarysedimentationtanks.Theresultanthydrogensulphidecanbestrippedattheeffluentweirsduetothe
turbulencedevelopedthere.Aerationbasinsdonotusuallygeneratehighsulphidesodour,unlessoverloaded,as
sulphidesareoxidizedwithinthebasin.Finalclarifiersrarelyproducesignificantodoursunlessthereareproblems
withthesludgeorscumhandlingsystems.

Solidshandlingandtreatmentprocesseshavesignificantodourgenerationpotentialbecauseofthehigh
concentrationsofsulphidespresentinsludge,scumandseptage.Aerobicdigesters,thickeninganddewatering
processesandsludgestoragelagoonsareallpotentialodoursources.

4.3EvaluationofOdourProductionPotential

4.3.1MonitoringProtocols

Detailedmonitoringshouldbeprecededbyapreliminarystudytoanalyzeavailabledataandodourcomplaints.
Complaintsshouldbecorrelatedwithdataonplantoperations,sewagecharacteristicsandmeteorologicaldata.The
preliminarystudymayincludelimitedonsitesamplingandanalyses.Detailedfieldmonitoringprogramsshould
beofsufficientdurationtomonitorseasonalvariationsinsulphidesgenerationandhydrogensulphideemissions.
Monitoringshouldalsoincludeanhourlysamplingandtestingregimetoidentifytypicaldiurnalfluctuations.
Samplingpointsshouldbereadilyidentifiableandremainconsistentthroughoutthemonitoringprogram.

4.3.2LiquidPhaseAnalyses
Routineparameterstobemonitoredshouldincludetotalanddissolvedsulphides,BOD5orCOD,temperature,pH
anddissolvedoxygen(DO).Oxidationreductionpotential(ORP)canalsoyieldusefuldata.Additionalanalyses
forTSSandparticlesizedistributionwillbeneedediftheresultsaretobeusedforpredictivemodellingof
sulphidesgeneration.

4.3.2.1GasPhaseAnalyses

Insitugasphasetestingcanbeusedtoidentifyawiderangeofodourproducingcompounds,includinghydrogen
sulphide,mercaptansanddimethyldisulphide.Continuousmonitoringmaybenecessaryinsomecasestoidentify
thepeakhydrogensulphidegasconcentrationswhichtriggerodourcomplaints.Thedesignershouldensurethatthe
equipmenttobeusedforgasphasetestingissuitablefortherangeofconcentrationsexpected.

4.3.2.2AirSampling

Foulairsamplingwillberequirediftheintentionistouseadynamicdilutionolfactometerandodourpanelto
determineOUvalues.Specializedsamplingequipmentandsamplebagswillberequired.

4.3.2.3GasChromatography

Analysisbygaschromatography(GC)isusefulforidentifyingtotallevelsofsulphidesandotherpotentialodour
producingcompounds.Analysescanbecarriedoutonliquidorgasphasesamples.

4.3.2.4InterpretationofResults

Dataobtainedfrommonitoringprogramsprovidethedesignerwithusefulinformationconcerningtheconditions
governingsulphidesgenerationandhydrogensulphiderelease.

AreasofanaerobicactivityproducingsulphidesarecharacterizedbylowdissolvedoxygenorDO(lessthan0.5
mg/L)andnegativeORP.Reactionkineticsaretemperaturedependent.Therateofsulphidesgenerationisgreater
inthepresenceofhigherfractionsofsolubleBOD.HydrogensulphideemissionsareincreasedatlowerpHand
highertemperatureconditions.

4.3.3PredictiveModelling

4.3.3.1SulphidesGenerationinSewersandForcemains

Anumberofpredictivemodelshavebeendevelopedforthispurpose.Themodelshavebeendevelopedfrom
empiricaldataandaregenerallyonlyvalidforspecificconditions.Thedesigneriscautionedtoensurethatthe
chosenmethodofanalysisisapplicableundertheconditionsinquestion.

4.3.3.2AirQualityComputerModelling

Ifdesigningtospecificodourlimitsatidentifiedreceptorpoints,thedesignershouldconsidertheuseofa
computerbasedatmosphericdispersionmodeltosimulatethebehaviouroftheodourplume.

4.4OdourControlandAbatementMeasures

Itisgenerallymorereliableandcosteffectivetotreatandremoveodourproducingcompoundsintheliquidphase
ratherthancollectingandtreatingfoulair.Sulphidesdevelopinthecollectionsystemandthedesignershould
thereforeconsiderupstreamcontrolmeasuresinconjunctionwithmeasuresatthesewagetreatmentplant.Such
measuresshouldincludedesigningtopreventdepositioninsewers,minimizingresidencetimeinpumpstation
sumpsandavoidingtheuseofsiphonsandlongforcemains.

4.4.1PreventionofSulphidesFormation

Fornewsewagetreatmentworks,thedesignershouldattempttoeliminate'deadzones'wheresolidsmay
accumulate.Thiscanincludeincreasingatmosphericturbulence(i.e.,airentrainment)andattentiontocollection
systemdesign.Anincreaseinatmosphericturbulencecanbeproducedbyseveralmechanicalmeans,including
addingstructuresand/orvegetation.Vegetationcanincreaselocalairturbulenceandactasafilter.Designof
gravityinterceptors,tunnels,forcemains,siphons,wetwellsandrelatedfacilitiesneedstoincludefeaturesto
minimizethegenerationofsulfidesandotherodourouscompoundsformedbyanaerobicbiologicalactivity.The
designofthecollectionsystemwillhaveaneffectontheproductionandreleaseofodours.Factorstobe
consideredareasfollows:

Pipeslope
Transitionstructures
Manholes
Proximitytoreceptorsand
Invertedsiphonsandforcemains.

Filletsshouldbeincorporatedintorectangularchannels,conduitsandtanks.Invertedsiphonsshouldbeavoided.
Aerationshouldbeprovidedtochannelsandconduitswhereselfcleaningvelocitiescannotbeachievedoverthe
fullflowrange.Excessiveaerationshouldbeavoidedbecauseofpotentialodourgenerationduetoincreased
turbulence.

Providesufficientenergyinputperunitvolumetoensuresolidsaremaintainedinsuspension.Thedesignershould
alsoconsiderimprovedaccessprovisionstofacilitateroutinehousekeepingandcleaningactivities.

4.4.2ChemicalTreatment

Whendosingchemicalsintosewage,sidereactionswilloccurinadditiontothedesiredreaction.Incalculating
dosingrates,thedesignershouldallowagenerousfactorofsafetytoaccountforthesesidereactions.Pilottesting
shouldbeconsideredforchemicaldosingsystemstoestablishappropriatedosages.

4.4.2.1OxidizingAgents

Chlorine(ingaseousformorassodiumhypochloritesolution),potassiumpermanganateandhydrogenperoxide
willoxidizesulphidesandinhibitsulphideproduction.Pureoxygenandairinjectionhavealsobeenusedtoraise
DOlevelsinsewage.

4.4.2.2Precipitants

Ironandzincsaltswillprecipitatesulphides.Ferrousandferricchloridehavebeenusedincollectionsystems,
forcemainsandatsewagetreatmentplants.

Thedesignershouldconsidertheeffectonthesolidshandlingstreamsatthesewagetreatmentplantintermsof
increasedsludgeproduction,increasedlevelsofcontaminantsinthesludgeandanycorrosionimplications.

4.4.2.3pHControl

IntermittentslugdosingwithsodiumhydroxidewillraisethepH,inhibitingsulphideproductionandpreventing
hydrogensulphideoffgassing.Thissystemiseffectiveonlyinlocalizedareasandshouldbeconsideredonlyfor
specificproblemareasinthecollectionsystem.

4.4.2.4ElectronAcceptors

Electronacceptorsaretakenuppreferentiallytothesulphateionandthuspreventsulphideformation.Sodium
nitratehasbeenusedinlagoonsforthispurpose.Proprietarynitrateproductshavealsobeenusedinsewers.

4.4.2.5Anthraquinone

Anthraquinoneisachemicalthatinhibitsbacteriafromusingsulfateintheirmetabolicprocesses.Itisonlyslightly
solubleandshouldsettleintotheslimelayertobecomeeffective.Whencontactedbyanthraquinone,thebacteriain
theslimelayerareinactivatedforaperiodofseveraldaysuptosixweeks.Afterthistime,thebacteriastart
sulphideproductionagainifnotretreated.Becauseofthelowsolubility,itisonlypartiallyeffectiveinforcemain
applicationsandforfastgravitymainflows.
4.4.2.6CausticSlugDosing

Sodiumhydroxideisastrongcausticsolution.Itcontrolshydrogensulphidebyshiftingthesulphideequilibrium
fromtheH2Sformtothedissolvedhydrosulfide(HS )form.Thecontinuousadditionofsodiumhydroxidewould
preventthereleaseofH2S,butisnotacosteffectivesolution.Periodicslugdosingwithsodiumhydroxide,
however,canbeeffectiveinasewersystem.Itworksnotbyshiftingthechemicalequilibrium,butbyinactivating
thebiologicalslimelayerwhichisresponsibleforthegenerationofH2S.Theslimelayerwillregrow,butitwill
takeseveraldaysorweeksforittoresumefullsulphideproduction.

4.4.2.7NitrateAddition

Facultativeandobligateanaerobicbacteria,whichareresponsibleforsulphideproduction,prefernitrateto
sulphateasanelectronacceptor.Thisresultsintheproductionofnitrogengasandothernitrogenouscompounds
ratherthanhydrogensulphide.Nitratecanbeobtainedinavarietyofliquidanddryforms,mostlyassodiumor
calciumnitrate.Ithasseveraladvantagesoverothercontroloptions,sincenitrate:

Isconsumedmoreslowlythandissolvedoxygeninsewersystems
Isnonflammableandnonhazardous,requiringnospecialcontainmentorsafetyprovisionsand
Producesonlyminorflocculantsandlowersolidsproduction.

4.4.2.8ReaerationorOxidation

Theadditionofoxygentothesewageworkscandecreaseodoursfromsewagesincemostodoursareproduced
underanaerobicconditionswithinthesewageworks.Theadditionofoxygencandirectlyoxidizetheodour
causingcompoundsorcreateaerobicconditionsnecessaryforaerobicbacteriatocarryoutthisconversion.
Throughmetabolicprocesses,aerobicbacteriapreventtheformationofodourouscompoundsbyoutcompeting
anaerobicbacteriaforavailablesubstrateinthesewage.

Theadditionofpureoxygengasaccomplishesthesamethingastheadditionofair,butonlyapproximatelyone
fifthasmuchvolumeisaddedtoachievethesamedissolvedoxygenconcentration.Oxygencaneitherbegenerated
onsiteorpurchasedcommercially.Ithasthefurtheradvantageofnotcontainingnitrogenandthusitsignificantly
reducesthepotentialforairbinding.Italsoallowstreatmentofforcemainswithlongerdetentiontimes.

Airisareadilyavailablesourceofoxygen.Airinjectionmaycauseturbulencesinceitcomprisesapproximately
fourfifthsgassesotherthanoxygen,whichwillresultinthereleaseofodourousgasses.Ithasproventobe
successfulwheninjectedattheheadofshorttomoderatelengthforcemains.Problemshavebeenencounteredin
forcemainsthathavehighpointssincethereisthepotentialforairbindingandreducedflowcapacity.

OzoneisanextremelypowerfuloxidantthatcanoxidizeH2Stoelementalsulfur.Ozoneisunstableandshouldbe
generatedonsite.Ozoneisadisinfectant.Itisalsotoxictohumansatconcentrationsabove1mg/L.Althoughit
hasbeenshowntoreduceodoursinair,effectivenessinreducingodourouscompoundsinsewagehasnotbeen
documented.Sinceitisgeneratedfromair(althoughitcanalsobegeneratedfrompureoxygen),theproblems
associatedwithairinjectionintosewagealsoapplytoozoneinjection.Ozonationrequiresfairlysophisticated
equipment,whichisnotreadilyutilizedatunstaffedsites.

4.4.3ControlofMassTransfer

Thetransferofsulphidesfromliquidtogasphasecanbereducedbyminimizingliquidturbulenceandreducing
aeration.Thedesignershouldconsiderthefollowingmeasurestoreduceturbulence:

Minimizeelevationdifferenceswherestreamsconverge
Introducesidestreamsbelowtheliquidsurface
Usesubmergedeffluentweirsanddownstreamflowcontrolinlieuofconventionallaundersfor
sedimentationtanksandclarifiers
Avoidexcessiveorunnecessaryaerationand
Avoidtheuseofscrewliftpumpsonpotentiallyodourousstreams.

4.4.4FoulAirCollectionandTreatment
Thefollowingemissioncontrolsystemsshouldbeconsideredforallsolidshandlingareasandprocessesandfor
otherareasofthefacilitywherepreventativemeasuresareinsufficienttomitigateodours.

Covers

Coversystemsshouldbedesignedtominimizethenumberofjoints.Sealsshouldbeprovidedatalljoints.The
designershouldconsiderthecorrosiveactionofsulphidesandsulphuricacidwhenselectingcovermaterialsand
concretecoatings.Overhangs,ledgesorlipsontheundersideofcoverswherecondensatemaycollectshouldbe
avoided.Thedesignofcoversshouldbeaimedatminimizingthevolumeofairrequiringtreatment.

Thedesignershouldconsideroperationalrequirementsforaccessandcoverremovalandbeawarethatthe
installationofcoverswillcreateaconfinedspaceenvironment.

Ventilation

Ventilationratesshouldbebasedonthemorestringentoftworequirements:

a.maintainaslightnegativepressureintheheadspaceandthuspreventfugitiveodoursescapingthroughjoints
inthecoversystem,and
b.limitsulphideconcentrationsintheairstreamtoalevelthatthedownstreamtreatmentsystemscan
effectivelytreat.

TreatmentSystems

Therearenumerousalternativetreatmentsystemsavailable.Selectionoftheappropriatesystemshouldbesubject
toalifecyclecostbenefitanalysis.Thesystemsthatmaybeconsideredinclude:

Chemicalscrubbers,packedbedormistcontactortypes
Activatedcarbon,withorwithoutchemicalimpregnation
Activatedaluminaimpregnatedwithpotassiumpermanganate
Biofilter,invesselorsoil/composttypes
Incineration(i.e.,thermaloxidation)and
Dualstagesystemscomprisingoneormoreoftheabove.

Designrequirementsforthesesystemsvaryconsiderably.Thedesignershouldconsultequipmentmanufacturers
fordetails.

Whenassessingbulkchemicalstoragerequirements,themaximumeffectivestoragelifeofthechemicalshouldbe
considered.Manychemicalsaretemperaturesensitiveandstoragetankswillrequirespecialprovisionsiflocated
outdoors.

Provisionwillalsoberequiredfordisposalofwasteandsidestreamsfromthetreatmentprocesseswhichmay
requirefurthertreatmentbeforereturntothemainliquidtrainatthesewagetreatmentplant.Analternativeformof
biologicaltreatmentorpretreatmentinvolvesblowingfoulairthroughaerationtanks.Considerationandcare
shouldbegiventopotentialblowercorrosionandairsidediffuserfouling.Forallsourcesofcontaminants
emissiontotheairwithinsewageworks,therequirementsofsection9oftheEPAneedtobesatisfied(Section3.11
EmissionsofContaminantstoAir).

OperationandMaintenance

Reductionofthesludgestorageonthetreatmentplantsiteshouldbeconsideredtopreventodoursifthesludgeis
susceptibletopHdecay,inparticularwithunstabilizedsludge.Adequatefacilitiesshouldbeprovidedfor
ventilationofanysludgestorageordewateringareas,ifapplicable.Theexhaustairshouldbeproperlyconditioned
toavoidodournuisance.

Thereareanumberofoperationalproceduresthatcanbeutilizedtolimittheproductionorreleaseofodours,the
mostimportantbeinggoodhousekeeping.Routinehosinganddebrisremovalatpumpstationwetwellsandwithin
thetreatmentplantcansignificantlyreduceodourproduction.Operationofwetwellsisalsoanimportantfactor.
Whileitmaybemoreenergyefficienttooperateathigherwetwelllevels,thisincreasesdetentiontimesandthe
potentialfordevelopmentofanaerobicconditionsandH2Sproduction.Fillanddrawpumpstationsshould
considermorefrequentpumpingwhilelevelsetpointsonvariablespeedpumpstationsshouldbeloweredwhere
odourisanissue.

Thefirststepinanyfoulairtreatmentsystemiscontainmentoftheodourousair.Iffugitiveemissionsunder
normaloperationarenoteliminated,theentireodourcontrolstrategyisnegated.Thisappliestocoveredprocess
tanksandchannelsandtooccupiedspaces.Collectionoffoulairfromcoveredtanksandchannelshastraditionally
beenbasedonairexchangerates.Amoderateexchangeratemayberequiredtoreducecondensationandcorrosion.
AhigherexchangeratemaybeneededtoallowutilizationoftheenclosedspaceaboveaclarifierorCSOtank.

Collectionoffoulairforpreventionofairescapethroughcracks,leaksandotherpenetrationsinacoverprimarily
dependsonestablishinganegativepressurewithintheenclosedheadspace.Thenegativepressureisestablishedby
exhaustingairfromtheenclosedheadspace,whichdrawsairintotheheadspacethroughthevariousopeningsin
thecover.Thenegativepressureisafunctionoftheairvelocitythroughtheseopenings.Factorstobeconsideredin
typeandlocationofcoversare:

Permanency(fixed,removable)
Easeofremoval(bycrane,manually)
Accessibility/visibility(hatches,clearpanels)
Aesthetics(sunreflection,camouflage)and
Sealing(gasketed,permanentlysealed).

Odourcontainmentisonlyeffectiveifitisnotcompromisedbyleavinghatchesordoorsopenorotherwise
compromisingthecontainment.Itrequiresanongoingeducationprogramtoensurethatodourcontrolprocedures
anddesignintentionsaremaintained.

Whilecontainmentwillincreasethedifficultyassociatedwithoperatingcoveredunits,itisimportantthatevery
effortbemadetominimizetheinconvenienceandmaximizeworkersafety.Forexample,hatcheswhichneedtobe
openedtoobserveinternalequipmentshouldbereadilyaccessibleandeasilyopened.

4.5SeparationDistancesBetweenSewageWorksandSensitiveLandUse
TheseparationdistancesspecifiedinministryGuidelineD2,CompatibilitybetweenSewageTreatmentand
SensitiveLandUseareintendedtomitigatetheeffectsofoffensiveodourswhichmayoccurduringnormal
operationsorwhenfacilitieshaveminoroverloadsorupsetscreatedbyabnormalconditionsorsludge
processing/handling.CompliancewithGuidelineD2,byprovidingadequateseparationdistancestomitigate
odours,mayalsoprovideforadequateattenuationfornoiseassociatedwithplantoperation.

Separationdistancesshouldbemeasuredfromtheperipheryofthefacilitystructure(s)thatproduceodourstothe
propertylotlineofthesensitivelanduseandtakeintoaccountanyapprovedexpansionstoeitherthefacilityorthe
sensitivelanduse.Otherwise,itshouldberecognizedthatfutureexpansionsmaybelimited.

Whennewfacilitiesorexpansiontoexistingfacilitiesareproposed,anadequatebufferareashouldbeacquiredas
partoftheproject.Whereanadequatebufferareacannotbepurchasedorprovided,moreeffectivetechnical
mitigationprocedureswouldbenecessarytoprovideanoptimumlevelofprotectionbetweenthesewagetreatment
facilityandaffectedsensitivelanduses.Thedesignershouldconsidercoveringcertainsectionsofthefacilityand
treatingcollectedoffgases.Insomecasesacombinationofdistance,coveringandtreatmentofcollectedoffgases
mayberequired.

Recommendedseparationdistancesforsewagetreatmentplants(STP)inproportiontotheirratedcapacitiesare
providedinsubsequentsections.

4.5.1STPwithRatedCapacityEqualtoorLessthan500m3/d(0.13mUSgd)

ForSTPwitharatedcapacityoflessthan500m3/d(0.13mUSgd),therecommendedseparationdistanceis100m
(330ft).Aseparationdistanceoflessthan100m(330ft)maybeacceptable,howeveraqualifiedprofessional
wouldberequiredtoproduceastudydemonstratingthesuitabilityofthedistancebasedon:

Thedegreeandtypeofodourmitigationappliedtothefacility
Othercontaminantsofconcern(i.e.,aerosols)whichmayneedtobeaddressedand
Theapplicationofnoisereductionequipmenttoanypotentialnoisesource(s).
4.5.2STPwithRatedCapacityGreaterthan500m3/d(0.13mUSgd)butLessthan25,000m3/d(6.6mUSgd)

Therecommendedseparationdistanceis150m(490ft)withtheminimumseparationdistanceofnotlessthan100
m(330ft).

4.5.3STPwithRatedCapacityEqualtoorGreaterthan25,000m3/d(6.6mUSgd)

Therecommendedseparationdistanceshouldbegreaterthan150m(490ft)anddeterminedonacasebycase
basis.Thedeterminationoftherequireddistancewilldependonfactorssuchasthetypeoftreatmentprocess,type
ofnoiseorodourcontrolmeasuresbeingapplied,existingmunicipalzoningandavailabilityofland.

4.5.4SewageLagoons

Notwithstandingsewagetreatmentplantrequirements,therecommendedseparationdistanceforlagoonsvaries
from100to400m(330to1,300ft).Asuitableseparationdistanceshouldbedeterminedbyaqualifiedconsultant
onacasebycasebasis.Indeterminingasuitableseparationdistance,considerationsmayincludefactorssuchas
lagoondesign,hauledsewageorsludgehandlingandwhetherthereisasupplementalaerationsystem.Odoursand
theaerosolsemittedfromthelagoonsarealsodependantupontheoperation,design,environmentalconditionsand
theseasoninsomecases.

Chapter5:DesignofSewers
Thischapterdescribesdesignguidelinesassociatedwiththecollectionandtransportofsewageandstormwater.
Theitemsdescribedinthischapterincludestormsewersandsanitarysewers,aswellasalternativesewertypes,
sewersystemrehabilitation,manholes,pipedesignandinvertedsiphons.Asectionisincludedonsewerswith
streamsandaerialcrossingsandprotectionofdrinkingwatersupplies.

5.1Introduction

Thesedesignguidelinesareintendedtoassistconsultingandmunicipalengineersandotherdesignersinthe
preparationofsewersystemdesigns.Municipalities,inwhichthesewageworkswillbeconstructed,mayhave
servicingstandardsthatexceedtherequirementsoftheseguidelines.Thedesignershouldensurethattheyare
awareoftherequirementsofallotherapprovingauthoritiespriortofinalizinganydesigns.

Althoughsomeaspectsoftheguidelinesrelateonlytomunicipalservices,theguidelinesaremeanttoapplyto
othersewersystemsservingdevelopmentssuchasmobilehomeparksandcondominiumswhichalsorequire
ministryapprovalundertheOntarioWaterResourcesAct(OWRA)(Section1.5MinistryApprovalProgramfor
SewageWorks).

5.2SeparateVersusCombinedSewers

AllnewsewerconstructioninOntarioshouldbeoftheseparatetype,withstormwaterandgroundwaterflowbeing
excludedtothemaximumpossibleextent.Stormwaterandgroundwaterflowconsistofrain,waterfromroofs,
streetsandotherareasandgroundwaterfromfoundationdrains.

Acombinedsewersystemisacollectionsystemdesignedtoconveybothsanitarysewageandstormwaterrunoff
throughasinglepipesystemtoasewagetreatmentworks.SeeSection8.3.4CombinedSewerSystemfor
additionalrelatedinformation.

Newcombinedsewersystemswillnotbeapprovedbytheministry.Newstormdrainagesystemswillnotbe
permittedtoconnecttoexistingcombinedsewersexceptasaninterimmeasurewherecircumstancesallowno
otheralternative.Insuchcases,theproponentswillberequiredtoprovidethejustificationforthecontinueduseof
combinedsewersalongwithaplanandatimetablefortheultimatedispositionofthestormdrainage.Thedesigner
shouldrefertoChapter21ControlandTreatmentofCombinedSewerOverflowsforinformationoncombined
seweroverflowtreatmentneeds.

Sincetheministrydiscouragestheextensionofcombinedsewers,thedesignofsuchsystemsisexcludedfromthis
document.
5.3StormwaterManagement

Stormwatermanagementisrequiredtomitigatetheeffectsofurbanizationonthehydrologiccycleincluding
increasedrunoffanddecreasedinfiltrationofrainandsnowmelt.Theministry'sStormwaterManagementPlanning
andDesignManual(2003)providesguidanceforplanninganddesigningstormwatermanagementsystemstomeet
themultipleobjectivesofstormwatermanagement:maintainingthehydrologiccycle,protectionofwaterquality
andpreventingincreasederosionandflooding.

ThedesignershouldrefertotheStormwaterManagementPlanningandDesignManual(2003)fordesignguidance
forindividuallotlevel,conveyance,andendofpipepractices.Themanualincludesphysicalconstraintssuchas,
soiltypeanddepthtogroundwater,aswellassizingandconfigurationanddesigndetailsincludinginletsand
outlets,filtermediaanddistributionpipes.Theguidancealsoincludescoldclimateconsiderationsandthe
incorporationofvegetationinsystemdesign.

ForadditionalinformationthedesignershouldrefertoSection21.3SourceManagementandControl
Technologies.

5.4StormSewers

Thefollowingsubsectionscoverflowcalculationspertainingtothedesignofseparatestormsewersystems.

5.4.1RunoffComputation

ThepeakrateofrunofffromanareamaybecalculatedusingtheRationalMethod,usingthefollowingformula:

Q=2.78CiA

Where:

Q
Peakflow(L/s)
A
Areainhectares
i
Averagerainfallintensityinmillimetresperhourforadurationequaltothetimeofconcentrationfora
particularstormfrequency.Thetimeofconcentrationisthetimerequiredforstormwaterrunofftoflowfrom
themostremotepointofawatershedordrainageareatotheoutletorpointunderconsideration.
C
RunoffcoefficientseeTable51fortypicalvalues

Thisformulaisusedforsizingstormsewerstoremovewaterasfastaspossiblefromstreetsurfacesforthespecific
designstormfrequency.Whenthecalculationofthevolumeofrunoffortherateovertime(hydrograph)isneeded,
thenahydrologicsimulationmodelwillbenecessary.

Calculationsbasedonahydrologicsimulationmodelarepreferable.Forsystemsservinglargeareas,orinvolving
treatmentand/orstoragesystems,theuseofamodelmaybenecessary.

TheremainderofthissectionwilldealonlywiththeRationalMethod.Referenceshouldalsobemadetothe
MinistryofTransportationandCommunication(MTC)DrainageManual(1980),forafurtherdiscussionofthe
RationalMethodforstormsewerdesign.ThisMTCManualalsocoversculvertandopenchanneldesign
guidelines.

5.4.2DrainageArea

Thedrainageareatobeusedinthedesignofastormsewersystemshouldincludeallthoseareaswhichwill
reasonablyornaturallydraintothesystem.

TheareatermintheRationalMethodformularepresentsthetotalareatributarytothepointonthestormsewer
systemunderconsideration.
5.4.3RainfallIntensity

Therainfallintensityforaspecificstormfrequencyandtimeofconcentrationshouldbedeterminedfromintensity
durationfrequencycurvesapplicableforthemunicipalityinwhichthesystemistobeconstructed.

Foradiscussionofrainfallintensitycurves,referenceshouldbemadetoTheUrbanDrainageSubcommitteeofthe
CanadaOntarioAgreementonGreatLakesWaterQualityManualofPracticeonUrbanDrainage(1987)and
MinistryoftheEnvironmentandtheMunicipalEngineersAssociationMunicipalWorksDesignManual(1984).

5.4.4DesignStormFrequencyandRunoffCoefficient

Thestormfrequencyinthedesignofstormwaterconveyancesystemswillvarydependinguponthenatureofthe
areabeingserved,thevalueofthepropertybeingprotectedandtheconsequencesofmoreintensestormsbeing
experienced.

Itisrecommendedthatthemajorminordrainagesystemapproachbeutilizedforurbandrainageforallfuture
development.Theminordrainagesystem(i.e.,roofgutters,serviceconnections,streetgutters,catchbasinsand
stormsewers)accommodatestherunofffrommorefrequentstormsuptothedesignfrequencyofthesystem(e.g.
2yearreturndesignstorm).Whereweepers/foundationdrainsareconnectedtothestormsewers,theyshouldalso
bedesignedtocapturenomorethantheamountofrunofffromdesignfrequencystorminordertoprevent
surchargeconditions.

Themajorsystem(i.e.,naturalstreamsandvalleysandtheroads,swales,channelsandponds)accommodates
runofffromlessfrequentdesignstormssuchasthe100yearreturndesignstormorregionalfloodevent.

Althoughthedesignershouldconsultthelocalweatherdatatoestablishthedesignstormfrequencycriteriaforthe
designofstormwaterconveyancesystems,thelevelofconvenienceprovidedbytheminorsystemisadecisionof
themunicipality,ortheownerofthesysteminthecaseofprivatesystems.Itisrecommendedthatasaminimuma
2yearreturndesignstormshouldbeusedfordesignpurposes.Forinformationondesigndetailsofmajorminor
systemsthedesignershouldrefertotheministrydocumentStormwaterManagementPlanningandDesignManual
(2003).

ThefollowingrangesofrunoffcoefficientsshowninTable5.1areconsideredreasonablefordesignpurposes:

Table51RunoffCoefficients
Sources Coefficient(C)
Asphalt,concrete,roofareas 0.901.00
Grassedareas,parkland 0.150.35
Commercial 0.750.85
Industrial 0.650.75
ResidentialSingleFamily 0.400.45
ResidentialSemidetached 0.450.60
ResidentialRowhousing,Townhouses 0.500.70
ResidentialApartments 0.600.75
InstitutionalResidence 0.400.75

Therunoffcoefficientforanyparticulartypeofareashouldtheuppervalueoftheabovetabulatedrangesto
accountforantecedentprecipitationconditionswhenexpectedrunoffisbeingcalculatedforlessfrequent,high
intensitystorms.Thelowervalueoftherangemaybeusedforshorterrecurrenceintervalstormsunderconditions
ofmoderatetoflatslopesandpermeablesoils.

Thetimeofconcentrationisthetimerequiredforflowtoreachaparticularpointinthesewersystemfromthe
mostremotepartofthedrainagearea.Itincludesnotonlythetraveltimeinthesewers,butalsotheinlettimeor
timerequiredtoflowoverlandintothesewersystem.

Inlettimesshouldbecalculatedratherthanrelyinguponarbitraryminimumormaximumtimes.Thecalculation
shouldbebasedupontheoverlandflowroutethatwillexistwhenthesewersystemhasbeenfullydevelopedtothe
drainagelimit.Inthecaseofsinglefamilyresidentialareas,calculationswillnotbeneededifamaximuminlet
timeof10minutesisused.Sewersshouldbedesignedwiththeabilitytooverflowtoavoidemergencyand/or
unavoidableconditions.FordetailsonsuchconditionsrefertoSection8.3DefinitionofTerms.

5.4.5CatchBasins

Catchbasinsmaybeinstalledwithorwithoutsumps.Theminimumpipesizeforasinglecatchbasinleadshould
be200mm(nominalpipesizeof8inNPS8)indiameterand250mm(NPS10)foradoublecatchbasin.

Catchbasinsshouldbeprovidedatadequateintervalsinthesewersystemtoensurethattheroaddrainageisableto
beintercepteduptothecapacityofthestormsewer.Thespacingwillvarywiththeroadwidth,gradeandcrossfall
andwiththedesignstormfrequency.Thespacingwillalsobeaffectedbythelocationofpedestriancrossing
points,intersections,lowpointsanddrivewaydepressions.Ingeneral,forpavementwidthsupto9.8m(32ft)with
twopercentcrossfall,themaximumspacingthatshouldbeusedisshowninTable5.2.

Table52RecommendedSpacingfor
CatchBasins
RoadGradient(%) MaximumSpacing
0to3 110m(350ft)
3.1to4.5 90m(300ft)
Over4.5 75m(250ft)

Stormwatermanagementsystemsusinginletcontrolcatchbasinsmaybedesignedwithlessfrequentspacingthan
thoseoutlinedabove.Insuchcases,thedesignersshouldjustifywhateverspacingisused.

5.4.6StormSewerGratings

Theinletsandoutletsofpipedsectionsofstormwatermanagementsystemswhichareaccessibletothepublic
shouldbeprovidedwithprotectivedevices.Asaminimum,itisrecommendedthatinletsandoutletsofpipes600
mmdiameter(NPS24),orlarger,shouldbeprovidedwithgratingstopreventsmallchildrenfromgainingaccess
tothesewers.Gratingbarsshouldbespaced150mm(6in)apart.Forlargeinletstructures,inclinedgratingsmay
benecessarytopreventwaterpressurefromtrappingapersonagainstthegrating.Suchinclineswillalsotendto
makethegratingsselfcleaningfromadebrisstandpoint.

5.4.7FoundationDrainage

Itisrecommendedthatfoundationdrainagebedirectedeithertothesurfaceofthegroundorstormsewersystem,if
oneexists.

Thedesignershouldconsiderandadvisethemunicipalityofthefollowingfactors:

Possibilityofstormsewersurcharging
Differenceinelevationbetweenbasementfloorslabsandstormsewerobverts
Possibilityoffoundationdamageandfloodingwhichcouldresultduetobackupintoprivatestormdrains
Whereconcernsexistregardingthefirsttwopoints,butwhereconnectiontoastormsewerisstilldesirable,
thisconnectionshouldbemadeviaasumppumpsystemand
Theuseofathirdpipeorfoundationdraincollector.

Wherefoundationdrainsaretobeconnectedbygravitytothestormsewers,thedesignershouldconsiderthe
followingoptionsinordertoreducetheprobability/frequencyoffoundationdrainsurcharging:

Theuseofahigherreturnfrequencyinthedesignofthestormsewer
Theconstructionofadeepersewerwiththedepthofthesewerbeingdetermined/checkedbythehydraulic
gradelineforsurchargedconditionsand
Inletcontrolsorincreasedspacingoftheinletstopreventwaterfromgainingaccesstosewersatarate
greaterthanthedesignstormevent.

Thedesignershouldrecognizethatthestateoftheartofinletcontroldesignhasnotreachedthepointwhere
performancecanbeguaranteed.
Foundationdrainsforindustrial,commercialandinstitutionalbuildingsshouldnotbedirectedtosanitarysewers.

Theconnectionofthefoundationdrainstoasanitarysewersystemisstronglydiscouragedbytheministrybecause
oftheseriousnegativeimpactsuchconnectionsmighthaveonthesystemandtheoperationofthesewage
treatmentplant.

5.4.8StormSewerDesign

ItisrecommendedthatstormsewercapacitiesbecalculatedusingtheManningformulawitharoughness
coefficient(n)of0.013forallsmoothwalledpipematerials(Section5.7.1FlowformulasandRoughness
Coefficient).Withcorrugatedmetalpipe,theroughnesscoefficientnshouldbe0.024forplainpipe,0.020for
pavedinvertpipeand0.013forfullypavedpipe.

Foramorecompletediscussiononmanholespacing,hydraulics,pipedesign,depthofcoverandpipeanchoring
thedesignershouldrefertoSection5.7.1DetailsofDesignandConstructionofSewers.

5.5SanitarySewers

5.5.1DesignPeriodandTributaryArea

Whereverpossible,thedesignofsanitarysewersshouldbebasedontheultimatesewageflowsexpectedfromthe
tributaryarea.Tributaryareasneednotnecessarilyberestrictedtocurrentmunicipallimits.Incaseswherethe
tributaryareaispoorlydefined,orwherethefinancialburdenonpresentuserswouldbetoosevere,thesewage
systemdesignmaybebasedonmorerestrictedapproaches.Inthesecasesthedesignperiodshouldbeatleast20
years.

Fortheestimationoffuturesewageflowratesformunicipalsewagecollectionsystems,thedesignershouldmake
referencetotheOfficialPlan(orDraftOfficialPlan)ofthemunicipality.Suchofficialplanswillcontainfuture
populationdensitiesandlanduses.

Ifnoofficialplanordraftplanexist,thedesignershouldsizesanitarysewersforpopulationdensitiesofatleast25
personspergrosshectare.Thisminimumlevelofpopulationdensitywillgenerallybesuitableforrural
municipalitiesonly.Ifthemunicipalityalreadyhashigherpopulationdensities,thedesignershouldusesimilaror
higherdensitiesfornewgrowthareas.

Sanitarysewercapacitiesshouldbedesignedfortheestimatedultimatetributarypopulation,exceptwherepartsof
thesystemscanbereadilyincreasedincapacity.Similarly,considerationshouldbegiventothemaximum
anticipatedcapacityofinstitutions,industrialparksandothersewagesources.Fordetailsondesignflowsreferto
Section8.5.4Sewageflows.

5.5.2DesignSewageFlows

Sanitarysewageflowsaremadeupofwastewaterdischargesfromresidential,commercial,institutionaland
industrialestablishments,plusextraneousflowcomponentsfromsuchsourcesasgroundwaterandsurfacerunoff.

Thepeaksewageflowrates,forwhichsewersystemcapacityistobeprovided,shouldbecalculatedforallflow
contributors,forpresentandfutureconditions.Inadditiontobeingabletocarrythepeakflows,sewersshouldbe
abletodevelopsufficientflowvelocitytotransportthesewagesolids,thusavoidingdepositionandthe
developmentofnuisanceconditionsunderlesserflowrates.

5.5.2.1DomesticSewageFlows

Thefollowingcriteriashouldbeusedindeterminingpeaksewageflowsformunicipalsewerdesignforresidential
areas:

Designpopulationderivedfromdrainageareaandexpectedmaximumpopulationoverthedesignperiod
Averagedailydomesticflow(exclusiveofextraneousflows)of225to450L/(capd)[59to119US
gal/(capd)]
PeakExtraneousFlowand
Peakdomesticsewageflowstobecalculatedusingthefollowingformula:
 Q(d)=(PqM86.4)+IA

Where:

Q(d)
Peakdomesticsewageflow(includingextraneousflows)inL/s
P
Designpopulation,inthousands
q
AveragedailypercapitadomesticflowinL/capd(exclusiveofextraneousflows)
I
Unitofpeakextraneousflow,inL/(has)applicablereferencesshouldbeconsultedforvalues
A
Grosstributaryareainhectares
M
Peakingfactor(asdeterminedfromHarmonorBabbittFormula)

HarmonFormula

M=1+(144+P0.5)

BabbittFormula

M=(5P0.2)

NotethattheminimumpermissiblepeakingfactorMis2.0.

5.5.2.2CommercialandInstitutionalSewageFlows

Thesewageflowsfromcommercialandinstitutionalestablishmentsvarygreatlywiththetypeofwaterusing
facilitiespresentinthedevelopment,thepopulationatthefacilities,thepresenceofwatermeteringandtheextent
ofextraneousflowsenteringthesewers.

Institutionalflowsshouldbecomputedforeachindividualcasebasedonhistoricalrecords,whenavailable.Where
norecordsareavailable,theunitvaluesinTable53shouldbeused.Forcommercialandtouristareas,aminimum
allowanceof28m3/(had)[2,993USgal/(acd)]averageflowshouldbeusedintheabsenceofreliableflowdata.

ForindividualcommercialandinstitutionalusesthesewageflowratesshowninTable53arecommonlyusedfor
design.

Thepeakingfactorsapplicableforsewageflowsfromindividualestablishmentswillbesimilartotherelativepeak
waterusagerates.ThedesignershouldrefertotheministryDesignGuidelinesforDrinkingWaterSystemsfor
details.

Table53CommonSewageFlowRatesforCommercialandInstitutionalUses

Use UnitSewageFlow1 UnitSewageFlow1 FlowUnitper

SI(L/d) US(USgal/d)
ShoppingCentre 2.55.0 0.71.3 basedontotalfloorarea(m2andft2)
Hospitals 9001800 237475 bed
Schools 70140 18.537 student
TravelTrailerParks 340 90 space(min.withoutwaterhookups)
TravelTrailerParks 800 211 space(min.withindiv.waterhookups)
Campgrounds 225570 59150 campsite
MobileHomeParks 1000 264 parkingspace
Motels 150200 4053 bedspace
Hotels 225 59 bedspace
1Unitsewageflowratesexclusiveofextraneousflows.

5.5.2.3IndustrialSewageFlows

Peaksewageflowratesfromindustrialareasvarygreatlywiththeextentofareadevelopment,thetypesof
industriespresent,theprovisionofinplanteffluenttreatmentandrecycle/reuseorrateofflowcontrols,the
presenceofcoolingwatersinthedischargeandotherfactors.Duetotheoccasionalpresenceofindividual
industrialwatersupplies,theratesofwatersupplyfrommunicipalsystemsintoindustrialareaswillnotalwaysbe
indicativeofthesanitarysewageflowstobeexpected.Thedischargeofcoolingwaterfrommunicipalsuppliesinto
stormsewersorsurfacewatercoursesmayresultinlowerflowsinsanitarysewersthanwouldbeexpectedbased
onmunicipalwaterusage.

Thecalculationofdesignaverageandpeaksewageflowratesforindustrialareasisindustry/processspecificand
maybedifficulttopredictaccurately.Improvingflowpredictionmayincludebettermonitoringofindustries
presentinindustrialareas.Inthisway,areasonableallowancecanbemadeforpeakindustrialsewageflowsforan
areaandbyflowmonitoringallowancescanbebettermaintained.Industrieswiththepotentialtodischargesewage
athigherthantheacceptedratesmayberequiredtoprovideflowequalizationwithdischargeatoffpeakdischarge
periods.

5.5.2.4FoundationDrainage

Itisessentialthatfoundationdrainagebedirectedtostormsewersystemsorinaccordancewithlocalmunicipal
bestmanagementpracticestakingintoaccountonsitedrainage/infiltrationconditions.Sincesanitarysewersare
notdesignedtoaccepttheseflows(i.e.,rainwaterleadersand/orfoundationdrains),seriousdamage/problemsmay
result,suchascrackingofbasementfloorslabsorfloodingofbasementsiffoundationdrainageisdischargedtothe
sanitarysewers(Section5.4.7FoundationDrainage).

5.5.2.5ExtraneousSewageFlows

Whendesigningasanitarysewersystem,anallowanceshouldbemadefortheleakageofgroundwaterintothe
sewersandbuildingsewerconnections(infiltration)andforotherextraneouswaterenteringthesewersfrom
sourcessuchasmanholecovers(inflow).

Duetotheextremelyhighpeakflowsthatcanresultfromroofdownspouts,theyshouldnot,underany
circumstance,beconnecteddirectlyorindirectlyviafoundationdrainstosanitarysewers.

Theamountofgroundwaterleakageintothesewersystemwillvarywiththequalityofconstruction,typeofjoints,
groundconditionsandlevelofgroundwaterinrelationtopipe.Althoughsuchinfiltrationcanbereducedbyproper
design,constructionandmaintenance,itcannotbecompletelyeliminatedandanallowanceshouldbemadeinthe
designsewageflowstocoverthisflowcomponent.Despitethefactthattheseallowancesaregenerallyreferredto
asinfiltrationallowances,theyareintendedtocoverthepeakextraneousflowsfromallsources(i.e.,infiltration
andinflow)likelytocontributenonwasteflowstothesewersystem.

5.6OdoursandCorrosionInSewers
Sewersaredesignedtoaccommodatefuturepopulationgrowthandhighflowevents.Asaresult,duringlowflow
periods,eitherearlyinthedesignlifeofthesewerorduringdryweatherperiods(orboth),sewagevelocitiesare
reducedandsolidsdepositionandstagnationconditionscanoccur.Solidsdepositionandslimegrowthcanleadto
anaerobicconditionsandthegenerationofinorganicgasesincludinghydrogensulphide(H2S),ammoniaand
carbondioxide.H2Sisthemostcommoncorrosiveandodorousgasproducedinsanitarysewers.Oncereleasedto
theseweratmosphere,anaerobicbacteriawhichresideinsewerwallslimesconverttheH2Stosulphurousand
sulphuricacidwhichcorrodesconcretesewerwalls.

AnumberoffactorsaffectH2Sproductioninasewersystemincluding:settleablesolids,organicmaterial,
nutrients,sulphates,dissolvedoxygen,temperature,flowturbulence,velocity,surfaceareaanddetentiontime.

Thedesignershouldevaluateareasorportionsofthesewerthatpromoteeithergasgenerationorventilation.Airis
normallydrawndownsanitarysewersbytheflowofsewage.Thereisalsoanexchangeofairintheheadspaceasa
resultofanincreaseordecreaseinflow.Astheflowrateincreases,theheadspaceairisexhaustedthrough
openingsinthesystem,suchasmanholecoveropeningsorgrating.Astheflowdecreases,airisdrawnintothe
headspaceinthesewer.Invertedsiphonsalsoprovideapotentialforgasgenerationduetothestagnantvolumeof
sewagethatismaintainedinthesepipes.Thiscanbemanagedwithmultiplebarrelsandselfcleaningvelocities.

Designersshouldrecognizethepotentialforanaerobicconditionsandgasgenerationinsewersanddesignwith
selfcleansingvelocities,aswellasprovisionforregularmaintenanceandflushing.Dissolvedsulphidescanbe
controlledbyliquidphasetreatmentmethodssuchasoxygenation,chemicaloxidants,precipitation,pH
stabilizationandnitrateaddition.Oncegasisreleasedtotheheadspace,itneedstobecollectedandtreatedusing
gasphasetreatmentmethods.

ThedesignershouldrefertoChapter4OdourControlformoreinformation.

5.7DetailsofDesignandConstructionofSewers

5.7.1FlowFormulasandRoughnessCoefficient

ItisrecommendedthatsanitarysewersbedesignedusingeithertheChzyKutterorChzyManningformulaand
aroughnesscoefficient(n)ofnolowerthan0.013forallsmoothwalledpipematerials.

TheChzyManningformula,whichisthemostcommonlyusedformulaforcalculatingsewercapacity,isas
follows:

Q=(1n)ARS

Where:

Q
Flowcapacityofsewer(m3/s)
R
Hydraulicradiusofpipe(m)
S
Sewerslope(m/m)
n
Manningroughnesscoefficient(unitless)
A
Area(m2)

Forsewerswithlessthan900mmdiameter(NPS36)),ChzyKutter'sformulagivesamoreconservativeestimate
ofsewercapacity.Forthisreason,theChzyKutter'sformulaisusuallyusedtocalculateminimumacceptable
sewerslopes(5.7.5Slope).

5.7.2MinimumSize

Nogravitysewerconveyingrawsewagewithinamunicipalsanitarysewersystemshouldbelessthan200mm
diameter(NPS8).Theminimumstormsewerdiameteris250mm(NPS10).Individualserviceconnectionsas
smallas100mmdiameter(NPS4)maybeconsideredbythedesigner.

5.7.3Depth

Sewersshouldbesufficientlydeeptoreceivesewagefrombasementsandtopreventfreezinganddamagedueto
frost.Insulationshouldbeprovidedforsewersthatcannotbeplacedatadepthsufficienttopreventfreezing.

Forbuildingssubstantiallybelowstreetlevel,itmaybemoreeconomicaltopumpintothesewerratherthan
deepenthesewertoaccommodatealimitednumberoflowlyingproperties.Toallowforgravitydrainagefrom
basements,sewerinvertsshouldnormallybeatleast0.9to1.5m(3to5ft)belowbasementfloorlevels.

ReferenceshouldbemadetoChapter6ChallengingConditionsAffectingServicingforarecommendedapproach
incalculatingfrostpenetrationdepths.
Otherfactorswhichcanaffectsewerdepthareinterferencewithotherutilitiesatcrossings(bothmainsewerand
buildingsewerverticalalignmentscanbeaffectedbystormsewers,watermainsandgasmains)andlengthof
buildingsewerconnections.

5.7.4Buoyancy

Buoyancyofsewersshouldbeconsideredandflotationofpipesshouldbepreventedwithappropriateconstruction
wherehighgroundwaterconditionsareanticipated.

5.7.5Slope

Allsewersshouldbedesignedandconstructedtogivemeanvelocities,whenflowingfull,ofnotlessthan0.6m/s
(2.0ft/s),basedontheChzyManningformulausingannvalueof0.013.TheKutterformulacanalsobeused.
Table54providestherecommendedminimumslopeswhichshouldbeprovidedforsewers1050mmindiameter
(NPS42)orlesshowever,slopesgreaterthanthesevaluesmaybedesirabletocontrolsewergasesortomaintain
selfcleansingvelocitiesatallratesofflowwithinthedesignlimits.TheKutterorChzy'sroughnesscoefficientis
usedintheChzyKutterandisrelatedtotheManningroughnesscoefficientnbytheformulabelow.

and

Where:

A
pipecrosssectionalarea(m2(ft2))
C
Chzy's(orKutter)roughnesscoefficient(m1/2/s,(ft1/2/s))
S
Frictionslope(m/m,(ft/ft))
R
Hydraulicroughness(unitless)
N
Kutter'sroughness(unitless)
k1
Constant(23.0SI,41.65US)
k2
Constant(0.00155SI,0.00281US)
k3
Constant(1.0SI,1.811US)

Sewers1200mmindiameter(NPS48)orlargershouldbedesignedandconstructedtogivemeanvelocities,when
flowingfull,ofnotlessthan0.9m/s(3.0ft/s),basedontheChezyManningformulausingannvalueof0.013.

5.7.5.1AllowancesforHydraulicLossesatSewerManholes

Thefollowingminimumallowancesshouldbemadeforhydrauliclossesincurredatsewermanholes:

AllowancesforHydraulicLossesatSewerManholes
ManholeType LossIncurred
StraightRun GradeofSewer
45Turn 0.03m(1.2in)
90Turn 0.06m(2.4in)
JunctionsandTransitions Physicalmodelingrecommended
Althoughtheneededinvertdropsfortheabovehydrauliclosseswillbeadequateforsewerswithflowsatthelow
endoftheacceptablevelocityrange,therequireddropsshouldbespecificallycalculatedforhighvelocitysewers.

5.7.5.2MinimumFlowDepths

Slopeslessthanthoserequiredfora0.6m/s(2.0ft/s)velocitywhenflowingfullmaybeconsideredwhen
increasingtheslopewouldrequiredeepeningofextensivesectionsofthesystemortheadditionofapumping
station.Insuchinstances,thereductionoftheslopewouldonlyapplyto200mm(NPS8)and250mm(NPS10)
diameterpipes,withtheminimumallowableslopebeing0.28%for200mm(NPS8)pipeand0.22%for250mm
(NPS10)pipe.Suchdecreasedslopesmaybeconsideredwherethedepthofflowwillbe0.3ofthediameteror
greaterfordesignaveragedailyflow.

5.7.5.3SolidsDeposition

Thepipediameterandslopeshouldbeselectedtoobtainthegreatestpracticalvelocitiestominimizesolidssettling
problems.Oversizedsewersshouldnotbeusedtojustifyusingflatterslopes.Iftheproposedslopeislessthanthe
minimumslopeofthesmallestpipewhichcanaccommodatethedesignpeakhourlyflow,theactualdepthsand
velocitiesatminimum,averageanddesignpeakdayanddesignpeakhourlyflowforeachsectionofthesewer
shouldbecalculatedbythedesigner.

Table54RecommendedMinimumSlopesforVariousSewerSizes
NominalSewerSize MinimumSlopeinm/100m(Feetper100Feet)1
200mm(8inch)(NPS8) 0.40
250mm(10inch)(NPS10) 0.28
300mm(12inch)(NPS12) 0.22
350mm(14inch)(NPS14) 0.17
375mm(15inch)(NPS15) 0.15
400mm(16inch)(NPS16) 0.14
450mm(18inch)(NPS18) 0.12
525mm(21inch)(NPS21) 0.10
600mm(24inch)(NPS24) 0.08
675mm(27inch)(NPS27) 0.067
750mm(30inch)(NPS30) 0.058
825mm(33inch)(NPS33) 0.052
900mm(36inch)(NPS36) 0.046
975mm(39inch)(NPS39) 0.041
1050mm(42inch)(NPS42) 0.037

1Theseminimumsloperecommendationsshouldbeconsistentwithlocalmunicipaldesignrequirements.

5.7.6MaximumandMinimumVelocities

Allsewersshouldbedesignedwithsuchslopesthattheywillhaveaminimumsewageflowvelocity,whenflowing
full,ofatleast0.6m/s(2.0ft/s).Incaseswheretheflowdepthinthesewer,underpeakflow,willnotbe0.3ofthe
pipediameterorgreater,theactualflowvelocityatpeakflowshouldbecalculatedusingahydraulicelementschart
andtheslopeincreasedtoachieveadequateflushingvelocities.Incertaincircumstances,suchaswhereincreased
slopeswouldrequiredeepeningofextensivesectionsofthesewagecollectionsystemortheadditionofapumping
station,peaksewageflowvelocitiesoflessthan0.6m/s(2.0ft/s)maybeconsideredprovidedthatthemunicipality
acceptsthattheremaybeincreasedmaintenancerequirements.

Itshouldbenotedthatsewersachievingflowvelocitieslessthanthoserequiredforselfcleansingofgritand
organicsmayhaveincreasedmaintenanceexpensesandneedfrequentcleaningduetothedepositionofsolids.
Theseincreasedmaintenancecostsshouldbecomparedwiththecostswhichwouldhavebeenincurredifsewers
weredeepenedtoachieveadequateslopes.

Insizingsanitarysewersandselectingsewerslopes,considerationshouldbegiventopossiblesulphidegeneration
problems.Sulphideproblemscanbeminimizedbydesigningforsewerstoflowlessthanfullunderpeakflow
conditionsandtoflowatvelocitiesof0.6m/s(2.0ft/s)orhigher.

Thevelocitiesinsanitarysewersystemsshouldnotbemorethan3m/s(10ft/s),especiallywherehighgritloads
areexpected.Highervelocitiesshouldbeavoidedunlessspecialprecautionsaretaken.Wherevelocitiesgreater
than4.6m/s(15ft/s)areattained,specialprovisionshouldbemadetoprotectagainstpipedisplacementbyimpact
anderosion.Velocitiesinstormsewersshouldnotbegreaterthan6m/s(20ft/s).

5.7.6.1SteepSlopeProtection

Sewerson20percentslopesorgreatershouldbeanchoredsecurelywithconcreteanchorsspacedasfollows:

Notover11m(36ft)centretocentreongrades20percentandupto35percent
Notover7.3m(24ft)centretocentreongrades35percentandupto50percentand
Notover4.9m(16ft)centretocentreongrades50percentandover.

5.7.7Alignment

Ingeneral,sewersequaltoorlessthan600mmdiameter(NPS24)shouldbelaidwithstraightalignmentbetween
manholes.Straightalignmentshouldbecheckedbyeitherusingalaserbeamorlamping.

Curvilinearalignmentofsewerslargerthan600mmindiameter(NPS24)maybeconsideredonacasebycase
basisprovidedcompressionjointsarespecifiedandAmericanSocietyforTestingandMaterials(ASTM)or
specificpipemanufacturers'maximumallowablepipejointdeflectionlimitsarenotexceeded.Curvilinearsewers
shouldbelimitedtosimplecurveswhichstartandendatmanholes.Whencurvilinearsewersareproposed,the
recommendedminimumslopesindicatedinTable54shouldbeincreasedaccordinglytoprovideaminimum
velocityof0.6m/s(2.0ft/s)whenflowingfull.

Sanitarysewersaregenerallylocatedatornearthecentrelineofroadstoallowbuildingsonbothsidesofthestreet
tobeservicedwithapproximatelythesamelengthsofbuildingsewers.Municipalitiesgenerallyhavestandardson
thepreferredlocationofservices.ThesestandardsshouldbecomparedwiththeministryGuidelineF6,Sewerand
WatermainInstallation:SeparationDistanceRequirements.

5.7.8ChangesinPipeSize

Whenasmallersewerjoinsalargeone,theinvertofthelargersewershouldbeloweredsufficientlytomaintainthe
sameenergygradient.Anapproximatemethodforsecuringtheseresultsistoplacethe0.8depthpointofboth
sewersatthesameelevation.

Sewerextensionsshouldbedesignedforprojectedflowsevenwhenthediameterofthereceivingsewerislessthan
thediameteroftheproposedextension.Theconnectionshouldbedoneatamanholeconstructedwithan
appropriateflowchanneltominimizeturbulence.

5.7.9PipeMaterials

Thepipematerialselectedshouldbeadaptedtolocalconditions,suchas:

Characterofindustrialwastes
Possibilityofsepticity
Soilcharacteristics
Exceptionallyheavyexternalloadings
Abrasionand
Corrosion.

Sewersshouldbedesignedtopreventdamagefromsuperimposedlive,deadandfrostinducedloads.Proper
allowanceforloadsonthesewershouldbemadeforsoiltype,groundwaterconditions,aswellasthewidthand
depthofthetrench.Wherenecessary,specialbedding,haunchingandinitialbackfill,concretecradle,orother
specialconstructionshouldbeusedtowithstandpotentialsuperimposedloadingorlossoftrenchwallstability.The
designershouldrefertotheOntarioProvincialStandardsforRoadsandPublicWorks(OPS)fordetailsonsewer
pipematerialsandinstallation.

SuitablecouplingscomplyingwithASTMspecificationsshouldbeusedforjoiningdissimilarmaterials.

Fornewpipematerials,forwhichASTMstandardshavenotbeenestablished,thedesignengineershouldprovide
completepipespecificationsandinstallationspecificationsdevelopedonthebasisofcriteriaadequately
documentedandcertifiedinwritingbythepipemanufacturer.

Forsewerapplicationsrequiringpressurepipe,thedesignershouldrefertoSection5.14ProtectionofDrinking
WaterSystems.

Inchoosingpipematerial,thedesignershouldconsiderthefollowingfactors:

Lifeexpectancyanduseexperience
Resistancetoscour
Resistancetoacids,alkalis,gassesandsolvents
Easeofhandlingandinstallation
Physicalstrength
Typeofjointwatertightnessandeaseofassembly
Availabilityandeaseofinstallationoffittingsandconnections
Availabilityinsizesrequiredand
Costofmaterials,handlingandinstallation.

5.7.10Installation

Installationspecificationsshouldcontainappropriaterequirementsbasedonthecriteriaandstandardsestablished
byindustryinitstechnicalpublications.Requirementsshouldbesetforthinthespecificationsforthepipeand
methodsofbeddingandbackfillingthereofsoasnottodamagethepipeoritsjoints,impedecleaningoperations
andfuturetapping,norcreateexcessivesidefillpressuresandovalationofthepipe,norseriouslyimpairflow
capacity.

Excavationforplacingsewerpipes,backfillingandcompactingshouldbespecifiedinaccordancewithOntario
ProvincialStandardsSpecifications(OPSS)514,ConstructionSpecificationsforTrenching,Backfillingand
Compacting.Finalbackfillshouldbeplacedinsuchamannerasnottodisturbthealignmentofthepipe.

Ringdeflectiontestingshouldbeperformedonallsewersconstructedusingplasticpipe.Thedesignershould
referenceOPSS410,ConstructionSpecificationsforPipeSewerInstallationinOpenCutfordetailsonthetesting
procedure.

5.7.11JointsandInfiltration

5.7.11.1Joints

Thetypesofjointsandthematerialsusedshouldbeincludedinthespecifications.Sewerjointsshouldbedesigned
tominimizeinfiltrationandtopreventtheentranceofrootsthroughoutthelifeofthesystem.

5.7.11.2ServiceConnections

Serviceconnectionstothemainsewershouldbemadeusingfactorymadeteesorwyes,straponsaddlesorother
approvedsaddles.Factorymadeteesorwyesshouldbeusedforallserviceconnectionswherethediameterofthe
mainpipeseweris:

Lessthan450mm(NPS18)or
Lessthantwicethediameteroftheserviceconnection.

Straponsaddlesshouldbeinstalledbeforelayingthepipe.
Holesinthemainsewerpipeshouldbecutwithapprovedcuttersandshouldbetheminimumdiameterrequiredto
accepttheserviceconnectionsaddle.Ifmortaronsaddlesareused,theinsideofthepipeshouldbemortaredatthe
connection.Serviceconnectionsshouldbepluggedatthepropertylinewithwatertightcapsorplugs.Plugsorcaps
shouldbebracedsufficientlytowithstandhydrostaticorairtestpressures.

Thedesignerofsanitarysewerserviceconnectionsshouldconsider:

MinimumDiameter:Forgravityflow,100mm(NPS4)orpipesizeneededtosatisfyrequirementofthePart
7ofDivisionBoftheBuildingCode(OntarioRegulation350/06)madeundertheBuildingCodeAct,1992
SanitarySewerServiceConnectionGrades
RecommendedGrade2%and
MinimumGrade1%
Materials:ReferenceshouldbemadetotheOntarioProvincialStandardsOPSS410foracceptablealternate
materialsforservicesand
Risers:Servicerisersfrommainsewersburiedmorethan4.0m(13ft)shouldbetakenoffatananglenot
lessthan45fromthevertical,movedtotheverticalbyanappropriateelbowandtheverticalsection
providedwithaslidefitting.Alternatively,wherethemainsewerdepthisgreaterthan4.0m(13ft),theuse
ofashallowlocalcollectorsewercouldbeconsideredwithserviceconnectionsmadetotheshallowsewer.
Thedesignershouldconsultthemunicipalityforlocaldesignrequirements.

5.7.11.3LeakageTests

Leakagetestsshouldbespecified.Thismayincludeappropriatewaterorlowpressureairtesting.Thetesting
methodsselectedshouldtakeintoconsiderationtherangeingroundwaterelevationsduringthetestandanticipated
duringthedesignlifeofthesewer.

5.7.11.4Water(Hydrostatic)Test

Thetestsectionshouldbeslowlyfilledwithwatermakingsurethatallairisremovedfromtheline.Aperiodof24
hoursforabsorptionshouldbeallowedbeforestartingthetestexceptifexfiltrationrequirementsaremetbyatest
carriedoutduringtheabsorptionperiod.

Watershouldbeaddedtothepipelinepriortotestinguntilthereisaheadintheupstreammanholeholeof600mm
(NPS24)minimumoverthecrownofthepipeoratleast600mm(24in)abovetheexistinggroundwaterlevel,
whicheverisgreater.Themaximumlimitofthenetinternalheadonthelineis8m(26ft).Incalculatingnet
internalhead,allowanceforgroundwaterhead,ifany,shouldbemade.

Thedistancefromthemanholeframetothesurfaceofthewatershouldbemeasured.Afterallowingthewaterto
standforonehour,thedistancefromtheframetothesurfaceofthewatershouldagainbemeasured.Theleakage
shouldbecalculatedusingvolumes.

Theleakageattheendofthetestperiodshouldnotexceedthemaximumallowablecalculatedforthetestsection.
InaccordancewithOPSS410allowableleakageiscalculatedas0.075L/mmdiameter100metresofsewerpipe
hr(8.1USgal/inchdiametermileofsewerpipehr).

Anallowanceof3.0litersperhourpermetreofhead(0.24USgal/hr/ftofhead)abovetheinvertforeachmanhole
includedinthetestsectionshouldbemade.

Manholeshouldbetestedseparatelyifthetestsectionfails.

5.7.12DesignCalculations

Atabularformmaybeusedforrecordingsewerdesigncalculationsincludingrequiredcapacity,sewersize,sewer
slope,roughnesscoefficientused,pipecapacityprovided,flowvelocitywhenflowingfull,depthofflow,and
actualflowvelocityatpeakflowifdepthofflowislessthan0.3ofthepipediameter.Typicalsanitaryandstorm
sewersdesignsheetsareshowninFigures51and52.

5.7.12.1AirTest
Thedesignermayconsidertheuseofanairtestwherewaterisnotreadilyavailableorthedifferentialheadinthe
testsectionisgreaterthan8m(26ft)orfreezingtemperaturesexist.Theairtestshould,asaminimum,conformto
thetestproceduredescribedinOPSS410.

5.7.13BypassesandOverflows

Bypassesareconsideredtobeflowsthataredivertedfromthesystem,butnotdischargedtotheenvironment.In
thecaseofsewersthiscouldincludediversiontoholdingtanksorothersewers.Overflowsaresewageflowsthat
aredivertedfromtheseweranddischargeddirectlytotheenvironment.ForadditionaldetailsseeSection8.5.6
BypassesandOverflows.

5.7.14FoundationDrainage

Theconnectionoffoundationdrainstoasanitarysewersystemisstronglydiscouragedbytheministrybecauseof
theseriousnegativehydraulicimpactsthatsuchconnectionscanhaveonthesewersystemandthepotential
hydraulicoverloadingofthesewagetreatmentplant(Section5.4.7FoundationDrainage).

TypicalSanitarySewerDesignSheet

Downloadatypicalsanitarysewerdesignsheet.

TypicalStormSewerDesignSheet

Downloadatypicalstormsewerdesignsheet.

5.8AlternativeInstallationandConstructionTechnologies

5.8.1HorizontalDirectionalDrilling

HorizontalDirectionalDrilling(HDD)isatrenchlessconstructionmethodthatusesguideddrillingforboringa
tunnelwithanarcprofile.Thistechniqueisusedforlongdistancecrossingssuchasunderrivers,lagoons,landfills
orhighlyurbanizedareas.Theprocessinvolvesthreemainstages.Thefirststageistodrillapilottunnel.This
smalltunnelisthenreamedinstagesuntilitislargeenoughtofacilitatethefinalpiping.Thepipeistheninstalled
bybeingpulledbackthroughthepreparedtunnel.

TheHDDtechniquecanbeusedinvariousgroundconditionsincludinghardrock,sand,siltandclayformations.
Theboreholeissupportedbydrillingfluidwhichmainlyconsistsofbentonite,whichhasseveralfunctions
includingtransportofcuttings,coolingoffthedrillbit,sealingandsupportingthedrilledholeandlubricationto
reducefrictionduringpullback.

5.8.2MicroTunnelling

Microtunnellingistypicallyusedforpipesrangingfrom450to1400mm(NPS18toNPS56)indiameterand12
to15m(40to50ft)indepth.Microtunnelingisaccomplishedusingaremotecontrolledboringmachinetocarve
outatunnelandinstallanewpipeinanearlysimultaneousprocess.

Microtunnelingcausesminimaldisruptiontosurfaceactivities.Itisparticularlyeffectivewherepipingisrequired
inbelowgroundwaterconditions,inunconsolidatedsoilsandwhereaboveandbelowgroundobstructionsexist.

5.8.3PipeBursting

Pipeburstingisasemitrenchlessmethodofinstallingfactorymanufacturedpipesandserviceconnectionsinplace
ofseverelydamagedwaterandsewerpipes.Itisanidealsolutionforupsizingcapacityofexistingsewerlines
rangingfrom150to900mm(NPS6toNPS36)indiameter.

Pipeburstingisagoodsolutionforinstallingnewpipesinhighprofileareaswheredisruptiontosurroundingsisan
importantconsideration,becauseitrequiresminimalexcavation.
Inthepipeburstingprocess,anewpolyethylenepipeispulledthroughanoldpipelineofequalorsmallersize.The
oldpipelineisshatteredasthenewpipeispulledthrough,withthepiecesdisplacedintothesurroundingsoil.The
pipeburstingprocessisuniqueinallowingenlargementofexistingsewerswithminimalexcavation.

5.9Manholes

5.9.1LocationandSpacing

Manholesshouldbeinstalled:

Attheendofeachline
Atallchangesingrade,size,oralignment
Atallintersections(exceptcurvilinearsewers)and
Atdistancesnotgreaterthan120m(400ft)forsewersof375mmdiameter(NPS15)orlessand150m(500
ft)forsewersof450mmdiameter(NPS18)to750mmdiameter(NPS30),exceptthatdistancesupto185
m(600ft)maybeconsideredincaseswhereadequatemoderncleaningequipmentforsuchspacingis
provided.

Greaterspacingmaybepermittedforlargersewers.Cleanoutsmaybeusedonlyforspecialconditionsandshould
notbesubstitutedformanholesnorinstalledattheendoflateralsgreaterthan45m(150ft)inlength.

5.9.2DropType

Adroppipeshouldbeprovidedforasewerenteringamanholeatanelevationof610mm(24in)ormoreabove
themanholeinvert.Wherethedifferenceinelevationbetweentheincomingsewerandthemanholeinvertisless
than610mm(24in),theinvertshouldbefilletedorbenchedtopreventsolidsdeposition.

Dropmanholesshouldbeconstructedwithanoutsidedropconnection.Insidedropconnections(whennecessary)
shouldbesecuredtotheinteriorwallofthemanholeandprovideaccessforcleaning.

Theentireoutsidedropconnectionshouldbeencasedinconcreteduetotheunequalearthpressuresthatwould
resultfromthebackfillingoperationinthevicinityofthemanhole.

5.9.3Diameter

Theminimumdiameterofmanholesshouldbe1200mm(48in)largerdiametersarepreferableforlargediameter
sewers.Aminimumaccessdiameterof610mm(24in)shouldbeprovided.

5.9.4FlowChannel

Theflowchannelstraightthroughamanholeshouldbemadetoconformascloselyaspossibleinshapeandslope
tothoseoftheconnectingsewers.Thechannelwallsshouldbeformedorshapedtothefullheightofthecrownof
theoutletsewerinsuchamannertonotobstructmaintenance,inspectionorflowinthesewers.

Whencurvedflowchannelsarespecifiedinmanholes,includingbranchinlets,minimumslopesindicatedinTable
5.4shouldbeincreasedtomaintainacceptablevelocities.

5.9.5Bench

Abenchshouldbeprovidedoneachsideofanymanholechannelwhenthepipediameterislessthanthemanhole
diameter.Thebenchshouldbeslopednolessthan40mm/m(inchperfootor4percent).Nolateralsewer,
serviceconnection,ordropmanholepipeshoulddischargeontothesurfaceofthebench.

5.9.6WaterTightness

Manholesshouldbeoftheprecastconcreteorcastinplaceconcretetype.Manholeliftholesandgrade
adjustmentringsshouldbesealedwithnonshrinkingmortar.
Inletandoutletpipesshouldbejoinedtothemanholewithagasketedflexiblewatertightconnectionthatallows
differentialsettlementofthepipeandmanholewalltotakeplace.

Watertightmanholecoversaretobeusedwhereverthemanholetopsmaybefloodedbystreetrunofforhighwater.
Lockedmanholecoversmaybedesirableinisolatedeasementlocationsorwherevandalismmaybeaproblem.

5.9.7InspectionandTesting

Thespecificationsshouldincludearequirementforinspectionandtestingforwatertightnessordamagepriorto
placingintoservice.Airtesting,ifspecifiedforconcretesewermanholes,shouldconformtothetestprocedures
describedinASTMC1244.

5.9.8Access

Manholestepsshouldbe400mm(16in)aluminumorgalvanizedrungsandshouldbeprovidedataspacingof300
to400mm(12to16in).

Safetychainsshouldbeprovidedonthedownstreamsideofmanholesforsewerslargerthan1200mmindiameter
(NPS48).

SafetylandingsshouldbeprovidedinaccordancewithOntarioRegulation632/05ConfinedSpaces,madeunder
theOccupationalHealthandSafetyAct(OHSA).

5.9.9CorrosionProtectionforManholes

Wherecorrosiveconditionsduetosepticityorothercausesareanticipated,corrosionprotectionontheinteriorof
themanholesshouldbeprovided.

5.9.10FrostStraps

Froststrapsshouldbeprovidedtoholdprecastmanholesectionstogether.Inareaswherethefreezingindexis
greaterthan500freezingdegreedaysCelsius,precastmanholes/chambersshouldhavethreesteelstrapsextending
verticallyfromtoptobottomandheldbyboltsinthetopandbottomsections.

Whenthedesignfreezingindexequalsorexceeds1800freezingdegreedaysCelsius,anadditionalgranularwater
draininglayeratleast0.3m(12in)thickshouldsurroundthemanhole.

ThedesignershouldrefertoChapter6ChallengingConditionsAffectingServicingforfurtherdetails.

5.10PipeDesign

5.10.1PipeStrengthRequirements

Sewerpipesselectedforanyparticularapplicationshouldbeabletowithstand,withanadequatemarginofsafety,
allthecombinationsofloadingconditionstowhichitislikelytobeexposed.

Pipesusedingravityflowsewersareusuallynotsubjectedtointernalpressure,excepttoasmalldegreeunder
conditionsofsurcharge.Therefore,inthedesignofsewerpipes,internalpressureisusuallynotasignificantfactor.
Inspecialcasesinvolvingexcessivesurcharge,suchasininvertedsiphons,pressurepipemayberequired.

Sewerpipeinstalledinabackfilledtrenchcarriestheexternalstatic,liveandhydraulicloadsplacedonit.The
factorofexternalloadisveryimportantinthedesignofsewerpipes,regardlessofthematerialused.

Thedesignprocedurestobeusedtocalculateearthloading,superimposedloads,andthesupportingstrengthof
sewerpipeundervarioustypesofinstallationsandbeddingconditionsarecoveredinpipesupplier'scataloguesor
designmanualssuchasWaterPollutionControlFederation(nowWaterEnvironmentFederation),Designand
ConstructionofSanitaryandStormSewers,ManualofPracticeMOP9.

5.10.2InvertedSiphons
Invertedsiphonsshouldhaveatleasttwobarrels,withaminimumpipesizeof150mm(NPS6).Theyshouldbe
providedwithnecessaryappurtenancesformaintenance,convenientflushingandcleaningequipment.Theinlet
anddischargestructuresshouldhaveadequateclearancesforcleaningequipment,inspectionandflushing.Design
shouldprovidesufficientheadandappropriatepipesizestosecurevelocitiesofatleast0.9m/s(3.0ft/s)fordesign
averagedailyflows.Theinletandoutletdetailsshouldbesoarrangedthatthedesignaveragedailyflowmaybe
divertedtoonebarrelandsothateitherbarrelmaybecutoutofserviceforcleaning.Theverticalalignmentshould
permitcleaningandmaintenance.Siphonpipesandchambers,whensubjecttohydrostaticupliftforces,should
havesufficientweightoranchoragetopreventtheirflotationwhenempty.

5.11SewerSystemRehabilitation

5.11.1General

Theselectionofarehabilitationmethodshouldbebasedonadetailedanalysisofexistingsewersystemconditions,
including:

Identificationoftheneedforrehabilitation
Evaluationofthephysicalinstallation
Assessmentofexpectedperformanceattributesandrequirementsofpotentialrehabilitationtechnologiesand
Analysisofcosts.

Useanyoneoracombinationofseveralanalysistechniquestodeterminetheneedforpipesystems.

5.11.2FlowAnalysis

Thedesignershouldperformflowanalysestodeterminewhethertheexistingorrehabilitatedconduitwillhave
sufficientcapacitytoaccommodatetherequiredflows.Flowmonitoringshouldprovidequantitativedatathat
establishexistingaverageandpeakflowsaswellastheexistenceandmagnitudeofinfiltrationorinflow.Existing
flowanalysisandfutureflowforecastsshouldalsobeperformedtodeterminetherequiredhydrauliccapacityof
thepipeline.Ifinsufficientcapacityexists,andregardlessofthebeneficialhydraulicimpactsofpotential
rehabilitationmethods,alternativeimprovementpossibilitiesshouldbeexplored.

5.11.3SewerPipeAnalysis

Theprincipalmethodusedtoevaluatethephysicalconditionofanexistingsewerpipeisclosedcircuittelevision
(CCTV)systems.Televisioninspectionshouldbeperformedusinghighresolution,colour,videoequipmentwith
accuratedistancemeasurement.Arecordoftheinspectionshouldbekeptonavideotape,withheadingsnotingthe
location,dateandfirmperformingthework.Thedistancemetershouldhaveanaccuracyof60mm(2.4in)over
thelengthofthesewer.

Thetelevisioncamerashouldtravelthroughthesewerlineineitherdirectionataspeednogreaterthan10m/min
(30ft/min),stoppingasnecessarytoensureproperdocumentationofthesewer'scondition.Writtenlogsshould
documentthevideo,estimatingratesofinfiltrationanddescribingtheinternalconditionofthepipeline.

Flowshouldbeminimizedorsuspendedaltogethertoprovidethemostcomprehensiveobservationspossible.For
shortreachesinsmallerpipelines,itmaybepossibletobrieflystopflowusingsewerplugswithoutcausing
pipelinesurcharging.Onlargerdiameterpipelines,itmaybepossibletoperformtheinternalinspectionbyusing
handheldvideorecordingequipment.

Priortointernalobservation,itisnecessarytocleanthehostpipelinesothatacompletescopeofexisting
conditionscanbeviewedandasuitabletechniquecanbechosenforperformingrehabilitationprocedures.

Cleaningrequirementsandthelevelofeffortmayvarydependingonpipeage,slope,serviceandphysicalintegrity.
Duringcleaning,liquidsandsolidsremovedfrompipelinesshouldbeanalyzedtoidentifyanyhazardous
components.Disposalmethodsandlocationsofsuchhazardouscomponentsshouldalsobedetermined.

5.11.4TemporaryFlowManagement

Existingorpotentialflowsshouldbemanagedduringinternalinspection,cleaningandrehabilitationactivities.A
flowmanagementplanshouldbepreparedtoensurethattheworkprogramisnotadverselyaffected.Flow
managementrequirementsmayvarygreatlydependingonthetypeofsystembeingevaluatedorrehabilitated,
separatesanitary,stormsewersystems,combinedsewersystemsorprocesspipelines.

Anumberofdifferentflowmanagementmethodsmaybeusedtosatisfyworkprogramneeds.Thesemethods
include:

Flowdivisionthroughparallelorotheravailablepipingsystems
Stoppageofflowsforthedurationoftheprocedurewhensufficientstorageexistsinupstreamfacilitiesand
Bypassingflowsaroundtheworksite.

Inallinstances,allflowsourcesshouldbeconsideredaswellastheirmagnitude,frequencyandtimingwhen
selectinganappropriateflowmanagementmethod.Contingencyplansshouldbedevelopedtoidentifybackup
proceduresforcopingeffectivelywithextremeoradverseconditions.

5.11.5Safety

Pipelinerehabilitationinvolvespersonnelenteringintoconfinedspaces,manyofwhichhavepotentiallyhazardous
atmospheres.Therefore,thecontractdocumentshouldrequireimplementationofsafetyplansbyallcontractors
andsubcontractorsinvolved.Thesesafetyplansshouldaddressproceduresforconfinedspaceentry,including
permittingandallotherappropriateregulatoryrequirementsestablishedbytheOccupationalHealthandSafetyAct
(OHSA)andotherapplicablefederal,provincialandlocalregulations.

5.11.6ServiceConnections

Priortorehabilitation,bothactiveandinactiveserviceconnectionsshouldbeidentifiedusingdyetestingandother
complementaryprocedures.Activeservicesshouldberestoredusingappropriaterehabilitationmethodsand
inactiveservicesmaybesealed,ifdesired.

5.11.7SewersandManholesRehabilitation

Selectionofasewerrehabilitationtechniquedependsuponseveralfactors,includingtheconditionofthehostpipe,
hydrauliccapacitybothbeforeandafterrehabilitationandnumberofservicelaterals.Basictrenchlesssewer
rehabilitationmethodsincludesliplining,curedinplaceproducts,segmentalpipelining,spiralwoundpipelining,
closefitpipelining,pipeburstingandpiperemoval(microtunneling)andlining.Whereapplicable,rehabilitation
methodsmayrequiresimplerepairsandmaintenancesuchasgroutingandsealing,orpointrepairs.

Rehabilitationofsewermanholesmayberequiredbecauseofexcessiveleakageorstructuralconcerns.Repairs
mayincludeusingpressurepointing,chemicalgroutingtorepaircriticalspots,renovatingthewholestructureby
monolithicsurfacingtechniquesorbyinstallinganewmanhole.

5.12StreamCrossings

5.12.1Location

5.12.1.1CoverDepth

Thetopofallsewersenteringorcrossingstreamsshouldbeatasufficientdepthbelowthenaturalbottomofthe
streambedtoprotectthesewer.Ingeneral,thefollowingcoverrequirementsshouldbemet:

0.3m(1ft)ofcover,wherethesewerislocatedinrock
0.9m(3ft)ofcover,wherethesewerisnotlocatedinrock.Inmajorstreams,morethan0.9m(3ft)ofcover
mayberequiredand
Inpavedstreamchannels,thetopofthesewerlineshouldbeplacedbelowthebottomofthechannel
pavement.

Lesscovermaybejustifiedonlyiftheproposedsewercrossingwillnotinterferewithfuturemodificationstothe
streamchannel.

5.12.1.2HorizontalLocation
Sewersalongstreamsshouldbelocatedatasufficientdistanceawayfromthestream,providingforfuturepossible
streamwideningandtopreventpollutionbysiltationduringconstruction.

5.12.1.3Structures

Theseweroutfalls,headwalls,manholes,gateboxes,orotherstructuresshouldbelocatedsotheydonotinterfere
withthefreedischargeoffloodflowsofthestream.

5.12.1.4Alignment

Sewerscrossingstreamsshouldbedesignedtocrossthestreamasnearlyperpendiculartothestreamflowas
possibleandshouldnotchangegrade.

Sewersystemsshouldbedesignedtominimizethenumberofstreamcrossings.

5.12.2Construction

5.12.2.1Materials

Sewersenteringorcrossingstreamsshouldbeconstructedofductileironpipewithmechanicaljointsotherwise,
theyshouldbeconstructedtoremainwatertightwithoutchangesinalignmentorgrade.Materialusedtobackfill
thetrenchshouldbestone,coarseaggregate,washedgravel,orothermaterialswhichwillnotreadilyerode,cause
siltation,damagepipeduringplacement,orcorrodethepipe.

5.12.2.2SiltationandErosion

Constructionmethodsthatminimizesiltationanderosionshouldbeemployed.Thedesignengineershouldinclude
intheprojectspecificationsthemethodstobeemployedintheconstructionofsewersinornearstreams.Such
methodsshouldprovideadequatecontrolofsiltationanderosionbylimitingunnecessaryexcavation,disturbingor
uprootingtreesandvegetation,dumpingofsoilordebrisorpumpingsiltladenwaterintothestream.
Specificationsshouldrequirethatcleanup,grading,seedingandplantingorrestorationofallworkareasshould
beginimmediately.Exposedareasshouldnotremainunprotectedformorethansevendays.

5.13AerialCrossings

Supportshouldbeprovidedforalljointsinpipesutilizedforaerialcrossings.Thesupportsshouldbedesignedto
preventfrostheave,overturningandsettlement.

Precautionsagainstfreezing,suchasinsulationandincreasedslope,shouldbeprovided.Expansionjointsshould
beprovidedbetweenabovegroundandbelowgroundsewers.Whereburiedsewerschangetoaerialsewers,special
constructiontechniquesshouldbeusedtominimizefrostheaving.

Foraerialstreamcrossings,theimpactoffloodwatersanddebrisshouldbeconsidered.Thebottomofthepipe
shouldbeplacednolowerthantheelevationofthe50yearflood.Ductileironpipewithmechanicaljointsis
recommended.

5.14ProtectionofDrinkingWaterSystems

Whensewersareproposedinthevicinityofanydrinkingwatersystemfacilities,requirementsoftheministry
GuidelineF6,SewerandWatermainInstallation:SeparationDistanceRequirement,shouldbeusedtoconfirm
acceptableseparationdistances.

Thereshouldbenophysicalconnectionsbetweenadrinkingwatersystemandasewerorappurtenancewhich
wouldpermitthepassageofanysewageorpollutedwaterintothedrinkingwatersupply.Nowatermainshould
passthroughorcomeintocontactwithanypartofasewermanhole.

5.14.1SeparationfromDrinkingWaterSystemFacilities
Sewers,drainsandsimilarsourcesofcontaminationshouldbekeptatleast15m(50ft)fromdrinkingwater
reservoirsbelownormalgroundsurfaceandgroundwaterwellsources.Mechanicallyjointedwaterpipes,pressure
testedinaccordancewithOPSS701,ConstructionSpecificationsforWatermainInstallationinOpenCut,ata
pressureof350kPa(50psi)withoutleakagemaybeusedforgravitysewersatlesserseparation.

Allexistingdrinkingwatersystemfacilities,suchastanks,wells,orothertreatmentunits,within60m(200ft)of
theproposedsewershouldbeshownontheplans.

Soilconditionsinthevicinityoftheproposedsewerwithin60m(200ft)ofdrinkingwatersystemfacilitiesshould
bedeterminedandshownontheplans.

5.14.2SeparationfromWatermains

5.14.2.1VerticalSeparation

Whenitisnotpracticaltomaintainaseparatetrenchandaminimumhorizontalseparationdistance,thecrownof
thesewershouldbeatleast0.5m(1.6ft)belowtheinvertofthewatermainandseparatedbyinsitumaterialor
compactedbackfill.Jointsshouldbeoffsetasmuchaspossiblebetweensewersandwatermains.

Wherethisverticalseparationcannotbeobtained,thesewersshouldbeconstructedofwatermainqualitypipe,
pressuretestedinplaceatapressureof350kPa(50psi)withoutleakageinaccordancewiththeOPSS701.

Inrocktrenches,drainageshouldbeprovidedtominimizetheeffectsofimpoundingofsurfacewaterand/orthe
leakagefromsewersinthetrench.

5.14.2.2SewerandWatermainCrossings

Watermainsshouldcrossabovesewerswhereverpossible.Whetherthewatermainisaboveorbelowthesewer,a
minimumverticaldistanceof0.5m(1.6ft)betweentheoutsideofthewatermainandtheoutsideofthesewer
shouldbeprovidedtoallowforproperbeddingandstructuralsupportofthewatermainandsewerpipes.Sufficient
structuralsupportforthesewerpipesshouldbeprovidedtopreventexcessivedeflectionofthejointsandsettling.
Thelengthofwaterpipeshouldbecenteredatthepointofcrossingsothatjointsinthewatermainwillbe
equidistantandasfaraspossiblefromthesewer.Thecrossingshouldbeperpendicularifpossible.

Whenitisimpossibletoobtainproperhorizontalandverticalseparationasstipulatedabove,oneofthefollowing
methodsshouldbespecified:

Thesewershouldbedesignedandconstructedequaltothewaterpipeandshouldbepressuretestedat350
kPa(50psi)toassurewatertightnessand
Eitherthewatermainorthesewerlineshouldbeencasedinawatertightcarrierpipewhichextends3m(10
ft)onbothsidesofthecrossing,measuredperpendiculartothewatermain.

5.14.2.3ServiceConnections

Whereverpossible,theconstructionpracticesoutlinedinSection5.14.2.1VerticalSeparationshouldbeappliedto
sewerandwaterserviceconnections.

5.14.2.4TunnelConstruction

Ifatunnelisofsufficientsizetopermitapersontoenterit,asewerandwatermainmaybeplacedthroughthe
tunnelprovidingthewatermainishungabovethesewer.Ifthetunnelissizedonlyforthepipesorissubjectto
flooding,thesewersshouldbeconstructedofwatermainqualitypipe,pressuretestedinplaceaccordingtothe
OPSS701atapressureof350kPa(50psi)withoutleakage.

5.15AlternativeSanitarySewerSystems

5.15.1Applications
Eachapplicationhasitsownsetofsitespecificcharacteristicswhichmaymakeanalternativesanitarysewertype
attractive.Thefollowingaregeneraldesignconsiderationsonly.Formoreinformation,thedesignershouldreferto:
WaterPollutionControlFederation(nowWaterEnvironmentFederation)AlternativeSewerSystems,Manualof
PracticeFD12,FacilitiesDevelopment(1986)andEnvironmentalProtectionAgency,Manual:Alternative
WastewaterCollectionSystems,EPA625/191/024,OfficeofResearchandDevelopment(1991).

5.15.1.1PopulationDensity

Whenhousingissparse,resultinginlongreachesbetweenservices,thecostofprovidingconventionalsewersis
oftenprohibitive.Pressuresewers,smalldiametergravitysewersandvacuumsewersaretypicallylesscostlyona
linearmetre(foot)basis,sooftenprovetobemorecosteffectivewhenservingsparsepopulations.

5.15.1.2GroundSlopes

Ifintermittentrisesinthegradeoccur,conventionalsewersmaybecomecostprohibitivelydeep.Thesmall
diameter,variablegrade,lowpressuresewagecollectionsysteminconjunctionwithseptictankeffluentpumping
(STEPsystem)canbeeconomicallyapplied.Vacuumsewersmaybeparticularlyadaptabletothistopographic
condition,aslongasheadrequirementsarewithinthelimitsofavailablevacuum.

Inflatterrain,conventionalsewersbecomedeepduetothecontinuousdownwardslopeofthemain,requiring
frequentuseofsewagepumpingstations.Boththedeepexcavationandthepumpingstationsareexpensive.Small
diametergravitysewers(SDGS)areburiedlessdeep,whichmayallowreducedexcavationcostsorfewerpumping
stations.Pressuresewersorvacuumsewersareoftenfoundtobepracticalinflatareas.

Inareaswherethetreatmentfacilityorinterceptorsewersarehigherthanthesystem,pressuresewersandvacuum
sewersaregenerallypreferred,butshouldbeevaluatedagainstSDGSsystemswithpumpingstations.

5.15.1.3SubsurfaceObstacles

Whererockexcavationorhighgroundwaterlevelsareencountered,theshallowburialdepthofalternativesewers
reducestheamountofrocktobeexcavatedortheneedfordewatering.

5.15.2PressureSewerSystems

Pressuresewersaresmalldiameterpipelinesburiedjustbelowfrostlevel.Thesepipescanfollowtheprofileofthe
groundbecausegravityflowisnotneeded.Eachhomeconnectedtothepipelinerequireseitheragrinderpump
(GP)oraseptictankeffluentpump.Maindiameterstypicallyrangefrom50to150mm(NPS2toNPS6)with
servicelateraldiametersof25to38mm(1to1.5in).PolyvinylChloride(PVC)isthemostcommonpiping
materialforthesesystems.

5.15.2.1SystemLayout

Pressuresewersystemsshouldbelaidouttakingthefollowingintoconsideration:

Branchedlayoutratherthangriddedorlooped
Maintenanceofcleansingvelocitiesespeciallywhengrinderpumptypepressuresewersareused
Minimizinghighheadpumpinganddownhillflowconditions
Locatingonlotfacilitiesclosetothehomeforeaseofmaintenanceand
Providingeachhomeitsowntankandpump.

ThedesignershouldalsorefertoSection7.9Forcemainsforfurtherdetails.

5.15.3VacuumSewerSystems

Vacuumsewersystemsincludeavacuumstation,collectionpiping,sewageholdingtanksandvalvepits.Inthese
systems,sewagefromanindividualbuildingflowsbygravitytothelocationofthevacuumejectorvalve.This
valvesealsthelineleadingtothemainsewerinordertomaintainrequiredvacuumlevels.Whenagivenamountof
sewageaccumulatesbehindthevalve,thevalveopensandthenclosesallowingsewagetoenterthemainsewerand
betakenaway.Vacuumpumpsinacentrallocationmaintainvacuuminthesystem.
5.15.3.1HouseServices

Eachhouseonthesystemshouldhaveitsownholdingtankandvacuumejectorvalve.Holdingtankvolumeis
usually115L(30USgal).Thelevelintheholdingtankismonitoredbyasensor.Whenthetankisfilled,thevalve
issignaledtoopen.Thevalvestaysopenforanadjustableperiodoftimeandthencloses.Duringtheopencycle,
theholdingtankcontentsareevacuated.Thetimeisusuallysettoholdthevalveopenforatotaltimeequalto
twicethetimerequiredtoadmitthesewage.Inthismanner,airisallowedtoenterthesystembehindthesewage.
Thetimesettingisdependentonthevalvelocationsincethevacuumavailablewillvarythroughoutthesystem,
therebygoverningtherateofsewageflow.

Thevalvepitistypicallylocatedalongapropertylineandmaybecombinedwiththeholdingtank.Thesepitsare
usuallymadeoffiberglass,althoughmodifiedconcretemanholesectionshavebeenused.Anantiflotationcollar
mayberequired.

5.15.3.2CollectionPiping

Thevacuumcollectionpipingusuallyconsistsof100mmand150mmdiameter(NPS4andNPS6)mains.
Smallermainsarenotrecommendedasthecostsavingsareconsideredtobeinsignificant.

RubbergasketedPVCpipewhichhasbeencertifiedbythemanufacturerasbeingsuitableforvacuumserviceis
recommended.Solventweldingshouldbeavoidedifpossible.Themainsaregenerallylaidtothesameslopeasthe
groundwithaminimumslopeof0.2percent.Foruphilltransport,liftsareplacedtominimizeexcavationdepth.
Therearenomanholesinthesystemhowever,accesscanbegainedateachvalvepitorattheendofalinewhere
anaccesspitmaybeinstalled.Installationofthepipeandfittingsshouldfollowwaterdistributionsystem
practices.Divisionvalvesareinstalledonbranchesandperiodicallyonthemainstoallowforisolation.Plugvalves
andresilientwedgegatevalveshavebeenused.

5.15.3.3VacuumStation

Equipmentinthestationincludesacollectiontank,vacuumreservoirtank,vacuumpumps,sewagepumpsand
pumpcontrols.Emergencypowerisvitaltothesesystemsandshouldbeprovidedforinthedesign.

Thecollectiontankshouldbemadeofeithersteelorfiberglass.Thevacuumreservoirtankshouldbeconnected
directlytothecollectiontanktopreventdropletcarryoverandtoreducethefrequencyofvacuumpumpsstarts.
Vacuumpumpscanbeeitherliquidringorslidingvanetypeandshouldbesizedfora3to5hr/druntime.The
sewagedischargepumpsshouldbenonclogtypewithsufficientnetpositivesuctionhead(NPSH)toovercome
tankvacuum.Levelcontrolprobesshouldbeinstalledinthecollectiontanktoregulatethesewagepumps.Afault
monitoringsystemtoalertthesystemoperatoriflowvacuumorhighsewagelevelconditionsoccurshouldbe
incorporatedintothedesign.

5.15.4SmallDiameterGravitySewers

SDGSsystemsaremostcosteffectivewhenhousingdensityislow,theterrainhasundulationsoflowreliefand
theelevationofthesystemterminusislowerthannearbyservicingareas.Theycanalsobeeffectiveinveryflat
areas,rockyorunstablesoilconditionsandinareaswherethereisahighwaterlevel.SDGSdonothavealarge
amountofexcesscapacity,thatistypicalofgravitysewers,andshouldbedesignedtoallowanadequateamountof
futuregrowth.

SDGSrequirepreliminarytreatmentthroughtheuseofinterceptororseptictanksupstreamofeachconnection.
Thetanksremovesolidsandallowforthesewerpipingtobedesigneddifferentlythanconventionalsewerswhich
alsocarrythesolids.Collectormainsaresmallerindiameterandcanbelaidwithvariableorinflectivegradients.
Fewermanholesareneededandmostcanbereplacedwithcleanoutsexceptatmajorjunctionstolimit
infiltration/inflowandentryofgrit.Therequiredsizeandshapeofthemainsisdictatedprimarilybyhydraulics
ratherthansolidscarryingcapabilities.

5.15.4.1HouseServices

Houseconnectionsaremadeattheinlettotheinterceptortankthroughwhichallhouseholdsewageentersthe
system.Interceptortanksareburied,watertighttankswithbaffledinletsandoutlets.Theyaredesignedtoremove
bothfloatingandsettleablesolidsfromthesewagethroughquiescentsettlingoveraperiodof1224hours.Ample
volumeshouldbeprovidedforstorageofthesolidswhichshouldbeperiodicallyremovedthroughanaccessport.
Typically,asinglechamberseptictank,ventedthroughthehouseplumbingstackvent,isusedasaninterceptor
tank.Servicelateralsconnecttheinterceptortankwiththecollectormain.Theyareusually75to100mm(NPS3to
NPS4)indiameter,butshouldbenolargerthanthecollectormaintowhichtheyareconnected.Theymayinclude
acheckvalveorotherbackflowpreventiondeviceneartheconnectiontothemain.

5.15.4.2CollectorMains

Collectormainsaresmalldiameterplasticpipeswithtypicalminimumdiametersof75to100mm(NPS3toNPS
4).Themainsaretrenchedintothegroundatadepthsufficienttocollectthesettledsewagefrommostconnections
bygravity.Unlikeconventionalgravitysewers,SDGSarenotnecessarilylaidonauniformgradientwithstraight
alignmentsbetweencleanoutsormanholes.Inplaces,themainsmaybedepressedbelowthehydraulicgradeline.
Also,thealignmentmaybecurvilinearbetweenmanholesandcleanoutstoavoidobstaclesinthepathofsewers.

Cleanouts,manholesandventsprovideaccesstothecollectormainsforinspectionandmaintenance.Inmost
circumstances,cleanoutsarepreferabletomanholesbecausetheyarelesscostlyandcanbemoretightlysealedto
eliminatemostinfiltrationandgritwhichcommonlyenterthroughmanholes.Ventsarenecessarytomaintainfree
flowingconditionsinthemains.Ventsinhouseholdplumbingaresufficientexceptwheredepressedsewersections
exist.Insuchcases,airreleasevalvesorventilatedcleanoutsmaybenecessaryatthehighpointsofthemain.

Liftstationsarenecessarywheretheelevationdifferencesdonotpermitgravityflow.EitherSTEPunitsor
mainlineliftstationsmaybeused.

Challengingconditionsaffectiveservicing
Chapter6:ChallengingConditionsAffectingServicing
Thischapterpresentsdesignguidelines,suggestionsandideaswhichmayassistintheapplicationanddesignof
alternatetechnologiesforundergroundservicingofareasthatareaffectedbychallengingconditions.Formore
detailedinformationonthissubjectthedesignershouldrefertotheASCE/CSCE(1996),ColdRegionsUtilities
Monograph,(formerlyColdClimateUtilitiesDeliverDesignManual,EnvironmentCanada)availablefromthe
ASCEbookstorewebsite.

6.1General

Challengingconditionsmaybearesultof:climate,geology,hydrogeology,arealocation(remoteness),topography
oranycombinationofthesefactors.Challengingconditionsareoftenassociatedwithnortherncommunities,but
canalsooccurinurbanareaswhereabovegroundpipingisnecessary(i.e.,bridgecrossingsoroverpermafrost)
and/orshallowburiedobstructionssuchasculvertscausepipetobeplacedinthefrostzone.Generallybiological
treatmentprocessesoperatemosteffectivelyatsewagetemperaturesabove10C(41F)andcriticaldesign
conditionsneedtobeassessedatlowoperatingtemperaturestoensureyearroundeffluentobjectivescanbemet.
Thislowtemperatureevaluationisparticularlyimportantfornitrifyingplantsthathavelowammoniaeffluent
objectives.

6.2ClimaticFactors

Themainclimaticelementsthatcanaffectlowgroundtemperaturesarecoldairtemperaturesandtheamountof
snowcover.Withbelowfreezingtemperatures,thedesignershoulddeterminewhethertheconditionsaresuchthat
sewageintheproposedmunicipalsewerpipewouldfreezeorglaciateandthepipeaffectedbyfrostheavemay
hindergravityflowbyformingpockets.HistoricalinformationonOntarioclimateisavailablefromthe
EnvironmentCanadawebsite.DesigntemperaturedataarealsoprovidedintheSupplementaryStandardSB1of
theBuildingCode(O.Reg.350/06)madeundertheBuildingCodeAct,1992.Otherreferencesofnotefor
additionalinformationinclude:

Smith,DWandHrudey,SE(1981),DesignofWaterandWastewaterServicesforColdClimate
Communitiesand
AirForce(1987),TechnicalManualArcticandSubarcticConstructionUtilities,AFR8819,Volume5.
ThemainindicatorutilizedtodeterminetherelativeaircoldnessofanareaistheFreezingIndex.The
FreezingIndexisdefinedasthenumberofdegreedays[aboveandbelow0C(32F)]betweenthehighestpoint
intheautumnandthelowestpointthenextspringonthecumulativedegreedaytimecurveforonefreezing
season.Itisrecommendedthatthedesignerconsiderthecoldestmonth.

Theclimaticfactormostseriouslyimpactingthedesign,costandoperationofsewerpipesisfrost.Thedepthto
whichitpenetratesdependsupontheFreezingIndexaswellasthefrostsusceptibilityandthethermalconductivity
ofthesoil.ThedesignershouldrefertotheEnvironmentCanada,ColdClimateUtilitiesDeliveryDesignManual
(EnvironmentalProtectionServiceReportNo.EPS3WP792).

Anotherfactortobeconsideredisfrostheave.Asthewaterintheporesofthesoilfreezes,thereisanassociated
increaseinthevolumeofthesoilofupto5%.Ificelensesforminthesoil,muchgreatervolumeincreasesmay
occur.Anysewageworksthatistobeconstructedwithinthefrostzoneshouldbedesignedwithconsideration
giventotheriseofthegroundsurfaceduetofrostaction.

Formoreinformationregardingfrostandfreezing,thedesignershouldrefertotheNationalResearchCouncilof
Canada,InstituteforResearchinConstructionandtheOntarioMinistryofTransportation.

6.3GeologicalFactors
Thepredominantgeologicalfactorwhichcanhaveaneffectonthedesignofsewageworksisthepresenceofrock
anditsproximitytothesurface.ThisphenomenoniscommoninmanyareasoftheProvinceandpredominantin
NorthernOntariowherethemaingeologicalfeatureisthePrecambrianformationoftheCanadianShield.

OtherfactorsconcerningthegeologyofthenorthernpartsoftheProvincethataffectthedesignofsewersystems
are:

Thepresenceofmuskegwhichcanbefoundindepthsvaryingfromlessthan0.3m(1ft)toinexcessof3.0
m(10ft)
Soilclassificationandfrostsusceptibility
Soilthermalconductivity
Soilchemistry(i.e.,acidicandalkalisoils)and
Thepresenceofahighwatertable.

6.4RemoteLocation

IncertainregionsoftheProvince,themerelocationofthecommunitytobeservicedmaybeafactorinthedesign.
Accesstothesitemaybedifficult,limitedand/orexpensiveduetothelackofadequateroadorrailtransportation.

Accessproblemscanaffectforexamplethesupplyofmaterials,constructionequipment,replacementpartsand
servicing.Thedesignershouldensurethattheservicingmethodsareadaptedtosuitlocalconditions.Ifspecial
fittingsandaccessoriesarerequiredthatmaybedifficulttoobtain,replaceandservice,thisshouldbeconsideredat
thedesignstageandsparespurchasedduringconstruction.

6.5Permafrost
Permafrostisdefinedassoil,bedrockorothermaterialthathasremainedbelow0C(32F)fortwoormoreyears.
Continuouspermafrostoccursinareasthatareunderlaidbypermafrostwithnothawedareas.Discontinuous
permafrostoccursinanareaunderlainmostlybypermafrostbutcontainingsmallareasofunfrozenground.

InOntario,astateofdiscontinuouspermafrostexistsnorthofthelinedrawnfromthesoutherntipofHudsonBay,
westerlytothepointwherethe53NparallelinterceptsOntario'swesternboundary,tothe55Nparallel.More
informationonthedistributionofpermafrostinOntarioisavailablefromtheNaturalResourcesCanadaatlas.

Passiveconstructionisusuallyusedinpermafrostconditions.Thismaintainsthestateoffrozenpermafrostby
constructinginsulatedmunicipalsewerpipes.Permafrostconditionswillnotlikelybemetinanybutthemost
remotenorthernareasoftheProvince.

6.6DifficultiesAssociatedWithConventionalPractices
Conventionaldesignpracticeofinstallingsanitarysewersistoprovidegravityflowfromthebasementofthe
buildingbeingservicedtoagravitycollectorsystem.Atthehighpointinthesystemthecollectorseweris
generallyintheorderof2.5metres(8.2ft)belowgrade.Thisdepthis,inmostinstances,adequatetoprevent
freezing/glaciatingofthesewageandtopreventanypocketsfromforminginthegravitysewersduetofrostheave.

Inareaswherelittleornooverburdenexists(i.e.,rock),itisthepracticetoblasttherequiredtrenchandremovethe
rock.Thefragmentedrockisoftenreturnedtothetrenchafteraprotectivelayerofcovermaterialisplacedover
thepipe.Thelargevoidspresentinrockbackfillareconducivetogreaterfrostpenetration.Replacementofthe
rockbackfillwithgranularbackfillisrecommended.Ineithercase,thehighthermalconductivityofthe
surroundingrockmaybethegoverningdesignfactorandshouldnotbeforgotten.Thissituationoftennecessitates
installationofthesewersbelowthedepthnormallyrequiredforgravityflowfromthebasementsofthebuildings
beingserviced.Inareaswithahighwatertable,infiltrationintothesystemthroughpipeandmanholejointsand
privateservicescanbeaprobleminmanyinstallations.

Insomeareas,thedevelopmentdensityofthelotsmaybesolowastomakesanitarysewerservicinginfeasible
duetothehighinstallationcostsperlot.Insuchareas,theuseofseptictankshasbeenpracticed.However,inan
areawherethepresenceofrockassociatedwithverylittleoverburden(e.g.lessthan600mm(24in))isthe
predominantfeature,theuseofseptictanksisnotpractical.

6.7RetrofittingofExistingSewers
Frostcanexertconsiderableloadonaburiedconduitandfrostactioncanseparatethesectionsofaprecast
manholeifthesectionsarenotstrapped.

Therewouldappeartobelittlethatcanbedonetoanexistingsewersystemtoprotectitfromtheincreasedloads
duetofrost,althoughsomestudiessuggestthatslabinsulationabovethepipewilldistributetheload.Thismaybe
consideredinsituationswherethecoveroveranexistingsewerisreducedduetothereconstructionoftheroador
regrading.

Whereexistingmanholeshaveseparatedandarepermittingextraneousflows,themanholesshouldbegrouted
and/orresetandstrapsinstalledontheinsideofthemanholetopreventanyfurthermovement.

Inareaswherethefreezingindexisgreaterthan500freezingdegreedaysCelsius(932degreedaysFahrenheit),
precastmanholes/chambersshouldhavethree(3)steelstrapsextendingverticallyfromtoptobottomandheldby
boltsinthetopandbottomsections.

Thethreesteelstrapsshouldbelocatedatpointsequidistantaroundthecircumferenceofthemanhole/chamber.

Whenthedesignfreezingindexequalsorexceeds1,800freezingdegreedaysCelsius(3272degreedays
Fahrenheit),anadditionalgranularwaterdraininglayeratleast0.3m(1ft)thickshouldsurroundthemanhole.

Therearelesssignificantproblemswithfreezingofgravitysewers,serviceconnectionsorforcemainsin
comparisontowatermainsandwaterservices.

6.8AlternativeDesignPractices

Ingeneral,thecostsofinstallingsanitarysewerservicesincreasesasthedepthofburialincreases.Inareasthatare
subjecttotheeffectsofadverseconditions(suchasthepresenceofrock,extremefrostorahighwatertable)the
costswouldbemuchgreaterasthedepthtowhichtheseservicesneedtobeinstalledincreases.Thedesigneris
referredtoChapter12intheministryDesignGuidelinesforDrinkingWaterSystemsforinformationonwater
servicesinchallengingconditions.

6.8.1ThermalConsiderations

Whendealingwithservicesand/orforcemainsthatarelocatedintheactivefrostzone,itispossibletoreduceheat
lossandincreasetimebeforefreezingbyusingpreinsulatedpipingwithorwithoutelectricheattracing.

6.8.2ShallowBuriedPreInsulatedServicingSystems
Shallowburiedmeansasystemthatispartiallyortotallywithinthefrostzone(i.e.,coveronlyforphysical
protection)andinsulatedmeansreducingtheheatlossfromthepipebyapplyingvariousamountsofinsulation
totheburiedpipewithorwithoutheattracing.

Thespecificationfortheworkshouldindicatethatfactoryfabricated,preinsulated,flexiblepipingsystemis
required.

6.9SanitarySewerSystems
Thefundamentalconceptsofsanitarysewersystemdesign,includingsuchitemsaslayoutandappurtenances,
shouldfollowtherecommendationscontainedinChapter5DesignofSewers.

Inthelayingoutofgravitysanitarysewersinareaswherefrostdepthpenetrationsaregreatand/orotheradverse
conditionsexist,thedesignershouldconsideralternateroutingofthesewers(i.e.,offthetraveled/plowedportion
oftheroad).

Itisrecommendedthatallgravitysewersystemdesignsincludetheprovisionoffroststrapsonallmanholesand
thatallpipedesignsreflecttheincreasedloadingthatwillbeexperiencedthrougheitherimprovedbeddingor
increasedpipestrength,duetotheincreaseinweightonthepipe.

Othermanholedesignconsiderationsinclude:

Useofaplasticfilmaroundtheoutsideofthemanholetopreventbondingofthesoiltothestructureand
damagefromfrostheaving
Useofmanholeinsulation,generally75mm(3in)ofpolystyreneorurethaneand
Aninsulatedmanholecovertofurtherreduceheatloss.

Attentiontoserviceconnectionsshouldincludeconsiderationforinsulation,heattracingandflexibleconnections
wheredamageduetofreezingorfrostheaveisaconcern.

Forcemainsneedtomaintainanadequatescouringvelocityandbeabletodrainbetweenpumpingcyclesincold
climates.Thiscanbeaccomplishedbyanelectricallyoperatedballvalveinthelinetoallowdrainagebackintothe
wetwellbetweenpumpcycles.

Thesoilconditionssuchasrockorhighgroundwatercansignificantlyaffectthecostofthesewersand,insome
instances,contributetoextraneousflowproblems.Itmaybeadvisableinsuchcircumstancestodesignand
constructthesystemsuchthatgravitydrainageisonlyprovidedforthefirstfloorandup.Inassessingsuchan
alternative,itisessentialthatthefollowingfactorsbeconsidered:

Thepresenceorabsenceofbasementsintheexistingdwellings
Theextentoffinishinginanexistingbasement
Thepresenceorabsenceoffixturesinthebasementand
Theneedforasolidshandlingsewagepumpinthebasement,shouldthebasementcontainfixtures.

6.9.1AlternateSewageCollectionSystems

Intherecentpast,severalalternatemethodsofcommunalservicinghavebeenintroducedinOntarioandother
jurisdictionswithsuccess.ThedesignershouldrefertoSection5.15AlternativeSanitarySewerSystemsformore
details.Ifapreviouslyuntriedsewagecollectionsystemisbeingproposed,thedesignershouldrefertoSection3.9
TechnologyDevelopmentforguidance.

Plumbingstations
Chapter7:PumpingStations
Thischaptercoversthedesignofsewagepumpingstationsandforcemains.Generalrequirementssuchaslocation,
types,flows,reliability,emergencyoperations,controlsandalarmsandotherspecialdesigndetailsforpumping
stationsarepresented.Designflowcriteriaareprovidedforpumpingstationsservingsanitarysewersystems.The
designflowcriteriaforpumpingstationsservingcombinedsewersystemsareidentifiedwhereapplicable.Note
thatthedesignflowsaredefinedinSection8.3DefinitionofTerms.
7.1General

7.1.1StationCapacity

Sewagepumpingstationsservingsanitarysewersystemsshouldbeabletopumpthedesignpeakinstantaneous
sewageflow.Sewagepumpingstationsshouldbedesignedsothattheycanbeupgradedtohandlefuturepeak
flowsfromtheultimatetributaryareawithminormodifications(e.g.pumps,motorsorimpellerchanges).An
economicevaluationmayshowthattherearenosavingsbyinitiallyprovidingthedesignpeakinstantaneous
capacity,thenincreasingthecapacityatalaterdate.Itispreferredthattheultimateanticipatedpeakflowsfromthe
tributaryareacouldbehandledwiththeadditionofanotherpumpand/orforcemainandothermodifications.
Oversizingthepumpingstationmayimpactstationoperationsandshouldbeevaluatedduringthedesign.

Thecapacityofasewagepumpingstationservingacombinedsewersystemshouldbedesignedtopumpallofthe
dryweatherflow(DWF)plus90%ofthevolumeresultingfromthedesignpeakwetweatherflow(WWF)thatis
abovethedesignDWF(foranaverageyearflow)tosatisfytherequirementsofministryProcedureF55,
DeterminationofTreatmentforMunicipalandPrivateCombinedandPartiallySeparatedSewerSystems.Higher
pumpingcapacityorothercontrolmeasuresmaybeneededforswimmingandbathingbeachesaffectedbythe
overflowassociatedwiththepumpingstationservingcombinedsewersinaccordancewithProcedureF55.

7.1.2Flooding

Sewagepumpingstationstructuresandelectricalandmechanicalequipmentshouldbeprotectedfromphysical
damagebythe100yeardesignfloodevent.Sewagepumpingstationsshouldremainfullyoperationaland
accessibleduringthe25yearfloodevent.Regulations/requirementsofmunicipalities,provincialandfederal
agenciesregardingfloodplainobstructionsshouldbeconsidered.

7.1.3AccessibilityandSecurity

Thepumpingstationshouldbereadilyaccessiblebymaintenancevehiclesduringallweatherconditions.The
facilityshouldbelocatedoffthetrafficwayofstreetsandalleys.Itisrecommendedthatsecurityfencingand
accesshatcheswithlocksbeprovided.

7.1.4Grit

Whereitisnecessarytopumpsewagepriortogritremoval,thedesignershouldgivespecialconsiderationtothe
wetwellandpumpstationpipingdesigntoavoidoperationalproblemsfromtheaccumulationofgrit.Thiscan
includedividedwells(i.e.,forisolationandcleaning),aeratedwells(i.e.,tokeepgritinsuspension),steepwetwell
sides(i.e.,toreduceareaforaccumulation)anddesludgingvalvesonpumps(i.e.,toresuspendandpumpgrit).

Atsomepumpstationsitmaybebeneficialtousebarscreens,grinders,orcomminutordevices.Designofbar
screenfacilitiesshouldincludeodourcontrolandamethodforhandlingthescreenings.

7.1.5Safety

Sewagepumpingstationsshouldbedesignedinsuchamannerastoensurethesafetyoftheoperatorsand
maintenancestaffinaccordancewiththeConfinedSpacesRegulation(OntarioRegulation,orO.Reg.632/05)
madeundertheOccupationalHealthandSafetyAct(OSHA).Typically,thefollowingpointsshouldbeconsidered:

Anymovingequipmentshouldbecoveredwithsuitableguardstopreventaccidentalcontact
Equipmentthatstartsautomaticallyshouldbesuitablysignedtoensurethatoperatorsareawareofthis
situation
Locallockoutsonallequipmentshouldbesuppliedsothatmaintenancepersonnelcanensurethattheyare
completelyoutofservice
Provisionoffire/smokedetectors,fireextinguishersandsprinklersystems(whereappropriate)
Allstairwaysandwalkwaysshouldbeproperlydesignedwithguardrailsand
Confinedspacesshouldbeminimized,whereapplicable.

Itisprudenttodiscussriskmanagementissueswiththeutilityinsurertodesignsafetyandequipmentcomponents
withtheirinputandthusreducelongtermrisk.AlsoseeSection8.9Safety.
7.2Design

7.2.1TypesofPumpingStations

Therearefourmajortypesofsewagepumpingstationsthatthedesignermayconsiderforsitespecificconditions:
wetwell/drywell,submersible,suctionliftandscrewpump.Inawetwell/drywellpumpingstation,thepumpsare
locatedbelowgradeinadrywellimmediatelyadjacenttothewetwell.Insubmersiblepumpingstations,
submersiblepumpsareusedinordertolocatethepumpsinthewetwell,withthemotorcontrolcentremounted
abovegrade.Somesubmersiblepumpingstationscomeasafactoryassembledunitwithtwopumpsandmotors
preconfiguredinasinglewell.Suctionliftpumpingstationsincorporateselfprimingpumpsinordertolocatethe
pumpsabovethewaterlevelandeithereliminateordecreasethedepthofthedrywell.Screwliftpumpingstations
useanArchimedeanscrewwiththemotormountedabovegrade.

7.2.2Structures

Drywells,includingtheirsuperstructure,shouldbecompletelyseparatedfromthewetwellandcommonwalls
needtobegastight.

Provisionshouldbemadetofacilitatetheremovalofpumps,motorsandothermechanicalandelectrical
equipment.Individualpumpandmotorremovalshouldnotinterferewiththecontinuedoperationofremaining
pumps.

Suitableandsafemeansofaccessforpersonswearingselfcontainedbreathingapparatusshouldbeprovidedto
bothdrywellsandwetwells.Accesstowetwellscontainingeitherbarscreensormechanicalequipmentrequiring
inspectionormaintenanceshouldconformwithallsafetyrequirements.Screensandotherequipmentlocatedin
pitsmorethan1.2m(4ft)deepneedtobeprovidedwithstairwayaccess.

Freshairneedstobeforcedintotheenclosedarea(i.e.,wetwell).Wherecontinuousventilationisrequiredatleast
12completeairchangesperhourneedstobeprovided.Wherecontinuousventilationwouldcauseexcessiveheat
loss,intermittentventilationofatleast30completeairchangesperhourneedstobeprovidedwhenpersonnelenter
thearea.Switchesforoperationofventilationequipmentshouldbemarkedandlocatedconveniently.Explosion
proofgasdetectorsneedtobeprovided.AlsorefertoSection7.2.10(SafetyVentilation).

Forbuiltinplacepumpingstations,astairwaytothedrywellshouldbeprovidedwithrestlandingsatvertical
intervalsnottoexceed3.7m(12ft).Forfactorybuiltpumpstationsover4.6m(15ft)deep,arigidlyfixedlanding
shouldbeprovidedatverticalintervalsnottoexceed3m(10ft).Wherealandingisused,asuitableandrigidly
fixedbarriershouldbeprovidedtopreventanindividualfromfallingpasttheintermediatelandingtoalowerlevel.
Amanliftorelevatormaybeusedinlieuoflandingsinafactorybuiltstation,providedemergencyaccessis
includedinthedesign.

Wherehighgroundwaterconditionsareanticipated,buoyancyofthesewagepumpingstationstructuresshouldbe
consideredand,ifnecessary,adequateprovisionsshouldbemadeforprotection.

Materialsshouldbeselectedthatareappropriateunderconditionsofexposuretohydrogensulfideandother
corrosivegases,greases,oilsandotherconstituentsfrequentlypresentinsewage.Thisisparticularlyimportantin
theselectionofmetalsandpaints.Contactbetweendissimilarmetalsshouldbeavoidedorotherprovisionsmade
tominimizegalvanicaction.

Ifmorethanonesewerentersasite,ajunctionmanholeispreferredsothatonlyoneinlettothewetwellis
required.

7.2.3Pumps

Multiplepumpsshouldbeprovided.Whereonlytwounitsareprovided,theyshouldbeofthesamesize,toprovide
afirmcapacitywithoneunitoutofserviceandatleastcapableofhandlingthe10yeardesignpeakhourlyflow.
Thedesignershouldensurethatallpumpswillbesubjectedtohydrostaticandoperatingtestsperformedbythe
manufacturer.

Pumpshandlingflowfromcombinedsewersshouldbeprecededbyreadilyaccessiblebarrackstoprotectthe
pumpsfromcloggingordamage.Whereabarrackisprovided,amechanicalhoistisneeded.Wherethesizeofthe
installationwarrants,mechanicallycleanedand/orduplicatebarracksshouldbeprovided.Thedesignerisreferred
toSection10.1ScreeningDevicesformoreinformation.

Pumpshandlingsanitarysewagefrom750mm(30in)orlargerdiametersewersshouldalsobeprotectedbybar
racks.Appropriateprotectionfromcloggingshouldalsobeconsideredforsmallpumpingstationsservedby
smallersanitarysewers.

Exceptwheregrinderpumpsareused,pumpshandlingrawsewageshouldbecapableofpassingspheresofatleast
80mm(3in)indiameter.Pumpsuctionanddischargeopeningsshouldbeatleast100mm(4in)indiameter.

Thepumpshouldbesoplacedthatundernormaloperatingconditionsitwilloperateunderapositivesuctionhead,
exceptwheresuctionliftpumpsareused.

Eachpumpshouldbeequippedwithatimetotalizerandprovisionforautomaticormanualalterationofthelead
pump.

Eachpumpshouldhaveanindividualintake.Wetwellandintakedesignshouldbesuchastoavoidturbulencenear
theintakeandtopreventvortexformation.

Asumppumpequippedwithdualcheckvalvesshouldbeprovidedinthedrywelltoremoveleakageordrainage
withdischargeabovethemaximumhighwaterlevelofthewetwell.Allfloorandwalkwaysurfacesshouldhave
anadequateslopetoapointofdrainage.Pumpsealleakageshouldbepipedorchanneleddirectlytothesump.The
sumppumpshouldbesizedtoremovethemaximumpumpsealwaterdischargethatwouldoccurintheeventofa
pumpsealfailure.SeealsoSection7.6AlarmSystems.

Pumpingstationdesignsshouldbebasedonsystemheadcalculationsandcurvesforthreeconditionsusing
appropriateHazenWilliamsfactorCasfollows:

a.Lowsewagelevelinthewetwell,C=120
b.Mediansewageleveloverthenormaloperatingrangeinthewetwell,C=130and
c.Overflowsewagelevelinthewetwell,C=140.

Systemheadcurve(b)shouldbeusedtoselectthepumpandmotorsincethiswillreflectthenormaloperating
condition.Theextremeoperatingrangeswillbegivenbytheintersectionsofcurves(a)and(c)withtheselected
pumpcurve.Thepumpmotorshouldbeabletooperatesatisfactorilyoverthisfullrange(i.e.,betweenconditions
(a)and(c)).

Althoughitisnormaltosizepumpsandmotorsfordesignpeakinstantaneousflows,considerationshouldbegiven
tohowthefutureandultimatesewageflowrequirementscanbehandled.Ultimatesewageflowswouldaccountfor
thebuildoutofthecatchmentsarea.Theseoperatingpointsshouldalsobeshownonthesystemheadcurves.

Wherepumpingstationsaredischargingdirectlytoasewagetreatmentplantorintoapumpingstation(i.e.,
forcemaindirectlyintowetwellofadownstreampumpingstation),somemeansofflowpacingisneeded.Thisis
providedmostcommonlybyvariablespeeddrives,dependinguponthedegreeofflowpacingnecessary.Ifeven
minorpumpsurgeswillhaveseriouseffects,variablespeedpumpsshouldbeused.Ifsmallsurgescanbetolerated,
twospeedormultiplespeedpumpscanbeused.

Thepumpsandcontrolsofmainpumpingstationsandespeciallypumpingstationsdischargingtooroperatedas
partofasewagetreatmentplant,shouldbeselectedtooperateatvaryingdeliveryrates.Inaddition,where
practical,suchstationsshouldbedesignedtodeliverasuniformaflowasfeasibleinordertominimizehydraulic
surges.Thefirmdesigncapacity(withthelargestunitoutofservice)ofthepumpingstationservingsanitary
sewersshouldbebasedondesignpeakinstantaneousflowandshouldbeadequatetomaintainaminimumvelocity
of0.6m/s(2ft/s)intheforcemain.

7.2.4ElectricalEquipment

Electricalsystemsandcomponents(e.g.motors,lights,cables,conduits,switchboxes,controlcircuits)inraw
sewagewetwells,orinenclosedorpartiallyenclosedspaceswherehazardousconcentrationsofflammablegases
orvapoursmaybepresent,shouldcomplywiththeElectricalSafetyCode(O.Reg.164/99)undertheElectricity
Act,1998forClassI,Zone1(oldDivision1),GroupDlocations.Inaddition,equipmentlocatedinthewetwell
shouldbesuitableforuseundercorrosiveconditions.Eachflexiblecableshouldbeprovidedwithawatertightseal
andseparatestrainrelief.Afuseddisconnectswitchlocatedabovegroundshouldbeprovidedforthemainpower
feedforallpumpingstations.Whensuchequipmentisexposedtoweather,itshouldmeettherequirementsofthe
NationalElectricalManufacturers'Association(NEMA)forweatherproofequipmentNEMA3Ror4.Lightning
andsurgeprotectionsystemsshouldbeconsidered.A110voltpowerreceptacletofacilitatemaintenanceshould
beprovidedinsidethecontrolpanelforliftstationsthathavecontrolpanelslocatedoutdoors.GroundFaultCircuit
Interruption(GFCI)protectionshouldbeprovidedforalloutdooroutlets.

Considerationshouldbegiventotheefficiencyofthepumps,motorsanddrivestoreduceenergyrequirementsand
cost.Itisrecommendedthatevaluationofsuchenergyefficientunitsincludebothcapitalandoperationand
maintenancecostsorlifecyclecoststoprovideanaccurateevaluationofthebenefitsforsuchequipment.

7.2.5Controls

Sewagelevelcontrolsensingdevicesshouldbesolocatedasnottobeaffectedbyturbulentflowsenteringthewell
orbytheturbulentsuctionofthepumps.Bubblertypelevelmonitoringsystemsshouldincludedualair
compressors.Provisionshouldbemadetoautomaticallyalternatethepumpsinuse.Suctionliftpumpstations
shouldbedesignedtoalternatepumpsdailyinsteadofeachpumpingcycletoextendthelifeofthepriming
equipment.Floatcontrolsshouldbeatleast300mm(12in)verticallyand450mm(18in)horizontallyapartand
positionedagainstawallawayfromturbulentareas.

Tominimizepumpingcostsandwetwelldepth,normalhighsewagelevel(lagpumpstartelevation)maybe
designedtobeabovetheinvertoftheinletsewer(s),providedbasementfloodingand/orsolidsdepositionwould
notoccur.Wheretheseproblemscannotbeavoided,thehighsewagelevel(lagpumpstartelevation)shouldbe
approximately300mm(12in)belowtheinvertoftheinletsewer.

Lowsewagelevel(pumpshutdown)shouldbeatleast300mm(12in)ortwicethepumpsuctiondiameter(D)
abovethecentrelineofthepumpvolute.ThebottomofthewetwellshouldbenomorethanD/2,norlessthanD/3
belowthemouthoftheflaredintakeelbow.

7.2.6Valves

Shutoffvalvesshouldbeplacedonthesuctionlineofdrypitpumps.

Shutoffandcheckvalvesshouldbeplacedonthedischargelineofeachpump(exceptonscrewpumps).Thecheck
valveshouldbelocatedbetweentheshutoffvalveandthepump.Checkvalvesshouldbesuitableforthematerial
beinghandledandshouldbeplacedonthehorizontalportionofdischargepipingexceptforballchecks,which
maybeplacedintheverticalrun.Valvesshouldbecapableofwithstandingnormalpressureandhighpressure
transients.

Allshutoffandcheckvalvesshouldbeoperablefromthefloorlevelandaccessibleformaintenance.Outsidelevers
arerecommendedonswingcheckvalves.

7.2.7WetWells

Wherecontinuityofpumpingstationoperationiscritical,considerationshouldbegiventodividingthewetwell
intotwosections,properlyinterconnected,tofacilitaterepairsandcleaning(includingautomaticcleaningdevices).
Dividedwetwellsshouldbeconsideredforallpumpingstationswithfirmcapacitiesinexcessof100L/s(1600
USgpm).

Thedesignfilltimeandminimumpumpcycletimeshouldbeconsideredinsizingthewetwell.Theeffective
volumeofthewetwellshouldbebasedondesignaveragedailyflowandafillingtimenottoexceed30minutes
unlessthefacilityisdesignedtoprovideflowequalization.Otherfactorsthatshouldbeconsideredinclude
volumesrequiredforpumpcycling,dimensionalrequirementstoavoidturbulenceproblems,verticalseparation
betweenpumpandcontrolpoints,sewerinletelevation(s),capacityrequiredbetweenalarmlevelsandbasement
floodingand/oroverflowelevations,numberofandhorizontalspacingbetweenpumps.Theminimumsurfaceplan
areaofawetwellshouldbe4.9m2(53ft2)[i.e.,2.5m(8.2ft)diameteror2.25m(7ft)square].Wetwellsshould
notprovideexcessiveretentiontimes,duetopotentialodourproblems.Fordetailsofodourcontrolthedesigneris
referredtoSection4.4OdourControlandAbatementMeasures.

Thedesignershouldensurethateasyandefficientremovalofpumps,motorsandothermechanicalandelectrical
equipmentisprovided.Asuitableandsafemeansofaccessforpersonswearingselfcontainedbreathingapparatus
needsbeprovidedtowetanddrywellsandvalvechambers.Equipmentsuchasaccesshatches,ladders,service
platforms,guards,gratesandhandrails,shouldbeconstructedofasuitablematerialwhenexposedtowetand/or
corrosiveconditions.

Forpumpingstationsequippedwith50kW(67hp)orsmallerpumps,thewetwellshouldbeofsufficientsizeto
allowforaminimumcycletimeof10minutesforeachpump.Toachievethisminimumdetentiontimeina2pump
stationusingconstantspeedpumps,thevolumeincubicmeters(m3),betweenpumpstartandpumpstopshouldbe
0.15timesthepumpingrateofonepump,expressedinL/s.Fortwospeedorvariablespeedpumps,pumpsover50
kW(67hp),orforothernumbersofpumps,therequiredvolumedependsontheoperatingmodeofthepumping
units.Thepumpmanufacturer'sdutycyclerecommendationsshouldbeutilizedinselectingtheminimumcycle
time.Whentheanticipatedinitialflowtributarytothepumpingstationislessthanthedesignaveragedailyflow,
provisionsshouldbemadesothatthefilltimeindicatedisnotexceededforinitialflows.Whenthewetwellis
designedforflowequalization,aspartofasewagetreatmentplant,provisionsshouldbemadetopreventsepticity.

Thewetwellfloorshouldhaveaminimumslopeof1to1tothehopperbottom.Thehorizontalareaofthehopper
bottomshouldbenogreaterthannecessaryforproperinstallationandfunctionoftheinlet.Thecrosssectional
areaofthewetwellabovethebenchingshouldbeconstantforthefulldepthofthewetwell.

Accesstothewetwellshouldalwaysbefromtheoutside.Anaccessladdershouldbeprovidedfromthetopofthe
slabtotheserviceplatformandaseparatedladderfromtheplatformtothebottomofthewell.

Theopeningtothewetwellshouldbenosmallerthan750by900mm(30by36in),or900mm(36in)in
diameter.Thecovershouldbeequippedwithalockandprylipandincludeasafetyrailaroundtheaccess.The
openingedgeshouldbeflushwiththeverticalwallofthewetwell.Theopeningtothewetwellshouldbeonthe
wallgivingaccesstofloatcontrols,bubblerlinesandsimilarequipment,withoutthenecessityofenteringthewet
well.

Theneedforandtypeofscreeningfacilitiesrequiredforpumpingstationsvarieswiththecharacteristicsofthe
sewage.Forsubmersiblepumpingstations,screeningmaynotberequired,butforwetwell/drywellstations,itis
generallyacceptedpracticetoprovidescreeningintheformofabasketscreenoraremovablebarscreen.Although
somebasketscreensmaybecumbersometoremoveandempty,theirinstallationprovidestheadvantageofnot
requiringentryofoperatingstaffintothewetwellforcleaningoperations.Withbasketscreens,guiderailsshould
betubularandsimilartosubmersiblepumprails.Manuallycleanedbarscreensshouldbeslopedat60andhave38
mm(1.5in)clearopenings.Theverticalsidesshouldbesolid.Theminimumwidthshouldbe600mm(24in).A
drainplatformshouldbeprovidedforscreenings.

Allwetwellsneedtobeprovidedwithventilation.Naturalventilationwillusuallysufficeforsmallpumping
stationswhereaccessislimited.Thiscanbeachievedthroughtwo100mm(4in)diameterventpipes.Ventsshould
beequippedwithagooseneckatthetop,extending900mm(36in)abovethetopoftheslabofthewetwell.The
ventsshouldbeequippedwithaninsectscreen.Oneventpipeshouldextendwithin0.3m(1ft)ofthecrownofthe
inletsewerandtheothershouldterminateontheundersideoftheroofslab.Naturalventilationcanbe
supplementedwithportableventilationunits.Adequateprovisionsforfreshairentryofallwetwellsshouldbe
followed.Insomecasesmechanicalventilationmaybepreferred(seeSection7.2.10SafetyVentilation).

Inwetwell/drywellinstallations,theairbubblerline(ifused)andsumppumpdischargeshouldberaisedabove
theoverflowelevationandshouldcrossbetweenthewellsbelowthefrostline.

Aserviceplatformisnormallyrequiredtoallowforservicingofequipmentandbarscreencleaning(ifused).

7.2.8SuctionandDischargePiping

Pumpsuctionlinesshouldbedesignedwiththefollowingfeatures:

Inletsconsistingof90shortradiusdownturnedflaredelbows
Suctionvelocitiesfor20yearorgreaterpumpingrequirementspreferablyinlowendof0.8to2.0m/s(2.6
to6.6ft/s)range
Flangedwallpipewithwaterstopcollar
Gatevalve(flanged)
Flangedeccentricreducerand
Minimumpipesizeof100mm(4in).
Pumpdischargepipingshouldbedesignedwiththefollowingfeatures:

Velocitiesforthe20yearorgreatersewageflowpumpingneeds,preferablyinthelowendof0.8to4.0m/s
(2.6to13.1ft/s)range
Flanged,concentricincreaser
Spacer150to300mm(6to12in)longwithoneflangedendandonegroovedendforVictauliccoupling
Elbows(asnecessary)
Checkvalve(flanged),preferablyhorizontallyplaced
Gatevalve(flanged)
Flangeddoublebranchelbow(for2pumpstation)
Riserpipeand
Magneticorothertypeofsuitableflowmeterandrecorder(orpumptimersforsmall,constantspeedstations
whereaccuracyofflowmeasurementisnotcritical3timersminimum,oneforeachpumpandonefor
pumpsoperatinginparallel).

7.2.9DryWells

ThedesignershouldalsorefertoinformationondrywellsinSection7.2.2StructuresandSection7.2.3Pumps.
Someadditionaldesignfeaturesarelistedbelow:

Ventilation,heatinganddehumidificationequipmentshouldbeprovidedtoprotectelectricalcontrol
equipmentfromexcessmoisture
Aliftingbeamcompletewithpermanentlyattachedtrolleyorhookshouldbeprovideddirectlyabovethe
pump/motorassemblyataminimumheightof1.2m(4ft)abovethemotorstofacilitateremovalofthe
pumpmotors.

7.2.10SafetyVentilation

Adequateventilationshouldbeprovidedforallpumpstations.Wherethedrywellisbelowthegroundsurface,
mechanicalventilationisneeded.Ifscreensormechanicalequipmentrequiringmaintenanceorinspectionare
locatedinthewetwell,permanentlyinstalledventilationisneeded.Thereshouldbenointerconnectionbetween
thewetwellanddrywellventilationsystems.Also,undernocircumstancesshouldwetwellventsopenintoa
buildingorconnectwithabuildingventilationsystem.

Indrywellsover4.6m(15ft)deep,multipleinletsandoutletsaredesirable.Dampersshouldnotbeusedon
exhaustorfreshairducts.Finescreensorotherobstructionsinairductsshouldbeavoidedtopreventclogging.

Switchesforoperationofventilationequipmentshouldbemarkedandlocatedconveniently.Allintermittently
operatedventilationequipmentshouldbeinterconnectedwiththerespectivepitlightingsystem.Consideration
shouldbegiventoautomaticcontrolswhereintermittentoperationisused.Themanuallighting/ventilationswitch
shouldoverridetheautomaticcontrols.Foratwospeedventilationsystemwithautomaticswitchoverwheregas
detectionequipmentisinstalled,considerationshouldbegiventoincreasingtheventilationrateautomaticallyin
responsetothedetectionofhazardousconcentrationsofgasesorvapours.

Thefanwheelshouldbefabricatedfromnonsparkingmaterial.Automaticheatinganddehumidification
equipmentshouldbeprovidedinalldrywells.Theelectricalequipmentandcomponentsshouldmeetthecriteria
describedinSection7.2.4ElectricalEquipment.

Wetwellventilationmaybeeithercontinuousorintermittent.Ventilation,ifcontinuous,shouldprovideatleast12
completeairchangesperhourifintermittent,atleast30completeairchangesperhour.Airshouldbeforcedinto
thewetwellbymechanicalmeansratherthansolelyexhaustedfromthewetwell.Theventilatingfanshouldbe
orientedtoblowfreshairintothewetwellatapoint900mm(36in)abovethealarmlevel.Theairchange
requirementsshouldbebasedon100percentfreshair.Portableventilationequipmentshouldbeprovidedforuseat
submersiblepumpstationsandwetwellswithnopermanentlyinstalledventilationequipment.

Drywellventilationmaybeeithercontinuousorintermittent.Ventilation,ifcontinuous,shouldprovideatleast6
completeairchangesperhourifintermittent,atleast30completeairchangesperhour.Asystemoftwospeed
ventilationwithaninitialventilationrateof30changesperhourfor10minutesandautomaticswitchoverto6
changesperhourmaybeusedtoconserveheat.Theairchangerequirementsshouldbebasedon100percentfresh
air.
Additionalsafetyconsiderationcanbegiventoinstallingcamerasindrywellareastoallowforremotemonitoring.

7.2.11FlowMeasurement

Suitabledevicesformeasuringsewageflowshouldbeprovidedatallpumpingstations.Indicating,totalizingand
recordingflowmeasurementshouldbeprovidedatpumpingstationswitha75L/s(1200USgpm)orgreaterdesign
peakhourlyflow(DPHF).Elapsedtimemetersusedinconjunctionwithannualpumpingratetestsmaybe
acceptableforpumpstationswithaDPHFofupto75L/s(1,200USgpm)providedsufficientmeteringis
configuredtomeasurethedurationofindividualandsimultaneouspumpoperation.Overflowvolumesshouldbe
measuredwithinstrumentationthatcanaccuratelymonitorandcontinuouslyintegratetheflowrateforanoverflow
event.

7.2.12WaterSupply

Thereshouldbenophysicalconnectionbetweenanypotablewatersupplyandasewagepumpingstationwhich
underanyconditionmightcausecontaminationofthepotablewatersupply.Thesupplylineshouldbeequipped
withareducedpressureprinciplebackflowpreventer[1].Whereapotablewatersupplyistobeusedforhuman
purposes(i.e.,washrooms,sinks,showers,drinkingfountains,eyewashstationsandsafetyshowers),abreaktank,
pressurepumpandpressuretankneedstobeprovided.Waterneedstobedischargedtothetankthroughanairgap
atleast150mm(6in)abovethemaximumfloodlineorthespilllineofthetank,whicheverishigher.

7.3SuctionLiftPumpingStationsSpecialConsiderations

ThedesignershouldconsidertheapplicabledesignrecommendationsprovidedinSection7.2Designexceptas
modifiedinthissection.

1Consistsoftwospringloadedcheckvalvesoperatinginseriesandadiaphragmactivated,pressuredifferential
reliefvalve,locatedbetweenthecheckvalves.Twoshutoffvalveswithtestcockscompletethedevice.
Recommendedforhighhealthhazardriskwhereitwouldbeimpracticaltohaveanairgapseparation.
Malfunctioningofthisdeviceisindicatedbydischargeofwaterfromthereliefport.Thebackflowpreventers
requireperiodicinspection,maintenanceandinducehighpressureloss.Cannotbeinstalledbelowgroundleveland
shouldbeprotectedfromfreezing.Spaceformaintenanceandtestingshouldbeprovided.

7.3.1PumpPrimingandLiftRequirements

Suctionliftpumpsshouldbeoftheselfprimingorvacuumprimingtype.

Selfprimingpumpsshouldbecapableofrapidprimingandreprimingattheleadpumponelevation.Suchself
primingandreprimingshouldbeaccomplishedautomaticallyunderdesignoperatingconditions.Suctionpiping
shouldnotexceedthesizeofthepumpsuctionandshouldnotexceed7.6m(25ft)intotallength.Primingliftat
theleadpumponelevationshouldincludeasafetyfactorofatleast1.2m(4ft)fromthemaximumallowable
primingliftforthespecificequipmentatdesignoperatingconditions.Thecombinedtotalofdynamicsuctionliftat
thepumpoffelevationandrequirednetpositivesuctionhead(NPSH)atdesignoperatingconditionsshouldnot
exceed6.7m(22ft).

Vacuumprimingpumpingstationsshouldbeequippedwithdualvacuumpumpscapableofautomaticallyand
completelyremovingairfromthesuctionliftpump.Thevacuumpumpsshouldbeadequatelyprotectedfrom
damageduetosewage.ThecombinedtotalofdynamicsuctionliftatthepumpoffelevationandrequiredNPSH
atdesignoperatingconditionsshouldnotexceed6.7m(22ft).

Suctionliftpumpstationsusingdynamicsuctionliftsexceedingthelimitsoutlinedabovemaybeconsideredwith
thefactorycertificationofpumpperformanceanddetailedcalculationsindicatingsatisfactoryperformanceunder
theproposedoperatingconditions.Suchdetailedcalculationsneedtoincludestaticsuctionliftasmeasuredfrom
leadpumpoffelevationtocentrelineofpumpsuction,frictionandotherhydrauliclossesofthesuctionpiping,
vaporpressureoftheliquid,altitudecorrection,requiredNPSHandasafetyfactorofatleast1.8m(6ft).

7.3.2Equipment,WetWellAccessandValvesLocation
Thepumpequipmentcompartmentshouldbeabovegradeoroffsetandshouldbeeffectivelyisolatedfromthewet
welltopreventahazardousandcorrosiveseweratmospherefromenteringtheequipmentcompartment.Wetwell
accessshouldnotbethroughtheequipmentcompartmentandshouldbeatleast900by900mm(36by36in)hatch
orlarger.Gasketedreplacementplatesshouldbeprovidedtocovertheopeningtothewetwellforpumpunits
removedforservicing.Valvingshouldnotbelocatedinthewetwell.

7.4SubmersiblePumpingStationsSpecialConsiderations
ThedesignershouldconsidertheapplicabledesignrecommendationsprovidedinSection7.2Designexceptas
modifiedinthissection.

7.4.1Construction

Submersiblepumpsandmotorsshouldbedesignedspecificallyforrawsewageuse,includingtotallysubmerged
operationduringaportionofeachpumpingcycle.Aneffectivemethodtodetectshaftsealfailureorpotentialseal
failureshouldbeprovided.Smallprefabricatedsubmersiblepumpstationsareavailablewithpumpsandmotors
predesignedintoasinglewell.

7.4.2PumpRemoval

Submersiblepumpsshouldbereadilyremovableandreplaceablewithoutpersonnelenteringordewateringthewet
well,ordisconnectinganypipinginthewetwell.Pumpremovalshouldincludeanengineeredhoist.

7.4.3ElectricalEquipment

Electricalsupply,controlandalarmcircuitsshouldbedesignedtoprovidestrainreliefandtoallowdisconnection
fromoutsidethewetwell.Terminalsandconnectorsshouldbeprotectedfromcorrosionbylocationoutsidethewet
wellorthroughuseofwatertightseals.

Themotorcontrolcentreshouldbelocatedoutsidethewetwell,bereadilyaccessibleandbeprotectedbya
conduitsealorotherappropriatemeasuresmeetingtherequirementsoftheOntarioElectricalSafetyCode,to
preventtheatmosphereofthewetwellfromgainingaccesstothecontrolcentre.Thesealshouldbesolocatedthat
themotormayberemovedandelectricallydisconnectedwithoutdisturbingtheseal.Whensuchequipmentis
exposedtoweather,itshouldmeettherequirementsofweatherproofequipmentNEMA3Ror4.

Pumpmotorpowercordsshouldbedesignedforflexibilityandserviceabilityunderconditionsofextrahardusage
andshouldmeettherequirementsoftheOntarioElectricalSafetyCodestandardsforflexiblecordsinsewage
pumpstations.Groundfaultinterruptionprotectionshouldbeusedtodeenergizethecircuitintheeventofany
failureintheelectricalintegrityofthecable.Powercordterminalfittingsshouldbecorrosionresistantand
constructedinamannertopreventtheentryofmoistureintothecable,shouldbeprovidedwithstrainrelief
appurtenancesandshouldbedesignedtofacilitatefieldconnecting.

7.4.4Valves

Requiredvalvesshouldbelocatedinaseparatevalvechamber.Provisionsshouldbemadetoremoveordrain
accumulatedwaterfromthevalvechamber.Thevalvechambermaybedewateredtothewetwellthroughadrain
linewithagasandwatertightvalve.Checkvalvesthatareintegraltothepumpneednotbelocatedinaseparate
valvechamberprovidedthatthevalvecanberemovedfromthewetwell.Accessshouldbeprovidedinaccordance
withSection7.2Design.

7.5ScrewPumpStationsSpecialConsiderations

ThedesignershouldconsidertheapplicabledesignrecommendationsprovidedinSection7.2Design.Screw
pumpsrangeinsize,basedonthediameterofthescrew,fromaminimumof0.3m(1ft)toamaximumof3.7m
(12ft).Theefficiencyofthescrewpumpincreasesfromitsminimumcapacitytoitsratedcapacitybasedonthe
fluidlevelintheinfluentwell.Theseunitsarewellsuitedforvariablespeedcapacityoperationbecausetherateof
dischargeiscontrolledbythefluidlevelatthescrewinlet.Novariablespeeddeviceisrequiredforthesepumps.

7.5.1Covers
Coversorothermeansofexcludingdirectsunlightshouldbeprovidedasnecessarytoeliminateadverseeffects
fromtemperaturechanges.

7.5.2PumpWells

Apositivemeansofisolatingindividualscrewpumpwellsshouldbeprovided.

7.5.3Bearings

Submergedbearingsshouldbelubricatedbyanautomatedsystemwithoutpumpwelldewatering.

7.6AlarmSystems

Alarmsystemswithabackuppowersourceshouldbeprovidedforallpumpingstations.Thealarmshouldbe
activatedincasesofpowerfailure,drywellsumpandwetwellhighwaterlevels,pumpfailure,unauthorizedentry,
oranyothercauseofpumpstationmalfunction.Pumpingstationalarmsincludingidentificationofthealarm
conditionshouldbetransmittedtoamunicipalfacilitythatisstaffed24hoursaday.Ifsuchafacilityisnot
availableanda24hourholdingcapacityisnotprovided,thealarmshouldbetransmittedtomunicipaloffices
duringnormalworkinghoursandtothehomeoftheresponsibleperson(s)inchargeofthepumpingstationduring
offdutyhours.Audiovisualalarmsystemsmaybeacceptableinsomecasesinlieuofatransmittingsystem
dependinguponlocation,stationholdingcapacityandinspectionfrequency.

7.7StandbyPowerandEmergencyOperation

7.7.1General

Thedesignershouldevaluatetheneedforstandbypoweratasewagepumpingstationforeachspecificlocation
andshouldconfirmthisassessmentwiththeministry.Theobjectiveofemergencyoperationistoprevent(andin
thecaseofcombinedsewersystemtominimize)thedischargeofraworpartiallytreatedsewagetoanywatersand
toprotectpublichealthbypreventingbackupofsewageandpotentialdischargetobasements,streetsandother
publicandprivateproperty.

7.7.2EmergencyPumpingCapability

Emergencypumpingcapabilityisrequiredunlessonsystemoverflowpreventionisprovidedbyadequatestorage
capacity.Emergencypumpingcapabilityshouldbeaccomplishedbyprovisionofportableorinplaceinternal
combustionengineequipment,whichwillgenerateelectricalormechanicalenergy,orbytheprovisionofportable
pumpingequipment.Forenginedrivengeneratingequipment,anautomatictransferswitchshouldbeprovidedto
allowforbypassofunitforservice.Suchemergencystandbysystemsshouldhavesufficientcapacitytostartup
andmaintainthedesigncapacityofthepumpingstation.Regardlessofthetypeofemergencystandbysystem
provided,aportablepumpconnectiontotheforcemainwithrapidconnectioncapabilitiesandappropriatevalving
shouldbeprovidedoutsidethedrywellandwetwell.

7.7.3EmergencyHighLevelOverflows

Acontrolled,highlevelwetwelloverflowtosupplementalarmsystemsandemergencypowergenerationshould
beprovidedforuseduringpossibleperiodsofextensivepoweroutages,mandatorypowerreductions,or
uncontrollableemergencyconditions.Whereahighleveloverflowisutilized,considerationshouldalsobegivento
theinstallationofstorage/detentiontanks,orbasins,whichshouldbemadetodraintothepumpingstationwet
well.Wheresuchoverflowsmayaffectpublicwatersuppliesorothercriticalwateruses,theministryshouldbe
contactedforthenecessarytreatmentorstoragerequirementsandinthecaseofcombinedseweroverflowthe
applicationoftheministryProcedureF55tothesitespecificconditions.

7.7.4EquipmentRequirements

Thefollowinggeneralrequirementsshouldapplytoallinternalcombustionenginesusedtodriveauxiliarypumps,
servicepumpsthroughspecialdrives,orelectricalgeneratingequipment:
 Theengineshouldbeprotectedfromoperatingconditionsthatwouldresultindamagetoequipment.Unless
continuousmanualsupervisionisplanned,protectiveequipmentshouldbecapableofshuttingdownthe
engineandactivatinganalarmonsiteandasprovidedinSection7.6AlarmSystems.Protectiveequipment
shouldmonitorforconditionsoflowoilpressureandoverheating,exceptthatoilpressuremonitoringwill
notberequiredforengineswithsplashlubrication
Theengineshouldhaveadequateratedpowertostartandcontinuouslyoperateunderallconnectedloads
Reliabilityandeaseofstarting,especiallyduringcoldweatherconditions,shouldbeconsideredinthe
selectionofthetypeoffuel
Undergroundfuelstorageandpipingfacilitiesshouldbeconstructedinaccordancewithapplicable
provincialandfederalregulations
Theengineshouldbelocatedabovegradewithadequateventilationoffuelvapoursandexhaustgases
Allemergencyequipmentshouldbeprovidedwithinstructionsindicatingtheneedforregularstartingand
runningofsuchunitsatfullloadsand
Emergencyequipmentshouldbeprotectedfromdamageattherestorationofregularelectricalpower.

7.7.5EngineDrivenPumpingEquipment

Wherepermanentlyinstalledorportableenginedrivenpumpsareused,thefollowingrequirementsinadditionto
generalrequirementsapply:

Enginedrivenpumpsneedtomeetthedesignpumpingrequirementsunlessstoragecapacityisavailablefor
flowsinexcessofpumpcapacity.Pumpsshouldbedesignedforanticipatedoperatingconditions,including
suctionliftifapplicable
Theengineandpumpneedtobeequippedforautomaticstartupandoperationofpumpingequipmentunless
manualstartupandoperationisjustified.Provisionsalsoneedtobemadeformanualstartup.Where
manualstartupandoperationisjustified,storagecapacityandalarmsystemneedstobeprovidedtoallow
timeforthedetectionofthepumpingstationfailureandtimetosetupportableequipmentand
Wherepartoralloftheenginedrivenpumpingequipmentisportable,sufficientstoragecapacitywithalarm
systemneedstobeprovidedtoallowtimefordetectionofpumpingstationfailureandsetupofportable
equipment.

7.7.6EngineDrivenGeneratingEquipment

Wherepermanentlyinstalledorportableenginedrivengeneratingequipmentisrequired,thedesignerinaddition
togeneraldesignrecommendationsinSection7.7.4EquipmentRequirementsshouldconsiderthefollowing:

Generatingunitsizeshouldbeadequatetoprovidepowerforpumpmotorstartingcurrentandforlighting,
ventilationandotherauxiliaryequipmentnecessaryforsafetyandproperoperationofthepumpingstation
Theoperationofonlyonepumpduringperiodsofauxiliarypowersupplyshouldbeevaluatedandjustified.
Suchjustificationmaybemadeonthebasisofthedesignpeakhourlyflowsrelativetosinglepumpcapacity,
anticipatedlengthofpoweroutageandstoragecapacityand
Specialsequencingcontrolsshouldbeprovidedtostartpumpmotorsunlessthegeneratingequipmenthas
capacitytostartallpumpssimultaneouslywithauxiliaryequipmentoperating.

Provisionsneedstobemadeforautomatic(i.e.,automatictransferswitch(ATS))andmanualstartupandload
transferunlessonlymanualstartupandoperationisjustified.Thegeneratorshouldbeprotectedfromoperating
conditionsthatwouldresultindamagetoequipment.Provisionsshouldbeconsideredtoallowtheenginetostart
andstabilizeatoperatingspeedbeforeassumingtheload.Wheremanualstartupandtransferisjustified,storage
capacityandalarmsystemneedstobeprovidedtoallowtimeforthedetectionofthepumpingstationfailureand
timetosetupportableequipment.Itisstandardpractice,whenusingdieselengines,topermitthemtorunfornot
lessthan60minutestoavoidsludgingandotherproblems.Forthisreasonthedesignershouldprovideastandby
powersystemwithmanualstartuporwithautomaticstartuputilizinganadjustabledelaytimertostartupduring
momentarypowerfailureswhichwouldpreventthedieselenginefromunnecessarilyrunning.Timersshouldalso
beprovidedtobringequipmentonlineinsuchawaythatthegeneratorswillnotbeoverloadedbythestarting
currentrequirementsofmotors.Similarprotectionwillbenecessarytoavoidoverloadofthenormalelectrical
supplyonresumptionofpowerfollowingapowerfailure.

Whereportablegeneratingequipmentormanualtransferisprovided,sufficientstoragecapacitywithalarmsystem
needstobeprovidedtoallowtimefordetectionofpumpstationfailureandtransportationandconnectionof
generatingequipment.Theuseofspecialelectricalconnectionsanddoublethrowswitchesarerecommendedfor
connectingportablegeneratingequipment.
7.8OperationsManual

Sewagepumpingstationsandportableequipmentshouldbesuppliedwithacompletesetofoperational
instructions,includingemergencyprocedures,maintenanceschedules,toolsandsuchsparepartsasmaybe
necessary.Documentationtobekeptatthepumpingstationshouldconfirmthelevelatwhichflooding,in
particularbasementflooding,willoccur.Thislevelshouldbeprovidedasanelevationandalsocorelatedtolevels
inthepumpingstationwetwell.ThedesignerisreferredtoSection3.14Manuals&Trainingformoredetailson
operationsandequipmentmanuals.

7.9Forcemains

7.9.1VelocityandDiameter

Atdesignpumpingrates,acleansingvelocityofatleast0.6m/s(2ft/s)shouldbemaintainedorarangeofbetween
0.6and1.1m/s(2to3.6ft/s)themaximumvelocityshouldbelimitedto3m/s(10ft/s).Theminimumforcemain
diameterforrawsewageshouldnotbelessthan100mm(4in),unlesshydrauliccomputationsaremade.Ifthe
velocityintheforcemainislowerthan0.8m/s(2.6ft/s),hydrauliccomputationsshouldbemadetodeterminethe
pipediameterifitistobelessthan100mm(4in),althoughthepipediametershouldnotbelessthan50mm(2in).

7.9.2AirandVacuumReliefValves

Anairreliefvalveshouldbeplacedathighpointsintheforcemaintopreventairlocking.Vacuumreliefvalves
maybenecessarytorelievenegativepressuresonforcemains.Theforcemainconfigurationandheadconditions
shouldbeevaluatedastotheneedforandplacementofvacuumreliefvalves.

7.9.3Termination

Theforcemainshouldenterthereceivingmanholewithasmoothflowtransitiontothegravitysewersystemata
pointnotmorethan0.3m(1ft)abovetheflowline.Corrosionprotectionshouldbeprovidedwherecorrosive
conditionsareanticipatedduetosepticityorothercauses.Theforcemainlengthshouldbeshorttoreducedynamic
headlossesandtheproductionofodoursandcorrosivegasesatinitialanddesignflows,respectively.

7.9.4DesignPressure

Pipeandjointsshouldbeequaltowatermainstrengthmaterialssuitablefordesignconditions.Theforcemain,
reactionblockingandstationpipingshouldbedesignedtowithstandtransientpressuresandassociatedcyclic
reversalofstressesthatareexpectedwiththecyclingofsewageliftstations.Theuseofsurgevalves,surgetanksor
othersuitablemeans(e.g.slowclosingcheckvalves)toprotecttheforcemainagainstseverepressurechanges
shouldbeevaluated.Thedesignershouldbeawareofthereducedreliabilityofairandvacuumreleasevalvesand
surgecontrolvalveswhenappliedtosewagecontaininggrease,gritandrags.Thelocationofthepumpingstation
ortheforcemainshouldbesuchastominimizeintermediatehighpointsthatmightresultincolumnseparation.

7.9.5SpecialConsiderations

Forcemainconstructionnearstreamsorwaterworksstructuresandatwatermaincrossingsneedtomeetapplicable
provisionsofSection5.14ProtectionofDrinkingWaterSystems.

Thedesignershouldprovideanexternalbypassandportablepumpconnectionforsmallpumpingstations.

7.9.6DesignFrictionLosses

FrictionlossesthroughforcemainsshouldbebasedontheHazenWilliamsformulaorotheracceptablemethods.
WhentheHazenWilliamsformulaisused,thevalueforCshouldbe100forunlinedironorsteelpipefor
design.Forothersmootherpipematerials(i.e.,suchasPVC,polyethylene,linedductileiron)ahigherCvalue
nottoexceed120maybeconsidered.

Wheninitiallyinstalled,forcemainswillhaveasignificantlyhigherCfactor.TheeffectofthehigherCfactor
shouldbeconsideredincalculatingmaximumpowerrequirementsanddutycycletimetopreventdamagetothe
motor.Theeffectsofhigherdischargeratesonselectedpumpsanddownstreamfacilitiesshouldalsobe
considered.Inevaluatingexistingsystemsforexpansion,theCfactorsshouldbedeterminedbyactualtests
whereverpossible.

7.9.7Identification

Whereforcemainsareconstructedofmaterialwhichmightcausetheforcemaintobeconfusedwithpotable
watermains,theforcemainshouldbeappropriatelyidentified.Thedesignershouldconsiderdesigningthesewage
forcemainwithmaterialsnotusedforwatermainsatthesamelocation(e.g.PVC)toavoidcrossconnections.

7.9.8LeakageTesting

Leakagetestsshouldbespecified,includingtestingmethodsandleakagelimits.

7.9.9MaintenanceConsiderations

Isolationvalvesshouldbeconsideredwhereforcemainsconnectintoacommonforcemain.Cleanoutsatlowpoints
andchambersforpiglaunchingandcatchingshouldbeconsideredforanyforcemaintofacilitatemaintenance.

7.9.10Cover

Forcemainsshouldbecoveredwithsufficientearthorotherinsulationtopreventfreezing.Therequiredburial
depth(i.e.,frostpenetrationdepth)variesacrosstheprovincefromapproximately1.2m(4ft)togreaterthan3.0m
(10ft).ThedesignershouldrefertoChapter6ChallengingConditionsAffectingServicingforinformationon
climaticfactorsimpactingthedesignofsewageforcemains.

Designconsiderationsforsewagetreatmentplants
Chapter8:DesignConsiderationsforSewageTreatmentPlants
Thischapterdescribesdesignconsiderationsastheyrelatetosewagetreatmentplants.Topicscoveredinthis
chapterincludeplantlocation,effluentqualityrequirements,designissuesanddetails,outfalls,essentialfacilities
andsomegeneralaspectsofsafety.

8.1PlantLocation

8.1.1General

Anewsewagetreatmentplantsiteoranexpansionofanexistingsewagetreatmentplantwillbeevaluatedthrough
theMunicipalEngineersAssociation'sMunicipalClassEnvironmentalAssessment(MEA'sMunicipalClassEA)
processandwillbedocumentedintheEnvironmentalStudyReport(ESR).Someofthefactorswhichshouldbe
takenintoconsiderationinthisevaluationinclude:

Locationsofdrinkingwatersources,surfacewaterintakesandgroundwaterwells
Adequacyofisolationfromresidentialareasandlandusesurroundingplantsite
Prevailingwinddirections
Susceptibilityofsitetoflooding
Suitabilityofsoilconditions
Adequacyofsiteforfutureexpansionand/orprovisionforadditionaltreatmentstages
Suitabilityofsitewithrespecttoaccesstoreceivingbodyofwaterorothermeansoftreatedsewageeffluent
disposal
Assimilationcapacityofreceivingwaterbody
Acceptabilityofsitewithrespecttosludgedisposal/utilizationoptionsonsiteoraccesstoareasoffsiteand
Designcapacity(seeSection3.10SewageTreatmentPlantCapacityRating).

8.1.2FloodProtection
Thesusceptibilityofthesitetofloodingshouldbeinvestigatedand,ifnecessary,measuresneedtobetakento
preventfloodingdamageasmaybedirectedbythelocalConservationAuthorityortheOntarioMinistryofNatural
Resources(MNR).Thetreatmentplantstructures,electricalandmechanicalequipmentshouldbeprotectedfrom
physicaldamagebythe100yearfloodevent.Thisrequirementappliestonewconstructionandtoexistingfacilities
undergoingexpansion.Floodplainregulationsofprovincialandfederalagenciesandthemunicipalrequirements
relatedtofloodplainprotectionneedtobefollowed.Thedesignershouldalsoconsiderifhighreceivingwater
levelswouldimpactthedischargeoftreatedsewageeffluent.

8.1.3GeneralPlantLayout

Thegeneralarrangementofthetreatmentplantwithinthesiteshouldtakeintoaccountthesubsurfaceconditions
andnaturalgradestoprovidethenecessaryfacilitiesataminimumcost.

Inthelayoutoftheplant,thedesignershouldorientthebuildingstoprovideadequateallowancesforfuturelinear
expansionsofthevarioustreatmentstagesandprocessunitsandorienttheplantsothatthebestadvantagecanbe
takenoftheprevailingwindandweatherconditions.Thebuildingorientationcanbeusedtominimizeeffectsof
odours,mistingandfreezingproblemsandenergyusage(heating).Theplantlayoutshouldalsoallowforthe
probabilityofsnowdriftingtominimizeitseffectsonoperations.

Withintheseconstraints,thedesignershouldworktowardsaplantlayoutwherethevariousprocessingunitsare
arrangedinalogicalprogressiontoavoidthenecessityformajorpipelinesorconduitstoconveysewage,sludge,
orchemicalsfromonemoduletothenextandalsotoarrangetheplantlayouttoprovideforconvenienceof
operationandeaseofflowsplittingforproposedandfuturetreatmentunits.

Wheresiteroadwaysareprovidedfortruckaccess,theroaddesignshouldbesufficienttowithstandthelargest
anticipateddeliveryanddisposalvehicleswithdueallowanceforvehicleturningandforwardexitfromthesite.

Inordertoavoidthedangersofhighvoltagelinescrossingthesite,ahighvoltagepoleshouldbelocatedatthe
propertyline.Dependingonthedistancefromthispoletothecontrolbuilding,thestepdowntransformercouldbe
locatedattheterminalpole.Ifthedistancebetweentheterminalpoleandthebuildingisexcessive,thetransformer
shouldbelocatedadjacenttothecontrolbuilding.Thehighvoltageconnectionsshouldbebroughtbyunderground
cabletothepotheadatthetransformer.Inthisway,theprimaryandsecondaryterminalsofthetransformerare
fullyenclosedandnofenceisrequiredaroundthetransformer.

Sewagetreatmentworkssitesshouldbeadequatelyfencedandpostedtopreventpersonsfromgaining
unauthorizedaccess.Theperimetersofopentanksorexcavationsshouldbeadequatelysafeguarded.Gatesand
buildingsshouldhavelocks.Considerationshouldbegiventosecurityenhancementssuchasalarmsystemswith
accessareasmonitoredusingmotiondetectorsandcameras.

8.1.4ProvisionsforFutureExpansion

Inadditiontothesitesizeneededtophysicallyaccommodatefuturetreatmentplantexpansions,itisnecessaryfor
thedesignertoincludeprovisionstoaccommodatethefutureexpansionand/orprocesschanges.

Onsitesewagepumpingstationsshouldbedesignedsuchthattheircapacitycanbeincreasedand/orparallel
facilitiesconstructedwithouttheneedformajordisruptionofplantoperation.Thelayoutandsizingofchannels
andplantpipingshouldbesuchthatadditionaltreatmentunitscanbeaddedinthefutureorincreasesinloading
ratescanbeaccommodatedhydraulically.Thelocationofbuildingsandtanksshouldallowforthelocationofthe
nextstagesofexpansion.Bufferareasshouldbeprovided.

Theneedforseptageandlandfillleachatereceivingfacilitiesshouldbeevaluatedandappropriatespaceand
provisionsallocated(Chapter19CotreatmentofSeptageandLandfillLeachateatSewageTreatmentPlants).

Withinbuildings,spaceshouldbeprovidedforthereplacementofequipmentwithlargercapacityunitssuchas
pumps,blowers,boilersandheatexchangers.Adequateworkingspaceshouldbeprovidedaroundequipmentand
provisionmadefortheremovalofequipmentforreplacement,ormajormaintenanceoperations.

Insizinginletandoutletsewers,theultimateplantcapacityshouldbeconsidered.Providedthatproblemswillnot
occurwithexcessivesedimentationinthesewers,thesesewersshouldbesizedfortheultimatecondition.With
diffusedoutfalls,satisfactoryportvelocitiescanoftenbeobtainedbyblockingoffportswhichwillnotberequired
untilsubsequentexpansionstages.
8.2EstablishmentofEffluentQualityRequirements

TheministryGuidelineB1,WaterManagementPolicies,GuidelinesandProvincialWaterQualityObjectives
providesnumericalandnarrativeambientsurfacewaterqualitycriteriaasprovincialwaterqualityobjectives
(PWQO).Itthensetseffluentrequirementsforsewagetreatmentplantdischargesbyintroducingtheconceptofa
mixingzonewherebyPWQOaretobemetattheboundaryofthemixingzone.

TheProcedureB15,DerivingReceivingWaterBased,PointSourceEffluentRequirementsforOntarioWaters
providestheframeworkwithinwhichtheministrysetseffluentrequirementsintermsofcontaminantloadingsand
concentrationsandincorporatestheserequirementsintoaCertificateofApproval(CofA)forasewagetreatment
plant.

Itistheresponsibilityoftheproponenttoconductasitespecificreceivingwaterbodyassessmentinorderto
determinetheeffluentrequirementsbasedontheassimilativecapacityofthereceiver.Iftheeffluentrequirements
determinedbythereceivingwaterassessmentarelessstringentthanthosestipulatedinfederalorprovincial
effluentregulationsorguidelines,thenthemoststringentofthelatterwillbeimposed.TheOntarioeffluent
guidelinesareprovidedinGuidelineF5,LevelsofTreatmentforMunicipalandPrivateSewageTreatment
WorksDischargingtoSurfaceWaters.GuidelineF5states:

Thenormalleveloftreatmentrequiredformunicipalandprivatesewagetreatmentworksdischargingtosurface
watersissecondarytreatmentorequivalent.

Secondarytreatmentisprovidedbybiologicalprocesses(e.g.activatedsludgeprocessanditsvariations,fixedfilm
processes)orphysicalchemicalprocessesproducinganeffluentqualityofCBOD5andTSSof15mg/Lorbetter.
InOntario,thecompliancelimitsforsecondarytreatmentaretypicallysetasnottoexceedmonthlyaverage
concentrationof25mg/LforeachofCBOD5andTSS.

SewagetreatmentlagoonsproducinganeffluentqualityofCBOD5of25mg/LandTSSof30mg/Lareconsidered
asprovidingsecondaryequivalenttreatment.InOntariothecompliancelimitsforlagoonsaresetasannual(or
periodofdischarge)averageconcentrationsofCBOD5of30mg/LandTSSof40mg/L.Thecompliancelimitsfor
seasonaldischargelagoonswithbatchchemicaldosingforphosphorusremovalareusuallyCBOD5of25mg/L
andTSSof25mg/L.

Sewagetreatmentworksthatprovideonlyprimarysettlingofsolidsandtheadditionofchemicalstoimprovethe
removaloftotalphosphorusand/orsolidsarenotconsideredassecondarytreatment,orequivalent.

Sewagetreatmentworksshouldalsobeabletoproducefinaleffluentqualitythatdoesnotexceedmonthlyaverage
totalphosphorus(TP)concentrationof1mg/Lwhenphosphorusremovalisrequiredandamonthlygeometric
meandensityof200E.coliorganismsper100mLwhendisinfectionisrequired.

Treatmentbeyondthenormofsecondaryorequivalentlevelforvariouswatershedsmaybenecessarydueto
limitedassimilationcapacityand/orcriticaldownstreamusesbeingmadeofthereceivingbodyofwater.Many
sewagetreatmentplantsinOntarioarerequiredtomeetmorestringenteffluentqualityrequirementsthan
associatedwithsecondarytreatment.

Somesewagetreatmentplantsmayalsoberequiredtoproduceanitrifiedeffluent,duetoeitherconcernswithun
ionizedammoniatoxicityornitrogenrelatedoxygendemandsinthereceivingwaters.

Thereceivingwaterbasedeffluentrequirementsshouldbeconfirmedbyministryregionalstaff.Onceconfirmed,
theeffluentqualityrequirementsshouldserveastermsofreferenceforthedesignofthesewagetreatmentplant.

Themostimportantdecisionthatthedesignershouldmake,priortodesigningsewagetreatmentworks,istosetthe
designeffluentqualityobjectivesrequiredtoconsistentlyachievethecompliancelimits.Itshouldbenotedthatthe
designobjectivesshouldreflectthespecifiedtimeaveragedterms(weeklyaverage,monthlyaverageandannual
average)usedindefiningeffluentcompliancelimits.

Thereceivingwaterbasedeffluentrequirementsformthebasisoftheministrytechnicalreviewoftheproposed
sewagetreatmentworksandareincorporatedintotheCofAaseffluentcompliancelimitswithappropriate
effluentqualityobjectivesintermsofconcentrationsandloadings.
Dependingontheeffluentrequirements,thereareanumberofsuitablealternativesewagetreatmentprocessesthat
canbeconsidered.Table81listssomeofthetreatmentprocessesandtheexpectedeffluentqualityproducedby
welldesignedandoperatedplantsfortreatingmunicipalsewage.

Otherfactors,inadditiontoexpectedeffluentqualitywhichwillaffectthechoiceoftreatmentprocessesare:

Ultimatesludgedisposaloptions
Availablelandarea
Operatorskills
Soilconditions
Needforretentionoftreatedsewageduringperiodsoftheyearwherereceivingstreamsexperience
insufficientflowsorwheredownstreamrecreationalwaterusesmakesummereffluentdischarges
undesirable
Futureloadssuchashauledseptageand/orlandfillleachatehandlingand
Capitalandoperationandmaintenance(O&M)costs.

Beforedecidinguponthesewageandsludgetreatmentprocesses,thedesignershouldevaluatethealternatives
available,intermsoftreatmentcapabilityandoverallcapitalandO&Mcosts,toensurethatthemostappropriate
treatmentsystemisselected.

Table81SewageTreatmentProcesseswithTypicalEffluentQuality
ConventionalActivatedSludge
EffluentParameters Effluent Effluent
EffluentParameters
Process (mg/L)CBOD5 Parameters(mg/L) Parameters(mg/L)
(mg/L)TAN
TSS TP
WithoutPRemoval 15 15 3.5 1520
WithPRemoval 15 15 <1.0 1520
WithPRemoval
5 5 0.3 1520
andFiltration
WithNitrification
15 15 <1.0 3
andPRemoval
Table81SewageTreatmentProcesseswithTypicalEffluentQuality
ContactStabilization
EffluentParameters EffluentParameters EffluentParameters EffluentParameters
Process (mg/L)CBOD5 (mg/L)TSS (mg/L)TP (mg/L)TAN
WithoutP
20 20 3.5 1520
Removal
WithP
20 20 <1.0 1520
Removal
Table81SewageTreatmentProcesseswithTypicalEffluentQuality
ExtendedAeration
EffluentParameters EffluentParameters Effluent EffluentParameters
Process (mg/L)CBOD5 Parameters(mg/L)
(mg/L)TSS (mg/L)TAN
TP
WithoutP
15 15 3.5 3
Removal
WithPRemoval 15 15 <1.0 3
WithPRemoval
5 5 0.3 3
andFiltration
Table81SewageTreatmentProcesseswithTypicalEffluentQuality
BiologicalNutrientRemoval
EffluentParameters Effluent
EffluentParameters EffluentParameters
Process (mg/L)CBOD5 Parameters(mg/L)
(mg/L)TSS (mg/L)TAN
TP
WithPand
15 15 <1.0 3(TN<6)
NitrogenRemoval
Table81SewageTreatmentProcesseswithTypicalEffluentQuality
FixedFilmProcesses(RBC,TricklingFilter)
EffluentParameters Effluent Effluent
EffluentParameters
Process (mg/L)CBOD5 Parameters(mg/L) Parameters(mg/L)
(mg/L)TAN
TSS TP
WithoutPRemoval 15 20 4.0 1520
WithPRemoval 15 20 <1.0 1520
WithPRemoval
10 5 0.3 1520
andFiltration
WithNitrification
15 20 <1.0 3.0
andPRemoval
Table81SewageTreatmentProcesseswithTypicalEffluentQuality
MembraneBioreactor
EffluentParameters Effluent Effluent
EffluentParameters
Process (mg/L)CBOD5 Parameters(mg/L) Parameters(mg/L)
(mg/L)TAN
TSS TP
WithoutPRemoval 2 1 3.0 1520
WithPRemoval 2 1 0.1 1520
WithNitrification
2 1 0.1 0.3
andPRemoval
Table81SewageTreatmentProcesseswithTypicalEffluentQuality
ContinuousDischargeLagoon
EffluentParameters EffluentParameters EffluentParameters EffluentParameters
Process (mg/L)CBOD5 (mg/L)TSS (mg/L)TP (mg/L)TAN
WithoutP
25 30 6.0
Removal
WithP
25 30 <1.0
Removal
Table81SewageTreatmentProcesseswithTypicalEffluentQuality
SeasonalDischargeLagoon
EffluentParameters Effluent Effluent Effluent
Process (mg/L)CBOD5 Parameters Parameters Parameters(mg/L)
(mg/L)TSS (mg/L)TP TAN
WithoutPRemoval 25 30 6.0
WithPRemovalbyBatch
15 20 <1.0
ChemicalDosage
WithPRemovalby
ContinuousChemical 25 30 <1.0
Dosage
Table81SewageTreatmentProcesseswithTypicalEffluentQuality
AeratedFacultativeLagoon
EffluentParameters Effluent Effluent Effluent
Process (mg/L)CBOD5 Parameters Parameters Parameters(mg/L)
(mg/L)TSS (mg/L)TP TAN
WithoutPRemovalwith
60 100 6.0
45dRetentionTime

Notes:

1.TheabovevaluesarebasedonrawsewagewithBOD5=150200mg/L,SolubleBOD5=50%ofBOD5,
TSS=150200mg/L,TP=68mg/L,TKN=3040mg/L,TAN=2025mg/L.
 2.TAN(totalammonianitrogen)concentrationsmaybelowerduringwarmweatherconditionsifnitrification
occurs.

8.3DefinitionsofTerms

8.3.1BiochemicalOxygenDemandTest

Thestandard5dayBiochemicalOxygenDemandtestmeasurestheoxygenutilizedduringa5dayperiodforthe
biochemicaldegradationoforganicmaterialandtooxidizeinorganicmaterialsuchassulphidesandferrousiron.
Significantnitrogenousoxygendemandcanbeexertedduringthetestingwhenasufficientpopulationofnitrifying
bacteria(nitrifiers)andquantityofammoniaand/ornitritesarepresentinthetestsampleswithloworganiccontent
(suchasinmanysecondaryeffluents).Insuchcases,aninhibitormaybeusedduringthetestingtosuppressthe
nitrogenousoxygendemand.Theoxygendemandexertedbytheoxidationofinorganicmaterialinsewageis
usuallynotsignificant.

Ifthenitrogenousoxygendemandissuppressedbyusinganinhibitor,thetestresultsarereferredtoas
CarbonaceousBiochemicalOxygenDemand(CBOD5).IfbothCBOD5andnitrogenousoxygendemandsare
measured(withoutusinganinhibitor),theresultingoxygendemandissimplyreferredtoasBiochemicalOxygen
Demand(BOD5)whichisalsoknownasTotalBiochemicalOxygenDemand(TBOD5).

8.3.1.1CBOD 5

CBOD5shouldbeusedfortheassessmentofsecondary(orhigher)sewagetreatmentworksperformanceandasan
indicatoroftheireffluentquality.

Effluentsfromsewagetreatmentplants(STP)exhibitingpartialnitrification(withbothnitrifiersandammonia
present)mayhavehigherBOD5valuesthanthosewithnonitrification(withnonitrifierspresent)orcomplete
nitrification(withnoammoniapresent).Sincemostfactorsthatareconducivetoimprovedeffluentqualityfrom
secondarySTParealsoconducivetonitrification,theeffluentBOD5valuescanerroneouslyindicatepoorerquality
when,infact,boththeeffluentqualityandtheplantperformanceareindeedgood.Thisisoftenthecaseduring
warmweatherperiodsorinnewertreatmentplantsthatareorganicallyunderloaded.

8.3.1.2BOD 5

ThedesignershoulduseBOD5fortheassessmentofrawsewageandprimaryeffluentsinestimatingdesign
parameterssuchasorganicloadingsandprocessairrequirementsofthesecondarytreatmentprocess.

AlthoughbothBOD5andCBOD5areexpectedtobethesameinrawsewageandprimaryeffluents,therearecases
whereCBOD5hasconsistentlyunderestimatedtheorganicstrengthofthesesewagestreams.

8.3.2SewageTreatmentPlantDesignCapacity

Thesewagetreatmentplantdesigncapacityshouldbesuchthatthetreatedeffluentwouldcontinuouslymeetthe
establishedqualitycriteriaintermsofconcentrationsandloadingsduringthedesignperiod(Section8.2
EstablishmentofEffluentQualityRequirements).Forplantsservingcombinedsewerssubjecttoexcessivewet
weatherflowsoroverflowdetentionpumpbackflows,thedesignmaximumdayflowsthattheplantistotreatona
sustainedbasisshouldbetakenintoconsideration.(Chapter21ControlandTreatmentofCombinedSewer
Overflows)

8.3.3SewageTreatmentPlantRatedCapacity

RatedCapacityofasewagetreatmentplantforMunicipalEngineersAssociationClassEnvironmentalAssessment
(MEAClassEA)requirementsgenerallymeansthedesignaveragedailyflowforthelimitingprocessstage(e.g.,
secondarytreatmentstage).FormoreinformationondetailsforestablishingSTPratedcapacityandSTPrerating
refertoSection3.10SewageTreatmentPlantCapacityRating.

8.3.4CombinedSewerSystem
Acombinedsewersystemisasewagecollectionsystemwhichconveyssanitarysewage(domestic,commercial
andindustrialwastewaters)andstormwaterrunoffthroughasinglepipesystemtoasewagetreatmentplant.
Combinedsewersystemswhichhavebeenpartiallyseparatedandinwhichroofleadersand/orfoundationdrains
contributestormwaterinflowtothesewersystemconveyingsanitaryflowsarestilldefinedascombinedsewer
systemsintheministryProcedureF55,DeterminationofTreatmentRequirementsforMunicipalandPrivate
CombinedandPartiallySeparatedSewerSystems.

8.3.5SanitarySewerSystem

Asanitarysewersystemisaseparatesewersystemwhichconveyssanitarysewage(domestic,commercialand
industrialwastewaters),infiltratedgroundwaterandlimitedamountsofstormwaterwhereanadjoiningseparate
stormsewersystemexistsastheprimarycollectionsystemtoreceivestormwaterflowsfromcatchbasinsandother
sourcesofstormwater.

8.3.6DryWeatherFlow

Sewageflowresultingfromsanitarywastewater(combinedinputofdomestic,commercialandindustrialflows)
andinfiltrationandinflowsfromsewerjointsandserviceconnections,duringperiodswithanabsenceofrainfallor
snowmelt.

8.3.7WetWeatherFlow

Sewageflowresultingfromsanitarywastewater(combinedinputofdomestic,commercialandindustrialflows)
infiltrationandinflowsfromsewerjointsandserviceconnections,duringperiodsofrainfallorsnowmeltor
stormwatergeneratedbyeitherrainfallorsnowmeltthatentersthesanitarysewersystemorcombinedsewer
system.

8.3.8AverageDailyFlow

Theaveragedailyflowistheaverageofthedailyvolumestobereceivedinacalendaryearexpressedasavolume
perunittime.Theaveragedailyflowforsewageworkshavingcriticalseasonalhighhydraulicloadingperiods
(e.g.,recreationalareas,campusesandindustrialfacilities)shouldbebasedontheaverageofthedailyvolumesto
bereceivedduringtheseasonalperiod.

8.3.9PeakDailyFlow

Thepeakdailyflowisthelargestvolumeofflowtobereceivedduringaonedayperiodexpressedasavolumeper
unittime.Thisflowisalsoreferredtoasmaximumdailyflowormaximumdayflow[1].

8.3.10PeakHourlyFlow

Thepeakhourlyflowisthelargestvolumeofflowtobereceivedduringaonehourperiodexpressedasavolume
perunittime.Thisisalsoreferredtoasmaximumhourlyflowormaximumhourflow.

8.3.11PeakInstantaneousFlow

Thepeakinstantaneousflowistheinstantaneousmaximumflowrateasmeasuredbyameteringdevice.

8.3.12MinimumDailyFlow

Theminimumdailyflowisthesmallestvolumeofflowtobereceivedduringacontinuousonedayperiod
expressedasavolumeperunittime.Thisisalsoreferredtoasminimumdayflow.Initiallowflowconditionsin
newsewageworksshouldbeevaluatedinthedesigntominimizeoperationalproblemswithfreezing,septicity,
flowmeasurementsandsolidsdropout.

8.3.13DesignFlows
Thedesignershouldselectappropriateflowratesforthedesignofspecificprocessunitsinsewageworks.These
flowswouldbedesignatedasdesignflows(e.g.,designaveragedailyflow,designpeakdailyflowanddesignpeak
hourlyflow).FormoreinformationonrecommendeddesignflowsforvariousSTPcomponentsrefertoTable82.

8.3.14Bypass

Bypassingofanytreatmentprocesseswithinasewagetreatmentplantwiththeassociatedsewageflowsbeing
returnedtothesewagetreatmentplantflowanddischargingtotheenvironmentthroughthefinaleffluentoutfallof
thesewagetreatmentplant.

8.3.15Overflows

CombinedSewerOverflowmeansadischargetotheenvironmentfromacombinedsewersystem
SanitarySewerOverflowmeansadischargetotheenvironmentfromsanitarysewersystemand
SewageTreatmentPlantOverflowmeansadischargetotheenvironmentfromasewagetreatmentworksata
locationotherthanthefinaleffluentoutfallordownstreamofthesamplingpointinthefinaleffluentoutfall.

8.3.16Emergency

Aconditionthatifnotmitigated,couldresultinpersonalinjuryorlossoflife,structuraldamagetothesewage
works,basementfloodingorotherhealthhazard.

8.3.17UnavoidableCondition

Aconditionbeyondthereasonableforesightorcontroloftheownerandoperatoroftheworksandincludes
exceptionalactsofnature,thirdpartyactions(e.g.,vandalism),orstructural,mechanicalorelectricalfailure.

8.4BasisofProcessSelection

Theselectionofanappropriateprocess(es)forasewagetreatmentplantisuniquetoeachsiteandconditions.
Subsequentchaptersinthesedesignguidelinesoutlineoptionsforeachprocessandassociatedadvantagesand
disadvantagesforeach.Manyissuesneedtobeconsideredduringprocessselection,suchas:

Influentcharacteristics
Influentflows,includingaverage,minimumandpeakflows
Effluentrequirements(Section8.2EstablishmentofEffluentQualityRequirements)
Compatibilitywithotherprocesses
Localconditions
Localresources
Enduseforbyproductsand
Economics.

8.4.1ValueEngineeringApproach

Theproceduretodevelopalternativeoptionsforasewagetreatmentplantshouldinvolveareviewoftheneedsand
limitationsthroughacomprehensiveevaluationprocess.Onemethodcouldincludeaworkshoporvalue
engineeringapproach,followedbydetailedcharacterizationoftheneedsandabilitiesofeachoptionandanoverall
weightedevaluationtodeterminethepreferredalternative.

Thevalueengineering(VE)approachisanintensiveworkshopduringwhichtheprojectdesignisanalyzedfor
optimizationofcost,energy,operationandmaintenance.

TheVEJobPlanisimportantbecauseitprovidesanorganizedapproachtoidentifyinghighinitialcapital,energy
andlifecyclecosts.Thefunctionalrequirementsneededtooperateandmaintainthefacilitiesareanalyzedto
ensureperformance.Wheretheessentialfunctionsarenotbeingfurnishedbythedesign,thereisalackofvalue.
TheVEteamidentifiesalternativeapproachesthatwillprovidetheneededvalue.Portionsoftheprojectnot
functionallyrequiredorcarryingmajorpartsofprojectcostsarelikelytargetsforteamevaluation.Developing
recommendationstoreducethesehighcostareasisanimportantaspectoftheworkshop.
Theworkshopisconductedinsixphasesinthisspecificorder:

OrientationPhase
InformationPhase
CreativePhase
JudgmentPhase
DevelopmentPhaseand
PresentationPhase.

Analternativesdevelopmentworkshop(facilitatedworkshop)canbeusedtoidentifytreatmentprocessoptions
thatrequirefurtherevaluationtodeterminethepreferredoptions.Oncethealternativeoptionshavebeen
conceptuallydeveloped,anevaluationmatrixapproachcanbeusedtoreviewthealternativesidentified.

8.4.2NewandInnovativeTechnologies

ThedesignershouldrefertoSection3.9TechnologyDevelopmentfordetails.

8.5MajorDesignCriteria

Thefollowingmajordesigncriteriashouldbeappliedtothedesignofnewsewagetreatmentplants,plant
expansionsorupgrades:

8.5.1SanitarySewerSystems

Sanitarysewersystemsshouldbedesignedwiththeobjectiveofconveyingalltheflowstobetreatedatthe
sewagetreatmentplant.Anyoverflowswithinthesanitarysewersystemsandoverflows/bypassesat
treatmentworksshouldbedesignedforemergencyandunavoidableconditionsonly
Thebiologicaltreatmentprocessesatthetreatmentplantshouldbedesignedtomeeteffluentquality
requirementsoverawiderangeofflowsincludingdesignminimum,averageandpeakflowsforthe
projecteddesignperiod.Ontarioexperienceformediumtolargesewagetreatmentplantsdemonstrates
designpeakflowsintherangeof2to3timesthedesignaveragedailyflows
Wheretreatmentprocessunitsneedtoaccommodateanypeakflowsthedesigncriteriashouldbethedesign
peakhourlyflowsunlessindicatedotherwise
Incaseswherepeakhourlyflowtoaveragedailyflowratioisexceptionallyhigh,whichmayresultin
washoutofthebiomassnecessaryfortreatment,orinunfavorableoperatingconditionsatminimumflowrate
(e.g.smallSTP),judiciousdesignpeakhourlyflowsshouldbeestablishedbythedesignertobebestsuited
fortheoperationofthetreatmentprocessunits.Peakflowmitigationeffortssuchasequalizationtechniques
orstandbyunitstobebroughtonlinewhennecessary(i.e.,duringwetweatherconditions),mayformpartof
thedecisionmakingprocessbythedesigner
Anybypasseswithinasewagetreatmentplantshouldbereintroducedintotheoutfallpriortofinaleffluent
samplingand
EveryeffortshouldbemadetotreatallflowsreceivedattheSTPwithinthesewagetreatmentcapabilityof
theindividualunitprocessesusingmeasurestoprovidethehighestpossibletreatment.Thiscouldbe
facilitatedby:
Reducinginfiltrationandinflow(I/I)tothecollectionsystem
Maximizingthestoragecapacityofthecollectionsystemforequalizationand
Providingofflinestorageinthecollectionsystem.

8.5.2CombinedSewerSystems

CombinedsewersystemsshouldcomplywithministryProcedureF55:

Foranaverageyear,only10%ofthewetweatherflowduringthesevenmonthperiodofconcernthatare
abovethedryweatherflowsfromcombinedsewersystemsmaybeallowedtooverflow.Duringwetweather,
theminimumleveloftreatmentrequiredforflowsabovethedryweatherflowsfromcombinedsewersystem
isprimarytreatment
Incaseswhereoneareaisservedbycombined(andorpartiallyseparated)sewersandtheotherareainthe
samesewershedisservedbysanitarysewers,ProcedureF55appliesonlytotheflowsfromtheareaserved
bythecombinedsewersystemsand
 Forsewagecollectionsystemsconsistingofbothsanitarysewersandcombinedsewers,thedesignshouldbe
basedonadistinctionbetweenallsanitarysewageflowsfromtheentiresystemwhichshouldbeconveyedto
andtreatedatSTPandcombinedsewerwetweatherflowsthatareabovethedryweatherflowswhichare
subjecttoProcedureF55requirements.

8.5.3DesignPeriod

Factorswhichwillhaveaninfluenceonthedesignperiodofsewagetreatmentplantsincludethefollowing:

Populationgrowthrates
Sewershedboundaries
Heavywateruseindustries
Inflationandfinancinginterestrates
Easeofexpansionoffacilitiesand
Timerequirementsfordesignandconstructionofanyexpansion.

Whereverpossible,sewagetreatmentplantsshouldbedesignedfortheflowsexpectedtobereceivedduringthe
next20years,undernormalgrowthconditions.Incertaincases,whereitcanbeshownthatstagingofconstruction
willbeeconomicallyadvantageous,lesserdesignperiodsmaybeused.

8.5.4SewageFlows

Whereverthereareexistingsewersand/orexistingsewagetreatmentplants,theflowratesandsewage
characteristicsshouldbedeterminedusingrealdata,inbothwetanddryweatherconditions.Datacollectedshould
beanalyzedtoestimatethefollowing:

Averageandpeakflowsofsewagegeneratedwithinbuildingsservicedbythesewersystemexclusiveofany
extraneousflowsand
Averageandpeakinfiltrationandinflowforthedesignyear.

Duringinvestigationstodeterminepeakextraneousflows,itmaybefoundthatsuchflowsareexcessiveandthat
measuresshouldbetakentoreducetheseflowsratherthanprovideflowequalizationand/ortreatmentfacilitiesto
accommodatesuchexcessiveflows.Itisoftendifficulttodeterminewhenmeasurestoreduceinfiltrationwillbe
costeffective.NorthAmericanexperiencehasindicatedthatifinfiltration,baseduponthehighestweeklyaverage
withina12monthperiod,islessthan0.14L/(mmd)/m(litrespermillimetreofpipediameterperdayperlinear
metreofsewerlength)[(0.28USgal/(ind)/ft)]rehabilitationofthesewersystemwillnotbeeconomical.Theissue
ofextraneousflowsandmitigatingmeasuresshouldbeaddressedduringtheMEAMunicipalClassEAprocess.

Whereitisnotpossibletobaseestimatesofsewageflowsandcharacteristicsuponactualfieldmeasurements,the
flowrecordsandsewagecharacteristicsofsimilarservicedcommunitiesmayprovidedatauponwhichestimates
canbebased.

Inestimatingsewageflows,itisrecommendedthatnolessthan225L/(capd)[59USgal/(capd)]beusedfor
averagedomesticsewageflows,exclusiveofextraneousflows.

Toestimatepeaksewageflows,theaveragedomesticflowrate(sewageflowsfromresidentialsources)shouldbe
multipliedbytheHarmonfactor,thenthepeakextraneousflowsshouldbeadded.Industrialandcommercial
sewageflowratesshouldbecalculatedseparatelyandaddedtotheabovesewageflowrates.(Section5.5.2
DesignSewageFlows)

8.5.5OrganicLoadings

Organicloadingsforsewagetreatmentplantdesignshouldbebasedonactualdataforthefacilityoramass
balanceoftheexpectedcontributors.Theeffectsofotherhighstrengthliquidwastes,suchasseptageandleachate,
whichmaybeacceptedattheplant,shouldbeevaluatedandappropriatefacilitiesshouldbeincludedinthedesign
(Chapter21ControlandTreatmentofCombinedSewerOverflows).

Whereitisfoundthatsewagecharacteristicsvarysignificantlyovertheyearduetoexcessiveinfiltration/inflow,
populationvariationsand/orseasonalchangesinindustrialorcommercialoperations,estimatesshouldbemadeof
theexpectedaverage,maximumandminimumBOD5andsuspendedsolidsconcentrationsinthesewageforeach
monthoftheyear.Ifnitrificationisrequired,shortandlongtermvariationsinTAN(totalammonianitrogen)and
TKN(TotalKjeldahlNitrogen)concentrationsshouldalsobeestimated.

Aspartoftheassessmentoftheinfluentsewagecharacteristics,thedesignershouldconsidertherestrictions
establishedbythelocalmunicipalsewerusebylaw.

Theshockeffectsofhighconcentrationsanddiurnalpeaksforshortperiodsoftimeonthetreatmentprocess,
particularlyforsmalltreatmentplants,shouldbeconsidered.

Typicalorganicloadingratesfordomesticsewageare75and90g/(capd)[2.6and3.2oz/(capd)]forBOD5and
SS,respectively.

8.5.6BypassesandOverflows

8.5.6.1General

Ifsewageenteringthetreatmentplantistobepumpedintothetreatmentunits,anemergencyoverflowforthe
pumpingstationshouldbeprovided.Thisoverflowshouldberoutedthroughthedisinfectionfacilitiesandplant
outfallsewer.Ifthisisnotpossible,provisionshouldbemadeforseparatedisinfectionofsuchoverflows.

Theoverflowelevationandthemethodofactivationshouldensurethatthemaximumfeasiblestorageofthe
sewagecollectionsystemandwetwellwouldbeutilizedbeforethecontrolledoverflowtakesplace.Theoverflow
facilitiesshouldatleastbealarmedandequippedtoindicatefrequencyanddurationofoverflowsandprovided
withfacilitiestopermitflowmeasurement.Automaticflowmeasurementandrecordingsystemsmayberequired
incertaincaseswhererequirementsdictate.

Toallowmaintenanceoperationstobecarriedout,eachunitprocesswithinthetreatmentplantshouldbeprovided
withbypasscapabilityaroundtheunit.

Wheretwoormoresimilartreatmentunitsareconsideredandoneunitisoutofoperationforrepairs,theremaining
unitsshouldbecapableoftreatingthedesignpeaksewageflowratesorbeprovidedwithbypasscapacityequalto
theexcesshydraulicflowoftheoperatingunits.

Bypasssystemsshouldalsobeconstructedsothateachunitprocesscanbeseparatelybypassed(i.e.,noneedto
bypassmoreunitprocessesthannecessary).

Allflowsbypassingsecondaryand/ortertiarytreatmentprocessesshouldbemeasured.

Ifabypassforthechlorinecontactchamberorotherdisinfectionprocess(e.g.UV)isneeded,provisionsmaybe
necessaryforemergencydisinfectionofflowsinthebypasschannel.

8.5.6.2BypassesatSewageTreatmentPlantsServingSanitarySewers

Bypassingoftreatmentprocessesshouldnotoccurduringdryweatherflowconditions,orduringwetweather
flowsequaltoorlowerthanthedesignpeakflowsofthetreatmentworksassociatedwithsanitarysewersystems.
Itisrecognizedthattheabilitytobypasssomeprocessesshouldbeincorporatedintothedesignofthetreatment
workstominimizeprocesswashoutsthatmaycauseprolongedepisodesofpoortreatmentperformance.

Bypassingofoneormoretreatmentprocessoccurswhenthevolumeofflowexceedsthemaximumcapacityofthe
treatmentworksassociatedwithsanitarysewersystems.

Thesanitarysewersystemswhilenotdesignedtoreceivethebulkofstormwaterflows,mayexperienceincreased
flowsduringwetweatherconditionsasaresultofincreasedinfiltrationandinflowthroughpipejointsandother
sourcesofextraneousflows,includingserviceconnections,aswellasdirectandindirectsourcesofstormwater.
Theseadditionalflowsmay,undercertaincircumstances,causethecapacityofthetreatmentplanttobeexceeded.

Otherreasonswhichcancausethecapacitytobeexceededinclude,butarenotlimitedto,structural,mechanical,
orelectricalfailure,exceptionalactsofnatureandthirdpartyactionssuchasvandalism.

8.5.6.3OverflowsatSewageTreatmentPlantsServingSanitarySewers
Overflowsfromsewagetreatmentworksassociatedwithsanitarysewersystemsshouldnotoccur.Overflow
facilitiesmaybeincorporatedintothedesignofSTPtopreventormitigateanemergencycausedbyunavoidable
conditions.

8.5.6.4BypassesandOverflowsatSewageWorksServingCombinedSewers

BypassesandoverflowsatsewageworksservingcombinedsewersareaddressedinministryProcedureF55,
DeterminationofTreatmentRequirementsforMunicipalandPrivateCombinedandPartiallySeparatedSewer
Systems.

8.5.7PumpingofSewage

Rawsewageandanyintermediatepumpingstationswithinsewagetreatmentplantsshouldbecapableof
conveyingthepeaksewageflowratestothedownstreamtreatmentunits.Pumpingequipmentshouldalsobe
designedsothatdownstreamtreatmentunitsreceiveasteadyflow(withminimalflowratevariations).Toachieve
this,thepumpingsystemcanbeprovidedwithvariablecapacity,ormultiplefixedcapacitypumps,sothatpump
dischargerateswillcloselymatchthesewageinflowrate.

ThedesignershouldrefertoChapter7PumpingStationsfortherecommendeddesigncriteria.

8.5.8DistributionofFlowsandOrganicLoadings

TherewillinvariablybesituationswithinSTPwhereflowsplittingisnecessary.Toensurethattheorganicload
splitsinthesameproportionastheflows,thesuspendedsolidsshouldbehomogeneouslydispersedthroughoutthe
liquidandtherelativemomentumofallparticlesshouldbeapproximatelyequalatthepointofdiversion.Some
turbulenceisthereforedesirablebeforeeachpointofdiversion.Channelorpipebendsupstreamofflowdivision
resultinginunevensolidsdistributionshouldbeavoided.Thefollowingmethodscanbeusedtoprovide
homogeneity:

Mechanicalmixers
Diffusedaeration
Bottomentranceintosplittingbox
Barracksorpostsinchannels
Hydraulicjumpsand
Straightsectionofconduit6to8diameters(orchannelwidth)upstreamofpointofdiversion.

Flowdivisioncontrolfacilitiesshouldbeprovidedasnecessarytoensureorganicandhydraulicloadingcontrolto
plantprocessunitsandshouldbedesignedforeasyoperatoraccess,adjustment,observationandmaintenance.The
useofupflowdivisionboxesequippedwithadjustablesharpcrestedweirsorsimilardevicesisrecommended.The
useofvalvesforflowsplittingisnotacceptable.Appropriateflowmeasurementfacilitiesshouldbeincorporatedin
theflowdivisioncontroldesign.ThedesignerisreferredtoSection3.13Hydraulicsformoredetails.

8.5.9PlantHydraulicGradient

Thehydraulicgradientofallgravityflowandpumpedsewagestreamswithinthesewagetreatmentplant,including
bypasschannels,shouldbepreparedtoensurethatadequateprovisionhasbeenmadeforallheadlosses.In
calculatingthehydraulicgradient,changesinheadcausedbyallfactorsshouldbeconsidered,including:

Headlossesduetochannelandpipewallfriction
Headlossesduetosuddenenlargementorcontractioninflowcrosssection
Headlossesduetosuddenchangesindirectionsuchasatbends,elbows,wyesandtees
Headlossesduetosuddenchangesinslopeordrops
Headlossesduetoobstructionsinconduit
Headrequiredtoallowflowoverweirs,throughflumes,orificesandothermeasuring,controllingorflow
divisiondevices
Headlossescausedbyflowthroughcomminutors,barscreens,tanks,filtersandothertreatmentunits
Headlossescausedbyairentrainmentorairbinding
Headlossesincurredduetoflowsplittingalongthesideofachannel
Headincreasescausedbypumping
Headallowancesforexpansionrequirementsand/orprocesschangesand
 Headallowancesduetomaximumwaterlevelsinreceivingwaters.

Designersarecautionedtoconsidertheconsequencesofexcessiveorinadequateallowancesforheadlosses
throughsewagetreatmentplants.Ifpumpingisrequired,excessiveheadlossallowancesresultinenergywastage.
Ifinadequateheadlossallowancesaremade,operationwillbedifficultandplantexpansionwouldbemorecostly.

8.5.10SludgePumping

Theflowcharacteristicsofsludgewillvaryaccordingtothetypesandconcentrationsoforganicsolidsandadded
chemicals.Somesludgeflowcharacteristicswillbesimilartothoseofwaterwhileothersmayhavepseudoplastic
flowcharacteristics.Thefrictionlossesassociatedwithsludgepumpingapplicationsvarygreatly.Dilutesludgehas
lossessimilartothoseexperiencedwithcleanwater,whereas,thickenedsludgehasgreaterlossesupto15times
thoseofcleanwater.Withsludgepumping,velocitiesof0.9tol.5m/s(3.0to4.9ft/s)shouldbedeveloped.For
heaviersludgeandgrease,velocitiesof1.5to2.4m/s(4.9to7.9ft/s)areneeded.Toavoidblockages,aminimum
linesizeof150mm(6in)shouldbeused.Mixingprimaryscumandgreasewithsludgelinesmayresultin
excessiveheadlossesandpluggingandshouldbeavoided.

8.5.11DesignBasisforVariousPlantComponents

Theplantdesignshouldprovidethenecessaryflexibilitytoperformsatisfactorilywithintheexpectedrangeof
influentsewagecharacteristicsandflows.

Allcomponentsofsewagetreatmentplantsshouldbehydraulicallycapableofhandlingtheanticipatedpeak
sewageflowrateswithoutovertoppingchannelsand/ortanks.Fromaprocesspointofview,designofthevarious
processunitsorcomponentsofsewagetreatmentplantsshouldbebaseduponthehydraulic,organicandinorganic
loadingratesshowninTable82.

Area/Process
SewagePumpingStations
Screening
GritRemoval
PrimarySedimentation
Aeration(without
nitrification)
Aeration(withnitrification)
SecondarySedimentation
SludgeReturn
Disinfection
EffluentFiltration
OutfallSewer
SludgeTreatment(digestion
MaximumMonthlyMassLoadingandFlowRates
anddewatering.)
Table82UnitProcessDesignBasis
DesignBasis
DesignPeakInstantaneousFlow
DesignPeakInstantaneousFlow
DesignPeakHourlyFlow,PeakHourlyGritLoading
DesignPeakDailyFlow
AverageDailyBOD5Loading(basedonDesignAverageDailyFlow)
AverageDailyBOD5loading(basedonDesignAverageDailyFlow),PeakDaily
TKNLoading(basedonDesignPeakDailyFlow)
DesignPeakHourlyFlow,PeakDailySolidsLoading
Foractivatedsludgeprocesses,50to200%ofDesignAverageDailyFlow
DesignPeakHourlyFlow
DesignPeakHourlyFlow
DesignPeakInstantaneousFlow

8.5.12FlowEqualization

Sewageflowscanbefullyorpartiallyequalized.Fullequalizationmayresultinasmallreductioninconstruction
costsovervariableflowdesignandinadditioncanresultinreducedenergycostsandimprovedtreatment
efficiency.Alternatively,partialequalizationofsewageflowsisanoptionthathasdecreasedbenefitswithslight
savingsinconstructioncosts.

8.5.13Conduits
Allpipingandchannelsshouldbedesignedtocarrythedesignpeakinstantaneousflows.Theincomingsewer
shouldbedesignedforunrestrictedflow.Channelsshouldbedesignedtoconveytheinitialandultimaterangeof
expectedflows.Toavoidsolidsbuildup,thefollowingscouringvelocitiesshouldbedevelopedinnormallyused
channelsatleastonceperday:

SewageContainingGrit0.9m/s(3.0ft/s)and
FlocSuspensions0.45to0.60m/s(1.5to2.0ft/s).

Wheretheabovevelocitiescannotbeobtained,channelsshouldbeaeratedtopreventsolidsdeposition.Bottom
cornersofthechannelsshouldbefilleted.Conduitsshouldbedesignedtoavoidcreationofpocketsandcorners
wheresolidscanaccumulate.

Suitablegatesorvalvesshouldbeplacedinchannelstosealoffunusedsectionswhichmightaccumulatesolids.
Theuseofsheargates,stopplatesorstopplanksmaybeconsideredwheretheycanbeusedinplaceofgatevalves
orsluicegates.Noncorrodiblematerialsshouldbeusedforthesecontrolgates.

8.5.14FlowMeasurement

Flowmeasurementfacilitiesshouldbeprovidedforthefollowingflows:

Plantinfluentoreffluentflow.Ifinfluentflowissignificantlydifferentfromeffluentflow,bothshouldbe
measured.Thiswouldapplyforinstallationssuchaslagoons,sequencingbatchreactorsandplantswith
excessflowstorageorflowequalization
Excessflowtreatmentfacilitydischarges(e.g.equalizationtankeffluents)
Overflowsandbypassestobemonitoredasrequiredbytheministryand
Otherflowssuchasreturnactivatedsludge,wasteactivatedsludgeandrecycleflowsrequiredforplant
operationalcontrol.

Indicating,totalizingandrecordingflowmeasurementdevicesshouldbeprovidedforallmechanicalplants.Flow
measurementfacilitiesforlagoonsystemsshouldnotbelessthanelapsedtimemetersusedinconjunctionwith
pumpingratetestsorelseshouldbecalibratedweirs.Allflowmeasurementequipmentshouldbesizedtofunction
effectivelyoverthefullrangeofflowsexpectedandshouldbeprotectedagainstfreezing.

Flowmeasurementequipmentincludingapproachanddischargeconduitconfigurationandcriticalcontrol
elevationsshouldbedesignedtoensurethattherequiredhydraulicconditionsnecessaryforaccuratemeasurement
areprovided.Conditionsthatneedtobeavoidedincludeturbulence,eddycurrentsandairentrainmentthatupset
thenormalhydraulicconditionsthatarenecessaryforaccurateflowmeasurement.

8.5.15SamplingEquipment

Effluentcompositesamplingequipmentshouldbeprovidedatallmechanicalplantswithadesignaveragedaily
flowof380m3/d(0.1mUSgd)orgreaterandatotherfacilitieswheremonitoringeffluentqualitycriteria
parametersarenecessary.Compositesamplingequipmentshouldalsobeprovidedasneededforinfluentsampling
andformonitoringofplantperformance.Theinfluentsamplingpointshouldbelocatedpriortoanyprocessreturn
flows.

8.5.16ComponentBackupRequirements

ThedesignershouldrefertoSection3.8ReliabilityandRedundancyfordetailsonhowtocarryoutthereliability
andredundancyanalysisofspecificprocesstrains,unitsorequipment.

Thecomponentsofsewagetreatmentplantsshouldbedesignedinsuchawaythatequipmentbreakdownand
normalmaintenanceoperationscanbeaccommodatedwithaminimaldeteriorationofeffluentquality.

Toachievethis,criticaltreatmentprocessesshouldbeprovidedwithmultipleunitssothatwiththelargestunitout
ofoperation,thehydrauliccapacityoftheremainingunitsshouldbesufficienttohandletheappropriatedesign
sewageflowsoutlinedinTable82.Thereshouldalsobesufficientflexibilityinoperationsothatthenormalflow
intoaunitthatisoutofoperationcanbedistributedtoalloftheremainingunits.Itshouldbepossibletodistribute
theflowtoalloftheunitsinthetreatmentprocessdownstreamoftheaffectedprocess.Inaddition,wherefeasible,
itshouldbepossibletooperatethesectionsoftreatmentplantsascompletelyseparateprocesstrainstoallowfull
scaleloadingteststobecarriedout.

Withsomeprocessessuchasmechanicalscreeningorcomminution,thebackupfacilitycanbeprovidedwithaless
sophisticatedunitsuchasamanuallycleanedscreen.Thedesignershouldprovideabypassaroundamanualscreen
toavoidflooding.

Sewageandsludgepumpingsystemsshouldalwaysbeprovidedwithabackuppumpofequalcapacitytothe
largestdutypump.Incertaincases,particularlywithsludgepumps,onedutypumpmayserveasabackupfor
morethanonesetofpumps(e.g.arawsludgepumpcouldbackupasludgetransferpump).Standbycapacityfor
sludgereturnpumpsmaybedeterminedonacasebycasebasis.

Dependinguponthesizeofthesewagetreatmentplantandthesensitivityofthereceivingwaters,someunit
processesmaynotrequireduplication.Forinstance,iftheequivalentofprimarytreatmentwouldbesatisfactory
underemergencyconditions,oneaerationbasinmaybesufficient.

Aerationsystemswillrequirefacilitiestopermitcontinuousoperation,orminimaldisruption,intheeventof
equipmentfailure.Thefollowingfactorsshouldbeconsideredwhendesigningthebackuprequirementsfor
aerationsystems:

Effectontheaerationcapacityifapieceofequipmentbreaksdown,orrequiresmaintenance(forexample,
thebreakdownofoneoftwoblowerswillhaveagreatereffectoncapacitythanthebreakdownofoneof
fourmechanicalaerators)
Timerequiredtoperformthenecessaryrepairandmaintenanceoperations
Thegeneralavailabilityofsparepartsandthetimerequiredfordeliveryandinstallation.Preferablythevital
sparepartsshouldbestoredonsite
Meansotherthanduplicateequipmenttoprovidethenecessarycapacityintheeventofabreakdown(e.g.
usingoversizedmechanicalaeratorswithadjustableweirstocontrolpowerdrawandoxygenationcapacity,
orusingtwospeedmechanicalaerators)and
Diffusedaerationsystemsrequireastandbyblower,howevermechanicalaerationsystemsmaynotrequire
standbyunits,dependinguponthenumberofdutyunitsandavailabilityofreplacementparts.

Chemicalfeedequipmentforphosphorusremovalanddisinfectionshouldbeprovidedinmultipleunitssothatthe
chemicalrequirementscanbesuppliedwithoneunitoutofservice.

Forsludgedigestionfacilitiesatsmallplants,theneedformultipleunitscanoftenbeavoidedbyprovidingtwo
stagedigestionalongwithsufficientflexibilityinsludgepumpingandmixingsothatonestagecanbeserviced
whiletheotherstagereceivesthepumpedrawsludge.Whensuchanapproachisproposed,thedesignershould
outlinethealternatemethodsoftreatmentanddisposalthatcouldbeusedduringperiodsofequipmentbreakdown.
Forlargertreatmentplants,theprovisionofmultipleprimaryandsecondarydigestionunitscanusuallybe
economicallyjustified.

Dependinguponthereceivingstreamsensitivity,typeoffiltrationequipmentandthemaintenancerequirementsof
thefilterunits,provisionofmultipleeffluentfiltrationunitsisoftennecessary.

Forsludgehandlinganddewateringequipment,multipleunitswillgenerallyberequiredunlesssatisfactorysludge
storagefacilitiesoralternatesludgedisposalmethodsareavailableforuseduringperiodsofequipmentrepair.
Oftentheneedforfullstandbyunitswillbeunnecessaryiftheremainingdutyunitscanbeoperatedforadditional
shiftsintheeventofequipmentbreakdown.

8.5.17UnitBypasses

ProperlylocatedandarrangedbypassstructuresandpipingshouldbeprovidedsothateachunitoftheSTPcanbe
removedfromserviceindependently.Thebypassdesignshouldfacilitateplantoperationduringunitmaintenance
andemergencyrepairsoastominimizedeteriorationofeffluentqualityandensurerapidprocessrecoveryupon
returntonormaloperationalmode.

Treatmentduringbypassingmaybeaccomplishedthroughtheuseofduplicateormultipletreatmentunitsinany
stageifthedesignpeakinstantaneousflowcanbehandledhydraulicallywiththelargestunitoutofservice.

Theactuationofallbypassesshouldrequiremanualactionbyoperatingpersonnel.Allpoweractuatedbypasses
shouldbedesignedtopermitmanualoperationintheeventofpowerfailure.Theyshouldalsobedesignedsothat
thevalvewillfailasis,uponfailureofthepoweroperator.

Afixedhighwaterlevelbypassoverflowtothebypasschannelshouldbeprovidedinadditiontoamanuallyor
poweractuatedbypass.ThedesignershouldrefertoSection8.5.6BypassesandOverflowsforadditional
information.

8.5.18UnitDewatering,FlotationProtectionandPlugging

Meanssuchasdrainsorsumpsshouldbeprovidedtocompletelydewatereachunitandtodischargetoan
appropriatepointinthetreatmentprocess.Dueconsiderationshouldbegiventothepossibleneedforhydrostatic
pressurereliefdevicestopreventflotationofstructures.Pipessubjecttopluggingshouldbeprovidedwithmeans
formechanicalcleaningorflushing.

8.5.19ConstructionMaterials

Materialsshouldbeselectedthatareappropriateunderconditionsofexposuretohydrogensulphideandother
corrosivegases,greases,oilandotherconstituentsfrequentlypresentinsewage.Thisisparticularlyimportantin
theselectionofmetalsandpaints.Contactbetweendissimilarmaterialsshouldbeavoidedorotherprovisions
madetominimizegalvanicaction.

8.5.20InstallationofMechanicalEquipment

Thespecificationsshouldbesowrittenthattheinstallationandinitialoperationofmajoritemsofmechanical
equipmentwillbeinspectedandapprovedbyarepresentativeofthemanufacturer.

8.5.21OperatingEquipment

Acompleteoutfitoftools,accessoriesandsparepartsnecessaryfortheplantoperator'suseshouldbeprovided.

Readilyaccessiblestoragespaceandworkbenchfacilitiesshouldbeprovided.Considerationshouldbegivento
provisionofagarageforlargeequipmentstorage,maintenanceandrepair.

8.5.22ErosionControlDuringConstruction

Effectivesiteerosioncontrolshouldbedesignedforimplementationduringconstruction.

8.5.23GradingandLandscaping

Uponcompletionoftheplant,thegroundshouldbegradedandthensoddedorseeded.Allweatherwalkways
shouldbeprovidedforaccesstoallunits.Steepslopesshouldbeavoidedtopreventerosion.Surfacewatershould
notbepermittedtodrainintoanyunit.Particularcareshouldbetakentoprotectsludgebedsandintermittentsand
filtersfromstormwaterrunoff.Provisionshouldbemadeforlandscaping,especiallywhenaplantneedstobe
locatednearresidentialareas.

8.6PlantOutfalls

Thepropersiteanddesignoftheplantoutfallstructureisimportantinminimizingtheimpactonreceivingwater
quality.Inmanycasesitmaybeacontrollingfactorinensuringprotectionofnearbywatersupplies,recreational
beachesorfisherieshabitats.

Outfallsshouldbedesignedandlocatedsoastoobtainthegreatestpossibledilutionoftheplanteffluentduring
periodsofgreatestsusceptibilityofnearbywaterusestoadverseimpacts.

Dilutionisaproductofinitialmixingoftheeffluentwithsurroundingwaterandsubsequentdispersiondueto
watermovement.

Entrainmentofambientlakeorstreamwaterintotheeffluentisgenerallyenhancedbyextendingtheoutfallaway
fromtheshoreintodeeperwaterandoftenbyincorporatingamultiportdiffusertospreadthedischargeovera
largerareaandtoincreaseturbulentmixing.Similarly,dispersionisaidedbymaximizingtheseparationofthe
dischargedplumefromboundaryeffectsoftheshorelineandlakeorstreambed.

Referenceshouldbemadetotheimplementationprocedurefordefiningmixingzonescontainedinthemostrecent
versionoftheministryGuidelineB1,WaterManagementPolicies,GuidelinesandProvincialWaterQuality
Objectives.

Dispersionpredictionsrequireknowledgeofeffluentconcentration,dischargerates,effluentbuoyancy,jetvelocity,
ambientcurrentvelocity,depthofwaterovertheoutfall,ambientthermalregime(verticaltemperatureprofile)and
backgroundwaterquality.

Forallextendedoutfalls,outfallcapacityshouldbesufficienttohandlenotonlythetreatedeffluentbutalsoall
flowsreceivedattheplantsoastoeliminateoverflowingofuntreatedorpartiallytreatedflowsatshore.

8.6.1DischargeImpactControl,ProtectionandMaintenance

Theoutfallsewershouldbedesignedtodischargetothereceivingstreaminamanneracceptabletothereviewing
authorities.ThedesignershouldcontactthelocalConservationAuthority,theMinistryofNaturalResources
(MNR)andreviewthefederalNavigableWatersProtectionActforsitespecificrequirements.Consideration
shouldbegivenineachcasetothefollowing:

Preferenceforfreefallorsubmergeddischargeattheselectedsite
Utilizationofcascadeaerationofeffluentdischargetoincreasedissolvedoxygenand
Limitedacrossstreamdispersionasneededtoprotectaquaticlifemovementandgrowthintheimmediate
reachesofthereceivingstream.

Theoutfallsewershouldbesoconstructedandprotectedagainsttheeffectsoffloodwater,tide,iceorotherhazards
astoreasonablyensureitsstructuralstabilityandfreedomfromstoppage.Amanholeshouldbeprovidedatthe
shoreendofallgravitysewersthatextendintoreceivingwaters.Hazardstonavigationshouldbeconsideredin
designingoutfallsewers.

8.6.2SamplingProvisions

Alloutfallsshouldbedesignedsothatasampleoftheeffluentcanbeobtainedatapointafterthefinaltreatment
processandbeforedischargetothereceivingwaters.

8.7EssentialFacilities

8.7.1EmergencyPowerSupplyFacilities

Theneedforstandbypowerandtheextentofequipmentrequiringoperationbystandbypowershouldbe
individuallyassessedforeachsewagetreatmentplantandpumpingstation.Someofthefactorsthatwillrequire
considerationinmakingthedecisionsregardingstandbypowerandtheprocessestobeoperatedbythestandby
powerfacilityareasfollows:

Reliabilityofprimarypowersource
Numberoffeederlinessupplyingthegridsystem,numberofalternaterouteswithinthegridsystemand
numberofalternativetransformersthroughwhichthepowercouldbedirectedtothesewagetreatmentplant
Whethersewageenterstheplantbygravityorispumped
Typeoftreatmentprovided
Piecesofequipmentwhichmaybecomedamagedoroverloadedfollowingprolongedpowerfailure
Assimilationcapacityofthereceivingwatersandabilitytowithstandhigherpollutionloadingsovershort
timeperiodsand
Otherusesofreceivingwaterbody.

Standbygeneratingcapacitymaynotbeneededforaerationequipmentusedintheactivatedsludgeprocessin
caseswherethereisnohistoryoflongterm(4hoursormore)poweroutages.However,fullpowergenerating
capacityisneededforsewagedischargestocriticalareasofsurfacewaterreceiversuchasupstreamornearbathing
beachesandwatersupplyintakes.
Continuousdisinfection,whererequired,shouldbeprovidedduringallpoweroutages.Continuousdechlorination
isrequiredforthosesystemsthatdechlorinate.

Wherestandbypowerisnotneededforpumpingortreatment,thedesignershouldincludetheprovisionofasmall
[typically25kW(33.5hp)]generatorsethavingsufficientcapacitytoprovidethepowerforlightingand
instrumentation,sothatintheeventoftransientpoweroutages,theplantwillhavesufficientpoweravailablefor
safeoperationandtomaintaininstrumentation.

Thestandbypowerequipmentshouldbelocatedsothatitconnectsconvenientlyintotheelectricaldistribution
systemoftheplant.Itshouldalsobeclosetootherpotentiallynoisyequipment,sothatadequateacousticmeasures
needonlybetakenoversmallareas.Sufficientfuelstorageshouldbeprovided,takingintoaccountthehistorical
dataonlengthofpoweroutagesintheareaandanyweatherorotherconditionsthatmayprecludefreshdeliveries
offuel.Whereadieselgeneratorisused,aminimumof:

450L(120USgal)fueltankshouldbeprovidedforgeneratorsetcapacitiesofupto25to30kW(34to40
hp)
900L(240USgal)fueltankforsetcapacitiesfrom30to100kW(40to134hp)
1135L(300USgal)fueltankforsetcapacitiesfrom110to160kW(147to214hp)and
2x1135L(2x300USgal)fueltanksforsetcapacitiesfrom160to300kW(214hpto402hp).

Equipmentsuppliersshouldbecontactedforactualfuelconsumptionoftheirgeneratorunits.Fuelstorageforboth
portableandpermanentenginegeneratorsshouldbeadequatetooperatethepumpstationforaminimumof12and
preferably24continuoushourswithoutrefueling.Alternativefuelledstandbypowerequipment(e.g.naturalgas)
couldalsobeconsidered.

Eitherundergroundorinsidefuelstoragetanksmaybeused.Inconsideringwhichtypetouse,factorssuchas
corrosionpotential,consequencesofleakage,requiredstoragevolumeandtheneedforfuelpumpsshouldbe
evaluated.

ThedesignershouldrefertoSection7.7StandbyPowerandEmergencyOperationforadditionaldetails.

Thelocationofthestandbypowersystemshouldgenerallybesuchthatsiteperimeternoiselevelswillbein
compliancewiththeministryModelMunicipalNoiseControlBylawandalsolocatedsothatcontaminantlevelsat
thenearestpointofimpingementduetostackemissionsareincompliancewiththerequirementsofSection9of
theEnvironmentalProtectionAct.(Section3.11EmissionsofContaminantstoAir).

8.7.2WaterSupply

Anadequatesupplyofpressurizedwatershouldbeprovidedtoensuregeneralcleanlinessaroundtheplant.
Chemicalqualityofthewatersupplyshouldbecheckedforsuitabilityforitsintendedusessuchasinheat
exchangersandchlorinators.

Whereasewagetreatmentworksobtainswaterfromamunicipalpotablewatersupply,thesupplyneedstobe
protectedwithaCSArated,reducedpressureprinciplebackflowpreventer[2]ateachpointofconnectionwiththe
municipalsystem.Potablewaterfromamunicipalorseparatesupplymaybeuseddirectlyatpointsabovegrade
forthefollowinghotandcoldsupplies:

Lavatory
Watercloset
Laboratorysink(withvacuumbreaker)
Shower
Drinkingfountain
Eyewashfountainand
Safetyshower.

Hotwaterforanyoftheaboveunitsshouldnotbetakendirectlyfromaboilerusedforsupplyinghotwatertoa
sludgeheatexchangerordigesterheatingunit.

Whereapotablewatersupplyistobeusedforanypurposeinaplantotherthanthoselistedabove,abreaktank,
pressurepumpandpressuretankshouldbeprovided.Watershouldbedischargedtothetankthroughanairgapat
least150mm(6in)abovethemaximumfloodlineorthespilllineofthetank,whicheverishigher.
Whereverpossible,toconserveenergyandminimizeoperatingcosts,effluentwatershouldbeusedforwateruses
notrequiringpotablewater.Suchusesaschlorinatorinjectorwater,lawnsprinkling,foamcontrol,flushingwater,
screening,thickeninganddewateringprocessunitswashandincineratoroffgasscrubbingcanbesuppliedwith
STPfinaleffluent.Fixturessuppliedwithnonpotablewatershouldbeclearlymarkedassuch.

Whereeffluentwaterisused,asignshouldbepermanentlypostedateveryhosebib,faucet,hydrantorsillcock
locatedonthewatersystembeyondthebreaktanktoindicatethatthewaterisnotsafefordrinking.

8.7.3PlantPiping

Allpipingtobeusedinsewagetreatmentplantsshouldbemanufacturedinaccordancewiththemostrecent
versionofthestandardsfromCanadianStandardsAssociation(CSA),CanadianGeneralStandardsBoard(CGSB),
AmericanSocietyforTestingandMaterialsStandards(ASTM),orotherinternationallyrecognizedorganizations.
Pipingfordigestergas,propane,fueloilandnaturalgasshouldfurthercomplywiththerequirementsofCanadian
GasAssociation(CGA)asdiscussedinChapter16SludgeStabilization.

Inthedesignofthepiping,dueallowanceshouldbemadeforfuturecapacitiesandalsoforeaseofextendingthis
pipingwithoutmajordisruptionoftheplantoperation.Inthegeneralpipingarrangement,sufficientspaceshould
beprovidedforpipingtoberemovedandshouldprovidefortheproperisolationofpipesectionsthroughvalvesto
enablethemtoberepairedorreplaced.

Inlargerplants,galleriesareoftenusedforthelocationofprocesspipingandforthepassageofoperatingstaff
betweenbuildingsandtankunits.Tunnelsmaybeformedbyusingthewallsofadjacenttankstructuresandthe
floorslabmaybecommontoallstructures.Althoughgallerieswillgenerallycostmorethanburiedpipingsystems,
theirusemaybejustifiedduetothemoreconvenientplantoperationandmaintenanceaccess.

Thedesignershouldallowforthepossibilitythatpipingcouldbeinstalledduringconstructionwhentemperature
conditionscouldbesubstantiallydifferentfromthedesigncondition.Forexample,pipingcouldbeinstalledin
temperaturesanywherebetween20Cto+40C(4Fto104F)andsubstantialdifferencesinpipelengths
couldoccur.ForthisreasontheuseofPVCpipewithcastironmechanicaljointfittingsisnotrecommended.
Wherepipingiscastinplace,dueallowanceshouldbemadefordifferentialexpansionbetweenthepipematerial
andstructures.

Pipingshouldbearrangedsothatallvalves,flowmetersandotheritemswhichmayrequireregularinspectionor
maintenanceareconvenientlyaccessible.Pipingshouldbeprovidedwithdrainsatalllowpointsandairrelease
valvesatallhighpoints.Sludgeandscumpipingshouldbeprovidedwithcleanoutsandfacilitiestopermitwater
and/orsteamcleaning.Scumpipingshouldbesmoothwalledpipe,preferablyglasslined.

Thedesignofthepipingshouldallowforproperrestraintunderallanticipatedconditions,particularlywhere
surgesmayoccurandhightransientpressurescouldresult,orwheredifferenttemperaturesoccurseasonally.

Wherepipingconnectionsaremadebetweenadjacentstructures,atleastoneflexiblecouplingshouldbeprovided
ifthereisanypossibilitythatdifferentialsettlementcouldoccur.Particularattentionshouldbegiventopipe
beddinginareasadjacenttostructurestoavoidsettlementdamage.

UndertheIndustrialEstablishmentsRegulation(O.Reg.851)madeundertheOccupationalHealthandSafetyAct
(OHSA),pipingidentificationastoflowdirectionandcontentsismandatoryonlyforpipingsystemscontaining
hazardoussubstances.However,itisrecommendedthatallpipingbeadequatelyidentifiedastocontentsand
directionofflowsothattheoperationoftheprocessunitsissimplified.Pipingidentificationbycompletepainting
ofthepipelineandbyuseofcolourbandingisrecommended.Wherethereisnoexistingstandardcolourcoding,it
issuggestedthatthefollowingcodebeusedforpipecolour.

Clearlyvisibleletteringtoindicatetheactualpipecontents(e.g.rawsludgeandwasteactivatedsludge)shouldbe
shownoncolourbandsalongwiththeflowdirectionarrow.TocomplywithCSAStandardCSAB5358:Codefor
IdentificationofPipingSystems,thebandsshouldbecolouredasshowninTable83.

Table83ColourCodingforPipingSystems
Classification CGSB(CanadianGeneral CIL(CanadianIndustries
Classification
Colour StandardsBoard) Limited)
DangerousMaterials Yellow 505102 2007
 Classification CGSB(CanadianGeneral CIL(CanadianIndustries
Classification
Colour StandardsBoard) Limited)
SafeMaterials Green 503107 94233
ProtectiveMaterials Blue 202101 95547
FireProtection Red 509102 95557
GasPipingControlsand
Orange 508103 46015
FlammableGas

Theuseofpaintscontainingleadormercuryshouldbeavoided.Inordertofacilitateidentificationofpiping,
particularlyinthelargeplants,itissuggestedthatthedifferentlinesbecolorcoded.Thefollowingcolorschemeis
recommended:

Rawsludgelinebrownwithblackbands
Sludgerecirculationsuctionlinebrownwithyellowbands
Sludgedrawofflinebrownwithorangebands
Sludgerecirculationdischargelinebrown
Digestergaslineorange(orred)
Naturalgaslineorange(orred)withblackbands
Nonpotablewaterlinebluewithblackbands
Potablewaterlineblue
Chlorinelineyellow
Sulfurdioxideyellowwithredbands
Sewagelinegray
Compressedairlinegreen
Waterlinesforheatingdigestersorbuildingsbluewitha150mm(6in)redbandspaced760mm(30in)
apart
Fueloil/dieselred
Plumbingdrainsandventsblackand
Polymerpurple.

Thecontentsanddirectionofflowshouldbestenciledonthepipinginacontrastingcolour.

ThedesignershouldensurecompliancewithCodeforDigesterGasandLandfillGasInstallationsCAN1B105
M81whichstatesthatallgaspipingandcontrolsshouldbepaintedorcolourcodedwithhighvisibilitypaintand
eachsystemofpipingshouldbelabeledeverylinear3m(10ft)withthenameofthegasbeingconductedandthe
directionofflow.

Insizing,materialselectionandpressurerequirementsofpipingforuseinsewagetreatmentplants,thefollowing
factorsshouldbeconsidered:

Likelihoodofblockageandsizeoflinerequired
Linesizerequiredtoproducescouringvelocitiesandthusminimizesolidsdepositionandgreasebuildup
Natureofmaterialtobeconveyedandsuitablepipingmaterialsfortheapplication
Flowcharacteristicsofmaterialtobeconveyedandheadrequirementsofpumpsordifferentialheadrequired
forgravityflow
Possiblesettlementandneedforsupport
Needforfuturerepairand
Needforfutureremovalofpipesections.

TherecommendedminimumdiametersofpipingforvariouspurposesareshowninTable84.

Table84RecommendedMinimumPipeDiameters
GravityFlow
TypeofFlow MinimumDiameterinmm(inches)
SewageandSludge 200(8)
Table84RecommendedMinimumPipeDiameters
TypeofFlow MinimumDiameterinmm(inches)
Sewage 100(4)
 TypeofFlow MinimumDiameterinmm(inches)
Sludge 150(6)
Chemicals(nonscaleforming) 12(0.5)
Chemicals(scaleforming) 25(1)

8.7.4PersonnelFacilities

Thenecessityforpersonnelfacilitieswillbelargelydictatedbythenumberofoperationandmaintenancestaff
requiredandthetimeperiodsduringwhichtheplantisstaffed.

Asaminimum,itisrecommendedthatprovisionbemadeforstoragelockers,preferablytwoforeachemployee
(oneforworkclothesandoneforcleanclothes)andawashroomwithshower.Asthesizeoftheplantandnumber
ofstaffincreases,therewillbearequirementtoprovidemorelockerspace,possiblyinaseparatechangeroom,a
lunchroomwhichshouldbeofadequatesizetoserveasameetingorinstructionroomforplantstaffandasuitable
officeforplantsupervisorystaffandrecordkeeping.

Wheneverpossible,thesepersonnelfacilitiesshouldbeseparatedfromtheplantfacilities,butwithconvenient
accesstotheplant.AllrequirementsofOHSAshouldbeincluded.

8.7.5BuildingServices

Adequateheatingfacilitiesofasafetypeshouldbeprovided,withcontrollevelsdependingonthetypeofarea
beingheated.Inmanyareasoftheplant,sufficientheatneedonlybeprovidedtopreventfreezingofequipmentor
treatmentunits.

Buildingsshouldbewellventilatedbymeansofwindows,doors,roofventilators,orothermeans.Allrooms,
compartments,pitsandotherenclosuresthatarebelowgradeandwhichneedtobeenteredshouldhaveadequate
forcedventilationprovidedwhenitisnecessarytoenterthem.

Roomscontainingequipmentorpipingshouldbeadequatelyheated,ventilatedanddehumidified,ifnecessary,to
preventunduecondensation.Switchesshouldbeprovidedtocontroltheforcedventilation.

Buildingsshouldbeadequatelylightedthroughoutbymeansofnaturallight,artificiallightingfacilities,orboth.
Controlswitcheswhereneededshouldbeconvenientlyplacedateachentrancetoeachroomorarea.

AsdiscussedinSection9.6Security,itmaybeadvantageoustoprovideintercomsystemsbetweenthecontrol
centreandotherbuildingsorlocationsthroughouttheplantsite.Incertaincircumstancestelevisionmonitoring
maybewarranted.Publictelephoneserviceshouldatleastbeprovidedtothecontrolcentreandothermanned
centresthroughoutplant.Emptyconduitsystemsmaybeprovidedforfuturetelephoneorintercomlines.

Poweroutletsofsuitablevoltageshouldbeprovidedatconvenientspacingthroughplantbuildingstoprovide
powerformaintenanceequipmentandextensionlighting.Poweroutletsshouldalsobelocatedatoutsidelocations
topermitservicingofsuchequipmentasscraperdrivemechanisms,flowmetersandcomminutors.

Potablewaterservicewillberequiredformostbuildings.ReferenceshouldbemadetoSection8.7.2Water
Supplyforrequirementsrelatingtobackflowpreventionforpotablewatersupplies.

8.7.6SanitaryFacilities

Washroomswithshowersandlockerfacilitiesshouldbeprovidedinsufficientnumbersandatconvenientlocations
toservetheplantpersonnel.AllrequirementsofOHSAshouldbeincluded.

8.7.7Stairways

Stairwaysshouldbeinstalledinlieuofladdersforaccesstounitsrequiringroutineinspectionandmaintenance,
suchasdigesters,tricklingfilters,aerationtanks,clarifiersandtertiaryfilters.Spiralorwindingstairsshouldbe
usedonlyforsecondaryaccesswheredualmeansofexitareprovided.
8.8OperatorLicensing

8.8.1General

Sewageworksaretobeoperatedbypersonsholdingavalidoperator'slicenseofthesametypeasthetypeforthe
facility.Atleastoneoperatorneedstoholdalicenseofthesameclassorahigherclassthantheclassofthefacility
andthelicenseneedstobeprominentlydisplayed.Moredetailedinformationonlicensingforoperatorscanbe
foundintheLicensingofSewageWorksOperators(O.Reg.129/04)madeundertheOntarioWaterResourcesAct
andtheministrydocumentLicensingGuideforOperatorsofWastewaterFacilities.

8.9Safety

8.9.1General

Thefollowingisonlyageneraldescriptionofsomesafetyconsiderations.Thedesignershouldrefertoall
applicablesafetycodesandregulations,includingtheOccupationalHealthandSafetyAct(OSHA),BuildingCode
(O.Reg.350/06)undertheBuildingCodeAct,1992,FireCode(O.Reg.388/97)undertheFireProtectionand
PreventionAct,1997andtheWorkplaceSafetyandInsuranceAct(WSIA).Adequateprovisionshouldbemadeto
effectivelyprotectplantpersonnelandvisitorsfromhazards.Thedesignershouldconsiderthefollowingtosatisfy
theparticularneedsofeachplant:

Enclosureoftheplantsitewithafenceandsignsdesignedtodiscouragetheentranceofunauthorized
personsandanimals
Handrailsandguards(e.g.kickplates)aroundtanks,trenches,pits,stairwellsandotherhazardousstructures
withthetopsofwallslessthan1070mm(42in)abovethesurroundinggroundlevel
Gratingsoverappropriateareasoftreatmentunitswhereaccessformaintenanceisrequired
Firstaidequipment
NoSmokingsignsinhazardousareas
Protectiveclothingandequipment,suchasselfcontainedbreathingapparatus,gasdetectionequipment,
goggles,gloves,hardhatsandsafetyharnesses
Portableblowerandsufficienthosing
PortablelightingequipmentcomplyingwiththerequirementsofElectricalSafetyCode,(O.Reg.164/99)
madeundertheElectricityAct,1998
GasdetectorslistedandlabeledforuseinClassI,Division1,GroupDlocations
Appropriatelyplacedwarningsignsforslipperyareas,nonpotablewaterfixtures,lowheadclearanceareas,
openservicemanholes,hazardouschemicalstorageareasandflammablefuelstorageareas
AdequateventilationinpumpstationareasinaccordancewithSection7.2.10SafetyVentilation
Provisionsforlocallockoutonstopmotorcontrols
Warningsignsshouldbeprovidedforappropriateareasincludingexcessivenoiseareasandconfinedspaces
ProvisionsforconfinedspaceentryinaccordancewiththeConfinedSpacesRegulation(O.Reg.632/05)
undertheOHSAand
Adequatevectorcontrol.

Equipmentsuppliersandchemicalsuppliersshouldalsobecontactedregardingparticularhazardsoftheirproducts
andtheappropriatestepstakeninthefacilitydesigntoensuresafeoperation.

8.9.2HazardousChemicalHandling

Thematerialsutilizedforstorage,piping,valves,pumping,meteringandsplashguardsshouldbespeciallyselected
withconsiderationtothephysicalandchemicalcharacteristicsofeachhazardousorcorrosivechemicalthatthey
maycomeintocontactwith.Chemicalbuildingsorstorageareasshouldbeprovidedwithadequatewarningsigns,
conspicuouslydisplayedwhereidentifiablehazardsexistandastorageareaforfilingMaterialSafetyDataSheets
(MSDS)assetoutunderthefederalHazardousProductsActandassociatedControlledProductsRegulations.An
MSDSshouldbeavailableforeachchemical.Allstoragecontainersshouldbeconspicuouslylabeledin
accordancewiththeWorkplaceHazardousMaterialsInformationSystem(WHMIS)(O.Reg.860)underOHSA.
TheWHMISlabelincludes:theproductname,thesuppliername,hazardsymbol(s),risk,precautionarymeasures
andfirstaidmeasures.

8.9.2.1SecondaryContainment
Chemicalstorageareasshouldbeenclosedindikesorcurbscapableofcontainingthestoredvolumeuntilitcanbe
safelytransferred.Liquidpolymershouldbesimilarlycontainedtoreduceareaswithslipperyfloors,especiallyto
protecttravelways.Nonslipfloorsurfacesaredesirableinpolymerhandlingareas.

8.9.2.2LiquefiedGasChemicals

Properlydesignedisolatedareasshouldbeprovidedforstorageandhandlingofchlorine,sulfurdioxideandother
hazardousgases.Gasdetectionkits,alarms,controls,safetydevicesandemergencyrepairkitsshouldalsobe
provided.

8.9.2.3SplashGuards

Allpumpsorfeedersforhazardousorcorrosivechemicalsshouldhaveguards,whichwilleffectivelyprevent
sprayofchemicalsintospacesoccupiedbypersonnel.Thesplashguardsareinadditiontoguardstopreventinjury
frommovingorrotatingmachineryparts.

Allconnections(flangedorothertypes),exceptthoseadjacenttostorageorfeederareas,shouldhaveguardswhich
willdirectanyleakageawayfromspaceoccupiedbypersonnel.Pipescontaininghazardousorcorrosivechemicals
shouldnotbelocatedaboveshoulderlevelexceptwherecontinuousdripcollectiontraysandcouplingguardswill
eliminatechemicalsprayordrippingontopersonnel.

8.9.2.4PipingLabeling

Allpipingcontainingortransportingcorrosiveorhazardouschemicalsshouldbeidentifiedwithlabelsevery3m
(10ft)andwithatleasttwolabelsineachroom,closet,orpipechase.Colorcodingmayalsobeused(seeSection
8.7.3PlantPiping),butisnotanadequatesubstituteforlabeling.

8.9.2.5ProtectiveClothingandEquipment

Thefollowingitemsofprotectiveclothingorequipmentshouldbeavailableandutilizedforalloperationsor
procedureswheretheirusewillminimizeinjuryhazardtopersonnel:

Selfcontainedbreathingapparatusrecommendedforprotectionagainstchlorine
Chemicalworker'sgogglesorothersuitablegoggles(safetyglassesareinsufficient)
Facemasksorshieldsforuseovergoggles
Dustmasktoprotectthelungsindrychemicalareas
Rubbergloves
Rubberapronswithlegstraps
Hearingprotection
Rubberboots(leatherandwoolclothingshouldbeavoidednearcaustics)and
Safetyharnessandline.

8.9.2.6WarningSystemandSigns

Facilitiesshouldbeprovidedforautomaticshutdownofpumpsandthesoundingofalarmswhenfailureoccursina
pressurizedchemicaldischargeline.Warningsignsrequiringuseofgogglesshouldbelocatednearchemical
stations,pumpsandotherpointsofpotentialfrequenthazard.

8.9.2.7DustCollection

Dustcollectionequipmentshouldbeprovidedtoprotectpersonnelfromdustsinjurioustothelungsorskinandto
preventpolymerdustfromsettlingonwalkwayswhichcanbecomeslickwhenwet.

8.9.2.8EyewashFountainsandSafetyShowers

Eyewashfountainsandsafetyshowerssuppliedwithpotablewatershouldbeprovidedoneachfloorlevelorwork
locationinvolvinghazardousorcorrosivechemicalstorage,mixing(orslaking),pumping,metering,or
transportationunloading.Thesefacilitiesaretobeascloseaspracticaltopointsofchemicalexposure.Theyareto
befullyoperableduringallweatherconditions.
Theeyewashfountainsshouldbesuppliedwithwaterofmoderatetemperature15to32C(60to90F)suitableto
provide15to30minutesofcontinuousirrigationoftheeyes.Theemergencyshowersshouldbecapableof
discharging1.9to3.2L/s(30to50USgpm)ofwateratmoderatetemperatureandatpressuresof140kPato345
kPa(20to50psi).

8.10Laboratory

8.10.1General

Alltreatmentplantsshouldhavealaboratoryformakingthenecessaryanalyticaldeterminationsandoperating
controltests,exceptforthoseplantsthatutilizeonlyprocessesnotrequiringlaboratorytestingforprocesscontrol
andwheresatisfactoryoffsitelaboratoryprovisionsaremadetomeetregulatorymonitoringrequirements.For
plantswhereafullyequippedlaboratoryisnotrequired,therequirementsforutilitiesandfumehoodsmaybe
reduced.Thelaboratoryshouldhavesufficientsize,benchspace,equipmentandsuppliestoperformallself
monitoringanalyticalworkandtoperformtheprocesscontroltestsnecessaryforpropermanagementofeach
treatmentprocessincludedinthedesign.

Thefacilitiesandsuppliesnecessarytoperformanalyticalworktosupportindustrialwastecontrolprogramswill
normallybeincludedinthesamelaboratory.Thelaboratoryarrangementshouldbesufficientlyflexibletoallow
futureexpansionshouldmoreanalyticalworkbeperformedthereinthefuture.Laboratorysizeand
instrumentationshouldreflecttreatmentplantsize,staffingrequirementsandprocesscomplexity.Experienceand
trainingofplantoperatorsshouldalsobeassessedindeterminingtreatmentplantlaboratoryneeds.

8.10.2Categories

Treatmentplantlaboratoryneedsmaybedividedintothefollowingthreegeneralcategories:

I.PlantsperformingonlybasicoperationaltestingthistypicallyincludespH,temperatureanddissolved
oxygen
II.Plantsperformingmorecomplexoperationallaboratorytestsincludingbiochemicaloxygendemand,
suspendedsolidsandfecalcoliformanalysisand
III.Plantsperformingmorecomplexoperational,industrialpretreatmentandmultipleplantlaboratorytesting.

Expectedminimumlaboratoryneedsforthesethreeplantclassificationsareoutlinedinthissection.However,in
specificcaseslaboratoryneedsmayhavetobemodifiedorincreasedduetotheindustrialmonitoringneedsor
specialprocesscontrolrequirements.

8.10.3CategoryI:Plantsperformingonlybasicoperationaltesting.

8.10.3.1LocationandSpace

Afloorareaofupto14m2(150ft2)shouldbeadequate.Itisrecommendedthatthisbeatthetreatmentplantsite.
Anotherlocationinthecommunity,utilizingspaceinanexistingstructure,ownedbytheinvolvedauthority,may
alsobeacceptable.

8.10.3.2DesignandMaterials

Thefacilityshouldprovideforelectricity,water,heat,sufficientstoragespace,asinkandabenchtop.Thelab
componentsneednotbeofindustrialgradematerials.Laboratoryequipmentandglasswareshouldbeoftypes
recommendedbyAmericanPublicHealthAssociation(APHA),AmericanWaterWorksAssociation(AWWA)&
WaterEnvironmentFederation(WEF),StandardMethodsfortheExaminationofWaterandWastewater,21st
Edition,asamended.

8.10.4CategoryII:Plantsperformingmorecomplexoperationallaboratorytestsincludingbiochemical
oxygendemand,suspendedsolidsandfecalcoliformanalysis.

8.10.4.1LocationandSpace
Thelaboratorysizeshouldbebasedonprovidingadequateroomfortheequipmenttobeused.Ingeneral,the
laboratoriesforthiscategoryofplantshouldprovideaminimumof28m2(300ft2)offloorspace.Adequatebench
spaceforeachanalystshouldbeprovided.Thelaboratoryshouldbelocatedatthetreatmentplantsiteonground
level.Itshouldbeisolatedfromvibrating,noisyorhightemperaturemachineryorequipmentwhichmighthave
adverseeffectsontheperformanceoflaboratorystafforinstruments.

8.10.4.2DesignandMaterials

Floorsurfacesshouldbefireresistantandhighlyresistanttoacids,alkalis,solventsandsalts.Thecabinetsand
shelvesselectedmaybeofwoodorotherdurablematerials.Benchtopsshouldbeofacidresistantlaboratorygrade
materialsforprotectionoftheunderlyingcabinets.Glassdoorsonwallhungcabinetsarerecommended.

Fumehoodsshouldbeprovidedforlaboratoriesinwhichrequiredanalyticalworkresultsintheproductionof
noxiousfumes.Airintakeshouldbebalancedagainstallexhaustventilationtomaintainanoverallpositive
pressurerelativetoatmosphericinthelaboratory.Alaboratorygradesinkanddraintrapshouldbeprovided.
Laboratoriesshouldbeairconditioned.Inaddition,separateexhaustventilationshouldbeprovided.

Ananalyticalbalanceoftheautomateddigitalreadout,singlepan,0.1milligramsensitivitytypeshouldbe
provided.Aheavyspecialdesignbalancetablewhichwillminimizevibrationofthebalanceisrecommended.

Laboratoriesshouldprovidethefollowing:firstaidequipment,protectiveclothingandequipment(e.g.goggles,
safetyglasses,fullfaceshieldsandgloves),fireextinguishers,chemicalspillkits,postingofNoSmokingsigns
inhazardousareasandappropriatelyplacedwarningsignsforslipperyareas,nonpotablewaterfixtures,hazardous
chemicalstorageareasandflammablefuelstorageareas.

Eyewashfountainsandsafetyshowerssuppliedwithpotablewatershouldbeprovidedinthelaboratory(Section
8.9.2.8EyewashFountainsandSafetyShowers).

8.10.5CategoryIII:Plantsperformingmorecomplexoperational,industrialpretreatmentandmultiple
plantlaboratorytesting.

8.10.5.1LocationandSpace

Thelaboratoryshouldbelocatedatthetreatmentplantsiteongroundlevel,withenvironmentalcontrolasan
importantconsideration.Itshouldbeisolatedfromvibrating,noisy,hightemperaturemachineryorequipmentthat
mayhaveadverseeffectsontheperformanceoflaboratorystafforinstruments.

ThelaboratoryfacilityneedsforCategoryIIIplantsshouldbedescribedintheengineeringreportorfacilitiesplan.
Thelaboratoryfloorspaceandfacilitylayoutshouldbebasedonanevaluationofthecomplexity,volumeand
varietyofsampleanalysesexpectedduringthedesignlifeoftheplantincludingtestingforprocesscontrol,
industrialpretreatmentcontrol,userchargemonitoringandeffluentqualitycriteriaandmonitoringrequirements.

Considerationshouldbegiventoprovideseparate(andpossiblyisolated)areasforsomespeciallaboratory
equipment,glasswareandchemicalstorage.Theanalyticalandsamplestorageareasshouldbeisolatedfromall
potentialsourcesofcontamination.Itisrecommendedthattheorganicchemicalfacilitiesbeisolatedfromother
facilities.Adequatesecurityshouldbeprovidedforsamplestorageareas.Provisionsfortheproperstorageand
disposalofchemicalwastesshouldbeprovided.

8.10.5.2DesignandMaterials

Floorsurfacesshouldbefireresistantandhighlyresistanttoacids,alkalis,solventsandsalts.

Twoexitdoorsshouldbelocatedtopermitastraightexitfromthelaboratory,preferablyatleastonetotheoutside
ofthebuilding.Panichardwareshouldbeused.Exitdoorsshouldhavelargeglasswindowsforeasyvisibilityof
approachingordepartingpersonnel.

Wallhungcabinetsareusefulfordustfreestorageofinstrumentsandglassware.Unitswithslidingglassdoorsare
recommended.Areasonableproportionofcupboardstylebasecabinetsanddrawerunitsshouldbeprovided.
Allcabinetshelvingshouldbeacidresistantandadjustable.Thelaboratoryfurnitureshouldbesuppliedwith
adequatewater,gas,airandvacuumservicefixtures,traps,strainers,plugsandtailpiecesandallelectricalservice
fixtures.

Benchtopsshouldbeconstructedofmaterialsresistanttodamagefromnormallyusedlaboratoryreagents.
Generally,benchtopheightshouldbe915mm(36in).However,areastobeusedexclusivelyforsitdowntype
operationsshouldbe760mm(30in)highandincludekneeholespace.

Fumehoodsshouldbelocatedwhereairdisturbanceatthefaceofthehoodisminimal.Airdisturbancemaybe
createdbypersonswalkingpastthehood,byheating,ventilating,orairconditioningsystemsandbydraftsfrom
openingorclosingadoor.

Onesinkshouldbeprovidedinsideeachfumehood.Acupsinkisusuallyadequate.

Allswitches,electricaloutletsandutilityandbaffleadjustmenthandlesshouldbelocatedoutsidethehood.Light
fixturesshouldbeexplosionproof.

Twentyfourhourcontinuousexhaustcapabilityshouldbeprovided.Exhaustfansshouldbeexplosionproof.
Exhaustvelocitiesshouldbecheckedwhenfumehoodsareinstalled.

Canopyhoodsshouldbeinstalledoverthebenchtopareaswherehotplate,steambath,orotherheatingequipment
orheatreleasinginstrumentsareused.Thecanopyshouldbeconstructedofheatandcorrosionresistantmaterial.

Thelaboratoryshouldhaveaminimumoftwosinks(notincludingcupsinks).Atleastoneofthemshouldbea
doublewellsinkwithdrainboards.Additionalsinksshouldbeprovidedinseparateworkareasasneededand
identifiedfortheuseintended.

Sinksandtrapsshouldbemadeofepoxyresinorplasticmaterialshighlyresistanttoacids,alkalis,solventsand
saltsandshouldbeabrasionandheatresistant,nonabsorbentandlightweight.Trapsshouldbemadeofglass,
plastic,orleadwhenappropriate,andeasilyaccessibleforcleaning.Sewageopeningsshouldbelocatedtowardthe
backsothatastandingoverflowwillnotinterfere.

Allwaterfixturesonwhichhosesmaybeusedshouldbeprovidedwithreducedzonepressurebackflowpreventers
topreventcontaminationofwaterlines.

Laboratoriesshouldbeseparatelyairconditioned,withexternalairsupplyforonehundredpercentmakeup
volume.Inaddition,separateexhaustventilationshouldbeprovided.Ventilationoutletlocationsshouldberemote
fromventilationinlets.Considerationshouldbegiventoprovidingdehumidifiers.

Ananalyticalbalanceoftheautomatic,digitalreadout,singlepan,0.1milligramsensitivitytypeshouldbe
provided.Aheavyspecialdesignbalancetablewhichwillminimizevibrationofthebalanceisneeded.

Considerationshouldbegiventoprovidinglinevoltageregulationforpowersuppliedtolaboratoriesusingdelicate
instruments.

Reagentwaterforanalyticalrequirementsusinganallglassdistillationsystemshouldbesuppliedtothelaboratory.
Someanalysesrequiredeionizationofthedistilledwater.Considerationshouldbegiventosofteningand/or
deionizingthefeedwatertothestill.

NaturalorLPgas(liquefiedpetroleumgaspropane)shouldbesuppliedtothelaboratory.Digestergasshouldnot
beused.Adequatelysizedvacuumlinesshouldbeprovided,withoutletsavailablethroughoutthelaboratory.

Instrumentationandcontrol
Chapter9:InstrumentationandControl
Thischapterprovidesinformationoninstrumentationthatisgenerallyutilizedinsewagetreatmentplants.
However,instrumentationisevolvingallthetimeandenhancementsareongoingthereforeinformationinthis
chaptershouldbeusedasageneralguidelineforinstrumentationselectionanduse.Controlsforsewagetreatment
plantsarealsopresentedintermsofthegeneralfunctionandconsiderationsforuse.
9.1General

Therequirementsforinstrumentationandcontrolwilldependonthesizeofthesewageworks,designstandards
andphilosophyregardinginstrumentationandcontrol(I&C)andthetypeofprocessesemployed.Ingeneral,
instrumentationandcontrolshouldallowforsafeandefficientmanualandautomaticoperationofallpartsofthe
plant,withminimumoperatoreffort.Allautomaticcontrolsshouldbeprovidedwithmanualbackupsystems.

Wheresomepartsoftheplantmaybeoperatedorcontrolledfromaremotelocation,localcontrolstationsshould
beprovidedandshouldincludetheprovisionforpreventingoperationoftheequipmentfromtheremotelocation.
Considerationshouldbegiventoprovidingcommunicationviaintercombetweenremotestationsandthelocal
stations.Insomecases,theuseoftelevisionequipmentmaybejustifiedtoprovidescanningfunctionsoflocal
instrumentationcontrolcentersaswellasprocessequipment.

Decisionswillhavetobemadebythedesignerinconjunctionwiththeownerandoperationsstaffastowhich
equipmentwillbecontrolledlocallyandwhichwillbecontrolledfromaremotelocationandwhethercontrolwill
beautomaticormanual.Forinstance,atasmallsewagetreatmentplant,scumpumpingmaybecontrolledlocally
andmanually,whereasrawsewagepumpingshouldbeautomaticallycontrolled,regardlessofplantsize.In
addition,thepointsofcontrolandthetypeofprimarydeviceshouldbeselected.Decisionsneedtobemadeasto
whethertheinstrumentationistototalize,indicateand/orrecordandwhetheralarmfunctionsaretobe
incorporated.

Inmakingdecisionsrelatingtoinstrumentationandcontrol,thefollowingfactorsshouldbeconsidered:

Plantsize
Effluentrequirements
Plantprocesscomplexity
Hoursinthedaythattheplantwillbestaffed
Potentialchemicalandenergysavingswithautomation
Reliabilityofprimarydevicesforparametermeasurement
Preferredlocationforprimarydevice
Parameterswithusefulsignificancetoprocess
Equipmentwhichshouldbecontrolledautomatically
Equipmentwhichshouldbecontrolledmanually
Equipmentwhichshouldbecontrolledremotely
Equipmentwhichshouldbelocallycontrolled
Owner'sdesignstandardsandphilosophyforI&Candautomation
Datarequiringdisplayatthecontrolcentreand
Indication,totalizingandrecordingfunctionsnecessarytotheoverallprocess.

Forproperoperationofsewagetreatmentplants,thefollowingparametersshouldbemeasured:

Sewageflowrates,includingrawsewage,bypassedflowsandflowsthroughplantsubsections(flowtrains)
Chlorinedosage
Sludgepumpingrate,includingraw,digestedsludgesandactivatedsludgereturn
Digestersupernatantflows
Sludgedewateringreturnstreamflows,whereapplicable
Chemicaldosageforphosphorusremovalprocesses
Anaerobicdigestergasproductionandutilization
Anaerobicdigestertemperature
Hazardousgaslevelsand
Chlorineresidual(ifchlorineusedfordisinfection).

Auxiliaryinstrumentationmaybeconsideredtomeasurethefollowingparameters:

Airflows
Mixedliquordissolvedoxygenconcentrations
Mixedliquorandreturnactivatedsludgesuspendedsolidsconcentrations
Sludgeblanketlevels
Sludgeconcentrationsand
UVintensity.
9.2TypeofInstruments

Thetypeofinstrumentsthatwillberequiredtomeasuretheparametersmentionedaboveareclassifiedasprimeor
primaryelementdeviceswhichtransformasignalfromthephysicalprocesstoasuitablesignalfortransmission
viaatransmitter.Thesedevicesarebrokendownintovariousmeasurementparametersandeachoftheparameters
isfurtherbrokendownintofeaturesandconsiderationswithabriefdescriptionofparticularprocessapplications.

Properdesignoftheinstrumentationinstallationneedstobetakentoensuretheinstrumentaccuracy,including
avoidinginterferencefromotherequipmentoraspectsoftheplant.Flowinstrumentationgenerallyrequires
upstreamanddownstreamstraightlengthstoavoidnonuniformflowinthevicinityoftheinstrument.Pipeflow
instrumentsneedtobelocatedtoavoidinterferencefromvalvesandbends.Considerationsforallinstrumentation
needtoensuretheinstrumentaccuracybyfollowinggooddesignpractices.Theinstrumentmanufacturer's
specifications,requirementsandexpertiseshouldbefollowed.

9.2.1FlowElements

Flowmeteraccuracyneedstoaccountfortheaccuracyoftheprimaryandsecondarydevices.Generally,the
primarydeviceisthephysicalstructureinwhichthemeasurementisbeingmadeanexampleisaflumeinanopen
channel.Thesecondarydeviceisgenerallythemeasuringorelectronicdevice,suchasthelevelsensor,for
exampleanultrasonicleveldevice,onaflume.Thecombinedaccuracyoftheentireflowmeasuringstructureis
oftenreferredtoasthesystemaccuracy.Amainflowmeasuringdevicesuchastheinfluentoreffluentflowmeter
atasewagetreatmentplant(STP)shouldhaveaminimum10%systemaccuracy.

ForthemainflowdeviceatanSTP,considerationshouldbegiventoasecondarymeanstoconfirmtheaccuracyof
theinstrument,astheseflowinstrumentsarecriticaltodeterminingplantcapacity,upgradeorexpansion
requirementsandforproperoperations.Thesecanincluderedundantflowinstrumentsand/ortheabilitytoconduct
drawandfilltestsorsecondarychecksofthephysicalprimaryflowdevices.Physicalprimaryflowdevicesthat
canbemeasuredindependentlyofthesecondarydeviceincludeflumes(e.g.Parshallflumes),weirs(e.g.Vnotch
orsharpcrestedweirs)orVenturitubes.Fortheseprimarydevices,aseparatephysicalmeasurementcanbemade
toconfirmtheaccuracyoftheflowinstrument.Physicalchecksofthistypeneedtotakeintoaccounttheproper
installationoftheprimarystructure.

FlowmeasurementsshouldbeconductedthroughouttheSTP.Someareasarecriticalforgaugingplant
performanceandcapacity,othersarekeyforplantoperations,andsomeareusefulforplantoptimizationand
minimizingoperatingcosts(e.g.electricalandchemicalusage).CriticalflowmeasurementareasincludeSTP
influent,effluent,overflowsandbypasses.

Keyflowmeasurementareasrelatedtoplantoperationsinclude:

Unitprocessorplantinfluentandeffluentstreams
Biologicalreturnstreams,e.g.returnactivatedsludge
Rawandbiologicalsludgewastingand
Recyclestreamssuchascentrateandfiltrates.

Usefulplantoptimizationflowmeasurementsinclude:

Chemicalandpolymerusage
Septageand/orleachateadditions,whereapplicable
Mechanicalthickeninganddewateringflowsand
Gasflows,includingaerationandbiogas.

9.2.1.1MagneticFlowMeter

Themagneticflowmeteroperatesontheprinciplethataconductorpassingthroughamagneticfieldwillproducea
DCvoltagedirectlyproportionaltothespeedoftheconductor.Thefollowingpointsgenerallyapplytomagnetic
flowmeters:

Preferablyinstalledwithslightinclinewithupwardflow
Themeterneedstobefullforproperoperation
Shouldhaveaminimumvelocityofapproximately2to4m/s(6.6to13ft/s)
Pipingarrangementerrorisminimalandisnotasubstantialfactor
 Avoidusewhereentrainedgasesarepresentand
Accuracyapproximately1%ofrate.

9.2.1.2ParshallFlume

AParshallflumeoperatesontheprincipleofaknownrelationshipbetweentheupstreamliquiddepthandflow,
underarangeofoperatingconditions.AParshallflumeisthemostcommonflumeusedinsewagetreatment
plants.ThefollowingpointsgenerallyapplytoParshallflumes.

Flumeshouldbelevel
Accuracyisaffectedbyupstreamchannelarrangement(shouldhaveatleasttenchannelwidths)and
Accuratetowithin5%ofthemeasuredrate.

9.2.1.3UltrasonicFlowMeter

Ultrasonicflowmetersareusedinfullflowingpipes,oftentomeasuresludgeflows.Thefollowingpoints
generallyapplytoultrasonicflowmeters:

Nocontactwithmediumbeingmeasured
Ifdopplertype,thenthepresenceofentrainedgasesorsolidsarerequiredforproperoperation
Ifgreaseispresentinthemedium,thenheatorultrasoniccleaningshouldbeused
Operatingvelocity1to10m/s(3.3to33ft/s)and
Accuratetowithin1to2%ofthemeasuredrate.

9.2.1.4VenturiTube

TheVenturitubeoperatesontheprinciplethatthepressuredifferentialbetweentheinletandthethroatis
proportionaltothesquareoftheflow.ThefollowingpointsgenerallyapplytoVenturitubes:

Metershouldbefullforproperoperation
Accuracyisaffectedbyupstreampipingarrangement
Ifusedonsludgeofanykind,thenwaterpurgearrangementshouldbeused
Accuracytowithin2%ofthemeasuredratehowever,accuracywillbemuchloweratlowflows,
dependingonwhichtypeoftransmitterisused
Iftimedifferentialtype,thenthepresenceofentrainedgasesand/orsolidswillaffecttheaccuracyseverely
Accuracyaffectedbyupstreamanddownstreampipingarrangementand
Accuratetowithin2%ofthemeasuredrate.

9.2.1.5VolumetricMeter

Thevolumetricflowmetercanmeasureflowsinpumpingstationscontrolledbylowandhighlevelcontacts.

Itdoesnotrequirecleaningorrecalibrationasnopartsareincontactwithsewageandcanbeinstalledremotely
fromthestation.Themeasuringprincipleisflowrateequalsvolumedividedbytime.

Programmedwithonsitewetwellvolumes
Digitaldisplayofinflowandoutflowrates,totalflowandpumpingtimeand
Accuratetowithin0.1%ofthemeasuredrate.

Cautionshouldbeusedwherevariablespeedpumpingisemployed.

9.2.1.6Rotameter

TheRotameterisataperedtubethathasaballfloatpermittingroughvisualreadings.Mostlyusedinchlorinators
and/orammoniatorswhereitisastandardfixture.Sinceitisinstalledintheflowline,itneedstobelinesizedand
haslimitationswhentransmissionofasignalisrequired.

9.2.1.7GasMeters
Mostcommongasflowsatasewagetreatmentplantareforaerationtankairflowsanddigestergasflows.The
followinginstrumentsarecommonlyused:

Massflow
Orificeplate
Rotarypositivedisplacementand
Turbine.

9.2.2LevelElements

Thefollowingpointsgenerallyapplytothelevelelementspresented.

9.2.2.1Ultrasonic

Nocontactwithmediumbeingmeasured
Accuracytowithin2%ofactualreading
Typicallythesensorshouldbemountedaminimumdistanceabovethehighliquidlevelandshouldbe
locatedawayfromtankwallsorotherobstructionsthatmaycausefalseechoesand
Notrecommendedinlocationswherefoamisdenseandpersistent.

9.2.2.2FloatType

Rangeof0to11m(0to36ft)
Accuracytowithin1%ofactualreading
Normallylocatedinastillingwellwhereturbulenceisexpectedand
Commonlyusedforhighandlowlevelalarmsandforcontrollingpumpstartsandstops.

9.2.2.3CapacitanceProbe

Maybeusedinapplicationsthatrequirecontinuouslevelmeasurementandalsoasswitchesforalarmsorstart/stop
control.

9.2.2.4Bubbler

Notcommoninnewinstallations
Range0to56m(0to184ft)and
Accuracytowithin0.1%ofactualreadinghowever,theaccuracywillbefurtheraffectedbythetypeof
transmitterselected.

9.2.3OtherAnalyticalInstruments

9.2.3.1DensityElements

Thefollowingpointsgenerallyapplytodensityelements:

RadiationType

Accuracy0to15%
Canbedifficulttokeepincalibrationandrequiresfrequentmaintenanceand
Requirescertifiedpersonneltohandleradioactivematerial.

Ultrasonic

Range1to10%
Accuracyrepeatabilityis0.5%and
Avoidusewhereentrainedgasesarepresent.

9.2.3.2DissolvedOxygenMeasurement(Galvanic)
 Installationdetailsaregenerallyrelatedtothechoiceofplacementoftheanalyzerintheprocessfluidand
Analyzersgenerallyrequirefrequentmaintenance.

9.2.3.3SuspendedSolidsMeasurement

Installationdetailsfortheseinstrumentsareuniquetoeachmanufacturer
Twomaintypesareturbidityandoptical
Turbidityanalyzersarerecommendedforapplicationsinvolvingsuspendedsolidsand
Opticalanalyzersarerecommendedforapplicationsinvolvingsolidsconcentrationsfrom20mg/Lto8%
solids.

9.2.3.4PressureElements

Thefollowingpointsgenerallyapplytopressureelements:

Bellow(LowerPressures)

Pressurerange0to2,000kPa(0to290psi)
Accuracytowithin1%ofactualreadingand
Installationshouldincludetheuseofblockandbleedvalves.

BourdonTube(HigherPressures)

Pressurerange0to35,000kPa(0to5080psi)
Accuracy1%offullscaleand
Installationshouldincludetheuseofblockandbleedvalves.

LiquidtoAirDiaphragm(Commonlyusedinsensingpressuresinvolvingcorrosivechemicals)

Pressuretoapproximately20mwatercolumnor0to3500kPa(0to510psi)
Accuracy1%ofscale
Installationshouldincludetheuseofblockandbleedvalvesand
Temperatureextremesshouldbeavoidedandlocationshouldbeascloseaspossibletotheprocess
measurementsite.

LiquidtoLiquidDiaphragm

Pressurestoapproximately20m(65ft)watercolumnor0to3500kPa(0to510psi)
Accuracy1%ofscale
Installationshouldincludetheuseofblockandbleedvalvesand
Temperatureextremesshouldbeavoidedandlocationshouldbeascloseaspossibletotheprocess
measurementsite.

StrainGauge(Commonlyusedinconjunctionwithabellow)

Shouldhavetemperaturecompensation
Accuracy1%ofreading
Notsensitiveenoughforlowpressureranges.

9.2.3.5SludgeBlanketDetector

Therearebasicallytwotypesofsludgeblanketleveldetectorsavailableoneisthephotocelltypeandtheotheris
theultrasonictype.Iftheapplicationrequiresanon/offtypeofcontrol,thenthephotocelltypemaybesuitable.
However,ifananalogtypeofcontrolormonitoringisrequired,thentheultrasonictypewillberequired.

9.2.3.6TemperatureElements
Alltemperatureelementsshouldbeselectedwithcaretoassurethattheappropriatedeviceischosenforagiven
temperaturerange.Thefollowingpointsgenerallyapplytotemperatureelements:

GasFilledSystem

Mostcommoninsewagetreatmentplantapplication
Temperaturerange0to100C(32to212F)and
Accuracy1%fullscale.

ResistanceTemperatureDetector

Useofthermowelladvised
Temperaturerange0to300C(32to572F)and
Accuracytowithin0.5%ofactualreading.

Thermocouple

Useofthermowelladvised
Temperaturerangeapproximately0to1000C(32to1832F)and
Accuracy1%fullscale.

Thermistor

Useofthermowelladvisedand
Temperaturerangeapproximately0to300C(32to572F).

9.3ProcessControlsandInstrumentation

9.3.1PumpingStations

Pumpingstationsrequiredependableandsimpleinstrumentationandcontrols.Theparametersthatrequire
monitoringandcontrolinapumpingstationare:level,flow,pumps,motorsandalarms.

9.3.1.1LevelControl

Thepurposeofalevelcontrolistoregulatethepumpingrateofsewagetothetreatmentplant.Ifthepumpsare
variablespeedananalogmonitoringandcontrolsystemshouldbeused.Ifthepumpsareconstantormultiple
speeds,asteppingtypeofcontrolsystemshouldbeused.

9.3.1.2FlowMonitoring

Theflowmeteringdeviceshouldbeselectedverycarefullytoensurethattherearenoobstructionswhereclogging
couldpotentiallyoccur.Routinepreventativemaintenanceshouldalsobeconsideredintheselectionoftheflow
meter.

9.3.1.3PumpsandMotors

Thefollowingparametersshouldbemonitored:

Pump

Bearingtemperature
Casingtemperature
Vibration
Speedand
Suctionanddischargepressures.
Motors

Voltage
Current
Hoursofoperation
Bearingtemperatureand
Windingstemperature.

9.3.1.4Alarms

Alarmsarethefinalwarningtotheoperatorthatthesystemismalfunctioningandunlesscorrectiveactionistaken,
damage(e.g.flooding,bypassingand/orequipmentdamage)mayoccur.Audio/visualalarmsarerecommendedin
ordertofocustheoperator'sattentionontheactualfaultcondition.

Apumpingstationshouldhaveatleastthehighandlowliquidlevelalarmandotherpumpalarms,includingmotor
windingtemperature,pumpandmotorbearingtemperatureandmotoroverload.

Forfurtherprotectionofmotorsinheavydutyapplications,ashockloadingrelaycanbeinstalledtoprotect
againstunexpectedmotoroverloads.

9.3.2MechanicalBarScreens

Therearetwomethodstocontrolmechanicalbarscreens:

Simplemanualstartorstopswitchrequiresthepresenceofanoperatoratthescreenand
Automaticstartorstopswitchoperateswhenactivatedbyadifferentialpressureswitch.Thescreenshould
runforatleastonecompletescreenrevolution.Toachievetheminimumrunningtime,atimerorlimitswitch
maybeused.Inadditionatimershouldbeprovidedtoensure

periodiccleaningofthescreen,regardlessofactualheadloss.Ameanstoinitiateacyclemanuallyshouldbe
providedtopermittheoperatortocycletheunitasrequirediftheautomaticsystemsfail.

9.3.2.1Alarms

Thereshouldbeadifferentialpressureswitchforalarmsignalwithaheadlosssettingofapproximately100mm(4
in)higherthanthesettingforautomaticstartupofthemechanicalbarscreen.

9.3.3PrimaryTreatment

9.3.3.1RawSludgePumping

Therawsludgepumpsshouldbesetupinsuchawaythatthefollowingfeaturesareincorporated:

Selectablepumpduty(manualselectionofdutypump)
Manualoverrideofautomaticcontrols
Individuallyselectedhopperpumpingtimes
Adjustabledensitycontrol
Sludgeflowand
Sludgedensity.

9.3.3.2ScumPumping

Thescumpumpsshouldbesetupinsuchawaythatthefollowingfeaturesareincorporated:

Selectablepumpduty
Manualoverrideofautomaticcontrols
Automaticcontrolsystemconsistingofhighandlowscumlevelswitches
Scumtemperatureindicatorand
Thedutypumpshouldstartatscumhighlevelandstopatscumlowlevelinthescumtank.
9.3.4SecondaryTreatment

9.3.4.1AerationTankDissolvedOxygen

Automaticdissolvedoxygen(DO)controlsystemscanbeusedtocontroltherateofairsupplytotheaeration
tanks.TheuseofDOcontrolcanresultinenergyandoperatingcostsavings.Thereareseveraldifferentmethodsof
automaticDOcontrol.Themostcommonlyusedare:

FlowRatioThisconsistsofafixedratioofairvolumetoplantinfluentflowitshouldbenotedthatthis
controlstrategydoesnotaccountforloadvariationsthatarenotassociatedwithflowchanges.
ClosedLoopControlThisconsistsofDOprobesandcontrollerswheretheactualDOreadingiscompared
withasetpointonthecontrollerandtheresultantdeviationsignalisusedtoincreaseordecreasetheoxygen
supplytotheaerationtanks.

Thereareothermethods,suchasfoodtomicroorganism(F/M)ratioorsolidsretentiontimecontrol.These
methodsrequiretheuseofacomputerforcalculation,forecastingandmodelling.

9.3.4.2ChemicalControlSystems

Chemicaladditionwiththeexceptionofthechlorinationsystemisafeedforwardcontrolsystem.Thisconsistsofa
feederorchemicalmeteringpumpthatwilldoseatafixedratiototheinfluentoreffluentflowoftheplant,withno
analyzerorfeedbackcontrol.

Chlorineadditionisacompoundloopcontrolsystemthatconsistsofadjustableratioofchlorinetoinfluentor
effluentflowwithtrimbasedonchlorineresidualasmeasuredbyachlorineanalyzer.

Thechlorineadditionforlargertreatmentplantsshouldconsistofatleastthreechlorinatorsandtwoanalyzers:

Onechlorinatorforprechlorination
Onechlorinatorforpostchlorination
Onechlorinatorstandbythatcanbeusedaseitherpreorpostchlorination
Oneanalyzerforpostchlorinationand
Oneanalyzerforprechlorination.

Eachanalyzershouldbecapableofbeingswitchedtothestandbychlorinator.

Dechlorinationchemicaladditionwillhavesimilarrequirementforcontrol.Dechlorinationcontrolisgenerally
basedonchlorineresidualafterdechlorination,withasetpointandalarmlevelidentified.

9.3.5TertiaryTreatment

Controlandmonitoringfortertiarytreatmentprocesseswilldependontheprocessbeingused.Thiscouldinclude,
forexample,tertiaryclarifiers,filtersormembranes.Monitoringandcontrolinstrumentationcouldinclude:

Waterlevel
Influentandeffluentturbidityorsolidsand
Pressure.

9.4ProcessNarrativeandBasisOfControl

ThedesignershouldprepareareportwhichprovidesaprocessnarrativefortheSTPandthatbrieflydescribeseach
componentoftheplant,includingtherawinfluentquality,pretreatmentprocesses,biologicaltreatmentprocesses,
pumpingequipment,solidshandlingprocesses,instrumentation,monitoringandsamplingequipment,as
applicable.Thereportshouldalsoidentifyandexplainthebasisofcontrolforthesystem.

Processandinstrumentationdiagrams(P&ID)shouldbedevelopedforallsewagetreatmentfacilitiesandshould
includeallmajorandminorprocessesalongwithallancillaryprocessequipment.

Controlsystemsshouldbedesignedwithauserfriendly,humanmachineinterface(HMI)systemtofacilitateplant
operationandonlinemonitoring.Equipmentstatus,flowrates,waterlevels,pressuresandchemicalfeedrates
shouldallbedisplayedviaanHMI.Allautomatedsystemsshouldbedesignedwithamanualoverridesomeother
formofredundancytoallowsafeoperationintheeventofahardwareorcommunicationfailure.

9.5ControlandMonitoringSystems
Twocontrolandmonitoringsystemsareavailable.Oneistheconventionalsystemwithrecorders,indicators,
switches,pushbuttons,indicatinglightsandcontrolpanelsandtheotheristhecomputerizedsystem.

Theconventionalsystemisapassivesystemwithlimitedautomaticcontrol,wheretheoperatorisresponsiblefor
decisionsandactions.Thecomputerizedsystemisamultipurposesystemwithlimitedscopeformodificationora
dedicatedpurposesystemwithstandardhardwareandcustomizedsoftware.

Bothcomputerizedsystemshavetwobasicconfigurations:

AcentralizedconfigurationwhereallintelligenceisresidentinthecomputersintheCentralControlStation
and
Adistributedcontrolconfigurationwheretheintelligenceisdistributedthroughoutthesystem.

Thedistributedsystemhardwarecostswillbehigherthanthecentralizedconfigurationhowever,wiringand
installationcostswillbeless.Thereareseveralimportantadvantagestothedistributedsystem.Oneofthe
advantagesisthatwithintelligencedistributedthroughoutthesystem,thesoftwarerequiredforthecomputersat
CentralControlbecomeslesscomplicatedandrequireslessmaintenance.Theintelligencecontainedintheother
componentsofthesystemwillbeonfirmwarewhichrequiresnomaintenance.Anotheradvantageisthatinthe
eventofacommunicationfailure,eachintelligentcomponentinthesystemcanoperateonitsownandmaintain
somepreprogrammedconditionbasedonitsownsensors.Therefore,whenalowerintelligencecomponentloses
communicationwithahigherintelligencecomponent,itwillstillfunctionwiththepredeterminedfailsafe
programtomaintainsystemoperation.

Thecomputerizedsystemscanbearrangedsothatalloperatingdecisionscanbemadebythecomputerbasedon
instructionsgivenatanearlierstageoftheformalprogramming.Alternatively,theterminalequipmentcanbeused
forinformationdisplayandmanualinitiationofcontrolcommands,thatisasaremotemanualcontrolstation.

Aprogrammablelogiccontroller(PLC)basedsystemisamultipurposesystemwithextensivescopefor
modification.Theplantstatus,alarms,motorstarters,metersandanalyzersareallwiredintoinput/output(I/O)
cardslocatedinwhatarecalledracks.Theracksmaybemountedseparatelyorplacedinspecificplantareasto
reducewiringcosts.TheI/Oracksareassociatedwithcontrollersthatareprogrammedtoperformtherequired
processcontrolfunctions.AdjustmentscangenerallybemadeeasilybymodificationoforadditiontothePLC
programs.

Plantpersonnelrequireprocessinformationinrealtimeorinnearrealtime.ThePLCsystemsaccomplishthisby
meansofanHMI.TheHMImaybededicatedhardwareandsoftwareormaycomeintheformofpersonal
computersutilizingHMIsoftwareandconnectedtothePLCcommunicationssystem.Thesesystemsvarywidely
intheircapabilitiesandperformance.Theselectionofhardwareandsoftwareshouldbedonecarefullytoassure
propercurrentperformanceandfuturesupportabilityandexpendability.

9.5.1Maintainability

Sewagetreatmentplantsarebecomingmoredependentoncontrolsystemsofalltypesandcomplexities.STPare
becomingincreasinglydependentontheonecommonfeatureofcontrolsystems,thisbeingthesoftware.Without
properdocumentationandmaintenanceofthesoftware,properoperationoftheplantisatrisk.Plantoperation
reliesonproperapplicationprograms,whichcouldbelostwithoutadequatesystemdocumentation.

Systembackupprogramsmayalsobeatriskifsystemactivitiessuchaschangestoprogramlogic,thetuning
parametersandinstrumentinstallationarenotproperlydocumented.Maintenanceofthecontrolsystemisdifficult
ifnotimpossibletoaccomplishwithoutproperdocumentation.

9.5.2IdentifyingtheRequiredDocuments

TheoperationandmaintenanceofanSTPthatusesanytypeofprogrammabledeviceforprocesscontrolrequires
thefollowingtypesofdocuments:
 Systemdescriptioninnarrativeformat
SystemblockdiagramdrawingthatidentifieslocationandnodenamesoftheconnectedPLCs,PCs,operator
interfaces,serversandmodems
Softwareusedforsystemconfigurationisalwaysupdatedandreadytoload
DrawingsshowingI/Owiringconnectionsandaddressassignments
Addressassignmentsidentifyingallofthevariableswithinthecontrolsystem,suchasregisterandaddress
assignments,variablesandI/Otables(ifrequired)
ControlsystemprogramsforeachPLCorprogrammableprocesscontroldeviceinastatethatisupdatedand
readytoload,aswellasaprintoutoftheprogramand
Narrativedescriptionofeachpartoftheprogramandthesoftwareusedtoenterthedescription.

9.5.3SmartInstrumentation

Instrumentsthatprovidethecontrolsystemwithbothprocessmeasurementsanddiagnosticinformationaboutthe
instrumentarereferredtoassmartinstruments.Bothpiecesofinformationarecriticalintoday'scontrolsystems
duetothewaydataismovedandused.Itiscommontomoveanalyticaldatafromthecontrolsystemtoaserver
wheremanypeoplecanviewthedataanduseitinreports.Iftheinstrumentismalfunctioning,thedatamaybein
error,butitwillbeusedinreportsgeneratedfromtheserver.Smartinstrumentscanprovideanindicationofthe
qualityofthedatainquestionand,therefore,whetherreportsareaccurate.

9.5.4PLCDocumentationSoftware

SpecificationsforSTPusingPLCsshouldincludecomprehensiverequirementsforPLCdocumentationsoftware.
Documentationsystems,eitherfromthePLCmanufacturerorthirdpartysoftwarevendors,shouldprovide
functionsimportanttomaintainingaplantsuchasuploading,verifyingandstoringtheapplicationprograms.

9.5.5ReliabilityandMaintenanceConsiderations

AninstrumentationandcontrolsystemshouldbedesignedwithbothToassistinreviewofthisvitalrequirement,
thefollowinglistoffrequentdesignoversights,errorsandomissionshasbeencompiled.Thelistdoesnotcontain
anysolutiontotheseproblems.Itisintendedonlyasaremindertodesignersorcheckers.Solutionsdependon
conditionsorfactorsuniquetospecificprojects.operationalreliabilityandmaintainabilityifitistoproperlyserve
itspurpose.

Millivoltlevelsignalsinadequatelyseparatedorshieldedfromparallelrunsofheavypowercircuits
Millivoltlevelsignalsnotintwistedshieldedpairortriadconstruction
Electricandpneumaticsignalconductorsnotinconduitorotherwiseprotectedfromphysical/mechanical
damage
120VACcontrolcircuitstoolong,allowingdistributedcapacitancetokeepthecircuitenergizedafterthe
primarycontrolelementisopened
Hazardousarea(refertoU.S.NationalElectricCode(NEC)section500)
Failuretouseoilfreeairinpneumaticcontrolsystems
Failuretoindicatewhensinglepointgroundingisrequired
Failuretoindicateorspecifyrequiredvoltageregulationorovervoltageprotection
Failuretospecifyadequateequipmentenclosuresforadverse,hostileorhazardousenvironments
Failuretoconsiderpossibleorprobablecloggingofsensorlinesbygreaseorsolidsintheprocessstream
Failuretospecifyorprovideisolationvalvesoninstrumentsconnectedtoprocesspiping
Failuretospecifysnubbersonpressureswitches
Failuretoprovideneedlevalvesforcontrolofoperatingairorhydraulicstocontrolvalves
Floatswitchesinhighlyturbulentareas
Flowmeterstooclosetobendsinprocesspipes
Installationofequipmentinareasdifficultorimpossibletoreachformaintenance
Failuretoconsideroperatorconvenienceinlayoutordesignofcontrolsystemand
Failuretoprovideoperatorwithsufficientprocessdata.

9.6Security

Sitesecurityhashistoricallybeentoprotectproperty,protectstaffandpreventendangeringthepublic.Recent
eventshaveshownthatinadditiontotheseissues,sewagetreatmentworksarealsopotentialtargetsofmalevolent
actsofdestructionanddisruptionfromdomesticandinternationalterrorists.Purposefulcontaminationofsewage
aswellasdamagetoordestructionoftreatmentorconveyancesystems,canleadtowidespreadandlongterm
environmentaldamageandseriouspublichealthimpacts.ForadditionaldetailsonsecurityissuesrefertoASCE,
AWWAandWEF(2004),InterimVoluntarySecurityGuidanceforWastewater/StormwaterUtilities.

Thesecuritysystemscoveredinthissectionreferspecificallytoelectronictypesurveillanceandintruderalert
systems.Fencingandothersafetyaspectsarecoveredelsewhere.

Inlargersewagetreatmentplants,themaingateshouldhaveatleastoneofthefollowingaccesscontrolsystems:

Punchedormagneticcardswithacardreaderatacentralcontrolstation
ClosedcircuitTV(CCTV)systemwheretheoperatorhastooperatethegate/doorfromaremotelocation
and
Anintercomsystemwheretheoperatorhastooperatethegate/doorfromaremotelocation.

Legal/illegalentryalarmsystemsshouldbeprovidedinremotepumpingstationsandifrequiredinplantbuildings.
Thesesystemsshouldincludedoorandwindowswitchesandtapesthatwillprovideindicatorsignalstoacentral
locationthatanentryhasbeenmade.

PreliminaryTreatmentandprimarysedimentation
Chapter10:PreliminaryTreatment
Thischapterdescribesthoseprocesses,generallylocatedattheheadworksofasewagetreatmentplant,thatare
designedtoremovedebrisfromsewage,toprotectequipmentanddownstreamprocesses.Thepreliminary
treatmentprocessesdescribedinthischapterarescreening,comminution,grindingandgritremoval.Asectionis
alsoincludedonpreaerationandflowequalization.

10.1ScreeningDevices

Screensshouldbeplacedintheinfluentflowattheheadworksofthesewagetreatmentplant(STP)toremove
debristhatmayharmotherprocessunits.

Coarsescreens,ortrashracks,shouldbeprovidedasthefirsttreatmentstagefortheprotectionofplantequipment
againstblockageorphysicaldamage.Trashrackscanprecedefinerscreenswhenservingcombinedsewersystems.
Coarsescreeningcanbeprovidedintheformofbarscreens(manuallyormechanicallycleaned).Table101
providestheapproximatescreenopeningsizesforvariousclassificationsofscreens.

Table101ScreenSizeOpeningsforVariousScreen
Classifications
ScreenClassification ScreenOpeningSize(Range)
TrashRack >25mm(>1in)
Coarse 625mm(1/41in)
Fine 16mm(1/251/4in)
Microscreen <1mm(<1/25in)

Whenconsideringwhichtypesofscreeningdevicesshouldbeused(whethermanuallyormechanicallycleaned),
thefollowingfactorsshouldbeconsidered:

Effectondownstreamtreatmentandsludgedisposaloperations
Possibledamagetocomminutororbarminutordevicescausedbystonesorcoarsegritparticles
Headlossesofthevariousalternativescreeningdevices
Impactofdebrisloadingonscreen(includingleafloadinginthecaseofcombinedsewersystems)
Maintenanceandlabourrequirementsand
Screeningsdisposalrequirements.

Facilitiesfortheremoval,drainage,washing,storageandultimatedisposalofaccumulatedscreeningsshouldbe
providedwhenmanuallyormechanicallycleanedscreensareused.
10.1.1CoarseScreens

Itisrecommendedthatprotectionforpumpsandotherequipmentbeprovidedbyupstreamtrashracks,coarsebar
racks,orcoarsescreens.

10.1.1.1DesignandInstallation

Ingeneral,manuallycleanedscreensshouldbeplacedonaslopeof30to45fromthehorizontal.Approach
velocitiesshouldbebetween0.4m/s(1.25ft/s)topreventsettlingand0.9m/s(3.0ft/s)atdesignaveragedaily
flow,topreventforcingmaterialthroughtheopenings.

Dualchannelsshouldbeprovidedandequippedwiththenecessarygatestoisolateflowfromanyscreeningunit.
Provisionsshouldalsobemadetofacilitatedewateringeachunitorchannelformaintenanceorrepair.Thechannel
precedingandfollowingthescreenshouldbeshapedtoeliminatestrandingandsettlingofsolids.Thescreens
servingcombinedsewersystemshouldbeprovidedwithabypassorequipmenttoremovethescreentoprevent
floodingintheeventofscreenblindingduetoexcessmateriallikeleaves.

Whereasinglemechanicallycleanedscreenisused,anauxiliarymanuallycleanedscreenshouldbeprovided.
Wheretwoormorescreensarepresent,thecapacityshouldbeprovidedtotreatdesignpeakhourlyflowwithone
unitoutofservice.

Thescreenchannelinvertshouldbe75to150mm(3to6in)belowtheinvertoftheincomingsewer.Entrance
channelsshouldbedesignedtoprovideequalanduniformdistributionofflowtothescreens.

Theeffectofchangesinbackwaterelevation,duetointermittentcleaningofscreens,shouldbeconsideredinthe
locationofflowmeasurementequipment(Section9.2.1FlowElements).

Screeningdevicesandscreeningsstorageareasshouldbeprotectedfromfreezing.Aconvenientandadequate
meansforremovingscreeningsshouldbeprovided.Hoistingorliftingequipmentshouldbeprovided.Provision
shouldalsobemadeforwashingofscreenings.

Facilitiesarerecommendedtobeprovidedforhandling,storageanddisposalofscreeningsinanacceptable
mannerinaccordancewithapplicablerequirements.Finaldisposaltolandfillgenerallyrequiresthatthescreenings
meetalimitintermsofdrysolids,slump,orpresenceofafreeliquid.(Section18.5.1MunicipalSolidsWaste
Landfilling).Separategrindingofscreeningsandreturntothesewageflowisnotrecommended.

Manuallycleanedscreeningfacilitiesshouldincludeanaccessibleplatformfromwhichtheoperatormayrake
screeningseasilyandsafely.Suitabledrainagefacilitiesarerecommendedtobeprovidedforboththeplatformand
thestoragearea.

10.1.1.2AccessandVentilation

Screenslocatedinpitsmorethan1.2m(4ft)deepneedtobeprovidedwithstairwayaccess.Accessladdersare
acceptableforpitslessthan1.2m(4ft)deep,inlieuofstairways.

Screeningdevices,installedinabuildingwhereotherequipmentorofficesarelocated,needtobeisolatedfromthe
restofthebuilding.Thesedevicesshouldbeprovidedwithseparateoutsideentrancesandbeprovidedwith
separateandindependentfreshairsupply.

Freshairneedstobeforcedintoenclosedscreeningdeviceareasorintoopenpitsmorethan1.2m(4ft)deep.
Dampersshouldnotbeusedonexhaustorfreshairductsandfinescreensorotherobstructionsshouldbeavoided
topreventclogging.Wherecontinuousventilationisrequired,atleast12completeairchangesperhourare
recommended.Wherecontinuousventilationwouldcauseexcessiveheatloss,intermittentventilationofatleast30
completeairchangesperhourarerecommendedwhenpersonnelenterthearea.Theairchangerequirementsare
basedon100percentfreshair.

Switchesforoperationofventilationequipmentshouldbemarkedandlocatedconveniently.Allintermittently
operatedventilationequipmentisrecommendedtobeinterconnectedwiththerespectivepitlightingsystem.Itis
recommendedthatthefanwheelbefabricatedfromnonsparkingmaterial.Explosionproofgasdetectorsneedto
beprovided.
10.1.1.3SafetyandShields

Manuallycleanedscreenchannelsneedtobeprotectedbyguardrailingsanddeckgratings,withadequate
provisionsforremovaloropeningstofacilitateraking.

Mechanicallycleanedscreenchannelsneedtobeprotectedbyguardrailingsanddeckgratings.Consideration
shouldalsobegiventotemporaryaccessarrangementstofacilitatemaintenanceandrepair.Mechanicalscreening
equipmentisrecommendedtohaveadequateremovableenclosurestoprotectpersonnelagainstaccidentalcontact
withmovingpartsandtopreventdrippinginmultilevelinstallations.

Apositivemeansoflockingouteachmechanicaldeviceandtemporaryaccessforuseduringmaintenanceis
recommended.Floordesignanddrainageshouldbeprovidedtopreventslipperyareas.Suitablelightingshould
alsobeprovidedinallworkandaccessareas.

10.1.1.4ElectricalEquipmentandControlSystems

Itisrecommendedthatallmechanicalunitswhichareoperatedbytimingdevicesbeprovidedwithauxiliary
controlswhichwillsetthecleaningmechanisminoperationatapresethighwaterelevation.Ifthecleaning
mechanismfailstolowerthehighwater,analarmshouldbesignaled.

Electricalequipment,fixturesandcontrolsinthescreeningareawherehazardousgasesmayaccumulateneedsto
meettherequirementsoftheElectricalSafetyCodeforClassI,Zone1,GroupDlocations(O.Reg.164/99made
undertheElectricityAct,1998).

Itisrecommendedthatautomaticcontrolsbesupplementedbyamanualoverrideatthelocationoftheequipment.

10.1.2FineScreens

Finescreensshouldnotbeconsideredequivalenttoprimarysedimentationbutmaybeusedinlieuofprimary
sedimentationwheresubsequenttreatmentunitsaredesignedonthebasisofanticipatedscreenperformance.
Selectionofscreencapacityshouldconsiderflowrestrictionduetoretainedsolids,gummymaterials,frequencyof
cleaningandextentofcleaning.Wherefinescreensareused,additionalprovisionforremovaloffloatableoilsand
greasesshouldbeconsidered.Careshouldbetakenwithsmallerscreensizeopeningstoavoidplugging.

Airexchangessimilartocoarsescreensneedtobeprovided(Section10.1.1.2AccessandVentilation).

Ifthereisahighorganiccontentinthescreenings,washingisaneffectivewayofbreakingupandreducingthe
amountoffecalandorganiccontent.Thiswillhelptoreduceodourswithinthescreeningareaandreducethesolid
contentfordisposal.Washersaremostefficientwhenusedincombinationwithcompactors,sincewaterisaddedto
breakuporganicsandthiswatershouldberemoved.

Volumereductionisameanstominimizethecostofdisposal.Dependingonthecharacteristicsofthescreenings,
theycanbeeffectivelydriedto50%moisturecontentandreducedbyupto75%oftheiroriginalvolume,reducing
haulinganddisposalcost.Screwcompactorsandpistontypecompactorsareusedtodewaterandcompact
screenings.Compactingisanapproachtosavecostsandinsomecasesdisposalsitesrequirescreeningstopass
specificstandardsfordryness.

10.1.2.1DesignandInstallation

TestsshouldbeconductedtodetermineBOD5andsuspendedsolidsremovalefficienciesatthedesignmaximum
dayflowanddesignmaximumdayBOD5loadings.Pilottestingforanextendedtimeispreferredtocoverkey
seasonaloperationalvariations.

Itisrecommendedthataminimumoftwofinescreensbeprovided,eachunitbeingcapableofindependent
operation.Capacityisrecommendedtobeprovidedtotreatdesignpeakinstantaneousflowwithoneunitoutof
service.

Finescreensshouldbeprecededbyacoarsebarscreeningdevice.Finescreensshouldbeprotectedfromfreezing
andlocatedtofacilitatemaintenance.
Itisrecommendedthathosingequipmentbeprovidedtofacilitatecleaning.Provisionsshouldbemadefor
isolatingandremovingunitsfromtheirlocationforservicing.

10.1.3Microscreening

Microscreensareclassifiedashavinglessthan1mm(1/25in)screenopenings.Screenscanbeconstructedof
differenttypesofmaterialsuchaswovenmetal,perforatedmetalplatesandwovencloth.Thisscreencategoryis
conventionallyusedasapolishingstep,althoughrecentlysomecompanieshaveexploredthepossibilitiesof
providingcompletepretreatmenttocreateamorecompactSTPandtoreplacetheneedforprimarytreatment.

Similartofinescreens,microscreeningmaybeaccomplisheddirectlyorindirectly.Theeffectivenessofthedirect
methodofcapturingsolidsislargelydependentonthesizeofthescreenopenings.Indirectcaptureofsolidswill
occurwhenamatorfilmdevelopsonthescreenfromprevioussolidsretention.Thiswillreducetheeffectivesize
ofthescreenopeningandhence,increasetheoverallefficiencyofthescreeningprocess.Cautionshouldbeused
whenindirectfiltrationoccurswithmicroscreenssincethereisahighpotentialforfoulingandexcessheadloss.

10.2ComminutorsandGrinders

10.2.1General

Grindersandcomminutors(includingbarminutors)representanalternativetocoarsescreening.Sinceproblems
canoccurduetotherecombiningofcomminutedorbarminutedmaterialsindownstreamtreatmentunits,itis
recommendedthatthephysicalremovalofthecoarsematerialfromthesewageinfluentbeusedratherthantheuse
ofshreddingorcuttingdeviceswithreintroductionofthematerialtothetreatedsewage.

Whencomminutorsareused,theyarecommonlyplaceddownstreamofgritremovaltoavoiddamagetothecutters
causedbygritparticles.Ontheotherhand,ifcomminutionisprovidedupstreamofgritremovalunits,more
efficientgritremovalwillbeachieved.Ifmechanicalgritremovalisused,equipmentprotectionintheformof
sometypeofcoarsescreeningdeviceshouldbeprovidedupstreamofthegritremovalfacilities.

10.2.2DesignConsiderations

Comminutorsshouldbeprotectedbyacoarsescreeningdevice.Comminutorsnotprecededbygritremoval
equipmentarerecommendedtobeprotectedbya150mm(6in)deepgraveltrap.

Comminutorsmaybeusedinlieuofscreeningdevicestoprotectequipmentwherestringysubstanceaccumulation
ondownstreamequipmentwillnotbeasubstantialproblem.

Itisrecommendedthatcomminutorcapacitybeadequatetohandledesignpeakhourlyflow.Ascreenedbypass
channelshouldbeprovidedandshouldbeautomaticforallcomminutorfailures.Channelgatesshouldbeprovided
wherenecessary.

Provisionneedstobemadetofacilitateservicingunitsinplaceandforremovingunitsfromtheirlocationfor
servicing.Provisionsforaccess,ventilation,shieldsandsafetyshouldbeinaccordancewithSections10.1.1.2and
10.1.1.3.

Electricalequipmentincomminutorchamberswherehazardousgasesmayaccumulateneedstomeetthe
requirementsoftheElectricalSafetyCodeforClassI,Zone1,GroupDlocations(O.Reg.164/99madeunderthe
ElectricityAct,1998).Motorsneedtobeprotectedagainstaccidentalsubmergence.

10.3GritRemovalFacilities

10.3.1General

GritremovalfacilitiesshouldbeprovidedforallmechanicalSTPespeciallythosereceivingsewagefrom
combinedsewersorfromsewersystemsreceivingsubstantialamountsofgrit.Ifaplantservingaseparatesewer
systemisdesignedwithoutgritremovalfacilities,itisrecommendedthatthedesignincludeprovisionforfuture
installation.Itisalsorecommendedthatconsiderationbegiventothepossibledamagingeffectsonpumps,
comminutorsandotherprecedingaswellasdownstreamequipmentandtheneedforadditionalstoragecapacityin
treatmentunitswheregritislikelytoaccumulate.
ThequantityofgritremovedatanSTPcanvarysignificantlydependingonthesewageflow,characteristicsofthe
servicearea,typeofcollectionsystemandtypeofscreenlocatedbeforegritcollection.Gritcollectioncanvary
from4to37mL/m3oftreatedsewage(0.54to4.9cuft/mil.USgal)forseparatesewersystemsand4to180
mL/m3(0.54to24.1cuft/mil.USgal)forcombinedsewersystems.

Gritremovalisnormallyaccomplishedbygritchannels,detritustanks,aeratedgrittanksorvortexgrittanks.
Automatedgritremovalequipmentispreferredtoavoidmanualcleaning(i.e.,asrequiredwithgritchannels).Grit
removalcanalsobeaccomplishedusingcentrifugaltypeseparatorsandstationaryscreens,althoughtheseareless
commonlyusedinOntario.

10.3.2DesignFactors

Gritremovalfacilitiesshouldbelocatedaheadofpumpsandcomminutingdevices.Coarsebarracksshouldbe
placedaheadofgritremovalfacilities.Gritremovalfacilitieslocatedoutsideshouldbeprotectedfromfreezing.
Heattracingforexamplemayberequiredonspecificequipmentorprocesses.Itisrecommendedthatadequate
stairwayaccesstoaboveorbelowgradefacilitiesbeprovided.

Ventilationshouldbeprovided,withrecommendedcontinuousfreshairintroductionratesofatleast12airchanges
perhour,orintermittentlyatarateofatleast30airchangesperhour.Odourcontrolfacilitiesmayalsobe
warranted.

Allelectricalworkinenclosedgritremovalareaswherehazardousgasesmayaccumulateneedstomeetthe
requirementsoftheElectricalSafetyCodeforClassI,Zone1,GroupDlocations(O.Reg.164/99madeunderthe
ElectricityAct,1998).Explosionproofgasdetectorsneedtobeprovided.

Plantstreatingsewagefromcombinedsewersshouldhaveatleasttwomechanicallycleanedgritremovalunits,
withprovisionsforbypassing.Asinglemanuallycleanedormechanicallycleanedgritchamberwithbypassis
acceptableforsmallsewagetreatmentplantsservingseparatesanitarysewersystems.Minimumfacilitiesforlarger
plantsservingseparatesanitarysewersshouldbeatleastonemechanicallycleanedunitwithabypass.

Facilitiesotherthanchanneltypeshouldbeprovidedwithadequateandflexiblecontrolsforvelocityand/orair
supplydevicesandwithgritcollectionandremovalequipment.Aeratedgrittanksshouldhaveairratesadjustable
intherangeof4.7to12.4L/(ms)(3to8cfm/ftoftanklength).Detentiontimeinthetankshouldbeintherange
of3to5minutesatthedesignpeakhourlyflow.

Thedesigneffectivenessofagritremovalsystemshouldbecommensuratewiththerequirementsofthesubsequent
processunits.

Inletturbulenceshouldbeminimizedinchanneltypeunits.Channeltypechambersshouldbedesignedtocontrol
thevelocitiesduringnormalvariationsinflowascloseaspossibleto0.3m/s(1ft/s).Thedetentionperiodshould
bebasedonthesizeofparticletoberemoved.

Allaeratedgritremovalfacilitiesshouldbeprovidedwithadequatecontroldevicestoregulateairsupplyand
agitation.

Theneedforgritwashingshouldbedeterminedbythemethodofgrithandlingandfinaldisposal.

Thedesignershouldmakeprovisionforisolatinganddrainingeachunit.Itisrecommendedthatthedesignprovide
forcompletedrainingandcleaningbymeansofaslopedbottomequippedwithadrainsump.Anadequatesupply
ofwaterunderpressureshouldbeprovidedforcleanup.

Gritremovalfacilitieslocatedindeeppitsshouldbeprovidedwithmechanicalequipmentforhoistingor
transportinggrittogroundlevel.Impervious,nonslip,workingsurfaceswithadequatedrainagearerecommended
forgrithandlingareas.Grittransportingfacilitiesshouldbeprovidedwithprotectionagainstfreezingandlossof
material.Hoistingequipmentneedstobeprovidedoravailablethatiscapabletoliftallmechanicalequipmentfor
servicingandrepair.

10.3.3TypesofGritRemovalSystems

10.3.3.1GritChannels
Gritchannelsareusuallyemployedinsmallerplants.Gritremovalisaccomplishedbyvelocitycontrolprovidedby
proportionalweirs.Gritchannelsarenormallymanuallycleaned.Thedesignparametersforgritchannelsareas
follows:

Numberofchannelsminimumof1recommendatleast2forlargersewagetreatmentplants(withone
channeloutofservicethereshouldbeenoughcapacityinremainingunitstohandlethedesignpeakhourly
flow)
Controlvelocity0.3m/s(1ft/s)
Controlweirsproportional,Sutro(orParshallinparabolicchannels)
Minimumchannelwidth380mm(15in)
Minimumlengththatrequiredtosettle0.2mm(1/16in)particlewithaspecificgravity(SG)of2.65plus
50percentallowanceforinletandoutletturbulence.However,analysisofgritremovaldataindicatesthat
theSGrangesfrom1.3to2.7and
Gritstoragewithpermanentlypositionedweirs,theweircrestshouldbekept150to300mm(6to12in)
abovethegritchannelinverttoprovideforstorageofsettledgrit(weirplatesthatarecapableofvertical
adjustmentarepreferredsincetheycanbemovedtopreventthesedimentationoforganicsolidsfollowing
gritcleaning).

10.3.3.2DetritusTanks

Detritustanksshouldbedesignedwithsufficientsurfaceareatoremovethesame,orsmaller,particlesizeand
densityasrequiredforgritchannelsatthedesignpeakhourlyflowrate.Detritustanks,sincetheyaremechanically
cleanedanddonotneeddewateringforcleaning,donotrequiremultipleunits.

Thegritsettledinthedetritustankwillhaveasignificantorganiccontentduetothelightersolidssettlingout
duringlowflowperiods.Separationoftheorganicsfromthegritbefore,during,oraftertheremovalofthesettled
contentsofthetankshouldaccomplishinoneofthefollowingways:

Compressedaircanbediffusedintothetankperiodicallytoresuspendorganicmaterial
Theremoveddetrituscanbewashedinagritwasherwiththeorganicladenwashwaterbeingreturnedtothe
headofthedetritustank
Aclassifyingtypeconveyorcanbeusedtoremovethegritandreturntheorganicstothedetritustankand
Theremoveddetrituscanbepassedthroughacentrifugaltypeseparator.

10.3.3.3AeratedGritTanks

Aeratedgrittanksfortheremovalof0.2mm(1/16in),orlarger,particleswithspecificgravityof2.65shouldbe
designedinaccordancewiththefollowingparameters:

Detentiontime2to5minutesatdesignpeakhourlyflowrate(thelongerretentiontimesprovideadditional
benefitintheformofpreaeration)
Airsupply4.7to12.4L/(ms)(3to8cfm/ft),viawidebanddiffusionheaderpositionedlengthwisealong
onewalloftank(airsupplyshouldbevariable)
Inletconditionsinletflowshouldbeparalleltoinducedrollpatterndevelopedintank
Bafflingminimumofonetransversebafflenearoutletweir,withadditionaltransversebafflesinlongtanks
andlongitudinalbafflesinwidetanks
Outletconditionsoutletweirorientedparalleltodirectionofinducedroll
Tankdimensionslowerlimitofaboveaerationratesgenerallysuitablefortanksupto3.7m(12ft)deep
and4.3m(14ft)widewider,ordeepertanksrequireaerationratesintheupperendoftheaboverange
long,narrowaeratedgrittanksaregenerallymoreefficientthanshorttanksandproducecleanergritlength
towidth(L/W)rationormallyis1.5:1to2:1,butupto5:1isacceptabledepthtowidth(D/W)ratio1:1.5to
1:2
Desiredvelocitiessurfacevelocityinthedirectionofrollintanksshouldbe0.45to0.6m/s(1.5to2.0ft/s)
(tankfloorvelocitieswillbeapproximately75percentofabove)
Gritcollectorsairlifts,pumps,mechanicalconveyorsorclamshellbucketsmaybeusedfortheremovalof
grit(pretreatmentintheformofscreeningwillberequiredupstreamofmechanicalgritremovalprocesses)
Gritwashingdependinguponthemethodofremovalandultimatedisposal,thegritmayhavetobewashed
afterremovalbydevicesofthetypediscussedintheprevioussection
Multipleunitsgenerallynotrequired,orwheregritremovalmethodrequiresbypassingoftank(aswith
clamshellbucket)and
 Tankgeometrycriticalwithrespecttolocationofairdiffusionheader,slopingtankbottom,grithopperand
fittingofgritcollectormechanismintothetankstructure.Consultationwithequipmentsuppliersis
advisable.

10.3.3.4VortexGritRemoval

Thevortexgritremovalsystemsareproprietaryandrelyonamechanicallyinducedvortextocapturegritsolidsin
thecenterhopperofacirculartank.Thedesignershouldensurethatthemanufacturerverifiesthattheappropriately
sizedunithasbeenfieldtestedtodetermineperformanceparametersandshouldconsideritsperformanceduring
lowflowperiods.Thedesignershouldobtaindesigndatafromthemanufacturerforappropriateentranceandexit
channelsandaconcretetankforinstallationofthegritremovalequipment.

10.4Preaeration

Preaerationofsewagetoreducesepticitymayberequiredinspecialcases.Preaerationcanbeincorporatedthrough
extendeduseofaeratedgritprocessorbytheprovisionofaseparateunitprocess.

10.4.1Mixing

Aerationormechanicalequipmentshouldbeprovidedtomaintainadequatemixing.Cornerfilletsandhopper
bottomswithdrawoffsshouldbeprovidedtoalleviatetheaccumulationofsludgeandgrit.Aspraywashdown
systemortippingbucketshouldbeincludedtowashdowntankafteruse.

10.4.2Aeration

Aerationequipmentshouldbesufficienttomaintainaminimumof1.0mg/Lofdissolvedoxygeninthemixed
basincontentsatalltimes.Airsupplyratesshouldbeaminimumof0.16L/(m3.s)(1.25cfm/1000USgalof
storagecapacity).Theairsupplyshouldbeisolatedfromothertreatmentplantaerationrequirementstofacilitate
processaerationcontrol,althoughprocessairsupplyequipmentmaybeutilizedasasourceofstandbyaeration.
Althoughcoarsebubblediffusershavebeenusedinthepast,considerationforusingfineporediffusersshouldbe
madeduetothehigheroxygentransferefficiencyandcurrentreliability(e.g.membranediffusers).

10.4.3Controls

Inletsandoutletsforallbasincompartmentsshouldbesuitablyequippedwithaccessibleexternalvalves,stop
plates,weirs,orotherdevicestopermitflowcontrolandtheremovalofanindividualunitfromservice.Equipment
shouldbeprovidedtomeasureandindicateliquidlevelsandflowrates.

10.4.4Access

Suitableaccessshouldbeprovidedtofacilitatecleaningandthemaintenanceofequipment.

10.5FlowEqualization
Fullequalizationofdiurnalsewageflowpeakscanresultinareductioninconstructioncostsovervariableflow
designandcanalsoresultinreducedenergycostsandimprovedtreatmentefficiency.Partialorsideline
equalizationminimizespumpingrequirementsbutislesseffectiveatequalizingpollutantconcentrations.
Considerationshouldbemadefortakinganytanksoutofserviceforcleaningormaintenanceeitherbymultiple
tanksorprovisiontobypass.

10.5.1General

Useofflowequalizationshouldbeconsideredwheresignificantvariationsinorganicandhydraulicloadingscan
beexpected.

10.5.2Location
Equalizationbasinsshouldbelocateddownstreamofpretreatmentfacilitiessuchasbarscreens,comminutorsand
gritchambers.

10.5.3Type

Flowequalizationcanbeprovidedbyusingseparatebasinsoronlinetreatmentunits,suchasaerationtanks.
Equalizationbasinsmaybedesignedaseitherinlineorsidelineunits.Unusedtreatmentunits,suchas
sedimentationoraerationtanks,maybeutilizedasequalizationbasinsduringtheearlyperiodofdesignlife.

10.5.4Size

Equalizationbasincapacityshouldbesufficienttoeffectivelyreduceexpectedflowandloadvariations.Witha
diurnalflowpattern,thevolumerequiredtoachievethedesireddegreeofequalizationcanbedeterminedfroma
cumulativeflowplotoverarepresentative24hourperiod.

10.5.5Electrical

Allelectricalworkinhousedequalizationbasins,wherehazardousconcentrationsofflammablegasesorvapours
mayaccumulate,needstomeettherequirementsoftheElectricalSafetyCodeforClassI,Zone1,GroupD
locations(O.Reg.164/99madeundertheElectricityAct,1998).

10.6Screenings,GritHandlingandDisposal

Specialconsiderationneedstobegiventothedesignofscreeningsandgrithandlingsystemstoensurethematerial
iseasytohandle,odoursarereducedandacceptableforfinaldisposal.

Thedesignofscreeningshandlingequipmentwillbealsodictatedbydisposalpractices.Landfillpracticesare
changingandsomelandfillsdonoacceptmaterialcontainingfreewaterorfecalmaterial.Screeningsdisposedof
throughatransferstationmayrequireadditionalconsiderations.Screeningshandlingdevicesinclude:

BeltsandDumpstersscreeningsmaybemovedtoadumpsterbybelts.Thebeltswillneedtobecleaned,so
anearbywashstationshouldbeincludedinthedesign.Becausescreeningsinthedumpsterwillgenerate
odoursandattractinsects,enclosingthedumpstershouldbeconsidered
Washersscreeningsfromscreenswithsmalleropenings(i.e.,lessthan12mmor0.5in)willcontainfecal
material.Washersshouldbeconsideredthatwillremovefecalmaterialfromthescreenings.Mostwashers
arecombinedwithcompactorsthatremoveexcesswaterfromtheragsand
Compactorscompactors,whenusedwithscreenings,willremoveexcesswatersothatlandfillswillaccept
thewaste.Ifthecompactorisplacedoutside,thedischargetubeshouldbeheattapedandinsulated.Large
amountsofrockinscreeningswillcausebindingproblemsinthedischargetube.Flushingoranalternative
meansofdewateringshouldbeconsidered.

Mostscreeningsstoragewillproduceodours,vectorsproblemsanddrainage.Odourcontrolandproperventilation
shouldbeaddressedinallstoragecontainersitingdecisions.

Dumpstersthatreceivescreeningsshouldhaveawaytobedewateredwithafloordraintothesanitarysewer,as
closeaspossibletothedumpster.Drainagefromdumpstersmaydamageconcretefloorsbecauseofacidity,sothe
floorshouldhaveaprotectivecoating.Acleanupstationshouldbeintheimmediateareaforcleaningwhenthe
dumpsterispickedup.Redundancyoranothermethodofscreeningshandlingshouldbeconsideredincaseof
equipmentfailure.Becausescreeningsandstorageroomshavecorrosiveatmospheres,allequipmentshouldbeof
noncorrosivedesign.

Gritwashingeffectivelyremovesorganicsfromthegrit.Screwandrakegritwashershaveprovedtobereliable
andusuallyproduceamateriallowinorganics.Toensurealowvolatilecontent,ampledilutionwatermaybe
required.Pumpsnormallyprovidesufficientdilutionwater,butbucketelevatorsmaynot,especiallyduringperiods
ofpeakgritcapture.Consequently,theymayrequiresupplementaryliquidtofunctionproperly.

Disposalofscreeningsandgritisthemostcriticaldesignconsideration.Mostlandfillscannotacceptwastethat
containsfreewater.Somewillnotacceptwastewithvisiblefecalmaterial.Thedesignofthedumpsterboxandthe
typeofscreenings/grithandlingwillbedictated,inmostcases,bytheselandfillrequirements.
Chapter11:PrimarySedimentation
Thischapterdescribestheprimarysedimentationprocessthattypicallyfollowsthepreliminarytreatmentprocess
ofmostmunicipalsewagetreatmentplants.Designconsiderationsanddescriptionsofdifferenttypesofprimary
sedimentationtanks(alsoknownasprimaryclarifiers),aswellasprimarysludgeandscumcollectionandremoval
systemsareincludedinthischapter.Asummaryofthedesignloadingsforprimaryclarifiersisprovidedin
AppendixVwhichshouldbeusedinconjunctionwiththedetailsinthischapter.

11.1General
Theneedforprimarysedimentationtanksmaybegovernedbytheneedtoremovescumandgreaseorotherdebris
priortosecondarytreatment.Thedesignerofprimarysedimentationtanksshouldconsiderthefollowingfactors:

Thecharacteristicsoftherawsewage
Thetypeofsludgedigestionsystem,eitheravailableorproposed(aerobicdigestionshouldnotbeusedwith
rawprimarysludge)
Thetypeofsecondarytreatmentfollowingprimarytreatment
Theneedforhandlingofwasteactivatedsludgeintheprimarysedimentationtank(s)and
Theneedforphosphorusremovalintheprimarysedimentationtank(s).

PrimarysedimentationprovideslowcostsuspendedsolidsandBOD5removal,especiallyincaseswheretheraw
sewagecontainsahighproportionofsettleablesolids,asisoftenthecasewithsewagecontainingsignificantfood
processingwaste,orsimilarwastes.Primarysedimentationmayalsoincorporateballastingorrecirculationto
enhancesolidssettling.

Primarysedimentationtanksusedforphosphorusprecipitationwithnormalstrengthmunicipalsewagetypically
exhibitBOD5andsuspendedsolidsremovalsof45and85%,respectively.Withoutchemicaladditionfor
phosphorusremoval,theBOD5andsuspendedsolidsreductionstypicallywouldbe35and65%,respectively.For
suspendedsolidsremoval,therangeis60%to90%withchemicaladditionand40%to70%without.Actual
removalratesdependmainlyonrawsewagecharacteristicsandcontributingsources(e.g.industrialinputs),
chemicaldosage(ifany),mixingandclarifierhydraulics.BOD5removalratesareaffectedbytheproportionof
solubletoparticulatefractionsofBOD5intherawsewage.Theuseofthesecondaryclarifiersforphosphorus
removalhasbeenthemostcommonapproach.Thishasbeenatleastpartiallyduetothereducedchemical
requirementswhenthesecondaryunitsareusedforphosphorusremoval.

InviewofthepotentialforincreasedBOD5andsuspendedsolidsremovals,theremaybecircumstanceswhen
considerationshouldbegiventotheuseofprimarysedimentationtanksforphosphorusremovalratherthanthe
secondarysedimentationtanks.Suchcircumstancesmightincludethefollowing:

Whereexistingaerationtanksand/orsecondaryclarifiersareoverloaded
Wherenitrificationismadearequirementforanexistingsecondarytreatmentplant
Whereexcessivewasteactivatedsludgeproductioniscausinganaerobicdigesteroperatingproblemsand
Whereeconomicevaluationshowstheprocesstobemorecosteffectivedespitethehigherchemical
requirementandcosts.

Theuseoftheprimarysedimentationtanksforphosphorusremovalwillgenerallypermitremovaldowntothe1.0
mg/Llevel.However,iflowerphosphoruslevelsarerequired,chemicaladditiontotheprimarysedimentation
tanksmaynotbesuccessful.Thisproblemisatleastpartiallyduetothefactthatsomeformsofphosphorusare
moreamenabletoprecipitationafteraerationandthatthephosphoruslevelvariationsaregenerallygreaterinraw
sewagethanexperiencedintheaerationtankeffluent.Itisthereforerecommendedthatprecipitationtesting(e.g.
jartesting)becarriedoutbeforeafinaldecisionismadeonwhichplanttreatmentunitsaretobeusedfor
phosphorusremoval.

Primarysedimentationtankscanbeeitherrectangularorcircular.Withrectangulartanks,lengthtowidth(L/W)
ratiosofatleast4:1arepreferred.Widthtodepth(W/D)ratiosof1:1to2.25:1aretypical.

Factorstobeconsideredintheselectionofeitherrectangularorcircularprimarysedimentationtanksareoutlined
below.
11.1.1RectangularTanks

Permitcommonwallconstruction
Usuallyresultinathickersludge
Usuallylessexpensivetocover,ifchainandflighttypecollectorisused
Travelingbridgetypecollectorsmaybelessexpensivethanrotarycircularcollectorsforlargetanks,
althoughchainandflighttypecollectorsareoftenmorepopularandalloweasiercoveringoftankif
warranted(e.g.forodourcontrol)and
Widthoftankcontrolledbysludgewithdrawalmechanism.

11.1.2CircularTanks

Rotarycircularsludgecollectormechanismusuallylesscostlyforsmalltanksandrequireslessmaintenance
thanchainandflighttypecollectorsforrectangulartanks
Potentialforprecastconstruction
Sludgesumpcanbeequippedwithabladetoprovidestirringtoavoidsludgebridging
Usuallymoresusceptibletoshortcircuitingand
Fortankdepthsgreaterthan3m(10ft),maybelessexpensivethanrectangulartanks.

11.2DesignConsiderations

11.2.1NumberofUnits

Multipleprimarysedimentationtankscapableofindependentoperationaredesirableandshouldbeprovidedinall
plantswheredesignaveragedailyflowsexceed380m3/d(0.1mUSgd).Plantsnothavingmultipleunitsshould
includeotherprovisionstoassurecontinuityoftreatmenttomeetthefinaleffluentqualitycriteria.

11.2.2FlowDistribution

Effectiveflowsplittingdevicesandcontrolappurtenances(i.e.,gatesandsplitterboxes)needtobeprovidedto
permitproperproportioningofflowandsolidsloadingtoeachunit,throughouttheexpectedrangeofflows.
(Section3.13.2FlowDistributionandSection8.5.8FlowsandOrganicLoadingsDistribution.)

11.2.3Dimensions

Itisrecommendedthattheminimumlengthfromtheinlettotheoutletbe3m(10ft)unlessspecialprovisionsare
madetopreventflowshortcircuiting.Thesidewaterdepth(SWD)shouldbedesignedtoprovideanadequate
separationzonebetweenthesludgeblanketandtheoverflowweirs.Generally,primarysedimentationtankshavea
SWDfrom3.0to4.6m(10to15ft).

11.2.4SurfaceOverflowRates

Primarysedimentationtanksizingshouldreflectthedegreeofsolidsremovalrequiredandtheneedtoavoidseptic
conditionsduringlowflowperiods.Theprimarysedimentationtankssurfaceoverflowrates(SOR)areshownin
Table111.Itisrecommendedthatsizingbecalculatedforbothdesignaveragedailyflowanddesignpeakdaily
flowconditionsandthelargersurfaceareadeterminedtobeused.

Table111showstherecommendeddesignparametersforprimarysedimentationtanks.TherecommendedSOR
shouldbeusedfordesignunlessthedesignercandemonstratethathigherSORcanbeaccommodatedandstill
achievetherequiredtreatmentefficiency.Requiredtreatmentefficiencywouldbebasedonexpectedremoval
efficiencyandthecapacitiesofdownstreamprocesses.Forinstance,forplantexpansions,itmaybepossibleto
showthroughfullscaletestingoftheexistingprimarytreatmentunitsthathigherSORwillproducethedesired
results.Althoughnotacommondesignparameter,thehydraulicretentiontimeinaprimarysedimentationtank
generallyvariesfrom1.5to2.5hoursatdesignaveragedailyflow.Twohoursisatypicalvalue.

Table111PrimarySedimentationTanksSurfaceOverflowRates
 SurfaceOverflowRates1atDesign
TypeofPrimary SurfaceOverflowRates1atDesign
AverageDailyFlowm3/(m2d)
SedimentationTank2 PeakDailyFlowm3/(m2d)(USgpd/ft2)
(USgpd/ft2)
Tanksnotreceiving
wasteactivatedsludge3, 3040(740980) 6080(14701960)
4

Tanksreceivingwaste
2530(610740) 5060(12301470)
activatedsludge4

Surfaceoverflowratesneedtobecalculatedwithallflowsreceivedattheprimarysedimentationtanks.Primary
settlingofnormaldomesticsewagecanbeexpectedtoremoveapproximately1/3oftheinfluentBOD5when
operatingatanoverflowrateof40m3/(m2d)(980USgpd/ft2).

ThefollowingdesignSORhastraditionallybeenusedinthepastforthedesignofprimarytreatmentplants,thatis
atdesignaverageandpeakdailyflowsof<35(860)and<70(1720)m3/(m2d)(USgpd/ft2).

AnticipatedBOD5removalshouldbedeterminedbylaboratorytestsandconsiderationofthecharacterofthe
wastes.SignificantreductioninBOD5removalefficiencymayresultwhenthepeakdailyoverflowrateexceeds60
m3/(m2d)(1470USgpd/ft2).

Wasteactivatedsludgeinthisinstancewouldalsoincludebiologicalwastesludgefromotherbiologicalprocesses
includingfixedfilmsystems.

11.2.5InletStructures

Inletsandbafflingshouldbedesignedtodissipatetheinletvelocity,todistributetheflowequallybothhorizontally
andvertically,toprotectthesludgehopperandtopreventshortcircuiting.Itisrecommendedthatchannelsbe
designedtomaintainavelocityofatleast0.3m/s(1ft/s)atonehalfofthedesignaveragedailyflow.Itis
recommendedthatcornerpocketsanddeadzonesbeeliminatedandcornerfilletsorchannelingbeusedwhere
necessary.Provisionsshouldbemadeforeliminationorremovaloffloatingmaterialswhichmayaccumulatein
inletstructures.

11.2.6Weirs

11.2.6.1General

Overflowweirsshouldbereadilyadjustableoverthelifeofthestructuretocorrectfordifferentialsettlementofthe
tank.

11.2.6.2Location

Overflowweirsshouldbelocatedtooptimizeactualhydraulicdetentiontimeandminimizeshortcircuiting.Itis
recommendedthatperipheralweirsbeplacedatleast0.3m(1ft)fromthewall.

11.2.6.3DesignRates

ItisrecommendedthatweirloadingsnotexceedvaluesshowninTable112.

Table112RecommendedWeirLoadingRates
AveragePlantCapacity LoadingRateatDesignPeakDailyFlowm3/(md)(USgpd/ft)
 Equaltoorlessthan4000m3/d(1mUSgd) 250(20,000)
Greaterthan4000m3/d(1mUSgd) 375(30,000)

Ifinfluentpumpingisrequired,thepumpsshouldbeoperatedascontinuouslyaspossible.Also,weirloadings
shouldberelatedtopumpdeliveryratestoavoidshortcircuitingduringpumpoperations,althoughpeakflow
conditionsareexpectedtogovern.

11.2.6.4WeirTroughs

Weirtroughsshouldbedesignedtopreventsubmergenceatdesignpeakhourlyflowandtomaintainavelocityof
atleast0.3m/s(1ft/s)atonehalfdesignaveragedailyflow.

11.2.7SubmergedSurface

Thetopsoftroughs,beamsandsimilarsubmergedconstructionelementsshouldhaveaminimumslopeof1.4
verticalto1horizontaltheundersideofsuchelementsshouldhaveaslopeof1to1topreventtheaccumulationof
scumandsolids.

11.2.8SedimentationTankDewatering

Theabilitytodewateraprimarysedimentationtankandtaketanksoutofserviceshouldconformtotheprovisions
outlinedinSection8.4.15ComponentBackupRequirements.Itisrecommendedthatprimarysedimentationfeed
channelsbedesignedtoprovidefordistributionofpeaksewageflowtotheremainingtanks,whenonetankisout
ofserviceand/ordewatered.Considerationshouldbegiventoprovideadequatemeansfordewateringoftanks,for
exampleasumpofadequatesizefortemporaryinsertionofasubmersiblepumptodewaterthetank.

11.2.9Freeboard

Itisrecommendedthatthewallsofprimarysedimentationtanksextendatleast150mm(6in)abovethe
surroundinggroundsurfaceandprovidenotlessthan300mm(12in)freeboard.Additionalfreeboardortheuseof
windscreensisrecommendedwherelargerprimarysedimentationtanksaresubjecttohighvelocitywindcurrents
thatwouldcausetanksurfacewavesandinhibiteffectivescumremoval.

11.3SludgeandScumRemoval

11.3.1ScumRemoval

Fullsurfacemechanicalscumcollectionandremovalfacilities,includingbaffling,shouldbeprovidedforall
primarysedimentationtanks.Thecharacteristicsofscum,whichmayadverselyaffectpumping,piping,sludge
handlinganddisposal,needtoberecognizedindesign.Scumpitsmayrequireheatingtoavoidfreezingproblems
andconsiderationshouldbegiventomixers.Smoothwalledpipeshouldbeusedforscumlinestominimizegrease
buildup.Glasslinedpipeisrecommendedforscumpiping.Scumlinesshouldbeprovidedwithcleanoutsorsteam
injectionpointstominimizeblockageduetogreasebuildup.

Provisionsshouldbemadetoremovescumfromthesewagetreatmentprocessanddirectittoeitherthesludge
treatmentprocessoranalternativetreatmentanddisposalprocess.Scumtreatmentcanbeprovidedbydigestion,
butthiscanleadtoproblemsinthedigesters.Iftreatedbydigestion,considerationshouldbegiventoinjectingthe
scumintothesludgerecirculationlinedownstreamofheatexchanger.Asanalternativeapproach,scummaybe
transferreddirectlytolandfillwithscreeningsortodewateringorincinerationunits,ifavailable.Otherspecial
provisionsfordisposalmaybenecessary.

11.3.2SludgeRemoval

Mechanicalsludgecollectionandwithdrawalfacilitiesshouldbedesignedtoensurerapidremovalofsludge.

Eachsedimentationtankshouldhaveitsownsludgewithdrawallinetoensureadequatecontrolofsludgeremoval
rateforeachtank.Sludgeremovalneedstobeadequatetohandletheexpectedmaximumsludgeaccumulationrate
andavoidexcessiveblanketlevels.

11.3.2.1SludgeHopper

Theminimumslopeofthesidewallsshouldbe1.7verticalto1horizontal.Hopperwallsurfacesshouldbemade
smoothwithroundedcornerstoaidinsludgeremoval.Hopperbottomsshouldhaveamaximumdimensionof0.6
m(2ft).Extradepthsludgehoppersforsludgethickeningcanbeconsideredbutshouldbedesignedappropriately.

11.3.2.2CrossCollectors

Crosscollectorsservingoneormoreprimarysedimentationtanksmaybeconsideredinplaceofmultiplesludge
hoppers.

11.3.2.3SludgeRemovalPipeline

Eachhoppershouldhaveanindividuallyvalvedsludgewithdrawallineatleast150mm(6in)indiameter,
althoughtheneedtomaintainminimumpipevelocitiesandpumpruntimesmayrequireconsiderationofsmaller
diameterpipes.Thestaticheadavailableforwithdrawalofsludgeshouldbe760mm(30in)orgreater,as
necessarytomaintaina0.9m/s(3ft/s)velocityinthewithdrawalpipe.Clearancebetweentheendofthe
withdrawallineandthehopperwallsshouldbesufficienttopreventbridgingofthesludge.Adequateprovisions
shouldbemadeforroddingorbackflushingindividualpiperuns.Pipingshouldbeprovidedtoremovesludgefor
furtherprocessing.

11.3.2.4SludgeRemovalControl

Separateprimarysedimentationtanksludgelinesmaydraintoacommonsludgewell.Sludgewellsequippedwith
telescopingvalvesorotherappropriateequipmentshouldbeprovidedforviewing,samplingandcontrollingthe
rateofsludgewithdrawal.Ameansofmeasuringthesludgeremovalrateshouldbeprovided.Airliftpumpsare
notrecommendedfortheremovalofprimarysludge.

11.4Safety

Allprimarysedimentationtanksshouldbesuitablyequippedtoenhancesafetyforoperatorsandincludemachinery
covers,lifelines,stairways,walkways,handrailsandslipresistantsurfaces.Thedesignshouldprovidefor
convenientandsafeaccesstoroutinemaintenanceitemssuchasgearboxes,scumremovalmechanisms,baffles,
weirs,inletstillingbaffleareasandeffluentchannels.Electricalequipment,fixturesandcontrolsinenclosed
settlingbasinsandscumtanks,wherehazardousconcentrationsofflammablegasesorvaporsmayaccumulate,
shouldcomplywiththerequirementscontainedinSection8.9Safety.Theexplosionproofclassificationmay
needtoextendtoequipmentwithinacloseenvelopetoanopentank.Thefixturesandcontrolsshouldbelocatedso
astoprovideconvenientandsafeaccessforoperationandmaintenance.Adequatearealightingshouldbe
provided.

BiologicalTreatmentandSecondarysedimentation
Chapter12:BiologicalTreatment
Thischapterdescribesbiologicaltreatmentprocessesincludingdesign,constructionandoperational
considerations.Suspendedgrowthsystemsusingtheactivatedsludgeprocesswithitsvariations,lagoons,and
fixedfilmsystemsaredescribedinthischapter.Asummaryofthedesignloadingsforconventionalbiological
processesisprovidedinAppendixV,whichshouldbeusedinconjunctionwiththedetailsinthischapter.

12.1ProcessSelection

Theactivatedsludgeprocess(ASP)anditsvariations(includingthesequencingbatchreactorprocess)isthemost
commonsecondarytreatmentprocessusedinOntario.Otherprocessesincludingfixedfilmtreatmentsystemsare
alsocapableofmeetingsecondaryeffluentquality(15mg/LCBOD5,15mg/Ltotalsuspendedsolids).
Alistofthecommonbiologicalprocessesincludingsuspendedgrowth,fixedfilm,andhybrid(combined
suspendedandfixedfilm)systemsthatarewellknownandproventechnologiesforuseinNorthAmericais
providedbelow:

SuspendedGrowthProcesses:
ConventionalActivatedSludge(CAS)process
PlugFlow
CompleteMix
ContactStabilization
ExtendedAeration
StepFeedASPand
HighRateASP.
MembraneBioreactor(MBR)
SequencingBatchReactor(SBR)and
Lagoon(Facultativeand/orAerated).
FixedFilmProcesses:
RotatingBiologicalContactor(RBC)and
TricklingFilter(TF).
HybridProcesses:
IntegratedFixedfilmActivatedSludge(IFAS)
TricklingFilter/SolidsContact(TF/SC)
RotatingBiologicalContactor/SolidsContactor(RBC/SC)and
BiologicalAeratedFilter(BAF).

12.2ActivatedSludgeProcess

12.2.1General

Theactivatedsludgetechnologyanditsseveralvariationsrelyonaerationtanksforbiologicaltreatmentanda
meansofsludgeretentionwithintheprocess.TheASPmaybeutilizedtoaccomplishvarieddegreesofremovalof
totalsuspendedsolidsandreductionofcarbonaceousand/ornitrogenousoxygendemand.ThemajorASPtypes
include:plugflow,completemix,highrate,contactstabilization,extendedaerationandstepfeedsystems.Choice
ofthemostappropriateprocesstypeormodeofoperationshoulddependontheeffluentqualitycriteria,
consistencyoftreatmentrequired,characteristicsofsewage,proposedplantsize,anticipateddegreeofoperation
withmaintenancerequirements,operatingandcapitalcosts.Alldesignsshouldprovideforflexibilityinoperation
and,iffeasible,shouldallowforoperationinvariousmodes.

Theactivatedsludgeprocessrequirescloseoperationalattentionandcontrol,includingroutinemonitoringand
laboratoryanalyses.Theserequirements,whicharerelativelyindependentofplantsize,shouldbeconsideredwhen
proposingthistypeoftreatment.

Theactivatedsludgeprocessrequiresconsiderableamountsofenergytosatisfyaerationdemands.Theenergy
demandisoften40to60percentofthetotalenergyusagefortheoverallsewagetreatmentplant(STP).Capability
ofenergyusagereductionswhilestillmaintainingviabilityofthetreatmentprocess,bothundernormaland
emergencyconditions,shouldbeincludedintheASPdesign.

Protectionagainstlowtemperaturesandexcessiveheatlossshouldbeprovidedtoensurecontinuityofoperation
andperformance.Insulationofthetanksbyearthenbanksshouldbeconsidered.

12.2.2Pretreatment

Effectiveremovalorexclusionofgrit,debris,excessiveoilorgreaseandscreeningofsolidsshouldbe
accomplishedpriortotheactivatedsludgeprocess.Descriptionofthefacilitiesthatmayneedtobeprovidedis
includedinChapter10PreliminaryTreatment.

Whereprimarytreatmentisused,provisionshouldbemadefordischargingrawsewage(afterscreeningandgrit
removal)directlytotheaerationtankstofacilitateplantstartupandoperationduringtheinitialstagesoftheplant's
designlifeandtoprovideoperationalflexibility.

12.2.3Selectors
SelectorscanbeusedtoenhancetheselectionofdesiredorganismsintheASP,toreducethegrowthof
filamentousorganismsandtoenhancethesettlingofthemixedliquorsuspendedsolids.Selectorscanbeaerobic,
anoxicoranaerobic.Allselectorsshouldbedesignedtoprovideasubstrateconcentrationgradient,ahighinitial
FoodtoMicroorganism(F/M)ratioandadequatetimefortheabsorptionofsolubleorganicmaterialbythe
microorganisms.TheF/Mratiosindicatedinsections12.2.3.1through12.2.3.3arecalculatedasfollows:

F=InfluentBOD5(g/m3)Influentflowrate(m3/d)

M=MLVSSinthetank(s)(g/m3)Volumeoftank(s)(m3)

Where:

MLVSS=MixedLiquorVolatileSuspendedSolidsconcentrationinthetank(s)(g/m3)

F=BOD5massloadingratetofirstselectorcompartment.ThesameFisusedintheF/Mcalculationsfortheother
compartmentsaswell.

M=TotalmassofMLVSSinthecompartmentsconsidered.MassforthefirstcompartmentisMLVSS
concentrationmultipliedbythefirstcompartmentvolume.Forthesecondcompartment,theMLVSSconcentration
ismultipliedbythecombinedvolumeofthefirstandsecondreactorsandforthethirdcompartment,MLVSS
concentrationismultipliedbythevolumeofallthreecompartments.

12.2.3.1AerobicSelectors

Threecompartmentsshouldbeused.TheF/Mratioofthefirstcompartmentiscritical.ThefollowingF/M
gradient,whichwouldresultintwoequallysizedcompartmentsfollowedbyathirdcompartmentwithtwicethe
volumeofthefirstcompartment,isrecommended:

1stcompartment24d1
2ndcompartment12d1
3rdcompartment6d1

Aerobicselectorsshouldmaintain1to2mg/Lofdissolvedoxygen(DO).Provisionshouldbemadetosatisfy
oxygenuptakerates(OUR)ofatleast65to80mgofoxygen/gofMLVSS/hr[65to80lb/1000lbofMLVSS/hr].

12.2.3.2AnoxicSelectors

Anoxicselectorsareusedinnitrifyingactivatedsludgesystems.Aportionofthenitrifiedmixedliquorisrecycled
totheanoxiczonefordenitrification.SufficientnitrateNconcentrationneedstobemaintainedintherecycled
streamtotheanoxiczonetoremovethesolubleBOD5andmaintainanoxicconditions.Asinglestageselector
designwithanF/Mof0.5to1d1willgenerallybeeffectiveforfilamentouscontrol.

Moreefficientselectionmaybeachievedwithathreecompartmentanoxicconfiguration.ThefollowingF/M
gradientisrecommended:

1stcompartment12d1
2ndcompartment6d1
3rdcompartment3d1

Theanoxiczoneorcomponentsshouldbemixedwithmechanicalmixersorbyverylowaerationrates.Iflow
aerationisusedformixing,theDOshouldbekeptbelow0.5mg/L.

12.2.3.3AnaerobicSelectors

Theanaerobicselectorretentiontimeshouldbe0.75to2.0hours.Thezonemaybedividedintothree
compartmentswithsimilarF/Mratiosastheanoxiczone.Dissolvedoxygenandnitratecannotbepresentforthe
selectortoactasananaerobicselector.Mechanicalmixersneedtobeusedtomaintainthesolidsinsuspensionin
anaerobicselectors.
12.2.4Aeration

12.2.4.1General

Thedesignerofaerationtanksandassociatedequipmentshouldconsiderthefollowing:

Expectedoxygendemands,includingvariations,exertedbysewageflowsfromupstreamtreatmentunits
Hydraulicloadingrates,includingvariability
Treatmentrequirements,includingreductionofCBOD5,andnitrificationifnecessary
Temperature,pressure,relativerateofoxygentransfer(Alphafactor)andrelativeoxygensaturationvalues
(Betafactor)forthesewageand
Otherfactorsincludingtypeofrecyclestreams,aerationequipmentandsurfactantsinthesewage.

Thedesignparametersfortheaerationsystemsassociatedwithvariousactivatedsludgetreatmentprocessesare
giveninTable121.Thesedesignparametersareapplicabletobothcompletemixedandplugflowsystems.

12.2.4.2AerationSystemAlternatives

Bothmechanicalanddiffusedaerationsystemsshouldbeconsideredincludingstandbyequipmentneeds.

Thedesignershouldevaluatetheaerationsystemalternativesconsideringthefollowingfactors:

Oxygentransferefficiencies
Powerrequirements
Diffusercloggingproblems
Mixingcapabilities
Airpretreatmentrequirements
Aeratortipspeedofmechanicalaerators
Icingproblems
Mistingproblems
Coolingeffectsonaerationtankcontents
Estimatedinstalledcapitalcost
Expectedmaintenancecostsand
Estimatedoperatingcosts.

12.2.4.3OxygenTransferEfficienciesandRates

Thetypicalprocessoxygentransferefficienciesandratesforwaterat0mg/LDO,20Cand101kPa(1atm)
atmosphericpressure,commonlyusedforaerationdevicesaregivenbelow:

Coarsebubblediffusers4to6percent[basedonaveragetankdepthof4.5m(15ft)]
Finebubblediffusers6to15percent[basedonaveragetankdepthof
4.5m(15ft)]
Lowspeedmechanicalaerators(70rpmorless)1.5to2.7kgO2/kWh[2.5to4.4lb/(hphr)]
Submergedturbines1.0to1.5kgO2/kWh[1.6to2.5lb/(hphr)]
Highspeedmechanicalaerators1.2to1.5kgO2/kWh[2.0to2.5lb/(hphr)]and
Brushrotors1.5to2.1kgO2/kWh[2.5to3.5lb/(hphr)].

Higheroxygentransferefficienciesandratesthanstatedabovemaybeconsideredifthedesignerorequipment
suppliercandocumentorshowthroughpilotscaleorfullscaletestingthathigherratescanbeachieved.

Therearealsootheraerationmethodssuchaspureoxygenadditionsystems,jetaerators,tubularaeratorswhich
maybeconsidered.

Table121AerationSystemDesignParameters11,13
 Organic Return OxygenDemandin Solids
F/ Minimum Retention MLSS
Treatment Loading 1 Retention Sludge TypicalMunicipal
Mv Time Concentration
Process Rate12(kg Time(Based Rate2(% SewageatStandard
1 (SRT) (mg/L)
BOD5/(m3d)) (d ) onQAvg.) QAvg.) Conditions9 (Days)
Conventional
A.S.3 0.310.72
0.2
6h 25100 1.0kgO2/kgBOD5 46 10003000
Without 0.5
Nitrification
Conventional 0.05 1.0kgO2/kgBOD5 >4at20C
A.S.With 0.310.72 6h 50200 30005000
+4.6kgO2/kgTKN >10at5C
Nitrification 0.25
Extended
0.05 1.5kgO2/kgBOD5
Aeration
(Provides
0.170.24 15(10)h 50200
+4.6kgO2/kgTKN
>15 30005000
0.15
Nitrification)
HighRate
Without 0.4 1.0kgO2/kgBOD5 46
0.720.96 4h 50200 10003000
4 1.0
Nitrification
Contact
Stabilization 0.2 0.33(6)h
0.310.725 50150 1.0kgO2/kgBOD5 410 10003000
Without 0.55 4(7)h
Nitrification4
Aerated
Facultative 0.0310.048 45d 1.0kgO2/kgBOD5 N/A
Lagoons8

1FisthemassloadingtotheaerationtankofBOD perdayandM isthemixedliquorvolatilesuspended

5 v
solidsmassunderaeration.
2Returnsludgepumpingshouldbevariableoverthefullrangegiven.

3Includingstepaeration.

4Highrateandcontactstabilizationnotconsideredsuitablefornitrification.

5Basedoncontactandreaerationtankage.

6BasedonQPeak+100%QAvg.returnsludgerate,(Contact).

7Basedon100%QAvg.returnsludgerate,(Reaeration).

8Aeratedfacultativelagoonsprovidingpretreatmentpriortoconventionallagoons(minimumtotalretentiontime
of30days).

9ThedesignershouldadjustthesevaluestothenecessaryO transferrateofthechosenaerationequipmentby
2
applyingfactorsforalpha,beta,DOandnonstandardconditionssuchasaltitudeandtemperature.U.S.customary
unitsarelbO2/lbBOD5orTKNapplied.TheBOD5andTKNloadingsrefertowhatisenteringtheaerationtank.
10Ifnitrificationisrequiredyearround,alongerdetentiontimemayberequired.

11Deviationsfromtherecommendeddesignparametersmaybeconsideredifthedesignercandemonstrate
throughoperatingdataorteststhattherequiredtreatmentefficiencycanstillbeconsistentlyachieved.
12OrganicloadingratesinUScustomaryunitsare:

a.0.310.72kgBOD5/(m3d)is0.0190.045lbBOD5/(ft3d)
b.0.170.24kgBOD5/(m3d)is0.0110.015lbBOD5/(ft3d)
c.0.720.96kgBOD5/(m3d)is0.0450.060lbBOD5/(ft3d)
d.0.0310.048kgBOD5/(m3d)is0.0020.003lbBOD5/(ft3d)

13Theaboveaerationsystemdesignparametersapplyunderanormalrangeofpeakhourlyflowtoaveragedaily
flowratioof24:1.

12.2.4.4AerationTankCapacitiesandLoadings

Thesizeoftheaerationtankshouldbedeterminedbypilotplantstudies,orcalculationsbasedonsolidsretention
time,foodtomicroorganismratioandmixedliquorsuspendedsolidslevels.Otherfactors,suchassizeof
treatmentplant,diurnalloadvariations,degreeoftreatmentrequiredanddatafromsimilarfullscaleSTPshouldbe
considered.Inthecaseofthenitrificationprocess,temperature,alkalinity,pHandDOconcentrationareimportant
factorsthatthedesignerneedstoconsider.

Calculationsshouldbecarriedouttojustifythebasisfordesignofaerationtankcapacity.Calculationsusingvalues
differingsubstantiallyfromthoseinTable121shouldreferenceactualfullscaleoperationalplants.Mixedliquor
suspendedsolids(MLSS)levelsgreaterthan5000mg/Lmaybeconsideredifpilotorotheroperationaldatashows
thattheaerationandclarificationsystemarecapableofsupportingsuchhighsolidsconcentrations.

TheaerationtanksarenormallydesignedonaveragedailyBOD5loadingatthedesignaveragedailyflow(Section
8.5.11DesignBasisforVariousPlantComponents).Whennitrificationisrequired,thedesignershouldevaluate
theTotalKjeldahlNitrogen(TKN)loadingvariationstopreventtheeffectsofeffluentammoniableedthrough
duringpeakTKNloadingsbyestablishingappropriatesafetyfactors.Aratioof7.14mg/Lalkalinitydestroyedper
mg/Loftotalammonianitrogen(TAN)shouldbeusedandaminimumresidualalkalinityof50mg/Lascalcium
carbonateshouldbeavailable.Whenprocessdesigncalculationsarenotcarriedout,theaerationtankcapacities
andloadingsfortheprocessesshowninTable121shouldbeused.Thevaluesapplytoplantsreceivingdailyload
ratiosofpeakhourlyBOD5toaveragedailyBOD5rangingfromabout2:1to4:1.

12.2.4.5ArrangementofAerationTanks

Aerationbasindepthaffectstheaerationefficiencyandmixingcapabilitiesofdiffusedaerationdevicesand
mechanicalaerators.Thedimensionsofeachindependentaerationtankorreturnsludgereaerationtankshouldbe
suchastomaintaineffectivemixingandutilizationofair.Liquiddepthsshouldnotbelessthan3m(10ft)ormore
than9m(30ft)exceptinspecialdesigncasessuchashorizontallymixedaerationtanks.Anaerationbasindepth
ofbetween3.5and4.6m(11.5to15.0ft)isrecommended.Completemixedtankshavelengthtowidth(L/W)
ratiosof1:1to3:1.PlugflowtankshavemuchlargerL/Wratiosofgenerallygreaterthan4:1,withbafflingto
simulateplugflow.Plugflowtanksprovidethecapabilitytoperformstepfeed,biologicalnutrientremoval(with
separateaeratedandnonaeratedzones)andimprovednitrificationkinetics.Arrangementoftheaerationtanksin
termsoftheentireplantlayoutisdiscussedinmoredetailinSection8.1.3GeneralPlantLayoutandSection8.1.4
ProvisionsforFutureExpansion.

Forverysmalltanksortankswithspecialconfiguration,theshapeofthetank,thelocationoftheinfluentand
sludgereturnandtheinstallationofaerationequipmentshouldprovideforpositivecontroltopreventshort
circuitingthroughthetank.

Totalaerationtankvolumeshouldbedividedamongtwoormoreunits,eachcapableofindependentoperation.

Inletsandoutletsforeachaerationtankunitshouldbesuitablyequippedwithvalves,gates,stopplates,weirs,or
otherdevicestopermitcontrollingtheflowtoanyunitandtomaintainreasonablyconstantliquidlevel.The
effluentweirforahorizontallymixedaerationtanksystemshouldbeeasilyadjustablebymechanicalmeansand
shouldbesizedbasedonthedesignpeakinstantaneousflowplusthemaximumreturnsludgeflow.Thehydraulic
propertiesofthesystemshouldpermitthedesignpeakinstantaneousflowtobecarriedthroughwithanysingle
aerationtankunitoutofservice.Overflowdevicesarepreferredtoavoidtrappingfoamandscum.

Channelsandpipescarryingliquidswithsolidsinsuspensionshouldbedesignedtomaintainselfcleansing
velocitiesorshouldbeagitatedtokeepsuchsolidsinsuspensionatallratesofflowwithinthedesignlimits.
Adequateprovisionsshouldbemadetodrainsegmentsofchannels,whicharenotbeingusedduetoalternateflow
patterns.

Allaerationtanksshouldhaveafreeboardofnotlessthan460mm(18in).However,ifamechanicalsurface
aeratorisused,thefreeboardshouldbenotlessthan0.9m(3ft)toprotectagainstwindblownsprayfreezingon
walkways.

12.2.4.6MixingRequirements

Theaerationsystemwhichisselectedshouldnotonlysatisfytheoxygenrequirementsofthemixedliquor,but
shouldalsoprovidesufficientmixingtoensurethatthemixedliquorremainsinsuspension.Thedesignershouldbe
awarethatitisimportanttoavoidbothinsufficientandexcessivemixing.Oneexceptiontothisiswithaerated
facultativelagoonswheremixingisonlyprovidedtotheextentnecessarytoensureuniformDOlevelsintheupper
layersoftheaerationcell.Thepowertransferredtothemixedliquoranddiffusedairflowratestoachieveuniform
DOandMLSSconcentrationsareshowninTable122.

12.2.4.7OxygenationCapacity

Considerationshouldbegiventoreducingpowerrequirementsofaerationsystemsbyvaryingoxygenation
capacitytomatchoxygendemandswithinthesystem.SuchasystemwouldutilizeautomaticDOprobesineach
aerationbasintomeasuredissolvedoxygenlevels.Considerationshouldbegiventotheoperationsand
maintenancerequirementstomaintainthesesystems.Anoutputsignalcouldthenbeusedtochangethenumberof
aeratorsinoperation,aeratorspeed,immersionofsurfaceaeratorimpellers,orairflowratetosubmergedturbine
anddiffusedaerationsystemstomaintaintherequiredminimumDOlevels.

AerationSystem
Mechanical
CoarseBubbleDiffusers2
FineBubbleDiffusers3
Table122AerationMixingRequirements1
ForUniformDOLevels ForUniformMLSSLevels
1.6to2.5W/m3[(0.06to0.09hp/(103ft3)] 16to25W/m3[0.61to0.95hp/(103ft3)]
0.33L/(m3.s)(0.02cfm/ft3)
0.61L/(m2min)(0.12cfm/ft2)

1Mixingrequirementsvarywithtankorbasingeometry,MLSSconcentrations,placementofaerationdevicesand
pumpingefficiencyofaerators.Whereverpossible,thedesignershouldrefertofullscaletestingresultsforthe
particularaeratorbeingconsidered.

2L/(m3.s)referstovolumeofairpersecondpervolumeofaerationtank.

3L/(m2min)referstovolumeofairpersecondperhorizontalcrosssectionalareaofaerationtank.

12.2.4.8AerationEquipment

Oxygenrequirementsdependonmaximumdiurnalorganicloading,degreeoftreatmentandleveloftotal
suspendedsolidsconcentrationtobemaintainedintheaerationtankmixedliquor.Aerationequipmentshouldbe
capableofmaintainingaminimumof2mg/Lofdissolvedoxygeninthemixedliquoratalltimesandprovide
thoroughmixingofthemixedliquor.

Intheabsenceofexperimentallydeterminedvalues(recommendedmethod),thedesignoxygenrequirementsfor
allactivatedsludgeprocessesshouldbe1.0kgO2/kgdesignaveragedailyBOD5(1.0lbO2/lbdesignaverage
dailyBOD5)appliedtotheaerationtanks,withtheexceptionoftheextendedaerationprocess,forwhichthevalue
shouldbe1.5kgO2/kgdesignaveragedailyBOD5toincludeendogenousrespirationrequirements.

Wherenitrificationisrequiredorwilloccur,suchaswithintheextendedaerationprocess,theoxygenrequirement
foroxidizingammoniashouldbeaddedtotheaboverequirementforBOD5removalandendogenousrespiration
needs.Thenitrogenousoxygendemand(NOD)shouldbetakenas4.6timestheTKNcontentoftheinfluent.

Inaddition,theoxygendemandsduetorecycleflows(e.g.,anaerobicdigestersupernatant,heattreatment
supernatant,dewateringcentrateorfiltrate,elutriates)needtobeconsideredduetothehighconcentrationsof
BOD5andTKNassociatedwithsuchflows.Similarly,contaminantloadsassociatedwithanyseptageorlandfill
leachateadditionstotheSTPforcotreatmentneedtobeconsidered.

Carefulconsiderationshouldbegiventomaximizingoxygentransferperunitofpowerinput.Insomesitespecific
situations(e.g.widevariationsinindustrialloadings)theaerationsystemshouldbedesignedtomatchthediurnal
organicloadvariationwhileeconomizingonpowerinput.

Thedesignrequirementsofanaerationsystemshouldaccomplishthefollowing:

Maintainaminimumof2.0mg/LofDOinthemixedliquoratalltimesthroughoutthetankorbasin
Maintainallbiologicalsolidsinsuspension(Table122)
Meetmaximumoxygendemandandmaintainprocessperformancewiththelargestunitoutofserviceand
ProvideforvaryingtheamountofoxygentransferredinproportiontotheloaddemandontheSTP.

12.2.4.9DiffusedAirSystems

Havingdeterminedtheoxygenrequirementsasdiscussedearlierinthissection,airrequirementsforadiffusedair
systemshouldbecalculatedbyincorporatingsuchfactorsas:

Tankdepth
Alphafactorofsewage
Betafactorofsewage
Certifiedaerationdevicetransferefficiency
MinimumaerationtankDOconcentration
Criticalsewagetemperatureand
Altitudeofplant.

Intheabsenceofexperimentallydeterminedalphaandbetafactors,sewagetransferefficiencyshouldbeassumed
tobenotgreaterthan50percentofcleanwaterefficiency(i.e.,accountingforaerationparametersAlphatimes
Beta)forplantstreatingprimarily(90percentorgreater)domesticsewage.Treatmentplantswheresewage
containshigherpercentagesofindustrialwastesshoulduseacorrespondinglylowerpercentageofcleanwater
efficiencyandshouldhavecalculationsperformedtojustifysuchapercentage.Thedesigntransferefficiency
shouldbeincludedinthespecifications.

Thedesignershouldalsoconsiderthefollowing:

Additionalairsupplyshouldbeprovidedforaeratedchannels,airdrivenpumpsandaerobicdigestersabove
theairrequirementsforsecondarytreatment.Separateaerationsupplyforaerobicdigesterispreferredfor
controlpurposes
Thespecifiedcapacityofblowersoraircompressors,particularlycentrifugalblowers,shouldtakeinto
accountthattheairintaketemperaturemayreach45C(115F)orhigherandthepressuremaybelessthan
normal.Thespecifiedcapacityofthemotordriveshouldalsotakeintoaccountthattheintakeairmaybe30
C(20F)orlessandmayrequireoversizingofthemotororameansofreducingtherateofairdeliveryto
preventoverheatingordamagetothemotor
Theblowersshouldbeprovidedinmultipleunits,soarrangedandinsuchcapacitiesastomeetthe
maximumairdemandwiththesinglelargestunitoutofservice.Thedesignshouldalsoprovideforvarying
thevolumeofairdeliveredinproportiontotheloaddemandoftheplant.Aerationequipmentshouldbe
easilyadjustableinincrementsandshouldmaintainsolidsinsuspensionwithintheselimits
Diffusersystemsshouldbecapableofhandlingtheairoutputfromallblowersinstalled(includingstandby).
Theairdiffusionpipinganddiffusersystemshouldbecapableofdeliveringnormalairrequirementswith
minimalfrictionlosses
 Airpipingsystemsshouldbedesignedsuchthattotalheadlossfrombloweroutlet(orsilenceroutlet,where
used)tothediffuserinletdoesnotexceed3.4kPa(0.5psi)ataverageoperatingconditions
Thespacingofdiffusersshouldbeinaccordancewiththeoxygenuptakethroughthelengthofthechannelor
tankandshouldbedesignedtofacilitateadjustmentofthespacingwithoutmajorrevisionstoairheader
piping
Individualassemblyunitsofdiffusersshouldbeequippedwithcontrolvalves,preferablywithindicator
markings,forthrottlingorcompleteshutoff.Diffusersinanysingleassemblyshouldhaveuniformpressure
lossand
Airfiltersshouldbeprovidedinnumbers,arrangementsandcapacitiestofurnishatalltimesanairsupply
sufficientlyfreefromdusttopreventdamagetoblowersandcloggingofthediffusersystem.

12.2.4.10FineBubbleDiffuserSystems

WithincreasedemphasisbeingplacedonenergyconservationinSTPdesign,finebubblediffusersystemsare
generallyconsideredfornewfacilitiesandretrofits.Suchsystemshaveoxygenationefficienciesunderprocess
conditionsofapproximately12percentwithconventionaltankdepth(4.6m)andgreaterefficiencieswith
increaseddepths.

Duetotheirincreasedoxygenationefficiencies,theairflowssatisfyingoxygendemandmaynotprovideadequate
mixing.Thedesignershouldensurethatpropermixingwilloccur.Thefinebubblesystemsmayundercertain
circumstancesfoulwithslime.TheslimeformationiscausedhighF/Mratios,highsolubleBOD5levels,lowDO
concentrationsandalsobylowmixinglevels.

Thedesignershouldalsoconsiderthefollowing:

Pilottestingshouldbecarriedouttodetermineifslimingwilloccur.Thisisparticularlyimportantwhere
industrialwastecontributionissignificantorwheresolubleBOD5concentrationsareexpectedtobehigh
duetoothercauses
Manufacturer'srecommendedmaximumandminimumairflowratesshouldbecompliedwith
Theabilitytovaryairflowratesshouldbepossibletotakefulladvantageoftheefficiencyofthediffusers
andtominimizefoulingwhensatisfyingpeakoxygendemands,diffusersshouldbeoperatingatcloseto
theirmaximumairflowratingairvalvesshouldbeprovidedforeachgridoftheaerationsystemautomatic
variationofairflowrateisdesirable,butasaminimumaDOprobeshouldbelocatedintheareaofthe
aerationtankneartherawsewageinletandsettoalarmifDOfallsto1mg/Lorless
Tofacilitatedomediffusercleaning,equipmentshouldbeprovidedtoallowforrapidtankdraining,diffuser
removalanddiffusercleaningcleaningofceramicdomesmaybecarriedoutbyhosingandscrubbing,
steamingoracidcleaning,orcombinationsofthesemethodsacleanwatersourceshouldbeavailableto
refillthetanksfollowingcleaning
Aircleaningshouldbeprovidedreplaceableairfilters,usingcoarseprefiltersandfinefinalunitsmaybe
thesimplestandleastexpensiveelectrostaticprecipitatorsorbaghousesmayalsobeusedwithretrofit
plants,oldpipingmayhavetobereplacedsincetheflakingofrustfromcastironlinesmayclogthediffusers
frominsideequipmentshouldbeprovidedtoremoveliquidaccumulationsfrominsidetheheaders
followingpowerfailureorrepairshutdowns
Sparepartsshouldbeprovidedincludingdiffusers,gaskets,boltsandairsupplypiping
Sincedomeordiskdiffusersarebetterverticalmixersthanhorizontalmixers,tanksshouldbebuiltasdeep
aspossibletominimizethehorizontaltravelrequiredoxygentransferefficiency,however,maytaperoffat
depthsgreaterthan6.1mduetooxygendepletionintheairbubblesand
Althoughdiffusersworkbestunderconditionsofuniformloading,somedegreeofplugflowappearstobe
desirableforgoodsludgesettleabilityL/Wratiosofapproximately8:1arerecommendedtheaeration
systemshouldbedividedintoapproximately4gridswiththenumberofdomediffuserspergridbeing
graduallyreducedtomatchoxygensupplytodemandfullfloorcoverageshouldbeprovidedinthefirst3/4
oftheaerationtankinthelast1/4oftheaerationtank,thedomediffusersshouldbepositionedalongthe
centrelineofthetanktoinduceadoublespiralrollmixingeffecttoavoidoverdesignoftheoxygensupply,
50percentblanksshouldbeprovidedinatleastthefirsthalfoftheaerationsystemforpossibleadditionof
morediffusersinthefuture,ifnecessarystepfeedingtoatleastmidtanklengthshouldalsobeallowedfor
indesignincaseitisneededtoreduceslimingproblems.

Manufacturers'mixingpowerrecommendationsshouldbeconsideredandcomparedtovaluesinTable122.

12.2.4.11MechanicalAerationSystems
Themechanismanddriveunitshouldbedesignedfortheexpectedconditionsintheaerationtankintermsofthe
powerperformance.Certifiedtestingshouldbeprovidedtoverifymechanicalaeratorperformance.Designtransfer
efficienciesshouldbeincludedinthespecifications.

Thedesignrequirementsofamechanicalaerationsystemshouldprovidethatmotors,gearhousing,bearingsand
greasefittingsbeeasilyaccessibleandprotectedfrominundationandsprayasnecessaryforproperfunctioningof
theunit.

Whereextendedcoldweatherconditionsoccur,theaeratormechanismandassociatedstructureshouldbeprotected
fromfreezingduetosplashing.

12.2.4.12ReturnSludgeEquipment

TheminimumpermissiblereturnsludgeratefromthefinalsedimentationtankoftheASPisafunctionofthe
concentrationofsuspendedsolidsinthemixedliquorenteringit,thesludgevolumeindex(SVI)ofthesesolidsand
thelengthoftimethesesolidsareretainedinthesedimentationtank.SeeChapter13SecondarySedimentation.

Sinceundueretentionofsolidsinthefinalsedimentationtanksmaybedeleterioustoboththeaerationand
sedimentationphasesoftheactivatedsludgeprocess,therateofsludgereturnexpressedasapercentageofthe
designaveragedailyflowofsewageshouldgenerallybevariablebetweenthelimitssetforthinTable121.

TheRASrateshouldbevariedbymeansofvariablespeedmotors,drives,ortimers(smallplants)topumpRASat
therecommendedrates(Table121).Alldesignsshouldprovideforflexibilityinoperationinvariousprocess
modes,iffeasible.

Ifmotordrivenreturnsludgepumpsareused,themaximumreturnsludgecapacityshouldbeobtainedwiththe
largestpumpoutofservice.Apositiveheadshouldbeprovidedonpumpsuctions.Pumpsshouldhaveatleast80
mm(3in)suctionanddischargeopenings.

Ifairliftsareusedforreturningsludgefromeachsedimentationtankhopper,nostandbyunitmaybeneededifthe
designoftheairliftsfacilitatetheirrapidandeasycleaningandothersuitablestandbymeasuresareprovided(i.e.,
blowercapacity).Airliftsshouldbeatleast80mm(3in)indiameter.DuetoairwithintheRASpipe,directflow
measurementwithinthepipeisdifficult.

Dischargepipingshouldbeatleast100mm(4in)indiameterandshouldbedesignedtomaintainavelocityofnot
lessthan0.6m/s(2ft/s)whenreturnsludgefacilitiesareoperatingatnormalreturnsludgerates.Suitabledevices
forobserving,samplingandcontrollingRASflowfromeachsedimentationtankhoppershouldbeprovided.

WastesludgecontrolfacilitiesshouldbeprovidedsothattheexcessactivatedsludgemaybewastedfromtheRAS
linesordirectlyfromtheaerationtank.Wastingfromthereturnsludgeismorecommonandprovidesamore
concentratedsludgehoweverwastingfromthemixedliquorprovidesasimplercontrol.Thewastepumpsand
pipelinesshouldbesizedbasedontheexpectedmaximumsludgeproductionratesandminimumsludge
concentrations.Althoughcontinuouswastingispreferred,fornoncontinuouswastingthecapacityofpumpsand
pipelinesshouldbedesignedtohandlethewastingratesexpected.

Meansforobserving,measuring(i.e.,flowrateandtotal),samplingandcontrollingwasteactivatedsludge(WAS)
flowshouldbeprovided.Wastesludgemaybedischargedtotheprimarysedimentationtank,sludgedigestiontank,
sludgethickeningordewateringprocesses,storagetankoranypracticalcombinationoftheseunits.

12.2.5FlowMonitoring

Flowmonitoringdevicesshouldbeinstalledinallactivatedsludgeplantsforrawsewageorprimaryeffluent,
returnsludge,wastesludgeandairtoeachaerationtank.Forplantsdesignedfordesignaveragedailysewage
flowsof4000m3/d(1mUSgd)ormore,thesedevicesshouldtotalizeandrecord,aswellasindicateflows.Where
thedesignprovidesforallreturnsludgetobemixedwiththerawsewage(orprimaryeffluent)atonelocation,then
theinfluentflowratetoeachaerationtankshouldbemeasured.

12.3SewageTreatmentLagoons

12.3.1General
Thissectionprovidesdesignguidelinesforsewagetreatmentlagoons(alsoreferredtoaswastestabilizationponds)
capableofachievingequivalenttosecondarytreatment(annualaverageconcentrationsof25mg/LCBOD5and30
mg/LTSS)orbetter.Thesewagetreatmentlagoonsareclassifiedbasedoneitherthebioactivitytype(facultative
and/oraeratedlagoons)ormodeofoperation(seasonaldischargeorcontinuousdischarge).Aeratedlagoonsare
furtherclassifiedbasedontheirdesignandpurposeaseitheraeratedfacultativelagoons,completelymixedaerated
lagoonsandpostaerationpolishingcells.MostofthelagoonsinOntarioarefacultativelagoonswithseasonal
discharge.Combinationsofvarioustypesoflagoonsarealsousedbasedonsitespecificneeds.

Lagoonsutilizedforequalization,infiltration,evaporationandsludgestoragearenotdiscussedinthissection.

Lagoonsystemsareoftencapableofprovidingsecondaryequivalentsewagetreatmentatalowercostthan
mechanicalSTPwhenlandcostsareconsidered.Thisisgenerallythecasewithruralsmallmunicipalities,where
sufficientlowcostlandisavailableinthevicinityoftheserviceareaandwherelowpermeabilitysoilsare
availableforlagooncellconstruction.

Seasonaldischargelagoonshaveadvantagesovercontinuousdischargelagoonsandmechanicalsewagetreatment
plantswherereceivingstreamsexperienceinsufficientflowsduringatleastpartoftheyeartoprovideadequate
dilutionforcontinuouseffluentdischargesorwheredownstreamrecreationalwaterusesmakesummereffluent
dischargesundesirable.

ItisgenerallyacceptedpracticeinOntariotodesignsewagetreatmentlagoonsbaseduponaveragedailysewage
flowratesandBOD5loadingandmakingnospecialallowancefornetprecipitationenteringthecells.

12.3.1.1FacultativeLagoons

Atthefeasibilityorpredesignplanningstageforfacultativelagoons,thedesignershouldconsiderthefollowing:

Possiblenuisancessuchasodours,algaeandvectors(e.g.mosquitoes).Fortherecommendedlanduse
surroundinglagoonsrefertoSection4.5SeparationDistancesbetweenSewageWorksandSensitiveLand
Use
Whetherthelagooncanbecontinuouslydischargedorneedstooperateonaseasonaldischargebasis
Theminimumtimeandcalendardatesfordischargeofthelagooncellcontents
Industrialwastewatercomponentanditseffectsonlagoontreatment.Insomecases,itmaybenecessaryto
pretreatindustrialwastewater
Whetherphosphorusremovalwillbenecessaryandifrequired,towhatlevel
Whethereffluentammoniaand/orhydrogensulphideconcentrationswillneedtobereducedand
Whatdischargerateswillbepermittedfromseasonaldischargelagoonsandwhatprovisionmayberequired
forcontrollingeffluentdischargeratesinproportiontothereceivingstreamflowrates.

Facultativelagoonsthatneedtobedischargedpriortoorsoonaftertheicecoverleavesthelagooninthespring,
mayhavehydrogensulphidelevelsintheeffluenthighenoughtocausefishtoxicityinthereceivingstream.In
suchcases,thedesignershouldconsideroxidationofhydrogensulphideintheeffluentinapostaerationcell
(Section12.3.1.7PostAerationPolishingCell).

AmmoniamaybestrippedfromthelagooncontentsduringthesummermonthsofhighalgalgrowthandpH.
However,higherammonialevelsinspringespeciallyundericecover,cannotbeeffectivelytreatedusinga
postaerationcell.Insuchcases,thedesignershouldconsidertheuseofintermittentsandfilters(Section12.3.6
IntermittentSandFilters)orotherammoniaremovaltechnology.

12.3.1.2FacultativeLagoonswithSupplementalAeration

Insomecasessupplementalaerationmaybethemosteconomicalmeansofupgradingorexpandingafacultative
lagoon.Theadditionalaerationwillsupplementtheinsufficientlevelofoxygenprovidedbyphotosynthetic
activityandnaturalsurfacereaerationoftheupperlayer.Therequiredlevelofsupplementalaerationshouldbe
establishedunderthesitespecificconditions.

12.3.1.3SeasonalDischarge

Facultativelagoons,whenoperatedonaseasonaldischargebasiswithphosphorusremovalbybatchdosingwith
alumorironsalts,areabletoachieveaneffluentquality(CBOD5of15mg/L,TSSof20m/LandTPof0.5to1.0
mg/L)comparabletoconventionalactivatedsludgeplantswithphosphorusremoval.Toachievesuchquality,the
lagooncellsshouldbeicefreeatthetimeofplanneddischargesothatbatchdosingcanbeusedforphosphorus
removal.Continuousadditionofalumtotherawsewageenteringlagooncellshasnotproventobeaseffectiveas
batchdosinghowever,effluentTPof1mg/Lcanbeachieved.

Theabilitytointroducerawsewagetoalllagooncellsisdesirable,butasaminimumthereshouldbeacapability
todividerawsewageflowsamongenoughcellstoreducethedesignaverageBOD5loadingto22kg/(had)(20
poundsperacreperday)orless,atthemeanoperatingdepthintheprimarycells.

Therequiredhydraulicdetentiontimeshouldbedeterminedusingthevolumebetween0.6m(2ft)(recommended
minimumoperatingdepth)andthemaximumoperatingdepthoftheentirelagoonsystemandthedesignaverage
dailyflow.Thehydraulicdetentiontimeshouldnotbelessthan:

ThehydraulicdetentiontimeassetbytheareaneededtomeetthedesignBOD5loading
Thelargestnumberofconsecutivedaysofayearwhendischargeisnotallowedand
Thenumberofdaysthelagoonisundericecover.

12.3.1.4ContinuousDischarge

Forcontinuousdischargefacultativelagoons,thedesignaverageBOD5loadingdistributionshouldbesimilarto
thatofaseasonaldischargelagoon(Section12.3.1.3SeasonalDischarge).

Designvariablessuchaslagoondepth,multipleunits,detentiontime,supplementalaerationandadditional
treatmentunitsshouldbeconsideredwithrespecttoeffluentqualityrequirementsforCBOD5,TSS,E.coli,
ammonia,hydrogensulphide,DOandpH.Themajorfactorinthedesignisthedurationofthecoldweatherperiod
wherethelagooncontentsareattemperaturesoflessthan5C(41F).

Duringthesummer/fallmonths,thepresenceofalgaemayconsiderablyincreasetheeffluentTSSandCBOD5
concentrations.Iftheeffluentqualitycriteriaareprovidedasaveragemonthlyconcentrations,thedesignerneedsto
considertheappropriatefacilitiesforalgaeremovallikemicroscreening(Section15.3Microscreening)or
intermittentsandfilters(Section12.3.6IntermittentSandFilters).

12.3.1.5AeratedLagoons

Aeratedlagoonscanbeclassifiedintotwocategoriesdependingonthedegreeofaerationachievingpartialor
completemixing.Thesetypesoflagoonsaregenerallyusedinconjunctionwithcontinuousdischargeoperations,
butmayalsobeapartofaseasonaldischargelagoonsystem.

12.3.1.6AeratedFacultativeLagoons

Aeratedfacultativelagoonsaredesignedandoperatedtoensurethatenoughoxygenistransferredtosatisfythe
appliedBOD5loadingandmaintainanadequatedissolvedoxygenlevel.Thelagooncontentsshouldbemixed
sufficientlytomaintainuniformDOlevelsthroughouttheaerobiclayer.Noattemptismadetosupplyenough
mixingtomaintainauniformsuspendedsolidsconcentration.Mixingiskeptlowenoughtopermitsolidssettling.
Solidssettlingtothelagoonbottomwillundergoanaerobicdecompositionandtheproductsofthisdecomposition
arereleasedandtreatedintheupperaerobiclayers.

Themostcommonapplicationfortheuseofaeratedfacultativelagoonsisaspretreatmentofrawsewagepriorto
dischargeintosubsequentlagoons.With4to5daysofretentiontime,typicaleffluentqualityfromanaerated
facultativelagoontreatingdomesticsewagewillgenerallybeaCBOD5concentrationof60mg/L,TSSof100
mg/LandTPof6mg/L.Withatotalretentiontimeof30daysinthelagoonsystem,effluentquality(annual
averageconcentrations)equivalenttothatproducedbyconventionalactivatedsludgetreatmentmaybeachieved.

Aeratedfacultativelagoonsystems(i.e.,aeratedfacultativelagoonsplussubsequentlagoons)designedtotreat
domesticsewageshouldconsistoftwoormoreaeratedcells.Itisrecommendedthatthefirsttwocellsshouldbeof
equalsize.Ifmorethantwocellsareproposed,anycellshouldnotprovidemorethan50percentofthetotal
requiredvolume.

12.3.1.7PostAerationPolishingCell
Apostaerationpolishingcellmaybeconsideredincaseswheretheperiodofdischargefromafacultativelagoon
fallsatthetimewhenthelagoonmayhavesignificanticecoverorsoonaftericemelt,resultinginhighhydrogen
sulphidelevels.

Thefollowingdesigncriteriashouldbeincorporatedinthedesignofapostaerationcelltopermitbiochemical
oxidationofhydrogensulphide(H2S)andtominimizestrippingofthegas:

Thecellshouldbe3to4mdeep(10to13ft)haveaL/Wratioof4:1andprovideatleast12hoursof
retentiontime
Theinfluentshouldbefedtothebottomofthecellanddispersedataminimumofthreelocationsinthefirst
twothirdsofthecelland
Theaerationsystemshouldconsistofafinebubblediffusertoensurehighoxygentransferandminimize
mixing.Oxygenshouldbesuppliedtoprovideboth1.2kgO2/kgCBOD5(1.2lbO2/lbCBOD5)and1.0kg
O2/kgH2S(1.0lbO2/lbH2S).

12.3.1.8CompletelyMixedAeratedLagoons

Completelymixedaeratedlagoonsareanothertypeofaeratedlagoonsystem,whereincompletemixingis
achievedwithinthelagooncells.Theaerationsystemsaredesignedinasimilarwaytothoseofactivatedsludge
processes,exceptthatearthenbermconstructionisusedfortheaerationbasin.

Thedesigncelldepthshouldbe3to4.6m(10to15ft).Thisdepthlimitationmaybeadjusteddependingonthe
aerationequipment,wastestrengthandclimaticconditions.

Thecompletelymixedaeratedlagoonshouldbefollowedbyasedimentationbasin.

12.3.2AerationEquipment

Varioustypesofaerationsystemsmaybeused,includingbridgemountedmechanicalsurfaceaerators,floating
mechanicalsurfaceaeratorsanddiffusedaerationusingsubmergeddiffusersoraerationtubing.Whereextreme
wintertemperaturesareexperienced,submergedaerationsystemsarerecommended.Ifmechanicalsurfaceaerators
areused,theyshouldbeofthelowspeedbridgemountedtypetoavoidicingdamage.Erosionprotectionwill
generallyberequiredbelowmechanicalaeratorstopreventbottomscour.Foracompletelymixedcell,power
requirementoftheaerationequipmenttomaintainsolidsinsuspensionwouldcontrolthepowerinputtothesystem
andmeettheoxygendemand.

AerationrequirementswillgenerallydependontheBOD5loading,degreeoftreatmentrequired,temperatureand
theconcentrationofsuspendedsolidstobemaintainedinthecell.Thefinalsizingoftheaerationequipmentshould
bebasedonguaranteedperformancebytheequipmentmanufacturerwithverificationofmixingandoxygen
dispersioncapabilitiesoftheproposedaerators.

Thedesignershouldensuretheoperationalreliabilityoftheaerationsystembyprovidingthefollowing:

Theblowersservingdiffusedairsystemsshouldbeprovidedinmultipleunits,soarrangedandinsuch
capacitiesastomeetthemaximumairdemandwiththelargestunitoutofservice
Theairdiffusionsystemforeachaerationcellshouldbedesignedsuchthatthelargestsectionofdiffusers
canbeisolatedwithoutlosingmorethan50percentoftheoxygentransfercapabilitywithineachcell
Thefloatingorfixedmechanicalaeratorsshouldbeprovidedinsufficientnumberstoenablethedesign
oxygendemandofaparticularcelltobesatisfiedwiththelargestcapacityaeratorinthatcelloutofservice
Atleasttwomechanicalaeratorsshouldbeinstalledineachprimarycellforamechanicalaerationbased
systemand
Abackupaeratorshouldbeprovided.Thebackupaeratormaybeacompleteuninstalledunitoramotor.In
thelattercase,apropassembly(drivetrain)shouldbeprovidedsothattheinstalledaeratororpartscanbe
easilyremovedandreplaced.

Suitableprotectionfromtheelementsshouldbeprovidedforelectricalcontrols,aeratorsandpiping.

12.3.3DesignConsiderations
Theminimumnumberofcellsshouldbetwoforsmallinstallations.Largerinstallationsshouldhaveaminimumof
threecellsdesignedtofacilitatebothseriesandparalleloperations.

Themaximumsewagedepthinfacultativelagoonsshouldbe1.8m(6ft)inprimarycells.Greatercelldepthscan
beusedifprecededbysupplementalaerationormixing.Thebottom0.3m(1ft)ofcellliquiddepth(i.e.,retained
sediment)shouldberetainedatthecompletionoflagoondrawdown..

Theshapeofalllagooncellsshouldbesuchthattherearenonarroworelongatedportions.Rectangularlagoons
(lengthnotexceedingthreetimesthewidth)areconsideredmostdesirablelongdimension(s)shouldnotalignwith
prevailingwinddirection.Themaximumsizeofeachlagooncellshouldbe8ha(20acres),but4ha(10acres)is
preferred.

Thehydrauliccapacityforseasonaldischargelagoonsshouldbesizedtopermitallcellstobedischargedinthe
minimumtimespecifiedinthedesignbutnotlessthanaminimumrateof150mm(6in)oflagoonwaterdepthper
dayattheavailablehead.

Thehydrauliccapacityforcontinuousdischargestructuresandpipingshouldallowforaminimumof250percent
ofthedesignmaximumdayflowofthesystemorbeatleastequaltotheexpectedfuturepeakrawsewage
pumpingrate.

Effluentfromeachcellshouldbedrawnfrom0.3m(1ft)abovethecellbottom.Outletsshouldleadtoeffluent
chamber(s)whichpermitlevelregulation.Allcellsshouldbeprovidedwithanemergencyoverflowsystemto
overflowwhentheliquidcontentsreachwithin0.6m(2ft)ofthetopoftheberms.

Crossconnectionpipingbetweenadjacentcellsshouldbeinterconnectedtopermitflowbetweencells.Wherecells
areatornearthesameelevation,thepipesshouldbevalved.Wherecellelevationsdiffersignificantly,thecross
connectionpipeshouldhaveachamberwithaweirtocontrolflowfromthehighercell.Thevalveorchamber
shouldbeprovidedwithsuitablelockingdevicesandbelocatedoffthetraveledportionofthetopoftheberm.

Shortcircuitingincontinuousdischargelagoonsshouldbeminimized,especiallytoavoidtheneedforeffluent
disinfection.Twoormorecellsshouldbeprovidedanddesignedtoallowseries(aswellasparallel)operation.
Effluentpipingshouldbeasfarremovedaspossiblefrominletorcrossconnectionpiping.Windinducedcurrents
shouldbeconsideredwhenlagoonorientationisbeingselected.Installationofbafflesorcurtainscanbeconsidered
toreduceshortcircuiting.

12.3.4LagoonConstruction

Asoilconsultant'sreportshouldbepreparedtoaddressthefollowing:

Thesuitabilityofthenativesoilsfortheproposedconstructionandtheneedforaliner
Themaximumgroundwaterelevationanddepthtobedrock
Thesoilstratawhichwillbesuitableforuse(i.e.,forformingthecellbottomandbermcores),soilstobe
removedandsolidssuitablefortopdressingandestimatesoftheirpermeabilitiesand
Theestimatedinitialclearwaterleakageratewhichshouldbeexperiencedfromthecellstructures.

Whenalagoonisbeingconsideredforasitewhereleakageisexpectedandwheretherearenearbygroundwater
usesorsurfacewaterbodieswhicharelikelytobeadverselyaffected,theabovefactorsneedtobeevaluatedbya
hydrogeologist,aspartofahydrogeologicalassessmentinaccordancewithministryGuidelineB7,Incorporation
oftheReasonableUseConceptsintoGroundWaterManagementActivities.Asystemofwellsorlysimetersmay
beneededaroundtheperimeterofthelagoonsitetofacilitategroundwatermonitoringwhereneeded.

Soilusedinconstructingthelagoonbottom(notincludingtheseal)anddikecoresshouldberelatively
incompressibleandtightandcompactedatorupto4percentabovetheoptimumwatercontentasrequiredbased
onthesoilsreport.

Undercertainsoilcircumstances,linersmayberequiredinordertominimizeexcessiveleakage.Whereclayliners
areused,precautionsshouldbetakentoavoiderosionanddesiccationcrackingpriortoplacingthesystemin
operation.

Bermsshouldhaveaminimumtopwidthof3.0m(10ft)toallowforaccessbyliquidalumtrucksand
maintenancevehicles.Minimumfreeboardabovemaximumlagoonoperatinglevelshouldbe0.9m(3ft).Berm
slopesshouldnotexceed4:1(horizontal:vertical)insideand3:1outsideunlessgreaterslopesarerecommendedby
asoilconsultant.Adequateprovisionshouldbemadetodivertstormwaterrunoffaroundthelagoonsandprotect
lagoonembankmentsfromerosion.

Influentlinesmaybelocatedalongthebottomofthelagoonwiththetopofthepipejustbelowtheaverageupper
elevationofthelagoonsealorliner.However,thefullsealdepthneedstobemaintainedbelowthebottomofthe
pipeandthroughoutthetransitionareafromthebottomofthepipetothelagoonbottom.Insituationswherepipes
penetratethelagoonseal,provisionstopreventseepage(suchasantiseepcollars)needtobemade.Thelagoon
siteshouldbefencedandprovidedwithalockedaccessgateofsufficientwidthtoaccommodatemowing
equipment.

12.3.5ControlStructuresandInterconnectingPiping

Amanholeorventedcleanoutwyeshouldbeinstalledpriortoentranceoftheinfluentlineintotheprimarycell
andshouldbelocatedasclosetothedikeastopographypermits.Itsinvertshouldbeatleast150mm(6in)above
themaximumoperatinglevelofthelagoonandprovidesufficienthydraulicheadwithoutsurchargingthemanhole.

Flowdistributionstructuresshouldbedesignedtoeffectivelysplithydraulicloadsequallybetweentheprimary
cells.

Allprimarycellsshouldhaveindividualinfluentlineswhichterminateapproximatelyatthemidpointofthewidth
andatapproximatelytwothirdsofthelengthawayfromtheoutletstructuresoastominimizeshortcircuiting.

Theinfluentlineshoulddischargehorizontallyintoashallow,saucershapeddepression.Theendoftheinfluent
dischargelineshouldrestonasuitableconcreteapronlargeenoughtopreventtheterminalvelocityattheendof
theapronfromcausingsoilerosion.Aminimumsizeapronof0.6m(2ft)squareshouldbeprovided.

Thedesignershouldconsidertheuseofmultipurposecontrolstructurestofacilitatenormaloperationalfunctions
suchasdrawdownandflowdistribution,flowanddepthmeasurement,sampling,pumpsforrecirculation,chemical
additionsandmixingandminimizationofthenumberofconstructionsiteswithinthedikes.

Asaminimum,controlstructuresshouldbe:

Accessibleformaintenanceandadjustmentofcontrols
Adequatelyventilatedforsafetyandtominimizecorrosion
Lockedtodiscouragevandalism
Equippedwithcontrolstopermitsewagelevelandflowratecontrolandcompleteshutoff
Constructedofnoncorrodiblematerials(metalonmetalcontactincontrolsshouldbeofsimilaralloysto
discourageelectrochemicalreactions)and
Locatedtominimizeshortcircuitingwithinthecellandavoidfreezingandicedamage.

Recommendeddevicestoregulatesewagelevelarevalves,slidetubesordualslidegates.Stoplogsshouldnotbe
used.Regulatorsshouldbedesignedsothattheycanbepresettopreventthelagoonsurfaceelevationfrom
droppingbelowthedesiredoperationallevel.

12.3.6IntermittentSandFilters

Useoftheintermittentsandfilter(ISF)processisaviablemethodforpolishinglagooneffluents.Theprocess
involvesapplicationoflagooneffluentonaperiodicorintermittentbasisontothesurfaceofasandfilterbed.As
thelagooneffluentpassesthroughthesand,suspendedandsolublematterareremovedthroughacombinationof
physicalstrainingandbiochemicaltransformations.AmatureISFisacomplexecosystemwiththemajorityofthe
biochemicalactivityconcentratednearthesurfaceofthefilter.Thisallowsammoniatobenitrifiedandaportionof
theBOD5toberemoved.AproperlydesignedandoperatedISFsystemprovidesaveryhighremovalofBOD5and
TSSandcanproduceacompletelynitrifiedeffluentwithhighdissolvedoxygen.InOntario,intermittentsand
filtershavebeendemonstratedtobefunctionalonlyduringwarmernonfreezingperiods.

Filtersurfaceistypicallyfloodedonceortwiceperdaywithlagooneffluent.Theinfluentsystemshouldbe
capableofapplyingthetota1dai1yhydraulicloadinlessthan6hourstoensuremaximumheaddevelopmentand
maximumbedreaerationafterdrainage.Thelengthofthefilterruniscontrolledbythesizeofthesand,the
hydraulicloadingrateandthetotalsuspendedsolidsconcentrationinthelagooneffluent.Nighttimeapplications
tothebedhavebeenshowntosignificantlyextendfilterrunsbyinhibitingthegrowthofalgaeineffluentapplied
ontothefiltersandfilterbeds.
TypicalISFfilterrunlengthsmayrangefrom30dayswithlagooneffluentTSSconcentrationsofgreaterthan50
mg/Ltooneyearwithlowlagooneffluentsolids.Toallowflexibilityforcleaning,allsystemsshouldhaveatleast
twofilterbeds(threearepreferred),eachdesignedtoreceivethetotalflow.

Thedepthofthesandinthefilterbedshouldbe0.9m(3ft)initiallytoallowremovalofthetop25cm(12in)
layerduringeachcleaningcycleandreplacementofthatsandaboutonceperyear.Thefi1tershouldnotbe
operatedwithlessthan0.6m(2ft)ofsandonthebed.Theeffectiveparticlesizeofthesandshouldbe0.15to0.30
mm,withauniformitycoefficientoflessthan5.

Thesandlayershouldbeunderlainbyagradedgravellayertopreventintrusionofsandintotheunderdrainpiping.
Agrave1bedshouldbe0.3m(1ft)deepandcontain10cm(4in)of6mm(0.25in)peagravelontop,10cm(4
in)of20mm(0.8in)gravelinthemiddleand10cm(4in)of30mm(1.25in)gravelatthebottom.

Theunderdrainpipingshouldhavemaximumspacingof1.5m(5ft)withminimumlateralpipesizeof15cm(8
in)indiameterandconnectedtoanoutletmanifold.Thismanifoldshouldbedesignedtoallowcompletedrainage
oftheunderdrainnetworksothataircancirculatethroughthedrainsystemintothefilterbed.Thebaseofthefilter
bedshouldbelinedwithclayormembraneliners.

Adosingbasinwithasiphonorelectricallyactuatedvalvesandtimercontrolsshouldbeusedtoapplythelagoon
effluenttothefilterbedatahydraulicloadingrateof500L/(m2d)(12USgpd/ft2)atoneormoreequaldosings
perday.Theinfluentzoneshouldbeprovidedwithagravelsplashpadusing50mm(2in)gravel.

Whensitetopographypermits,gravityfloworautomaticdosingsiphonsshouldbeusedforapplicationoflagoon
effluent.Theuseofpumpsisnecessarywhenfi1terbedsareoperatedinseriestolifttheeffluenttothesecond
stagefilterunit.Thecontainingwallsforthefilterunitareearthenembankments,butconcreteorothermaterials
canbeusedforsmallersystemswherespaceislimited.Washingandreuseofthesandisfeasiblewhenlocal
sourcesoflowcostsandarenotavailable.

InOntario,themajorapplicationofintermittentsandfiltershasbeenforammoniaremovalandpolishingoflagoon
effluents.Themajorlimitationsassociatedwithintermittentsandfiltersarethelargelandarearequirementsfor
constructionofthesystem,theneedtoperiodicallyremoveorreplacetheupperlayersofsandonthebedandto
eithercleanordisposeoftheremovedsand.

12.4OtherBiologicalSystems

12.4.1General

Alternativebiologicalsystemsincludeawiderangeofsuspendedgrowth,fixedfilmandhybridprocesses.Someof
theprocessesdescribedinthissectionarenotcommoninOntarioorinCanada,howeverthesemayfindcommon
usageinthefuture.Someoftheseprocessesmayincludeproprietaryequipmentorprocessesthatwillrequire
coordinationwiththemanufacturerorsupplierofthetechnologies.Careshouldbetakentoobtainsufficientpilot
orfullscaleprocessperformanceresultsconsistentwiththedesignconditions.

12.4.2SequencingBatchReactors

ThefillanddrawmodeoftheactivatedsludgeprocesscommonlytermedtheSequencingBatchReactor(SBR)
maybeusedinasimilarfashiontotheactivatedsludgeprocess.Continuityandreliabilityoftreatmentequalto
thatofthecontinuousflowthroughmodesoftheactivatedsludgeprocessshouldbeprovided.TheSBRprocess
usescontrolstrategiesthatpermitoptimizationofthesystem.Manufacturerinputshouldbeincludedinthedesign
andsizingoftheseunits.Provisionforemergencymaintenance(e.g.spareparts)tominimizedowntimeshouldbe
considered.

12.4.2.1DesignConsiderations

Thedesignershouldconsiderthefollowing:

Morethantwotanksshouldbeprovided.Influentbafflingusingabafflewallandadequatephysical
separationoftheinfluentfromthedecanterisrecommendedforanybasinwhichmayoperatewitha
continuousfeedduringthesettleanddecantphases.Thebafflingshoulddirecttheinfluentwastewaterbelow
 thesludgeblanket.Averagehorizontalvelocitiesthrougheachbafflewallopeningshouldnotexceed0.3m/s
(1ft/s)
AllSBRtanksshouldhaveaminimumfreeboardofnotlessthan600mm(24in)
ThedecantablevolumeanddecantercapacityoftheSBRsystemwiththelargestbasinoutofserviceshould
besizedtopassatleast75percentofthedesignpeakdailyflowwithoutchangingcycletimes.Adecantable
volumeprovidingatleast4hoursretentiontimewiththelargestbasinoutofservicebasedon100percentof
thedesignpeakdailyflowisrecommended
Systemreliabilitywithanysingletankunitoutofserviceandtheinstantaneousdeliveryofflowshouldbe
evaluatedinthedesignofdecanterweirsandapproachvelocities.Thetreatedeffluentfromeachreactor
shouldbefreeofscumandhaveatotalsuspendedsolidsconcentrationofnogreaterthan30mg/Latany
time.Scumremovalshouldbeprovided.Anadequatezoneofseparationbetweenthesludgeblanketandthe
decanter(s)shouldbemaintainedthroughoutthedecantphase
Decantersshoulddrawtreatedeffluentfrombelowthewatersurfaceandexcludescumorhaveameansto
excludescumandfloatables
Protectionagainsticebuilduponthedecanter(s)andfreezingofthedischargepipinganddecantvalve(s)
shouldbeprovided
Treatmentfacilitieswithfixeddecanters,oranyothersystemwherethelowwaterdepthcannotbeadjusted
quicklybytheoperator,shouldbedesignedtoendthedecantphaseatahigherwaterlevelthanothertypes
Thewaterdepthofanybasinwheresimultaneousfillanddecantmayoccurshouldbelimitedtonotlessthan
3.7m(12ft)attheendofthedecantphase.Theminimumwaterdepthcanbereducedto3m(10ft)forSBR
withnoncontinuousfeed
Adequatemeanstoaccommodatebasindewateringshouldbeprovided.Allsludgetransferandwasting
pumpsshouldbeaccessibleformaintenancewithoutdewateringthetank
ThecapabilitytotransfersludgebetweenSBRtanksshouldbeprovided.Ifthedecantpumpsareusedfor
sludgetransfer,allsolidsinthedecantpipingneedtobeflushedandrecycledbacktotheSBR
Theblowersshouldbeprovidedinmultipleunits,soarrangedandinsuchcapacitiesastomeetthe
maximumairdemandintheaeratedportionsofthefill/reactandreactphasesofthecyclewiththesingle
largestunitoutofservice
Oxygentransferratesfromtheaeratorsbasedonaveragewaterdepthbetweenthelowwaterlevelandthe
maximumwaterlevelshouldbeconsideredtoprovideaDOresidualof2.0mg/Lduringaeration.Creditsfor
oxygenrecoverythroughdenitrificationshouldonlybeconsideredforthosesystemsdesignedtodenitrify
Independentaerationmixingshouldbeprovidedforallsystemswherebiologicalphosphorusremovalor
denitrificationisrequired.Themixingequipmentshouldbesizedtothoroughlymixtheentirebasinfroma
settledconditionwithin5minuteswithoutaeration
Downstreamprocessesneedtobesizedtohandlepeakdischargeratesthatwilloccurduringdecantphase
unlessequalizationisprovidedfordecantflow
All24houreffluentqualitycompositesamplesforcompliancereportingormonitoringplantoperations
shouldbeflowpacedandincludesamplescollectedatthebeginningandendofeachdecantphaseand
Programmablelogiccontrollers(PLC)shouldbeprovided.MultiplePLCsshouldbeprovidedasnecessary
toensurerapidprocessrecoveryorminimizethedeteriorationofeffluentqualityfromthefailureofasingle
controller.AnuninterruptiblepowersupplywithelectricalsurgeprotectionshouldbeprovidedforeachPLC
toretainprogrammemory(i.e.,processcontrolprogram,lastknownsetpointsandmeasured
process/equipmentstatus)throughapowerloss.Ahardwiredbackupformanualoverrideshouldbe
providedinadditiontoautomaticprocesscontrol.Bothautomaticandmanualcontrolsshouldallow
independentoperationofeachtank.Inaddition,afailsafecontrolshouldbeprovidedwhichcannotbe
adjustedbytheoperatorallowingatleast20minutesofsettlingbetweenthereactanddecantphases.

12.4.2.2UnitSizing

ActivatedsludgeprocessdesignconsiderationsinSection12.2ActivatedSludgeProcess)shouldbereviewed.
Theaerationtankvolumetricloadingshouldnotexceed0.24kgBOD5/(m3d)(15lbBOD5/d/1000ft3).Design
F/Mratiosshouldbewithintherangeof0.05to0.1d1.ThereactorMLVSSandMLSSconcentrationsand
aerationtankvolumetricloadingrateshouldbecalculatedatthelowwaterlevel.

12.4.3MembraneBioreactors

TheMembraneBioreactor(MBR)processconsistsofasuspendedgrowthbiologicalreactor(activatedsludge
systemvariation)integratedwithamicrofiltrationorultrafiltrationmembranesystem.Thekeytothetechnologyis
themembraneseparatorwhichallowselevatedlevelsofbiomassinthereactortodegradeorremovethepollutants
fromthewastestream.Thesesystemstypicallyoperateinthemicrofiltrationorultrafiltrationrangewhichresults
inremovalofparticleshavinganominalsizelargerthan0.1mand0.01m,respectively.

Thebenefitsoftheseprocessesareconsistenthigheffluentquality,reducedfootprintandincreasedexpansion
capabilitieswithinthesametankageandeaseofoperation.Tertiaryqualityeffluent(Table81)isthenormaloutput
ofamembranebioreactor.Virtuallynosolidsarelostviathepermeatestreamandtheunintentionalwastingof
solidsisreduced.Asaresult,thesludgeagecanbeveryaccuratelydetermined.Nitrificationforammoniaremoval
iseasilyachievedbyoptimizingreactorandsludgeagetospecificsewagecharacteristicsandeffluent
requirements.

Ifrequired,denitrificationcanbeachievedwithMBRprocessesthatoperateatMLSSconcentrationsof10,000
mg/Landhigher.Themixedliquorrapidlybecomesanoxicintheabsenceofacontinuousstreamofair.
Furthermore,thehighlevelofbiomassensuresthatatalltimesthereareenoughmicroorganismsintheanoxic
zonetoefficientlyconvertthenitratesintonitrogengas.

12.4.3.1DesignConsiderations

MBRscanbeconfiguredinanumberofdifferentways.Thetwomainconfigurationsdifferbythoseinwhichthe
membranesaresubmerseddirectlyinthebioreactorandthosewhichcontainexternalmembraneprocesstanks.
Whenmembranemodulesaresubmersedintothebioreactor,theyareindirectcontactwiththemixedliquor.A
vacuumiscreatedwithinhollowfiberorflatplatemembranesbythesuctionofapermeatepump.Thetreated
effluentpassesthroughthemembrane,entersthehollowfibersorapermeatecollectionzoneandispumpedoutby
thepermeatepump.Anairflowmaybeintroducedintothebottomofthemembranemoduletocreateturbulence
whichscoursandcleansthemembranesurfacetomaintainasatisfactorypermeateflux.Thepermeate(treated
effluent)isthencollectedforreuseordischarge.

Externallycoupledmembraneprocessesoperateinasimilarmanner,however,themembranesarecontainedina
separatetankthroughwhichthemixedliquorfromthebioreactorrequiringfiltrationconstantlyflows.Recycled
mixedliquorflowcanprovidecrossflowvelocityrequiredformembranescouringandfluxcontrol.Airisoften
addedforbothtreatmentandmembranescouringpurposes.

ThemaindifferencebetweenthetwoMBRconfigurationsliesinthemembranecleaningprocesseswhere
membranessubmersedwithintheaerationtanksshouldberemovedorisolatedforcleaningwhile
externallycoupledmembranesarecleanedbyevacuatingthemembranetanksandprovidingforequalizationduring
thecleaningprocedureswithinthemainaerationtank.

Adequatepretreatmentofrawsewagebyeithermicroscreeningorfinescreeningmayberequiredupstreamof
MBRprocessesinordertopreventoperationaldifficulties(i.e.,buildupoftrash,fat,hair,lint,andotherfibrous
materialsinthemembranemodulesand/orintegratedaerationdevices).

12.4.3.2UnitSizing

ThebiologicalcomponentsoftheMBRprocesscanbedesignedsimilartotheactivatedsludgeprocess(Section
12.2ActivatedSludgeProcess).OwingtothetypicalelevatedMLSSconcentrations,theMBRprocesshas
characteristiclongsolidsretentiontimes(SRT).

Thetypeanddesignofthemembranesisdependentontheorientationofthemembraneandthemanufacturer.The
membranemanufacturershouldbeconsultedforparticularstotheirunitsandtoprovideverifieddesignparameters
fortheirunits.VerifiedMBRdesignparametersshouldbebasedonpilotandfullscalesystemswithanadequate
periodofoperation.Specialcareshouldbegiventopeakflowoperationsandconsiderationforunitsbeingoutof
serviceforcleaning.

12.4.4BiologicalAeratedFilters

TheBiologicalAeratedFilter(BAF)processcomprisessubmerged,granularmediafilterswhichtreatsewageby
biologicallytreatingcarbonaceousandnitrogenousmatterusingbiomassgrowthfixedtothemediaandby
physicallycapturingsuspendedsolidswithinthemedia.Nodownstreamsecondaryclarificationisrequired.

BAFsareaeratedtodegradecarbonaceousbiodegradablematterandconvertammonianitrogentonitratesvia
nitrification.Nonaeratedfiltersinthepresenceofsupplementalorganicmattercanconvertnitratesintonitrogen
gasthroughdenitrification.
BAFsaredesignedeitherascocurrentbackwashorcountercurrentbackwashsystems.Thecocurrentbackwash
designhasanozzledecksupportingagranularmediathathasaspecificgravity(SG)greaterthan1.0.Pretreated
sewageisintroducedunderthenozzledeckandflowsupthroughslightlyexpandedmediabedandeffluentleaves
thefilterfromabovethemedia.Processairisintroducedjustabovethenozzledeck(thebedisnotaeratedfor
denitrification).Duringbackwash,washwaterandairscourareintroducedbelowthenozzledeckandflowup
throughthebed.WashwaterispumpedtotheSTPheadworksordirectlytosolidshandling.

ThecountercurrentbackwashBAFoperatesunderthesamegeneralprinciples,exceptthatthegranularmediahasa
SGlessthan1.0(e.g.polystyrenebeadmedia).Therefore,themediafloatandareretainedfromabovebyascreen.
Duringbackwash,washwaterflowsbygravitythroughthemedia.Processairisintroducedbelowthemedia
therefore,scourairmovescountercurrenttothewashwaterflow.

12.4.4.1DesignConsiderations

TheperformanceofBAFsintermsofallowableloadingratesandeffluentqualitydependsoninfluentsewage
qualityandtemperature.Ingeneral,higherorganicorsuspendedsolidsinfluentloadingsresultinhighereffluent
concentrations.Adequatewatervelocityisnecessarytoprovidescouringofthemediaandbiomassandforaneven
flowdistributionacrossthemediabed.Inadequatewatervelocitycanresultinprematurebedpluggingthisis
especiallythecasefordenitrificationreactorsinwhichtheeffectsofairscouringarenotpresent.

Factorsthatpositivelyaffectnitrificationinclude:

Warmsewagetemperature
Adequateaerationandgoodairdistributionand
LowBOD5andsuspendedsolidsloading.

MostmanufacturershaveestimatedthatsolidsproductionfromtheBAFprocessiscomparabletothatofa
conventionalactivatedsludgeprocess.EffluentcontaminantconcentrationsfromasingleBAFcellincreasesfor
approximately30minutesfollowingabackwasheventandthereforeaminimumoffourcellsshouldbeincludedin
anydesigntodampenthesespikes.

Thenozzledeckfeaturesnozzlesthatpreventmedialossandassistinevenlydistributingflowacrossthebed.The
reportedmedialossfromtheBAFsystemislessthan2percentperyear.Thenozzleopeningsareslightlysmaller
thanthemediaandrequirethatinfluentbepretreatedwithafinescreentopreventplugging.Headlossacrossthe
mediabedcanbemorethan2m(6.6ft)priortobackwash.Inexistinginstallations,thefiltersareconstructed
abovegrade.Thecombinationofthetallstructure[6m(20ft)]andheadlossacrossthebedrequiresinfluent
pumpingtotheBAFinmostsituations.Inaddition,thecocurrentdesignsrequirepumpingofwashwaterwhichis
asignificant,butintermittent,energydemand.

ProcessairisrequiredinBAFcellsthatareremovingcarbonaceousorganicmatter(CBOD5)andammonia.The
processaerationsystemconsistsofcoarsetomediumbubblediffusersonastainlesssteelpipinggrid.The
diffusersshouldbesimpleandreliableaspossiblebecauseofthedifficultyinaccessingtheaerationgrid.Energy
forprocessaircanrepresentmorethan80percentoftheenergydemandofaBAFsystem.

12.4.4.2UnitSizing

ThegranularmediabedforbothBAFdesignsistypically3to4m(9to12ft)deepwithmediasizeof3to6mm
(0.012to0.024in)indiameter.Thespecificsurfaceareaofmediarangesfrom500to2000m2/m3(150to610
ft2/ft3).Contacttimeinthemediaistypically0.5to1.0hour.Themediabedisbackwashedevery24to48hours
for20to40minutesusingawashwatervolumeaboutthreetimesthemediavolume.Backwashwaterfroma
singleeventiscollectedinastoragetankandreturnedtotheheadoftheSTPordirectlytosolidsprocessingovera
1to2hourperiod.Backwashwatertypicallycontains400to1200mg/Lofsuspendedsolids.Thebackwashwater
recycleflowcanrepresentupto20percentoftheinfluentsewageflow.

BAFscanoperateindifferentprocessconfigurations,dependingonthefacilities,effluentgoalsandsewage
characteristics.Theprocesscanfollowprimarysedimentation(withorwithoutchemicaladdition)oranactivated
sludgesystem.AdequatepretreatmentisrequiredtoensurethattheBAFmediaandnozzlesdonotbecome
plugged.Enhancedprimarytreatment(withchemicaladditionand/orpolymer)canassisttheBAFprocessin
providingcombinedorganicremovalandnitrificationinasinglepassorientation.Followingprimary
sedimentation,BAFcellscanbeoperatedforBOD5removalatloadingsofbetween2.5to5.0kgBOD5/(m3d)
[0.16to0.31lb/(ft3d)]or,underlowerloadingrates(lessthan1.5kgBOD5/(m3d)[0.09lb/(ft3d)])forboth
carbonaceousBOD5andammonianitrogenremoval.Acellcanoperateinanitrificationmodefollowingan
activatedsludgesystemoranotherBAFcellremovingcarbonaceousmatter.

AdenitrificationbiologicalfilterprocesscanfolloweitheranactivatedsludgeorBAFsystemthatisnitrifying.
Denitrificationusuallyrequiresmethanoladditionandsewageflowvelocitiesshouldbegreaterthan10m/h(32.8
ft/h).

12.4.5TricklingFilters

Atricklingfilter(TF)isafixedfilmprocessthatissuitabletobiologicallytreatmunicipalsewage,although
considerationneedstobegiventotheimpactoftemperaturelossthatoccursthroughthetricklingfilterduring
winterperiods.Tricklingfiltersshouldbeprecededbyeffectiveprimarysedimentationtanksequippedwithscum
andgreaseremovaldevicesorothersuitablepretreatmentfacilities.SolidsseparationisanimportantpartoftheTF
processaccordingly,downstreamsecondaryclarificationisrequired.(Chapter13SecondarySedimentation)

Tricklingfiltersshouldbedesignedtoprovideforreductionincarbonaceousand/ornitrogenousoxygendemandin
accordancewithestablishedsitespecificeffluentqualityrequirementsortoproperlyconditionthesewagefor
subsequenttreatmentprocesses.MultistageTFsshouldbeconsideredifrequiredtomeetmorestringenteffluent
qualitycriteria.

12.4.5.1DesignConsiderations

Theinfluentsewagemaybedistributedoverthefilterbyrotarydistributorsorothersuitabledevices,toensure
uniformdistributionoverthesurfacearea.Forrotarydistributors,reversereactionnozzles,hydraulicbrakesor
motordrivendistributorarmsshouldbeprovidedtonotexceedthemaximumspeedrecommendedbythe
manufacturerandtoattainthedesiredmediaflushingrate.

Forreactiontypedistributors,aminimumheadof610mm(24in)isrequiredbetweenthelowwaterlevelinthe
siphonchamberandcentreofthearms.Similarallowanceindesignshouldbeprovidedforaddedpumpinghead
requirementswherepumpingtothereactiontypedistributorisused.Aminimumclearanceof300mm(12in)
betweenmediaanddistributionarmsshouldbeprovided.

InfluentsewagemaybeappliedtoTFsbysiphons,pumpsorbygravitydischargefromprecedingtreatmentunits.
Influenttothetricklingfiltershouldbecontinuousandthereforethepipingsystemshouldbedesignedfor
recirculationasrequiredtoachievethedesignefficiency.Therecirculationrateshouldbevariableandsubjectto
plantoperatorcontrolattherangeof0.5:1upto4:1(ratioofrecirculationrateversusdesignaveragedailyflow).A
minimumoftworecirculationpumpsshouldbeprovided.

Forcedventilationshouldbeprovidedforcoveredtricklingfilterstoensureadequateoxygenforprocess
requirements.Thedesignoftheventilationfacilitiesshouldprovideforoperatorcontrolofairflowdependingon
theoutsideseasonaltemperature.

Thepipingsystem,includingdosingequipmentanddistributor,shouldbedesignedtoprovidecapacityforthe
designpeakhourlyflow,includingrecirculation.

Thetricklingfiltermediashouldberesistanttoultravioletdegradation,disintegration,erosion,aging,allcommon
acidsandalkalis,organiccompounds,fungusandbiologicalattack.Suchmediashouldbestructurallycapableof
supportingaperson'sweightorasuitableaccesswalkwayshouldbeprovidedtoallowfordistributormaintenance.

Tricklingfiltermediashouldhaveaminimumdepthof1.8m(6ft)abovetheunderdrains.Rockand/orslagfilter
mediadepthsshouldnotexceed3m(10ft)andmanufacturedfiltermediadepthsshouldnotexceedthose
recommendedbythemanufacturer.Ventilationneedstobeprovidedandforcedventilationshouldbeconsidered.

Toensuresufficientvoidclearances,mediawithspecificsurfaceareasofnomorethan100m2/m3(30ft2/ft3)are
acceptableforfiltersemployedforcarbonaceousmatterreductionand150m2/m3(46ft2/ft3)forsecondstage
nitrification.

Theunderdrainsshouldhaveaminimumslopeof1percent.Effluentchannelsshouldbedesignedtoproducea
minimumvelocityof0.6m/s(2ft/s)atdesignaveragedailyflowratesofapplicationtotheTFincluding
recirculatedflows.Theunderdrainsystem,effluentchannelsandeffluentpipeshouldbedesignedtopermitfree
passageofair.Thesizeofdrains,channelsandpipeshouldbesuchthatnotmorethan50percentoftheircross
sectionalareawillbesubmergedunderthedesignpeakinstantaneousflow,includingproposedorpossiblefuture
recirculatedflows.

Provisionshouldbemadeforflushingtheunderdrainsunlesshighraterecirculationisutilized.

Appropriatevalves,sluicegates,orotherstructuresshouldbeprovidedtoenablefloodingoftricklingfilters
comprisedofrockorslagmediaforfilterflycontrol.

Afreeboardof1.2m(4ft)ormoreshouldbeprovidedfortallmanufacturedfilterstocontainwindblownspray.At
least1.8m(6ft)ofheadroomshouldbeprovidedformaintenanceofthedistributoroncoveredfilters.

Alldistributiondevices,underdrains,channelsandpipesshouldbeinstalledsothattheymaybeproperly
maintained,flushedordrained.Mercurysealsshouldnotbepermittedforrotarydistributionseals.Easeofseal
replacementshouldbeconsideredinthedesigntoensurecontinuityofoperation.

Coversshouldbeprovidedtomaintainoperationandtreatmentefficienciesatcoldtemperaturesbyavoiding
excessivetemperaturedropthroughtheTF.

12.4.5.2UnitSizing

Pilottestingisrecommendedtoverifyperformancepredictionsbaseduponthevariousdesignequations,
particularlywhensignificantamountsofindustrialwastesarepresentintherawsewage.

Tricklingfilterdesignshouldconsiderpeakorganicloadconditionsincludingtheoxygendemandsduetorecycle
streams(e.g.anaerobicdigestersupernatant,heattreatmentsupernatant,dewateringfiltrate)duetohigh
concentrationsofBOD5andTKNassociatedwithsuchflows.Thevolumeofmediadeterminedfromeitherpilot
plantstudiesorbytheuseofadesignequationsshouldbebaseduponthepeakdailyBOD5organicloading.
Tricklingfiltersaredesignedbasedonawettingrateandorganicloading.Wettingrateswillvaryfrom40to60
m3/(m2d)(980to1,470USgpd/ft2).Totalorganicloadingratesvaryfrom0.4to1.8kg/(m3d)[0.025to0.11
lb/(ft3d)].Theseloadingsarefororganicremovalonlywithmediadepthsofgreaterthan3m(10ft).For
combinedorganicremovalandnitrification,lowerloadingratesarerequired.Theperformanceistemperature
dependentduetotheimpactonnitrificationandcoolingthatoccursthroughthetricklingfiltertower.

Anenhancedtricklingfilterprocess,calledthetricklingfilter/solidscontact(TF/SC)processhasbeenused
successfullyinNorthAmerica.Thisprocessincludesashortdurationaerationcelldownstreamofthetrickling
filtertochangethecharacteristicsoftheeffluentsolidstoasuspendedgrowthtypeeffluent(i.e.,improvedquality
owingtoflocculentbiomass)priortosecondarysedimentationandsolidsrecycle.Thecontacttimeinthesolids
contactprocessisgenerallybetween30and60minutes.Theprocessmayalsoincludeareaerationofthereturn
solidsfromthesolidscontacttank.

12.4.6RotatingBiologicalContactors

Therotatingbiologicalcontactor(RBC)isafixedfilmprocessthatmaybeusedtoprovidesecondarytreatment
andcanalsobeoperatedinseasonalorcontinuousnitrificationanddenitrificationmodes.

12.4.6.1DesignConsiderations

ConsiderationsfortheRBCprocessshouldincludethoserelevanttobiologicalprocessesandspecificallythe
following:

Pretreatmenteffectivenessincludingscumandgreaseremoval
Maximumorganicloadingrateonactivediscsurfaceareaand
Minimumdetentiontimeatdesignpeakdailyflow.

SewagetemperatureaffectsRBCperformance.YearroundoperationrequiresthattheRBCbecoveredtoprotect
thebiologicalgrowthfromcoldtemperaturesandtheexcessivelossofheatfromthesewagewiththeresultingloss
ofperformance.
Enclosuresshouldbeconstructedofasuitablecorrosionresistantmaterial.Windowsorsimplelouvered
mechanismswhichcanbeopenedinthesummerandclosedinthewintershouldbeinstalledtoprovideadequate
ventilation.Tominimizecondensation,theenclosureshouldbeadequatelyinsulatedand/orheated.Forced
ventilationshouldbesuppliedwhentheRBCsarecontainedwithinabuildingprovidedwithinterioraccessfor
personnel.

RBCsneedtobeprecededbyeffectiveprimarysedimentationtanksequippedwithscumandgreaseremoval
devicesorpretreatmentdeviceswhichprovideforeffectiveremovalofgrit,debrisandexcessiveoilandgrease
priortotheRBCunits.

SolidsseparationisanimportantpartoftheRBCprocessaccordingly,downstreamsecondaryclarificationis
required.(Chapter13SecondarySedimentation)

ThetemperatureofsewageenteringanyRBCshouldnotdropbelow5C(41F)unlessthereissufficient
flexibilitytodecreasethehydraulicloadingrateortheunitshavebeenincreasedincapacitytoaccommodatethe
lowertreatmentefficienciesandrates.Otherwise,insulationoradditionalheatingshouldbeprovidedtotheplant.

Adequateflexibilityinprocessoperationshouldbeprovidedbyconsideringoneormoreofthefollowing:

Variablerotationalspeedsinfirstandsecondstages
Multipletreatmenttrains
Removablebafflesbetweenallstages
Positiveinfluentflowcontroltoeachunitorflowtrain
Positivelycontrolledalternateflowdistributionsystems
Positiveairflowmeteringandcontroltoeachunitwhensupplementalairoperationorairdriveunitsare
used
Useofairscouring,reverserotationandchemicalcleaningtocontrolexcessgrowthonmediaand
Recirculationofsecondaryclarifiereffluent.

ThearrangementofRBCshaftsinaseriesofstageshasbeenshowntosignificantlyincreasetreatmentefficiency,
bymakingtheprocessmoreplugflowinnature.ItisrecommendedthatanRBCplantbeconstructedinatleast
fourstagesforeachtank.Fourstagesmaybeprovidedonasingleunitbyprovidingbaffleswithinthetankorby
multipletanks.SewageflowtoRBCunitsmaybeeitherperpendicularorparalleltothemediashafts.

RBCunitsmaybeplacedineithersteelorconcretetankswithbaffleswhenrequiredandconstructedofavariety
ofmaterials.Thedesignofthetanksshouldinclude:

AdequatestructuralsupportfortheRBCanddriveunit
Eliminationofthedeadareas
Satisfactoryhydraulictransfercapacitybetweenstagesofunitsand
Considerationsforoperatorsafety.

Thestructureshouldbedesignedtowithstandtheincreasedloadswhichcouldresultifthetankweretobe
suddenlydewateredwithafullbiologicalgrowthontheRBCunits.Thesuddenlossofbuoyancyresultingfrom
unexpectedtankdewateringcouldincreasethebearingsupportloadingsbyasmuchas40percent.

ProvisionsforoperatorprotectioncanbeincludedinthetanksdesignbysettingthetopoftheRBCtanksabout0.3
m(1.0ft)abovethesurroundingfloorandwalkways,withhandrailsplacedalongthetopofthetanks,toprovide
aneffectivebarrierbetweentheoperatorandexposedmovingequipment.Thehightankwallswillalsoprevent
lossordamagebyanymaterialaccidentallydroppedinthevicinityoftheunitsandenteringthetanks.

Exceptunderspecialcircumstances,highdensitymediashouldnotbeusedinthefirststage.Itsuseinsubsequent
stagesshouldbebasedonappropriateloadingcriteria,structurallimitationsoftheshaftandmediaconfiguration.
Theperipheralvelocityofarotatingshaftshouldbeapproximately18m/min(60ft/min)formechanicallydriven
shaftandbetween918m/min(30to60ft/min)foranairdrivenshaft.Provisionshouldalsobemadefor
rotationalspeedcontrolandreversal.

Ameansforremovingexcessbiofilmgrowth,suchasairscouringorwaterstripping,chemicaladditives,rotational
speedcontrol/reversalshouldbeprovided.FirststageDOmonitoringshouldbeprovided.TheRBCshouldbeable
tomaintainameasurableDOlevelinallstages.Periodichighorganicloadingsmayrequiresupplementalaeration
inthefirststagetopromotesloughingofbiomass.
ConsiderationshouldbegiventoprovidingrecirculationofRBCeffluentflow.Thismaybenecessaryduring
initialsystemstartupandwhentheinflowrateisreduced.Ifflowcanberecycledthroughthesludgeholdingor
treatmentunitsandthentotheRBCprocess,thentheorganicloadfromthesludgeunitscanbeimposedonthe
RBCprocess.Thisimposedloadwillhelptomaintainthebiogrowthand,asasecondarybenefit,helpstabilizeand
reducethesludge.

Loadcells,especiallyinthefirststage(s),canprovideusefuloperatingandshaftloaddata.Stopmotiondetectors,
rpmindicatorsandclamponammetersarealsopotentiallyusefulmonitoringinstruments.

InallRBCdesigns,accesstoindividualshaftsforrepairorpossibleremovalshouldbeconsidered.Bearings
shouldalsobeaccessibleforeasyremovalandreplacementifnecessary.Whereallunitsinalargeinstallationare
physicallylocatedinverycloseproximity,itmaybenecessarytoutilizelargeofftheroadcranesforshaftremoval.
Considerationshouldbegiventocranereach,cranesize,andtheimpactofbeingabletodrainRBCtanksanddrya
unitpriortoshaftremovalwhendesigningtheRBClayout.

12.4.6.2UnitSizing

Unitsizingshouldbebasedonexperienceatsimilarfullscaleinstallationsorthoroughlydocumentedpilottesting
withthesitespecificsewage.Indeterminingdesignloadingrates,expressedinunitsofvolumeperdayperunit
areaofmediacoveredbybiologicalgrowth,thefollowingparametersshouldbeconsidered:

Designflowrateandinfluentsewagestrength
PercentageofBOD5toberemoved
PercentageofinfluentBOD5whichissoluble
Mediaarrangement,includingnumberofstagesandunitareaineachstage
Rotationalvelocityofthemedia
Retentiontimewithinthetankcontainingthemediaand
Sewagetemperature.

Inadditiontotheaboveparameters,loadingratesfornitrificationwilldependuponinfluentTKN,pHand
allowableeffluentammonianitrogenconcentration.

HydraulicloadingtotheRBCsshouldrangebetween75to155L/(m2d)(1.8to3.8USgpd/ft2)ofmediasurface
areawithoutnitrificationand30to80L/(m2d)(0.73to2.0USgpd/ft2)withnitrification.

OrganicloadingtothefirststageofanRBCtrainshouldnotexceed0.03to0.04kgBOD5/(m2d)[0.006to0.008
lbBOD5/(ft2d)]or0.012to0.02kgBOD5/(m2d)[0.0025to0.0041lbBOD5/(ft2d)].Loadingsinthehigherend
oftheserangeswillincreasethelikelihoodofdevelopingproblemssuchasheavierthannormalbiofilmthickness,
depletionofdissolvedoxygen,nuisanceorganismsanddeteriorationofoverallprocessperformance.Thestructural
capacityoftheshaft,provisionsforstrippingbiomass,consistentlylowinfluentlevelsofsulfurcompoundstothe
RBCunits,themediasurfacearearequiredintheremainingstagesandtheabilitytovarytheoperationalmodeof
thefacilitymayjustifychoosingaloadinginthehighendoftherangewhentheoperatorcancarefullymonitor
processoperations.

Forpurposesofplantdesign,theoptimumtankvolumeismeasuredassewagevolumeheldwithinatank
containingashaftofmediaperunitofgrowthcoveredsurfaceontheshaft,orliterspersquaremetre(L/m2).The
optimumtankvolumedeterminedwhentreatingmunicipalsewageofupto300mg/LBOD5is0.042L/m2(0.0010
USgal/ft2),whichtakesintoaccountsewagedisplacedbythemediaandattachedbiomass.Theuseoftank
volumesinexcessof0.042L/m2(0.0010USgal/ft2)doesnotyieldcorrespondingincreasesintreatmentcapacity
whentreatingsewageinthisconcentrationrange.

Basedonatankvolumeof0.042L/m2(0.0010USgal/ft2),thedetentiontimeineachRBCstageshouldrange
between40to120minuteswithoutnitrificationand90to250minuteswithnitrification.

RBCsshouldoperateatasubmergenceofapproximately40percentbasedontotalmediasurfacearea.Toavoid
possibleshaftoverstressingandinadequatemediawetting,theliquidoperatinglevelshouldneverdropbelow35
percentsubmergence.Mediasubmergenceofupto95percentmaybeallowedifsupplementalairisprovided.A
clearanceof10to25cm(4to10in)betweenthetankfloorandthebottomoftherotatingmediashouldbe
providedsoastomaintainsufficientbottomvelocitiestopreventsolidsdepositioninthetank.

12.4.7IntegratedFixedfilmSystems

IntegratedFixedfilmSystems(IFS),withorwithoutactivatedsludge,arehybriddualsystemswithsuspended
biomassandfixedfilmgrowthprocesses.Thesesystemscanbeconfiguredeitherassinglepassprocesseswithno
recyclesorwithsludgerecycle(i.e.,RAS).

12.4.7.1DesignConsiderations

ThebasicIFSconceptinvolvesasinglepasssystemandistohavecontinuouslyoperating,noncloggablefixed
filmreactorswithnoneedforbackwashingorreturnsludgeflows,lowheadlossandhighspecificbiofilmsurface
area.Thisisachievedbyhavingthebiomassgrowonsmallcarrierelementsthatmovealongwiththesewagein
thereactorortheattachedgrowthsupportmediamaybeimmobilewithinthereactorforsomedesigns.Inthecase
offreemovingcarrierelements,movementisnormallyinducedbycoarsebubbleaerationintheaerationzone,
althoughfinebubbleaerationsystemshavealsobeenused,whilemechanicalmixingisutilizedinan
anoxic/anaerobiczone.Forsmallplants,mechanicalmixersareomittedforsimplicityreasonsandpulseaeration
forafewsecondsafewtimesperdaycanbeusedtomovethebiofilmcarriersinanoxicreactors.

Freemovingbiofilmcarrierelementsareavailableinvariousmaterials,densities,geometriesandsizes,andare
generallymadeofpolyethyleneorpolypropylene.Forfreemovingcarrierelements,ascreenisplacedattheoutlet
ofthereactortokeepthebiofilmelementsinthereactor.Agitationconstantlymovesthecarrierelementsoverthe
surfaceofthescreenandthescrubbingactionpreventsclogging.Upstreamfinescreeningofrawsewageshould
alsobeconsideredforsuchdesigns.

AlmostanysizeorshapeoftankcanberetrofittedwiththeIFSprocess.Theamountofcarrierelementsinthe
reactormaybedecidedforeachcasebasedonthedegreeoftreatmentdesired,BOD5,TKNandhydraulic
loadings,temperatureandoxygentransfercapability.Thereactorvolumeiscompletelymixedandconsequently
thereisnodeadorunusedspaceinthereactor.

SolidsseparationisanimportantpartoftheIFSprocessaccordingly,downstreamsecondaryclarificationis
required.(Chapter13SecondarySedimentation)

SimilardesignconsiderationsshouldbeconsideredfortheIntegratedFixedFilmActivatedSludge(IFAS)process,
withthedesignbasedonthemixedliquorsuspendedsolidsanditsmixingandaerationneeds.TheIFASprocess
includesaRASstreamtoprovideforactivatedsludgeaswellasfixedfilmbiomassforbiologicaltreatment.

12.4.7.2UnitSizing

Organicloadingratesforthesereactorsaretypicallyintheorderof3.5to7.0gBOD5/m2ofmediasurfacearea/d
(0.0007to0.0014lb/(ft2d))forCBOD5removalandlessthan3.5gBOD5/m2ofmediasurfacearea/dfor
nitrification(0.0007lb/(ft2d))basedontheprotectedsurfacearea.FornitrificationwiththeIFSprocess,the
requiredmediasurfaceareawillusuallybedictatedbyTKNloading,TANremovalrequirementsandbiological
growthconditionsinthereactor(e.g.temperature,pH,DO).Thedesignershouldconsultvendorsfordesign
details.

12.4.8BiologicalNutrientRemoval

TherearemanyproprietaryBiologicalNutrientRemoval(BNR)systemsavailableandthedesignershouldconsult
vendorsfordesigndetails.AdvantagesanddisadvantagesofBNRsystemare:

Advantages

No(orreduced)chemicalsordosagecontrolneeded
Reducedsludgeproduction
Reducedmetalconcentrationsineffluentandsludge
Highphosphoruscontentinsludgewhichincreasesitsfertilizervalue
 Improvedsludgesettleabilityanddewateringcharacteristics
Reducedoxygenrequirements
Reducedprocessalkalinityrequirements
Increasedoxygentransferefficiencyinaerationbasinand
Reducedeffluentnitrogenconcentration.

Disadvantages

Effluentfiltrationmaybenecessarytoachieveverylowphosphorusconcentrations(sinceeffluentsolids
wouldhavehigherphosphoruscontent)
PhosphorusreleasemayoccurinanaerobicdigestersandgettransferredbacktotheSTPheadworksvia
solidsprocessingrecyclestreams
Foaming
Needforskilledoperationand
Needformoremonitoring.

12.4.8.1BiologicalPhosphorusRemoval

Anumberofprocessconfigurationsforenhancedbiologicalphosphorusremoval(BPR)havebeendevelopedas
alternativestochemicalphosphorusremoval.PhosphorusisremovedinBPRprocessesbyincorporating
phosphorusintocellmassinexcessofmetabolicrequirements.Thekeytothebiologicalphosphorusremovalisthe
continuousexposureofthemicroorganismstoalternatinganaerobicandaerobicconditions.Exposuretothese
alternatingconditionsprovidesfavorableconditionsforBPRorganismstoproliferateinsufficientnumbers.The
sludgecontainingtheexcessphosphorusiseitherwastedorremovedthroughasidestream.Thealternating
exposuretoanaerobicandaerobicconditionscanbeaccomplishedinthemainbiologicaltreatmentprocess,or
mainstream,orinthereturnsludgestream,orsidestream.TheBPRprocessmayrequirechemicalphosphorous
removal(asapolishingand/orbackupsystem)toachieveverylowphosphoruslevels.TheBPRisoftencombined
withnitrificationanddenitrificationprocessesforcontrolofnutrients.

UnitSizing

TypicaldesigncriteriaforbiologicalphosphorusremovalareprovidedinTable123and124.

Table123DesignCriteriaforBiologicalPhosphorusRemoval
MainstreamTreatment SidestreamTreatment
DesignParameter
Configuration Configuration
Food/MicroorganismRatio(kgBOD5/(kg
0.20.7 0.10.5
MLVSSd)
SolidsRetentionTime(d) 225 1030
MLSS(mg/L) 20004000 6005000
HydraulicRetentionTime(hrs)Anaerobic
13 812
Zone
HydraulicRetentionTime(hrs)Aerobic
0.51.5 410
Zone
ReturnActivatedSludge(%ofInfluent
2540 2050
FlowRate)
StripperUnderflow(%ofInfluentFlow
N/A 1020
Rate)

12.4.8.2BiologicalNitrogenRemoval

Theprincipalnitrogenconversionandremovalprocessesareconversionofammoniatonitratebybiological
nitrificationandremovalofnitrogenbybiologicaldenitrification.

Nitrification
Biologicalnitrificationconsistsoftheconversionofammoniatonitritefollowedbytheconversionofnitriteto
nitrate.Thisprocessdoesnotincreasetheremovalofnitrogenfromthesewageoverthatachievedbyconventional
biologicaltreatment.Nitrificationisusedwhentreatmentrequirementscallforremovalofeffluentammoniaorasa
firststepofatotalnitrogenremovalsystem.Toachievenitrification,allthatisrequiredisthemaintenanceof
conditionssuitableforthegrowthofnitrifyingorganisms.Nitrificationcanbeachievedineitherasinglestage
(combinedwithorganicsremoval)orinaseparatenitrificationstage.Ineachcase,suspendedgrowth,attached
growthorhybridsystemscanbeused.

CombinedNitrification/Denitrification

Theremovalofnitrogenbybiologicalnitrification/denitrificationisatwostepprocess.Inthefirststep,ammonia
isconvertedaerobicallytonitrate(NO3)(nitrification).Inthesecondstep,nitratesareconvertedtonitrogengas
(denitrification).Theremovalofnitratebyconversiontonitrogengascanbeaccomplishedbiologicallyunder
anoxicconditions.Thecarbonrequirementsmaybeprovidedbyinternalsources,suchassewageandcellmaterial,
orbyanexternalsource.

12.4.8.3CombinedBiologicalNitrogenandPhosphorusRemoval

Anumberofbiologicalprocesseshavebeendevelopedforthecombinedremovalofnitrogenandphosphorus.
Manyoftheseareproprietaryanduseaformoftheactivatedsludgeprocessbututilizingcombinationsof
anaerobic,anoxicandaerobiczonesorcompartmentstoaccomplishbiologicalnitrogenandphosphorusremoval.
ProcessdesigncriteriaareoutlinedinTable124.

Table124DesignCriteriaforCombinedBiologicalNitrogenand
PhosphorusRemoval
DesignParameter Value
FoodtoMicroorganismRatio(kgBOD5/(kgMLVSSd) 0.10.25
SolidsRetentionTime(d) 1040
MLSS(mg/L) 20005000
HydraulicRetentionTime(hrs)AnaerobicZone 0.52.0
HydraulicRetentionTime(hrs)AnoxicZone(total) 0.510
HydraulicRetentionTime(hrs)AerobicZone(total) 412
HydraulicRetentionTime(hrs)Total 524
ReturnActivatedSludge(%ofInfluentFlowRate) 25100
InternalRecycle(ifrequired)(%ofInfluentFlowRate) 100600

Chapter13:SecondarySedimentation
Thesuspendedandattachedgrowthprocessesrequireseparationofbiomassfromthebiologicalprocesseffluentto
producethesecondaryqualityeffluent,andforreturnofthemicroorganismstothebioreactor(i.e.,inthecaseof
theactivatedsludgeprocess)andwastingofexcessbiomass(i.e.,wastesludgefromallprocesstypes).Thiscanbe
achievedbysecondarysedimentation.Asummaryofthedesignloadingsforsecondarysedimentationtanksis
providedinAppendixV,whichshouldbeusedinconjunctionwiththedetailsinthischapter.

13.1General

Secondarysedimentationtanks(alsoknownassecondaryorfinalclarifiers)shouldbedesignedforthelarger
surfaceareainaccordancewitheitherclarificationorsolidsthickeningrequirementsbasedontheappropriate
surfaceoverflowratesandsolidsloadingrates,respectively.

Thesurfacearearequirementsforclarificationvarywiththesettlingcharacteristicsofthesuspendedsolidsinthe
bioreactoreffluent.Inthecaseoftheactivatedsludgeprocess(ASP),factorsthatcaninfluencethesettling
characteristicsarechemicaladditiontothemixedliquorforphosphorusremoval,andnitrification.
Circular,rectangular,orsquareclarifiersmaybeused.Inselectingtheclarifiershape,thedesignershouldconsider
thefollowingfactors:

Effectiveuseofthesite
Meansoffutureexpansion
Headlossthroughthesystem
Operationalandmaintenanceissuesand
Economicsoftankconstruction,includinginletandoutletpiping,andsludgeandscumremovalequipment.

13.1.1NumberofUnits

Multipleunitscapableofindependentoperationaredesirableandshouldbeprovidedinallplantswheredesign
averagedailyflowsexceed380m3/d(0.1mUSgd).Plantsnothavingmultipleclarifiersshouldincludeother
provisions(e.g.,accesstoportableunitsduringmaintenance)toensurecontinuityoftreatmentandmeeting
requiredsitespecificeffluentqualitycriteriaintermsofconcentrationsandloadings.

13.1.2FlowDistribution

Itisrecommendedthateffectiveflowsplittingdevicesandcontrolappurtenances(e.g.gates,splitterboxes)be
providedtopermitevenoradjustableproportioningofflowandsolidsloadingtoeachclarifier,throughoutthe
expectedrangeofflows.Flowdistributiondevicesshouldconsidersolidsdistributionandavoidcreatingsolids
imbalanceswhensplittingtheflow.Oneexampleofpoorsolidssplittingmayoccurwhenabendislocateddirectly
upstreamofaflowsplitdevice,whichcausessolidstobepushedagainsttheoutsidechannelwallandtowardsone
sideoftheflowsplitdevice.SeeSection3.13.2FlowDistribution.

13.2DesignConsiderations

13.2.1Dimensions

Itisrecommendedthattheminimumlengthofflowfrominlettooutletbe3.7m(12ft)unlessspecialprovisions
aremadetopreventshortcircuiting.Theverticalsidewaterdepths(SWD)shouldbedesignedtoprovidean
adequateseparationzonebetweenthesludgeblanketandtheoverflowweirs.Secondarysedimentationtanks
shouldhaveaSWDbetween3.6and4.6m(12and15ft).

GreaterSWDarerecommendedforsecondaryclarifiersinexcessof372m2(4000ft2)surfacearea[equivalentto
21m(70ft)diameterforcircularclarifiers]andforplantsprovidingnitrification.Lessthan3.7m(12ft)SWD
maybeconsideredforpackageplantshavingadesignaveragedailyflowoflessthan95m3/d(25,000USgpd),if
justifiedbasedonsuccessfuloperatingexperience.Forcircularclarifierswithsludgehoppers,a1:12bottomslope
shouldbeconsidered.

Rectangulartanksshouldsatisfythefollowinggeometricalratios:

Length:width(L/W)of4:1,orgreaterand
Width:depth(W/D)of1:1to2.25:1.

13.2.2SurfaceOverflowRates

13.2.2.1IntermediateSedimentationTanks

SurfaceOverflowRate(SOR)forintermediatesedimentationtanks,followingthefixedfilmreactorprocesses,
shouldnotexceed60m3/(m2d)(1,470USgpd/ft2)basedondesignpeakhourlyflow(DPHF).

13.2.2.2FinalSedimentationTanks

Settlingtestsshouldbeconductedwhereverapilotstudyofbiologicaltreatmentiswarrantedbyunusualsewage
characteristics,treatmentrequirements,orwhereproposedhydraulicorsolidsloadingsdifferfromthe
recommendedguidelinesinthissection.
ActivatedSludgeProcess

Toperformproperlywhileproducingaconcentratedreturnflow,activatedsludgesedimentationtanksshouldbe
designedtomeetthickeningandsolidsseparationrequirements.Sincetherateofrecirculationofreturnactivated
sludge(RAS)fromthefinalsedimentationtankstotheaerationorreaerationtanksisquitehighinactivatedsludge
processes,SORandweiroverflowrateshouldbeadjustedforthevariousprocessestominimizetheproblemswith
sludgeloadings,densitycurrents,inlethydraulicturbulenceandoccasionalpoorsludgesettleability.Thesizeofthe
sedimentationtankshouldbebasedonthelargersurfaceareadeterminedforSOR,basedontheDPHF,andpeak
dailysolidsloadingrate(SLR).

AttachedGrowthBiologicalReactors

SORforsedimentationtanksfollowingfixedfilmprocessessuchastricklingfiltersorrotatingbiological
contactorsshouldnotexceed50m3/(m2d)(1,200USgpd/ft2)basedontheDPHF.

ThedesigncriteriaforactivatedsludgeandattachedgrowthsystemsshownintheTable131shouldnotbe
exceeded.Forflatbottomcircularclarifiersandshallowerclarifiers,reduceddesignSORshouldbeused.

13.2.3InletStructures

Inletsandbafflingshouldbedesignedtodissipatetheinletvelocity,todistributetheflowuniformlyandtoprevent
shortcircuiting.Itisrecommendedthatchannelsbedesignedtomaintainavelocityofatleast0.3m/s(1ft/s)at
onehalfofthedesignaveragedailyflow.Cornerpocketsanddeadendsshouldbeeliminatedandcornerfilletsor
channelingshouldbeusedwherenecessary.Itisrecommendedthatprovisionsbemadeforeliminationorremoval
offloatingmaterialswhichmayaccumulateininletstructures.

Withcircularbasinshaving100percentsludgerecirculation,theinletwellshouldnotbelessthan20percentofthe
tankdiameterandhaveadepthof55to65percentoftheSWD.Themaximumflowvelocitytothecentreinlet
wellshouldnotexceed1.0m/s(3.3ft/s)andtheoutflowvelocityshouldnotexceed0.08m/s(0.26ft/s).Otherinlet
structuresandfeedsystems(e.g.,peripheralandspiralfeedcircularsedimentationtanks)existandthedesigner
shouldconsidersitespecificdesignconsiderationsforappropriateselection.

Withrectangulartanks,baffledinletportsaregenerallyusedtoachieveuniformflowdistribution.Maximuminlet
portvelocitiesshouldbeintherangeof0.08to0.16m/s(0.26to0.52ft/s).

Table131FinalClarifierRecommendedLoadingRates
SurfaceOverflowRateat PeakSolidsLoading
TreatmentProcess DesignPeakHourlyFlow1 Rate3kg/(m2d)
m3/(m2d)(USgpd/ft2) (lb/(dayft2))
ConventionalASP(CAS),StepAeration,Complete
Mix,ContactStabilization,CarbonaceousStageof 50(1200)2 240(50)
SeparateStageNitrification
ExtendedAeration,SingleStageNitrification 40(1000) 170(35)
TwoStageNitrification 33(800) 170(35)
Asabove,depending
ActivatedSludgewithChemicalAdditiontoMixed
37(900) onthetreatment
LiquorforPhosphorusRemoval
process

1Basedoninfluentflowonly.

2Plantsdesignedtomeetlessthan15mg/Lsuspendedsolidsaftersecondaryclarificationshouldreducethedesign
surfaceoverflowrate.
3Clarifierpeaksolidsloadingrateshouldbecomputedbasedonthedesignpeakdailyflowplusthedesign
maximumreturnsludgeflowrateandthedesignMLSSunderaeration.

13.2.4Weirs
Outletweirsshouldbeprovidedwithsufficienteffectivelengthandinlocationssuchthattheclarifiedeffluentcan
bewithdrawnfromthetankwithoutcausingexcessivelocalizedupflowresultinginsolidscarryover.For
conventionalcirculartanks,aperipheralweirisgenerallyallthatisrequiredtoprovideasuitableweirloadingrate.
Withrectangulartanks,multipleweirs(e.g.morethanoneperpendicularorfingerweirs)willgenerallyberequired
andtheseshouldbelocatedawayfromtheareaofupturnofthedensitycurrent.Wallbafflingcanbeusedtoreduce
thelikelihoodofupflowcausingsolidscarryover.Theuseofinteriorbafflesandperipheralbaffles(Stamford
baffles)shouldreduceshortcircuitingandenhanceflocculation.

Overflowweirsshouldbereadilyadjustableoverthelifeofthestructuretocorrectfordifferentialsettlementofthe
tank.Considerationshouldbegiventocleaning,maintenanceandreplacementinthedesignofweirtroughs.

Overflowweirsshouldbelocatedtooptimizeactualhydraulicretentiontimeandminimizeshortcircuiting.Itis
recommendedthatperipheralweirsbeplacedatleast0.3m(1ft)fromthewall.

ItisrecommendedthatweirloadingsnotexceedthoseshowninTable132.

Ifpumpingisrequired,thepumpsshouldbeoperatedasnearlycontinuousaspossibletoavoidflowdisturbances.
Thisismostreadilyprovidedbytheuseofvariablespeedpumps.Weirloadingsshouldberelatedtopumpdelivery
ratestoavoidshortcircuiting.

Table132RecommendedWeirLoadingRatesforFinalClarifier
DesignAverageDailyFlow LoadingRateatDesignPeakHourlyFlowm3/(md)(USgpd/ft)
Equaltoorlessthan4000m3/d(1mUSgd) 250(20,000)
Greaterthan4000m3/d(1mUSgd) 375(30,000)

WeirtroughsshouldbedesignedtopreventsubmergenceatDPHFandtomaintainavelocityofatleast0.3m/s(1
ft/s)atonehalfdesignaveragedailyflow.

13.2.5SubmergedSurface

Thetopsoftroughs,beamsandsimilarsubmergedconstructionelementsshouldhaveaminimumslopeof1.4
verticalto1horizontal.Theundersideofsuchelementsshouldhaveaslopeof1to1topreventtheaccumulation
ofscumandsolids.

13.2.6UnitsOutofService

TheabilityforaunittobedewateredortakenoutofserviceshouldconformtotheprovisionsoutlinedinSection
8.5.16ComponentBackupRequirements.Itisrecommendedthatsecondarysedimentationtanksbedesignedto
providefordistributionoftheplantflowtotheremainingtanks,whenonetankisoutofserviceand/ordewatered.

13.2.7Freeboard

Itisrecommendedthatthewallsofsedimentationtanksextendatleast150mm(6in)abovethesurrounding
groundsurfaceandbeprovidedwithnotlessthan600mm(24in)freeboard.

Additionalfreeboardortheuseofwindscreensisrecommendedwherelargersedimentationtanksaresubjectto
highvelocitywindcurrentsthatwouldcausetanksurfacewavesandinhibiteffectivescumremoval.

13.2.8SludgeSettleability

Sludgesettleabilitydeterminesthecapacityofanactivatedsludgeclarifiersinceitpartlydeterminesthesludge
settlingrateagainstwhichtheeffluentoverflowrateacts.Thecommonmeasureofsettleabilityintheactivated
sludgeprocessisthesludgevolumeindex(SVI).SeveralmodelshavebeendevelopedtorelateSVItosludge
settlingvelocity.However,SVIisapoorprocedureformixedliquorsuspendedsolids(MLSS)concentrationof
greaterthan3,000mg/LandthestirredSVI(sSVI)testshouldbeused.Wherepossible,designofactivatedsludge
clarifiersshouldbebasedonfieldmeasurementofsludgesettlingvelocityusingbatchsettlingtestsatvarying
initialsuspendedsolidconcentration.TocontrolhighSVIconditions,bioselectors(Section12.2.3Selectors)
shouldbeconsideredforactivatedsludgeplants.
13.2.9ClarifierEnhancements(InletandBaffles)

Manytypesofclarifierenhancementareavailabletoimprovesecondaryclarificationperformance.These
enhancementsareusedtoreduceshortcircuitingandenhanceflocculation.Aninletflocculationzonecanbeused
todissipateenergyintheinfluenttothetank,throughdesignofthecentrefeedwellforcircularclarifiersoras
targetbafflesforrectangularclarifiers.

Interior(ring)andperipheral(wall)baffleshavealsobeenshowntodisruptthedensitycurrents,thusavoiding
shortcircuitingandsolidscarryover,especiallyatelevatedflows.Aninteriorbafflesupportedoffthesludge
collectionmechanism(circulartank)orattachedtothewalls(rectangulartank)canbeusedtodissipateinletenergy
anddisruptthedensitycurrent.Aperipheral,walloreffluentbafflecanbeusedtodeflectthedensitycurrentaway
fromtheeffluentweirandavoidshortcircuitingandsolidscarryover.Twotypesofeffluentbafflesarecommon,
theMcKinneybafflewhichishorizontalinorientationandtheStamfordbafflewhichisorientedata45angle.

13.3ScumandSludgeRemoval

13.3.1ScumRemoval

Fullsurfacemechanicalscumcollectionandremovalfacilities,includingbaffling,arerecommendedforall
sedimentationtanks.Wherefreezingwouldcauseequipmentdamage,provisionshouldbemadeforremovalor
protection(e.g.bycoveringaclarifier)ofscumcollectorsinthewinter.Thecharacteristicsofscum,whichmay
adverselyaffectpumping,piping,sludgehandlinganddisposal,needtoberecognizedindesign.Provisionsshould
bemadetoremovescumfromtheliquidtrainofthesewagetreatmentplantandtodirectittothesolidstreatment
process.Undercertainconditions,suchasinbiologicalnutrientremoval(BNR)facilitieswithseparatescum/foam
removalonthebioreactors,separateclarifierscumremovalwouldbeunnecessary.

13.3.2SludgeRemoval

Mechanicalsludgecollectionandwithdrawalfacilitiesshouldbedesignedtoensurerapidremovalofthesettled
solidsorRAS,toavoidadverseeffectsonthesludgequalitycausedbyanaerobicconditions.Sludgeshouldnot
remaininthesedimentationbasinformorethan30minutes.Sludgescrapersystemsmayconsistofchainandflight
typeortravelingbridgetypeforrectangularsedimentationtanks.Rotarycircularscrapermechanismsareusedin
circulartanks.Scrapermechanisms,bothinrectangularandcircularsedimentationtanks,needtoavoidexcess
traveltimethatcouldleadtolongsludgedetentiontimesinthesedimentationtankandpossibleanaerobic
conditionsandassociatedsolidscarryoverandodourpotential.Thedesignershouldconsultthemanufacturerfor
recommendedratesofsludgecollectorsandflightspeeds.

Inlargetanks,travelingbridgeorrotarymechanismsshouldbeequippedwithsuctionsludgedrawoffpipesfor
rapidsludgeremoval.Suctionwithdrawalshouldbeprovidedforactivatedsludgeclarifiersover18m(60ft)in
diameter,especiallyfornitrifyingASPs.RASratesshouldbeadjustableforadequatecontrol,includingindividual
adjustmentsonsuctioncollectionpipes.

Whenthesettledsolidsarescrapedtowardsahopperforremovalinrectangulartanks,thehopperhasnormally
beenlocatedattheinletendofthetank.Otherdesignsplacingthehopperattankmidpoint,orattheeffluentend,
totakeadvantageofthedensitycurrent,havealsobeenusedsuccessfully.

13.3.2.1SludgeHopper

Theminimumslopeofthesidewallsshouldbe1.7verticalto1.0horizontal.Hopperwallsurfacesshouldbemade
smoothwithroundedcornerstoaidinsludgeremoval.Hopperbottomsshouldhaveamaximumdimensionof0.6
m(2ft).Extradepthsludgehoppersforsludgethickeningshouldnotbeused.

13.3.2.2CrossCollectors

Crosscollectorsservingoneormoresedimentationtanksmaybeusefulinplaceofmultiplesludgehoppers.

13.3.2.3SludgeRemovalPipeline
Eachhoppershouldhaveanindividuallyvalvedsludgewithdrawallineatleast150mm(6in)indiameter.The
staticheadavailableforwithdrawalofsludgeshouldbe760mm(30in)orgreater,asnecessarytomaintaina0.9
m/s(3ft/s)velocityinthewithdrawalpipe.Clearancebetweentheendofthewithdrawallineandthehopperwalls
shouldbesufficienttopreventbridgingofthesludge.Adequateprovisionsshouldbemadeforroddingor
backflushingindividualpiperunsandallowanceforvisualconfirmationofreturnsludgeflow.Pipingshouldbe
providedtoreturnsludgeforfurtherprocessing.

13.3.2.4SludgeRemovalControl

Separatesecondarysedimentationtanksludgelinesmaydraintoacommonsludgewell.Sludgewellsequipped
withtelescopingvalvesorotherappropriateequipmentshouldbeprovidedforviewing,samplingandcontrolling
therateofsludgewithdrawal.AmeansofmeasuringtheRASflowrateshouldbeprovided.

Whereverpossible,pipesdischargingRASorwasteactivatedsludge(WAS)shouldbelocatedtopermitvisual
confirmationthatsludgeisbeingdischarged.Itisrecommendedthateachsedimentationtankhasitsownsludge
withdrawallinestoensureadequatecontrolofthesludgewastingrateforeachtank.

13.4ProtectiveandServiceFacilities

Allsecondarysedimentationtanksneedtobeequippedtoenhancesafetyforoperators.Itisrecommendedthat
suchfeaturesincludemachinerycovers,lifelines,stairways,walkways,handrailsandslipresistantsurfaces.

Thedesignshouldprovideforconvenientandsafeaccesstoroutinemaintenanceitemssuchasgearboxes,scum
removalmechanisms,baffles,weirs,inletstillingbaffleareasandeffluentchannels.

Electricalequipment,fixturesandcontrolsinenclosedsettlingbasinsandscumtanks,wherehazardous
concentrationsofflammablegasesorvaporsmayaccumulate,needtomeettherequirementsofcurrentElectrical
SafetyCodeforClass1,Zone0orZone1(orDivision1forexistinginstallationsasdefinedunderthecode),
GroupDlocations(O.Reg.164/99)madeundertheElectricityAct,1998.

Itisrecommendedthatthefixturesandcontrolsbelocatedsoastoprovideconvenientandsafeaccessfor
operationandmaintenance.Adequatearealightingneedstobeprovided.

Disinfectionandsupplementtreatmentprocesses
Chapter14:Disinfection
Thischapterdescribesthedesignandsafetyconsiderationsforthemostcommontypesofdisinfectionsystemsand
practicesusedintreatingsewageeffluents.Designguidelinesforchlorination,dechlorination,ultraviolet(UV)
irradiationandozonationarepresentedinthischapter.Asummaryofthedesigncriteriaandfactorsfor
conventionaldisinfectionisprovidedinAppendixVwhichshouldbeusedinconjunctionwiththedetailsinthis
chapter.

14.1General

14.1.1DisinfectionRequirements

AsspecifiedinministryProcedureF54,EffluentDisinfectionRequirementsforSewageWorksDischargingto
SurfaceWaters,disinfectionrequirementsapplytoallmunicipalandprivatecommunalsewageworksdischarging
tosurfacewatersandrequireministryapprovalundersection53oftheOntarioWaterResourcesAct(OWRA).

Theministryshouldbeconsultedtodeterminethedisinfectionrequirementsforeffluentdischargesfromany
sewageworks(seeSection8.2EstablishmentofEffluentQualityRequirements).Theministrymayallowfor
seasonalrelaxationoforexemptionfromdisinfectionrequirementsonasitespecificbasis.

14.1.2SewageTreatmentPlantsEffluents
Sewagetreatmentplant(STP)effluent,whichincludesalloverflowsfromwithintheSTPsite,shouldnotexceeda
monthlygeometricmeandensityof200E.coliorganismsper100mL,unlesstheproponent(designer)ofthenew
workscandemonstratedonasitespecificbasisthatsuchapracticecanberelaxedwithoutundueadverseeffects
ondownstreambeneficialwateruses.

14.1.3SewageLagoonsEffluents

LagoonsdesignedinaccordancewiththedesignguidelinescontainedinSection12.3SewageTreatmentLagoons
attherecommendedorganicloadingandhydraulicretentiontime,withtwoormorecellsinseriesandoperatedto
avoidshortcircuitingdonotgenerallyrequiredisinfection.Thedesignershouldnotethatexemptionfrom
disinfectionrequirementsmaynotbeallowedwherelagoonsdischargeintoreceivingwaterswherewatersupplies
orbathingbeachesaredirectlyaffectedbythelagooneffluent.

14.1.4CombinedSewerOverflows

Combinedseweroverflow(CSO)disinfectionisrequiredwherethesewagedischargeaffectsswimmingand
bathingbeachesandotherareaswheretherearepublichealthconcerns.Theeffluentqualityrequirementfor
disinfectedCSOduringwetweatherisamonthlygeometricmeandensitynotexceeding1000E.coliorganisms
per100ml.Thisrequirementmaybemodifiedbytheregionalstaffoftheministryonacasebycasebasisdueto
sitespecificconditions,asoutlinedintheministryProcedureF55,DeterminationofTreatmentRequirementsfor
MunicipalandPrivateCombinedandPartiallySeparatedSewerSystems.

14.1.5DechlorinationRequirements

Incaseswherechlorinationisusedasthedisinfectionprocess,subsequentdechlorinationofthesewageworks
effluentsshouldbeprovidedtoensurethateffluentisnontoxictoaquaticorganisms.Normaloperationof
dechlorinationequipmentshouldprovideforanexcessofreagentstoensuretheeffectivedestructionofthetotal
chlorineresidual.

14.1.6ContinuousDisinfection

Toensurecontinuousdisinfection,considerationneedstobegiventooperationofthedisinfectionprocessduring
poweroutages.Thisrequiresstandbypowercapacity(Section8.7.1EmergencyPowerSupplyFacilities).In
addition,regularmaintenanceandbreakdownsneedtobeconsideredinthedesigntoensurecontinuous
disinfectionismaintainedatalltimes.

14.2Chlorination

14.2.1General

Wherechemicaldisinfectants(suchaschlorine)areused,thedesignershouldconsidermeetingmicrobiological
effluentqualitycriteria,disinfectantresidualafterappropriatecontacttimeandalimitingmaximumdisinfectant
concentrationintheeffluentdischarge.Thedisinfectionprocessshouldbeselectedafterdueconsiderationof
sewagecharacteristics,typeoftreatmentprocessprovidedpriortodisinfection,sewageflowrates,pHofsewage,
effluentqualitycriteria,currentapplicabletechnologies,disinfectantdemand,equipment,chemicals,powercost,
andmaintenancerequirements.

ChlorinationisthepredominanteffluentdisinfectionprocessinfullscaleuseinOntarioatthepresenttime.If
chlorinationisused,itmaybenecessarytosubsequentlydechlorinatetheeffluentifthechlorineresidualinthe
dischargewouldexceedtheeffluentlimitsorwouldimpairthenaturalaquatichabitatofthereceivingwaterbody.

14.2.2FormsofChlorine

Chlorineisavailablefordisinfectioningaseous,liquid(hypochloritesolution),andpellet(hypochloritetablet)
forms.TheuseofchlorinegasorliquidwilldependmainlyonthesizeoftheSTP,thechlorinedoserequiredand
thesafetyconcernsoftheuser.Largequantitiesofchlorine,suchasarecontainedinonetonnecylindersandtank
cars,canpresentaconsiderablehazardtoplantpersonnelandtothesurroundingarea.Potentialpublicexposureto
chlorineandoperationalcostsshouldbeconsideredwhenmakingthefinaldeterminationofdisinfectanttype.
AlthoughsmallSTPinOntariomayuseliquidsodiumhypochloriteforchlorination,manylargerplantsuse
liquefiedchlorinegasunderpressure.Duetosafetyconcernswithchlorinegas,theuseofsodiumhypochloriteis
likelytoincrease.Designersshouldthereforeconsiderbothchemicalswhenevaluatingchlorinationalternatives.

Indesigningthechlorinationsystem,chlorineapplicationshouldbeconsideredforpointsotherthanthechlorine
contacttank,asfollows:

Influentsewer(forodourcontrol)
Returnactivatedsludge(forbulkingcontrol)
Overflowsewers(foremergencydisinfection)
Upstreamofpolishingfilter(forcontrolagainstbiologicalgrowthinfilterbeds)
Sludgethickeners(forodourcontrolandmaintainingsludgeinfreshcondition)and
Effluentwaterrecycledforreuseinplantoperationssuchaspumpseal,cooling,dilutionand/orflushing
water.

14.2.3Dosage

Thecapacityofthedisinfectionsystemsneedstobeadequatetoproduceadosesufficienttomeettheapplicable
microbiologicaleffluentcriteriaspecifiedbytheministry.Requireddisinfectioncapacitywillvary,dependingon
theusesandpointsofapplicationofthedisinfectionchemical.Chlorinationsystemsizingandthenumberofunits
shouldbedesignedforthewholerangeofsewageflowratesandforthetypeofcontroltobeused.Systemdesign
considerationsneedtoincludethecontrollingsewageflowmeter(i.e.,itssensitivityandlocation),telemetering
equipmentandchlorinationcontrols.Fortypicalsewage,thedosagerangesshowninTable141maybeusedasa
guideinsizingchlorinationfacilities.

Table141TypicalChlorineDosagesforVaryingLevelsof
Treatment
LevelofTreatment ChlorineDosage1(mg/L)
612(fresh)
Rawsewage
1225(septic)
Primaryeffluent 320
Tricklingfilterprocesseffluent 312
Activatedsludgeprocesseffluent 29
Nitrifiedeffluent 16
Tertiaryfilteredeffluent 16

Basedondesignaveragedailyflow.

14.2.4DesignConsiderations

Atotalchlorineresidualof0.5mg/Lafter30minutesofcontacttimeatthedesignaveragedailyflowisgenerally
neededfordisinfectionofsecondarytreatmenteffluenttoensurethatthemonthlygeometricmeandensityofE.
colidoesnotexceed200organismsper100millilitresintheeffluentdischargefromtheSTP.

Thedesignerofachlorinationsystemshouldensurethatminimumcontacttimesof30minutesatdesignaverage
dailyflowandnotlessthan15minutesatdesignpeakhourlyflowormaximumrateofpumpingareprovidedafter
thoroughmixing.Forevaluationofexistingchlorinecontacttanks,fieldtracerstudiesarerecommended.For
effluentstreamswithhighermicrobialcountsthantypicalsecondaryeffluents,ahigherchlorineresidualand/or
contacttimemayberequired.

Thedisinfectantshouldbemechanicallymixedasrapidlyaspossible,withanapproximatelycompletemix
conditionachievedwithin3seconds.Thismaybeaccomplishedbyeithertheuseofturbulentflowregimeora
mechanicalflashmixer.

Actualcontacttimecanbesignificantlydifferentfromcalculatedhydraulicretentiontime(HRT).Thecontacttime
shouldbeprovidedinapipelineoratankwhereplugflowconditionsarecloselyapproached.Approximatelyplug
flowregimecanbereachedinflowchannelswithlengthtowidth(L/W)ratiosofgreaterthan40:1.L/Wratiosof
10:1producecontacttimesofapproximately70percentoftheoreticalretentiontimes.Theheighttowidthratioof
thewettedcrosssectionofthechannelshouldnotexceed2:1.Inrectangulartanks,longitudinalbafflingtoproduce
long,narrowflowchannelswithaserpentineflowpatternandwithguidevanesatchangesindirectionshouldbe
usedtoproduceanefficientcontactbasin.

Thetankshouldbedesignedtofacilitatemaintenanceandcleaningwithoutreducingeffectivenessofdisinfection.
Thisisnecessarysincesomesedimentationoccursinchlorinecontacttanks.Duplicatetanks,mechanicalscrapers,
orportabledecklevelvacuumcleaningequipmentshouldbeprovided.Considerationshouldbegiventoproviding
skimmingdevicesonallcontacttanks.Coveredtanksarenotrecommended.

Incalculatingthecontacttime,acontacttimeintheoutfallsewermaybetakenintoconsideration.Iftheoutfall
sewerisabletoprovidethefullcontacttime,provisionshouldatleastbemadeforadequatemixingofthechlorine
andsewageeffluentpriortoenteringtheoutfallpipeandfacilitiesprovidedsothatchlorinatedeffluentsamplescan
beobtained.Theserequirementscannormallybesatisfiedbyconstructingashortretentionmixingchamber
immediatelyupstreamoftheoutfallsewer.

14.2.5Containers

14.2.5.1Cylinders

Sixtyeight(68)kg(150lb)cylindersaretypicallyusedwherechlorinegasconsumptionislessthan68kg/d(150
lb/d).Cylindersshouldbestoredinanuprightpositionwithadequatesupportbracketsandchainsattwothirdsof
thecylinderheightforeachcylinder.

14.2.5.2TonContainers

Theuseof907kg(1USton)containersshouldbeconsideredwheretheaveragedailychlorineconsumptionis
greaterthan70kg/d(154lb/d).

14.2.5.3LiquidHypochloriteSolution

Storagecontainersforhypochloritesolutionshouldbeofsturdy,nonmetalliclinedconstruction.Storage
containersshouldbeprovidedwithsecuretanktopsandpressurereliefandoverflowpiping.Theoverflowshould
beprovidedwithawatersealorotherdevicetopreventtanksventingtotheindoors.Storagetanksshouldbeeither
locatedorventedtotheoutside.Provisionshouldbemadeforadequateprotectionfromsunlightandextreme
temperatures.Tanksshouldbelocatedwhereleakagewillnotcausecorrosionordamagetootherequipment.A
meansofsecondarycontainmentneedstobeprovidedtocontainspillsandfacilitatecleanup.Duetodeterioration
ofhypochloritesolutionovertime,itisrecommendedthatcontainersnotbesizedtoholdmorethanaonemonth
supply.Atlargerfacilitiesandlocationswheredeliveryisnotaproblem,itmaybedesirabletolimitonsitestorage
tooneweek.

14.2.5.4DryHypochlorite

Dryhypochloriteshouldbekeptintightlyclosedcontainersandstoredinacool,drylocation.Somemeansofdust
controlshouldbeconsidered,dependingonthesizeofthefacilityandthequantityofhypochloriteused.

14.2.6Equipment

AllchlorinationfacilitiesshouldbedesignedaccordingtorecommendationsoftheChlorineInstitute
(http://www.chlorineinstitute.org).ScalesforweighingcylindersandcontainersneedtobeprovidedatallSTP
usingchlorinegas.Atlargeplants,scalesoftheindicatingandrecordingtypearerecommended.Atleasta
platformscaleneedstobeprovidedscalesshouldbeofcorrosionresistantmaterial.Scalesorlevelsensing
equipmentarerequiredforliquidchlorinesystems.

Wheremanifoldingofseveralcylindersoronetonnecontainerswillberequiredtoevaporatesufficientchlorine,
considerationshouldbegiventotheinstallationofevaporatorstoproducethequantityofgasrequired.

Pipingsystemsshouldbeassimpleaspossible,specificallyselectedandmanufacturedtobesuitableforchlorine
service,withaminimumnumberofjoints.Pipingshouldbewellsupportedandprotectedagainsttemperature
extremes.

Duetothecorrosivenessofwetchlorine,alllinesdesignatedtohandledrychlorineneedtobeprotectedfromthe
entranceofwateroraircontainingwater.Evenminutetracesofwateraddedtochlorineresultsinacorrosive
attack.Lowpressurelinesmadeofhardrubber,saranlined,rubberlined,polyethylene,polyvinylchloride(PVC),
orotherapprovedmaterialsaresatisfactoryforwetchlorineoraqueoussolutionsofchlorine.

Itisrecommendedthatthechlorinesystempipingbecolourcodedandlabeledtodistinguishitfromotherplant
piping.Wheresulphurdioxideisusedfordechlorination,thepipingandfittingsforchlorineandsulphurdioxide
systemsshouldbedesigned,colourcodedandlabeledsothatinterconnectionbetweenthetwosystemscannot
occur(Section8.7.3PlantPiping).

Standbyequipmentofsufficientcapacityshouldbeavailabletoreplacethelargestunitduringshutdowns,
includingliquidfeedpumps.Sparepartsshouldbeavailableforalldisinfectionequipmenttoreplacepartswhich
aresubjecttowearandbreakage.Vacuumoperatedautomaticswitchoverdevicesthatchangefromanemptytoa
fullsupplyofchlorineshouldbeprovided(exceptonrailtankcars,whereoperatorattendanceisrequired).Also,
anautomaticswitchovershouldbeprovidedtoactivatethestandbychemicalpumpuponafailureoftheduty
pump.

Chlorineinjectorsystemsrequirelargevolumesofwaterwhichtypicallyamounttoapproximately330Lofwater
perkilogramofchlorineused(40USgal/lb).Higherwaterrequirementscanbeexperienceddependinguponthe
backpressureatthepointofinjection.Tominimizeoperatingcosts,filteredeffluentwaterfromtheSTPshouldbe
usedintheinjectionsystemswheneverpossible,withmunicipalwater,orwaterfromanonsitesystem,providing
thenecessarystandbysupply.Whereaboosterpumpisrequired,duplicateequipmentshouldbeprovided,and,
whennecessary,standbypoweraswell.Protectionofapotablewatersupplyshouldbeensuredbyanairgap
(Section8.7.2WaterSupply).

Abottleof56percentammoniumhydroxidesolutionneedstobeavailablefordetectingchlorineleaks.Where907
kg(1USton)containersortankcarsareused,aleakrepairkitapprovedbytheChlorineInstituteneedstobe
provided.Considerationshouldbegiventotheprovisionofcausticsodasolutionreactiontanksforabsorbingthe
contentsofleaking907kg(1USton)containerswheresuchcontainersareinuse.Scrubberscanbebothdryand
wettype.ThedesignershouldrefertoChlorineInstituteguidelinesforsuitableequipmenttoneutralizechlorine.
Othercylindersandtankercarsshouldalsobeprovidedwithrepairkits.Automaticgasdetectionandrelatedalarm
equipmentneedtobeprovided.Storageareafor907kg(1USton)cylindersorcontainersshouldbeprovidedwith
anoverheadmonorailhoistandmotorizedtrolleyofatleast1800kg(2USton)capacity.Themonorailshouldbe
ofsufficientlengthtoallowremovalofthecontainerwithoutbeingrolledalongtheground.

14.2.7Housing

Ifgaschlorinationequipmentorchlorinecylindersaretobelocatedinabuildingusedforotherpurposes,a
gastightroomseparatingthisequipmentfromanyotherportionofthebuildingneedstobeprovided.Floordrains
fromthechlorineroomshouldnotbeconnectedtofloordrainsfromotherrooms.Doorstothisroomneedtoopen
onlytotheoutsideofthebuilding,andbeequippedwithpanichardware.Roomsneedtobeatgroundleveland
shouldpermiteasyaccesstoallequipment.

Storageareasfor907kg(1USton)cylindersshouldbeseparatedfromthedosingarea.Inaddition,thestorage
areashouldhavedesignatedareasforfullandemptycylinders.Chlorinationequipmentshouldbesituatedas
closetotheapplicationpointasreasonablypossible.Storagefacilitiesshouldbedesignedtoaccommodate
deliveriesavoidingtheneedtohaveaccesstothestorageareaduringdeliveries.

Aclearglass,gastight,windowneedstobeinstalledinanexteriordoororinteriorwallofthechlorinatorroomto
permittheunitstobeviewedwithoutenteringtheroom.Inlargefacilitiesaglassedentryroomprovidedwith
positiveairpressureforviewingthestorageareaandprovidingstorageforsafetyequipmentshouldbeconsidered.

Itisrecommendedthatroomscontainingdisinfectionequipmentbeprovidedwithameansofheatingsothata
temperatureofatleast16C(60F)canbemaintained.Theroomshouldbeprotectedfromexcessheat.Cylinders
shouldbekeptatessentiallyroomtemperature.Ifliquidhypochloritesolutionisused,thecontainersmaybe
locatedinanunheatedarea.Roomscontainingchlorinationequipmentaretobeprovidedwithambientchlorine
gasdetectors.Thegasdetectorshouldbeinterlockedwiththefanandaudibleorvisiblealarms.
Withchlorinationsystems,forced,mechanicalventilationneedstobeinstalledthatwillprovide30airchangesper
hourunderemergencyconditionsandthreeairchangesperhourundernormalconditionsintheroom.Theentrance
totheairexhaustductfromtheroomshouldbenearthefloor.Thepointofdischargeneedstobesolocatedasnot
tocontaminatetheairinlettoanybuildingsorpresentahazardattheaccesstothechlorinatorroomorother
inhabitedareas.Airinletsneedtobesolocatedastoprovidecrossventilationwithairandatsuchtemperaturethat
willnotadverselyaffectthechlorinationequipment.Itisrecommendedthattheoutsideairinletbeatleast1m(3
ft)abovegrade.Theventhosefromthechlorinatorneedstodischargetotheoutsideatmosphereabovegradeas
shouldventsfromfeedersandstorageareas.Wherepublicexposuremaybeextensive,scrubbersmayberequired
ontheventilationdischarge.Allchlorinationfacilityventilationsystemsshouldbedesignedaccordingto
recommendationsoftheChlorineInstitute.

Switchesforfansandlightsshouldbelocatedoutsideoftheroomattheentrance.Alabeledsignallightindicating
fanoperationshouldbeprovidedateachentrance,ifthefancanbecontrolledfrommorethanonepoint.
Considerationshouldbegiventoprovidingcontrolsuchthatthedoorstothefacilityhaveanelectricalinterlock
thatautomaticallyturnsonthelightsandexhaustfanintheroombeforeentryandwhenthedoorsareopened.The
ventilationfancouldalsobeinterlockedwiththeambientchlorinegasdetectortolockoutoperationofthefanin
caseofchlorineleak,toreducedispersionofchlorinetotheatmosphere.

Respiratoryairpackprotectionequipment,meetingtherequirementsoftheCanadianStandardsAssociation(CSA
Z94.4)governsandneedstobeavailablewherechlorinegasishandled,andneedstobestoredataconvenient
location,butnotinsideanyroomwherechlorineisusedorstored.Instructionsforusingtheequipmentneedtobe
posted.Itisrecommendedthattheunitsusecompressedair,haveatleasta30minutecapacityandbecompatible
withtheunitsusedbythefiredepartmentresponsiblefortheplant.

14.2.8SamplingandControl

Facilitiesshouldbeincludedforsamplingdisinfectedeffluentafterthecontactchamberoreffluentoutfall(ifused
forpartoftherequiredcontacttime).Inlargeinstallations,orwherestreamconditionswarrant,provisionsshould
bemadeforcontinuousmonitoringofeffluentchlorineresidualwithcontinuousmonitoringequipment.

Theinstallationofdemonstratedeffectivefacilitiesforautomaticchlorineresidualanalysis,recording,and
proportioningsystemsshouldbeconsideredatalllargeinstallations.

Anautomateddosagecontrolsystemshouldbeusedforallsewagetreatmentfacilities.Thecontrolsshouldadjust
thechlorinedosageratewithinanappropriatelagtimetoaccommodatefluctuationsineffluentchlorinedemand
andchlorineresidualduetochangesinflowandSTPeffluentcharacteristics.Thismaybeaccomplishedusing
eitherclosedlooporfeedbackcontrolmethods.Alarmsandmonitoringequipmentarerequiredtopromptlyalert
theoperatorintheeventofanymalfunction,hazardoussituation,orinadequatelydisinfectedeffluentassociated
withthechlorinesupply,includingmeteringequipment,leaksorotherproblems.

14.2.9ChlorineSafetyRequirements

AllchlorinationfacilitiesshouldbedesignedaccordingtotherecommendationsoftheChlorineInstitute.In
addition,thedesignoftheuse,storageandhandlingofanyhazardousmaterialsshouldbeinaccordancewiththe
OccupationalHealthandSafetyAct(OHSA),BuildingCode,(O.Reg.350/06)madeundertheBuildingCodeAct,
1992andFireCode(O.Reg.388/97)madeundertheFireProtectionandPreventionAct,1997.

Chemicalbuildingsorstorageareasshouldbeprovidedwithadequatewarningsigns,conspicuouslydisplayed
whereidentifiablehazardsexist,astorageareaforMaterialSafetyDataSheets(MSDS)assetoutunderthefederal
HazardousProductsActandassociatedControlledProductsRegulations.Allstoragecontainersshouldbe
conspicuouslylabelledwithaWorkplaceHazardousMaterialsInformationSystem(WHMIS)labelthatincludes:
theproductname,thesuppliername,hazardsymbol(s),risk,precautionarymeasuresandfirstaidmeasures.

14.3Dechlorination

14.3.1TypesofDechlorinationAgents

Dechlorinationofsewageeffluentmayberequiredtomeetsitespecificeffluentqualitycriteriasetbytheministry
toeliminatechlorineresidualtoxicity.Themostcommondechlorinatingchemicalsaresulphurcompounds,
particularlysulphurdioxidegasoraqueoussolutionsofsulphiteorbisulphite.Pelletdechlorinationsystemsare
alsoavailableforsmallSTP.Thetypeofdechlorinationsystemshouldbeselectedwithconsiderationtothe
effluentqualitycriteria,typeofchemicalstoragerequired,amountofchemicalneeded,easeofoperation,
compatibilitywithexistingequipment,andsafety.

14.3.2Dosage

Thedosageofdechlorinationchemicalshoulddependontheresidualchlorineintheeffluent,thefinalresidual
chlorinelimit,andtheparticularformofthedechlorinatingagentused.Themostcommondechlorinatingagentis
sulphite.Table142showstheformsofthecompoundsthatarecommonlyusedanddosagerequiredtoneutralize1
mg/Lofresidualchlorine.

Table142FormsofDechlorinationChemicals
Dechlorination TheoreticalDosageRequiredtoNeutralize1mg/LCl2
Availableas:
Chemical (mg/L)
Sodiumsulphite Tabletsorpowder 1.78
Liquefiedgasunder
Sulphurdioxide 0.90
pressure
Sodiummetabisulphite Solutionorpowder 1.34
Sodiumbisulphite Solutionorpowder 1.46
Sodiumthiosulphate Solutionorpowder 0.56

Theoreticalvaluesshouldbeusedforinitialapproximations,tosizefeedequipmentwiththeconsiderationthat
undergoodmixingconditions,10percentexcessdechlorinatingchemicalisrequiredabovetheoreticalvalues.
Excesssulphurdioxidemayconsumeoxygenatamaximumof1.0mgdissolvedoxygenforevery4mgsulphur
dioxide(SO2).Excesssulphurdioxidecanimpactthedissolvedoxygen(DO)levelsinaplanteffluent,requiring
bettercontroloreffluentreaeration.

Theliquidsolutionsareavailableinvariousstrengths.Thesesolutionsmayneedtobefurtherdilutedtoprovidethe
properdoseofsulphitewhilematchingthedosingpumprange.

14.3.3Containers

Dependingonthechemicalselectedfordechlorination,thestoragecontainerswillvaryfromgascylinders,liquid
in190L(50USgal)drumsordrycompounds.Dilutiontanksandmixingtankswillbenecessarywhenusingdry
compoundsandmaybenecessarywhenusingliquidcompoundstodelivertheproperdosage.Solutioncontainers
shouldbecoveredtopreventevaporationandoffensiveodours.

14.3.4FeedEquipment,Mixing,andContactRequirements

Ingeneral,thesametypeoffeedingequipmentusedforchlorinegasmaybeusedwithminormodificationsfor
sulphurdioxidegas(Section14.2.6Equipment).Themanufacturershouldbecontactedforspecificequipment
recommendations.Automaticgasdetectionandrelatedalarmequipmentneedtobeprovided.Noequipmentshould
bealternatelyusedforthetwogases.Thecommontypeofdechlorinationfeedequipmentutilizingsulphur
compoundsincludevacuumsolutionfeedofsulphurdioxidegasandapositivedisplacementpumpforaqueous
solutionsofsulphiteorbisulphite.

Selectionofthetypeofequipmentforfeedingsulphurcompoundsshouldgiveconsiderationtooperatorsafetyand
overallpublicsafetyrelativetotheSTPproximitytopopulatedareasandthesecurityofgascylinderstorage.The
selectionanddesignofsulphurdioxide(SO2)feedingequipmentneedstotakeintoaccountthatthegasreliquefies
quiteeasily.Specialprecautionsshouldbetakenwhenusing907kg(1USton)containerstopreventre
liquefaction.Wherenecessarytomeettheoperatingranges,multipleunitsshouldbeprovidedforadequatepeak
capacityandtoprovideasufficientlylowfeedrateonturndowntoavoiddepletionofthedissolvedoxygen
concentrationsinthereceivingwaters.

Thedechlorinationreactionwithresidualchlorineoccurswithin15to20seconds.Thedechlorinationchemical
shouldbeintroducedatapointintheprocesswherethehydraulicturbulenceisadequatetoensurethoroughand
completemixing.Ifnosuchpointexists,mechanicalmixingneedstobeprovided.ThehighsolubilityofSO2
preventsitfromescapingduringturbulence.

Aminimumof30secondsformixingandcontacttimeneedstobeprovidedatthedesignpeakhourlyflowor
maximumrateofpumpingbeforeasamplingpoint.Considerationshouldbegiventoameansofreaerationto
ensuremaintenanceofanacceptableDOconcentrationinthesewageeffluentfollowingsulphonation.

14.3.5HousingRequirements

TherequirementsforhousingSO2gasequipmentneedtofollowthesameguidelinesasusedforchlorinegas
handling(Section14.2.7Housing).Whenusingliquidsolutionsfordechlorination,thesolutionsshouldbestored
inaroomthatmeetsallsafetyandhandlingrequirements.Themixing,storage,andsolutiondeliveryareasshould
bedesignedtocontainorroutesolutionspillageorleakageawayfromtrafficareastoanappropriatecontainment
unit.

Therespiratoryairpackprotectionequipmentisthesameasforchlorinegashandling.Leakrepairkitsofthetype
usedforchlorinegasthatareequippedwithgasketmaterialsuitableforservicewithsulphurdioxidegasmaybe
used(Section14.2.7Housing).(RefertoTheCompressedGasAssociationpublicationSulphurDioxide,CGAG
31995.)

14.3.6SamplingandControl

Facilitiesneedtobeincludedforsamplingthedechlorinatedeffluentformeasurementofresidualchlorine.
ProvisionsshouldbemadetomonitorforDOconcentrationaftersulphonation.

Manualorautomaticcontrolofsulphonatorfeedratesmaybebasedonflow,chlorineresidual,orsulphiteor
sulphateresidualsmeasurements.Selectionofonlineresidualmonitoringisdependentoneffluentquality,sizeof
theSTPandoperatorskilllevel.

14.4UltravioletIrradiation

14.4.1General

Designstandards,operatingdata,andexperiencefortheultraviolet(UV)irradiationprocessaredeveloped,butstill
needcarefulconsideration,includingevaluatingthetypeofsystemandlampstobeused.Therefore,expected
performanceoftheUVdisinfectionunitsneedtobebaseduponexperienceatsimilarfullscaleinstallationsor
thoroughlydocumentedprototypetestingwiththeparticularsewageorindependentthirdpartybioassayvalidation
torecommendedprotocols.CriticalparametersforUVdisinfectionunitsaredependentuponmanufacturers
design,lampselection,tubematerials,ballasts,configuration,controlsystems,andassociatedappurtenances.Spare
partsandmaterialsneedtobekeptonsitemanufacturerscanproviderecommendations.Foradditionaldetailson
criticaldesignandoperationalparametersandUVequipmentrefertoEnvironmentCanadasUVGuidanceManual
forMunicipalWastewaterTreatmentPlantsinCanada(2002).

14.4.2UVDisinfectionEquipment

UVdisinfectionsystemsareproprietaryandthedesignershouldconsultvendorsforspecificdesigndetails,suchas
lampmoduledesign,cleaningsystems,safetyrequirementsandsparepartneeds.

14.4.2.1Lamps

Ultravioletlightisproducedindisinfectionsystemsbyelectricallypoweredmercuryvapourlamps.Thelampsare
characterizedbyboththeiroperatingpressureandtheiroutputlevel.Thethreemajortypesoflampsthatare
availableare:

Lowpressure/lowintensity(LP/LI)
Lowpressure/highintensity(LP/HI)and
Mediumpressure/highintensity(MP/HI).
ThedecisiononwhichlamptouseforaspecificSTPisdependentuponanumberoffactors.Onemajorfactoris
theplantsdesignflowrate.Forexample,smallerplantsaremorelikelytouselowpressure/lowintensitylamps
thanlargerplants.

14.4.2.2LowPressure/LowIntensityLamps

Lowpressure/lowintensity(LP/LI)lampsemitUVradiationthatisessentiallymonochromaticatawavelengthof
253.7nm,whichiswithintheoptimalgermicidalrangeforUVlight.Thefillingoflowpressure/lowintensity
lampsisamixtureofmercuryandaninertgassuchasArgon.Thepressureisquitelow(103to102mmHgor
0.0Pai.e.,vacuum)asistheoperatingtemperaturewhichisapproximately40to50C(104to122F).Mostof
themercuryremainsinliquidformduringtheoperationofthelampwithonlyasmallfractionbeingvapourized.In
disinfectionsystemstwostandardlamplengthshavecommonlybeenused,0.9m(36in)and1.6m(64in).

TheUVoutputofLP/LIlampsisrelativelylow.Asaresult,UVsystemsusingtheselampsrequirealargenumber
oflamps.Theinputpowerforoneofthe1.6mlampsisapproximately75W,notincludingtheballast
contribution.Includingtheballastcontribution,thepowerconsumptionisapproximately80to85Wperlamp.The
outputofthe1.6mlampsatthegermicidalwavelengthof253.7nmis26.7W.Thistranslatestoagermicidal
efficiencyintherangeof35to40percent.Effectivelampliferangesbetween8000and13,000hours.TheUV
outputofthelampsdecreaseswithage.

InmostsystemsusingthetraditionalLP/LIlamps,thelampsareeitheronoroff.Theirpowerisnotmodulated
althoughthenewerelectronicballastsallowforthispossibility.

14.4.2.3LowPressure/HighIntensityLamps

Lowpressure/highintensity(LP/HI)lampsoperatewithinthesamepressurerangeasconventionallowpressure
lamps[103to102mmHg(0Pa)i.e.,vacuum]andalsoproduceessentiallymonochromaticradiationata
wavelengthof253.7nm.Theoperatingtemperaturefortheselampsis90to250C(194to482F).Themajor
differencebetweenthelowandhighintensitylampsisthattheLP/HIlampshaveamuchhigherpoweroutputthan
theLP/LIlampsandthusrequiringfewerlampstoachievethesamelevelofdisinfection.

PowerratingsforLP/HIlampsrangefrom190to1620Wwithagermicidalefficiencyrangingfrom20to30
percent.ThistranslatestoagermicidalUVoutputperlamprangingfromapproximately40to500W(considering
theentirerangeofpossiblelamppowerratings).LP/HIlampsarelessefficientthanLP/LIlamps,butaremore
efficientthanMP/HIlamps.Mostlowpressure/highintensitysystemsallowthelamppowertobemodulatedand
haveautomaticcleaningsystems.

Thehigherpowerlevelsusedintheselamps,comparedtothetraditionallamps,arepossibleduetochangesinthe
sizeandshapeofthelamps,andinthecompositionofthegasandmercurymixtureinthelamps.Some
manufacturersuseanamalgamofbismuth,indium,andmercuryintheirlampsthathelpsmaintaintheideal
mercuryvapourpressureoverawiderangeoflampoperatingtemperatures.

TheeffectivelifeofLP/HIUVlampsrangesfrom5000to12,000hours.

14.4.2.4MediumPressure/HighIntensityLamps

Mediumpressure/highintensity(MP/HI)lampsoperateonthesameprincipleasthelowpressurelamps.Themajor
differenceisthattheyoperateatpressuresof102to104mmHg(torr)andtemperaturesof600to800C(1112to
1472F).IntheMP/HIlampsthemercuryiscompletelyvapourizedandthepressureissetbytheamountof
mercuryaddedduringthemanufacturingprocess.Aswiththelowpressurelamps,aninertgassuchasargonis
alsopresentinthelamp.

Thelampsrangefrom50to75cm(20to30in)inlengthwithadiameterofapproximately2.5cm(1in).Quartz
sleevesareprovidedaroundthelampsforprotectionandinsulation.Automaticcleaningmechanismsareprovided
fortheselampstominimizefoulingwhichcanbeofmoreimportancewiththeselampsduetotheincreasedscaling
potentialatthehigheroperatingtemperatures.Thecleaningmechanismscanbemechanicalwipersormechanical
wipersaugmentedwithchemicalcleaning.Systemswithchemicalcleaninguseanacidsolutioncontainedina
chamberincorporatedintothemechanicalwiper.

MediumpressurelampshavemuchhigherinputandoutputpowerlevelsthanLP/LIlampssothatfewerlampsare
requiredtoachievethesamelevelofdisinfection.Unlikelowpressurelamps,theoperatingtemperatureofthese
lampsisnotaffectedbythesewagetemperature.TheinputpowervarieswithUVsupplier.Thecurrentlyavailable
lampsrangefrom1,250to5,000W.Powermodulationisacommonfeatureofsystemswithmediumpressure
lamps.

Thedisadvantageofthemediumpressurelampsisthattheyarelessefficientthanthelowpressurelamps.They
convertaboutthesamepercentageoftheirinputpowertoradiationbutthisradiationispolychromaticwith
wavelengthsrangingfrom180to1,370nm.Onlyasmallportionofthisradiationisintheoptimalgermicidal
range.Germicidalefficienciesformediumpressurelampsrangefrom7to15percent.Thistranslatestoa
germicidalUVoutputperlamprangingfrom87.5to750W(consideringtheentirerangeofpossiblelamppower
ratings).

Effectivelamplifeformediumpressurelampsrangesfrom5,000to8,000hours.Aswiththelowpressurelamps,
thelampoutputdecreaseswithage.

14.4.2.5Ballasts

BallastsaretransformersthatregulatethecurrenttotheUVlampsandstabilizethelightoutput.Theyalsoprovide
sufficientvoltagetostartthelamp.Withoutaballast,thecurrentinamercuryvapourlampkeepsincreasinguntil
thelampoverheatsanddestroysitself.

GenerallyinolderUVsystems,electromagneticballastswereused.Thetraditionallowpressure/lowintensity
lampsareinstantstartlamps.Insystemsusingtheselamps,eachelectromagneticballastpowerstwolamps.Astep
uptransformerisusedtocreatethestartingarcwithoutpreheatingtheelectrodes.

Electromagneticballastsarereliablebuthavemanydisadvantages.Themajordisadvantageisthattheyare
inefficientandlosemuchoftheirinputenergyasheat.Asaresult,theyrequirecoolingsystemsandtemperature
monitors.Otherproblemswiththeseballastsaretheirnoise,size,weight,andinabilitytomodulatethepower
supplytothelamps.

MostnewUVsystemsuseelectronicballasts.Theseballastsaresmaller,lighter,andmoreenergyefficientthan
electromagneticballasts.Theyalsoallowforpowermodulationsothatthelampscanbedimmedorbrightened.In
thiscaserapidstartlampswithcontinuouslyheatedelectrodesareused.Electronicballastscansupplyoneormore
lampseach.

Althoughelectronicballastsproducemuchlessheatthanelectromagneticballasts,theystillproduceenoughheatto
causeproblemsunlessadequatecoolingisprovided.MostUVsystems,particularlymediumpressuresystems,are
equippedwithballastcoolingsystemssuchasfansorheatexchangerswithacirculatingcoolantsuchaspropylene
glycol.Somemanufacturersusesubmergedballastsintheirsystemsthatarecooledbythesewageflow.Besides
beingselfcooled,submergedballastsoffertheadvantageofreducingthesizeofthecabinetsneededtohousethe
UVelectricalequipment.

14.4.2.6Reactors

Ultravioletdisinfectionreactorsareavailableinbothopenchannelandclosedchamberconfigurations.Systems
thatuselowpressurelamps(bothlowandhighintensity)haveopenchannelreactorswhilesystemswithmedium
pressurelampshaveenclosedreactionchambers.Themediumpressuresystemscanbeinstalledinanopen
channel,butitslampsarecontainedinanenclosedreactionchamber.Alternatively,mediumpressuresystemscan
becontainedinaclosedpipe.Sparepartsrequirementsaredependentonthesystemusedandaplants
requirementsforoperationandmaintenance.

OpenChannelReactors

Inopenchannelreactors,thelampscanbearrangedhorizontallyandparalleltothesewagefloworvertically.
Horizontallamp,openchannelconfigurationsarethemostcommonUVdisinfectioninstallationsinmunicipal
STP.Horizontalsystemsconsistofmodulesoflampsthatarehungtogethersidebysideinbanksinanopen
channel.Themodulesspanthewidthofthechanneltoformabank.Eachmoduleconsistsofametalsupportframe
thatcontainsanumberofevenlyspacedlampsenclosedinquartzsleeves.Themodulestypicallycontain8or16
lamps,butmaycontainfewerlampsdependingonthesizeoftheapplicationandlamptype.
Verticallampsystemsforopenchannelinstallationswereintroducedasalternativestohorizontalsystemsinthe
late1980s.Verticallampmodulesconsistofanopenrectangularframethatrestsonthebottomofthechannelinan
uprightposition.Thelampsareorientedsothattheyareperpendiculartothefloorofthechannel.Avertical
moduletypicallycontains40lampsthatarearrangedinastaggered8by5array.

ClosedChannelReactors

Closedchannelreactorsareusedinsystemswithmediumpressurelamps.Therearetwobasicdesigns:

Horizontalandparalleltoflowlampsenclosedinareactionchamberthatishousedinanopenchanneland
Horizontalandperpendiculartoflowlampsmountedinaclosedchamberthatisconnectedtoflangedpipes.

14.4.2.7CleaningMechanisms

Insewagetreatment,degradationofsleevetransmittancebyeffluentisinevitable.Thisisadirectresultof
precipitationandfoulingofthequartzsleevesduetothepresenceofiron,calcium,aluminum,manganeseand
otherorganicandinorganicmatterinthesewageeffluent.Theimpactofthisbuildupoffilmanddebrishasa
pronouncedeffectontheamountofUVenergythatistransmittedintothesurroundingsewage.Therefore,efficient
andeffectivedisinfectionperformanceisdependentonmaintainingcleansleevesthatensuremaximumdeliveryof
UVenergytothesewageeffluent.Tominimizedegradationofsleevetransmittancevariouscleaningapproaches
areavailable.Theseincludeoutofchannelcleaningtanks,manualwipingandacidrecirculationsystemsand/or
automaticwipersystems.

14.4.3DesignConsiderations

ThefollowingfactorsneedtobetakenintoconsiderationwhenaUVsystemisbeingdesignedfordisinfectionof
sewageeffluent.ThedesignerneedstoprovidethisinformationtotheUVmanufacturerbecauseeachUVsystem
isdesignedonanindividualbasis.Theseconsiderationsinclude:

Typeoftreatmentprocessesusedupstreamofthedisinfectionstage
Typeofchemicalsaddedtoupstreamtreatmentprocesses
UVtransmissionorabsorbance(assume60percentUVtransmittanceforsecondaryeffluenthigherfora
tertiaryeffluent)
Suspendedsolids(concentrationandnatureofparticulatematter)
Availablehead,flowrateandhydraulics
IroncontentofinfluenttoUVprocess
Hardnessandalkalinity
Sewagesourcesandsewageeffluentcharacteristics
Reactorhydraulicconsiderationsand
Disinfectionrequirements(Section14.1.1DisinfectionRequirements).

OpenchanneldesignswithmodularUVdisinfectionunitsthatcanberemovedfromtheflowareoften
recommended.Atleasttwobanksinseriesneedstobeprovidedineachchannelfordisinfectionreliabilityandto
ensureuninterruptedserviceduringlampsleeve/tubecleaningorotherrequiredmaintenance.Anautomatic
switchovershouldbeprovidedtoswitchtothestandbyUVbankoperationuponafailureofthedutybank.
Operatorsafety(electricalhazardsandUVexposure)andtubecleaningfrequencyshouldbeconsidered.
Manufacturersmanualsshouldbereferredtofordetailsandrequirements.Thehydraulicpropertiesofthesystem
shouldbedesignedtosimulateplugflowconditionsunderthefulloperatingflowrange.Inaddition,apositive
meansofwaterlevelcontrolshouldbeprovidedtoachievethenecessaryexposuretime.

ToensureadequateUVirradiation,themaximumliquidsurfaceelevationwithintheUVreactorbasinshouldnot
beanygreaterthanthemanufacturersrecommendationsor25to50mm(1to2in)abovetheUVlamps,orthere
willbepotentialforinadequatedisinfectionduetoshortcircuiting.Theminimumwatersurfaceelevationwithin
theUVreactorbasinshouldnotexposetheUVlampstoairortherewillbepotentialforburningthemedium
pressureUVlampsorhavingmaterialdryonthesurfaceofthequartzsleevesofthelowpressurelamps.Because
ofthewatersurfaceconstraints,themaximumfluctuationofliquidsurfaceelevationshouldbelimitedto50mm(2
in)overtherangeofflowconditions.Devicestypicallyusedtomaintainthewatersurfaceelevationsare
counterbalancedflapgates,serpentineweirsorcontrolgates.Serpentineweirsaretheeasiestdevicetooperateand
arerecommendedforsmallerfacilitiesorupstreambatchtreatmentprocesses[e.g.SequencingBatchReactors
(SBR)].InSBRwithperiodicdischarges,considerationneedstobegiventoflowequalizationinordertobeableto
maintaintheUVsystemincontinuousoperation.Otherwise,UVdesignsneedtobebasedonshorttermpeakflow
throughUVunitsduringperiodicSBRdecantingoperations.

Closedchannel/chamberorpressurizedsystemsarelesscommonlyusedinsewageeffluentapplications.Closed
channelsystemsarewellsuitedforbelowgroundinstallationswheretheeffluentisunderpressureandshouldbe
confinedinaclosedvessel.

TheUVprocessismosteffectiveforsecondaryeffluentorbetterqualitylowerqualityeffluentswillrequirea
higherUVdosage.TheUVdosageshouldbebasedonthedesignpeakhourlyflow.Asageneralguide,insystem
sizingforanactivatedsludgeeffluentwiththeprecedingcharacteristics,aUVdosagenotlessthan30(mWs)/cm2
maybeusedafteradjustmentsformaximumtubefouling,lampoutputreductionattheendoflamplife(for
example8760hoursforsomesystems),andotherenergyabsorptionlosses.Theseareonlygeneralguidelinesand
theUVdosage,lamplifeandfoulingareallsewageeffluentandsystemdependent.

SizingUVdisinfectionsystemsisconservativeinthatitisassumedthattherewillbeasimultaneousoccurrenceof
theworstcaseconditionsfortheinputvariables.Inputvariablesrequiredincludemaximum,minimum,and
averageflowminimumUVtransmission(filteredandunfiltered)maximumTSSconcentrationmaximum
indicatororganismlogreductionmaximumquartzsleevefoulingminimumUVlampoutputandallowancesfor
potentialphotoreactivationofmicroorganisms.

CurrentprocedureisfortheUVsystemtobedesignedtodelivertherequiredUVdoseatpeakflow,ineffluent
withaUVtransmissionstatedattheendoflamplife(EOLL)afterreductionsforquartzsleevefouling.Thebasis
forevaluatingtheUVdosedeliveredbytheUVsystemwillbetheindependentthirdpartybioassay.Bioassay
validationmethodologyshouldfollowprotocolsdescribedinNationalWaterResearchInstitute(NWRI)Ultraviolet
DisinfectionGuidelinesforDrinkingWaterandWaterReuse(May2003)and/orapplicablesectionsoftheU.S.
EPADesignManualMunicipalWastewaterDisinfection(EPA/625/186/021).

Refertodesignmanuals(i.e.,U.S.EPAandothers)forEOLLandfoulingfactorsfordesign.

AnalarmsystemneedstobeprovidedtoseparatelyindicatelampfailureandlowUVintensity.AUVintensity
metershouldbeusedforthisapplicationaspartofcontinuousmonitoring.

ConsiderationneedstobemadeforoperationandmaintenancerequirementsoftheUVequipment,especiallythe
UVlamps.Sufficientareaandliftingdevicesneedtobeprovidedtoaccommodatemaintenanceandchangingof
UVlamps.Forsmallersystems,ifautomaticcleaningisnotprovided,theprovisionofacleaningtankexternalto
thechannel(s)withallrequiredneeds(i.e.,potablewaterandelectricalpower)shouldbeprovided.

14.4.4Safety

MostoftherelatedsafetyissuesrevolvearoundelectricalhazardsorexposuretoUVirradiationwhenthelamps
arenotsubmerged.EquipmentshouldbeprovidedwithsafetyinterlocksthatshutdowntheUVbanksormodules
ifmovedoutoftheirpositionortheliquidleveldropsbelowthetoprowoflampsinahorizontalsystemor
exposesthetopportionoftheUVlampsinaverticalsystem.Theverticalsystemmayincludelightshieldsthat
allowasmallportionofthetopsofthelampstobeexposedtoairwithoutbeingahazard.Groundfaultinterruption
circuitryorotherULApprovedelectricalsafetyfeaturesshouldbeprovided.WheneverlowpressureUVlamps
aretobehandled,personnelshouldbeequippedwithfacesafetyshieldsratedtoabsorblightwithwavelengths
rangingfrom200to400nmandallexposedskinshouldbecovered.SafetyshieldsformediumpressureUVlamps
shouldberatedtoabsorblightwithwavelengthsrangingfrom100to900nmandallexposedskinshouldbe
covered.AnarcweldersmaskshouldbeusedwithmediumpressureUVlamps.

14.5Ozonation

Designstandards,operatingdata,andexperienceforthisprocessarenotwellestablished.Therefore,designof
thesesystemsshouldbebaseduponexperienceatsimilarfullscaleinstallationsorthoroughlydocumented
prototypetestingwiththeparticularsewageatsitespecificconditions.

Themainadvantagesofozonationoverchlorinationincludeitscapabilitytoincreasethedissolvedoxygenofthe
effluentandtheabsenceofpotentiallycarcinogenicdisinfectionbyproducts.Also,ozoneiscapableofdestroyinga
widespectrumofvirusesandbacteriaandisnotassusceptibletotheeffectsofammoniaandpHaschlorine.
Problemsassociatedwithtransportationoftoxicchemicalsareeliminatedsinceozonehastobegeneratedonsite.
Themaindisadvantagesofozonationcomparedtochlorinationarehighercapitalcostsandgreateroperational
complexity.Ozonedemandishighforsewageeffluentswithhighironcontentifthetreatmentplantinfluenthasa
largeindustrialcontribution,ozonedisinfectionislesscosteffective.

Designofanozonedisinfectionprocessinvolvessizingtheozonegenerationequipmentandcontactbasinstomeet
thedisinfectionrequirementsovertheanticipatedrangeofoperatingconditions.Thedesignrequirementsfor
ozonationsystemsshouldbebasedonpilottestingorsimilarfullscaleinstallations.

Ozonedosageisdescribedaseithertheapplieddosageortransferreddosage,thetwobeingrelatedbytheozone
transferefficiency.Theappliedozonedosageisafunctionoftheozoneproductionrateandthesewageflowrate.
ThetransferreddosagerequirementisdeterminedbytheapplicableeffluentstandardandtheCODcontentof
sewageeffluenttobedisinfected.Fortertiaryfilterednonnitrifiedsecondaryeffluent,about12to15mg/Lof
transferredozonedosageisusedtoensurethatthemonthlygeometricmeandensityofE.colidoesnotexceed200
organismsper100millilitresintheeffluentdischargefromthesewagetreatmentplant,whileforfilterednitrified
effluent,thedosageusedrangesfrom3to5mg/L.

Thecontacttimerequiredtoachieveaspecifiedeffluentdisinfectionrequirementdependsonsewage
characteristicsandappliedozonedosages.Contacttimesrangingfrom2to10minuteshavebeenreported.

Becauseozoneisatoxicgas,excessozoneshouldberemovedfromthecontactbasinoffgasstreampriorto
venting,recycle,orreuseoftheoffgas.Offgasozonedisposalcouldbeaccomplishedthroughreinjection,
chemicalreduction,dilution,thermaldestruction,catalyticdestruction,and/oractivatedcarbonadsorption.

Chapter15:SupplementalTreatmentProcesses
Thischapterdescribessupplementalsewagetreatmentprocessessuchasthoseusedforphosphoruscontrol,tertiary
orquaternarytreatmentandalternativedisposaloftreatedsewageeffluent.Physical/chemicalphosphorusand
ammoniaremoval,effluentfiltration,microscreening,membranesystems,tertiaryclarifiers,naturalsystems,
persistentorganicsremovalandlandapplicationoftreatedfinaleffluentarepresentedinthischapter.Some
processespresentedinthischaptermaynotbecommon(orapplicableforuse)inOntario,buthavebeenincluded
forcompleteness.CareshouldbetakeninapplyingprocessesthatarenotcommonlyusedinOntario.Asummary
ofthedesigncriteriaforsomeofthesupplementaltreatmentprocessesisprovidedinAppendixV,whichshouldbe
usedinconjunctionwiththedetailsinthischapter.

15.1PhosphorusRemovalByChemicalTreatment

15.1.1General

15.1.1.1Method

Thereductionoftotalphosphorus(TP)concentrationintheeffluentto1mg/L(monthlyaveragebasis)can
consistentlybeachievedbychemicalcoagulationandsedimentationorbybiologicalphosphorusremoval(BPR)
processes,seeSection12.4.8BiologicalNutrientRemoval).TPconcentrationsintheeffluentlowerthan1.0
mg/L,downto0.5mg/L(monthlyaveragebasis),havebeendemonstratedatsomesecondarytreatmentplants
withoutfiltration.

Batchchemicaldosingofseasonalretentionlagoonsystemsbeforedischargemaybeabletoachieve0.5mg/L
effluentTPlevels.

Additionofaluminumsalts,ironsaltsorlime(lesscommon)maybeusedforthechemicalremovalofsoluble
phosphorus.Thephosphorusreactswiththealuminum,ferrous/ferricorcalciumionstoforminsoluble
compounds.Thoseinsolublecompoundsmaybeflocculatedwithorwithouttheadditionofacoagulantaidsuchas
apolyelectrolytetofacilitateseparationbysedimentation,orsedimentationfollowedbyfiltration.

15.1.1.2DesignBasis

Laboratory,pilotorfullscalestudiesofvariouschemicals,feedpointsandtreatmentprocessesarerecommended
forexistingplantfacilitiestodeterminetheachievableperformancelevel,costeffectivedesigncriteria,rangesof
requiredchemicaldosesandchemicaladditionpoints.
Theselectionofatreatmentprocessandchemicaldosageforanewfacilityshouldbebasedonsuchfactorsas
influentsewagecharacteristics,theproposedchemicalandeffluentrequirements.

Systemsshouldbedesignedwithsufficientflexibilitytoallowforseveraloperationaladjustmentsinchemicalfeed
location,dosingratesandalternatechemicalcompounds.

15.1.2ProcessRequirements

15.1.2.1Dosage

Thedesignchemicaldosageshouldbebasedontheamountneededtoreactwiththephosphorusinthesewageto
meettherequiredremovalandtheamountrequiredduetoinefficienciesinmixingordispersion.Excessive
chemicaldosagesshouldbeavoided.

Withsecondarytreatmentplants,thechemicaldosagerequirementsforeitheralumorferricchloridehavebeen
foundtobeleastwhentheadditionofchemicalismadetotheaerationtankeffluent.Dosingtotheaerationtank
influentrequiresasmuchas35percenthigherdosagerates.

Typicaldosingratesofcommercialgradechemicalsneededfortotalphosphorusreductiontothe1.0mg/Llevel
are:

Alum110to225mg/LasAl2(SO4)314H2O
Ferricsalts6to30mg/LasFeand
Lime40to400mg/LasCa(OH)2.

15.1.2.2ChemicalSelection

Thechoiceofaluminumsalts,ironsaltsorlimeshouldbebasedonthesewagecharacteristics,chemical
availabilityandhandling,sludgeprocessinganddisposalmethodsandtheeconomicsofthetotalsystem.

Whenlimeisused,itmaybenecessarytoneutralizetheresultanthigherpHpriortosubsequenttreatmentin
biologicalprocessesorpriortodischargeinthoseflowschemeswherelimetreatmentisthefinalstepinthe
treatmentprocess.Problemsassociatedwithlimeusage,handlingandsludgeproductionanddewateringshouldbe
recognizedandevaluated.

15.1.2.3ChemicalFeedPoints

Selectionofchemicalfeedpointsshouldincludeconsiderationofthechemicalsusedintheprocess,necessary
reactiontimes(3to5minutes)betweenchemicalandpolyelectrolyteadditionsandthesewagetreatmentprocesses
utilized.

Anumberofadditionpointsshouldbemadetoprovideflexibilityandtoimprovephosphorusremoval,reduce
loadingstobiologicalprocessand/orreducechemicalusage.Commonchemicaladditionpointsforsewage
treatmentplants(STP)are:

PrePrecipitationtheadditionofchemicaltothepretreated(i.e.,screenedanddegritted)rawsewageprior
toprimaryclarification.Preprecipitationonitsownmaymeetfinaleffluentphosphorusgoalsandhasthe
advantageofreducingtheorganicloadingtothebiologicalprocessbyincreasingBOD5removalthroughthe
primarytreatmentstage.Theprocesscanbeenhancedbytheadditionofpolymeratlowdosages(e.g.0.5to
1.0mg/L)althoughcareshouldbetakentoensureadequatephosphorusremainsforthebiologicalprocess.
Mixingiscriticalandsupplementalmixingmayberequired
SimultaneousPrecipitationtheadditionofchemicaltothebiologicalprocessisthemostcommonaddition
pointforchemicalprecipitationforphosphorusremoval.Additionisgenerallytotheendoftheaerationtank
priortotheeffluentweiroroutlettomakeuseoftheaerationinthetankformixingthechemicalwiththe
mixedliquorsuspendedsolids(MLSS)
DualPointAdditiontheadditionofchemicaltotwolocationsintheSTP,generallypreandsimultaneous
precipitation(i.e.,tothepretreatedsewageandtothebiologicalprocess).Dualpointadditionallowsfor
enhancedcontrolofthechemicalprecipitationprocessandtheabilitytomeetloweffluenttotalphosphorus
limits.Phosphoruslevelscanpotentiallybereducedto0.3mg/Lthroughtheuseofdualpointadditionover
singlepointadditionofchemicaland
 PostPrecipitationtheadditionofchemicalafterthesecondaryclarifiersbutbeforeatertiarytreatmentstep,
suchasfiltration.PostprecipitationallowsforlowlevelsofTPtobeachieved,withnorisktobiological
processes.Ithasbeendemonstratedthatdrumfilters,sandfiltersorballastedclarifierscantogetherwith
postprecipitationproduce0.1mg/Ltotalphosphorusonamonthlyaveragebasis.

15.1.2.4FlashMixingandFlocculation

Eachchemicalshouldbemixedrapidlyanduniformlywiththesewagestream.Themixingactioninanaeration
tankcanaccomplishadequatemixing.Whereseparatemixingtanksareprovided,theyshouldbeequippedwith
mechanicalmixingdevices.Thedetentionperiodshouldbeatleast30seconds.

Theparticlesizeoftheprecipitateformedbychemicaltreatmentmaybeverysmall.Considerationshouldbegiven
intheprocessdesigntotheadditionofsyntheticpolyelectrolytestoaidsettling.Theflocculationequipmentshould
beadjustableinordertoobtainoptimumflocgrowth,controldepositionofsolidsandpreventflocdestruction.

Flocculationtanksareoftenusedpriortoprimaryclarificationorfornonaeratedbiologicalprocess(e.g.rotating
biologicalcontactorsortrickingfilters)orwhereadequatemixingisnotprovidedbytheprocesses.Flocculation
tanksarealsousedwhenbothacoagulantandpolymerarebeingadded.

15.1.2.5SolidsSeparationandFiltration

Thevelocitythroughpipesorconduitstosedimentationtanksshouldnotexceed0.5m/s(1.5ft/s)inorderto
minimizeflocdestruction.Entranceworkstosedimentationtanksshouldalsobedesignedtominimizeflocshear.

SedimentationtankdesignshouldbeinaccordancewithcriteriaoutlinedinChapter11PrimarySedimentation
andChapter13SecondarySedimentation.Fordesignofthesludgehandlingsystem,specialconsiderationshould
begiventothetypeandvolumeofsludgegeneratedbythephosphorusremovalprocess.

Effluentfiltrationshouldbeconsideredwhereeffluentphosphorusconcentrationsoflessthan0.5mg/Llevelneed
tobeachieved.

15.1.3FeedSystems

15.1.3.1Location

Allliquidchemicalmixingandfeedinstallationsshouldbeinstalledoncorrosionresistantpedestalsandelevated
abovethehighestliquidlevelanticipatedduringemergencyconditions.

Thechemicalfeedequipmentshouldbedesignedtomeetthemaximumdosagerequirementsforthedesign
conditions.

Limefeedequipmentshouldbelocatedsoastominimizethelengthofslurryconduits.Allslurryconduitsshould
beaccessibleforcleaning.

15.1.3.2LiquidChemicalFeedSystem

Liquidchemicalfeedpumpsshouldbeofthepositivedisplacementtypewithvariablefeedrate.Pumpsshouldbe
selectedtofeedthefullrangeofchemicalquantitiesrequiredforthephosphorusmassloadingconditions
anticipatedwiththelargestunitoutofservice.Considerationshouldbegiventosystems,includingpumpsand
piping,thatcanfeedeitheraluminumorironcompoundstoprovideflexibility.

Screensandvalvesshouldbeprovidedonthechemicalfeedpumpsuctionlines.

Anairbreakorantisiphondeviceshouldbeprovidedwherethechemicalsolutionstreamdischargestothe
transportwaterstreamtopreventaninductioneffectresultinginoverfeed.

Thedesignershouldconsiderprovidingflowpacingequipmenttomatchchemicalfeedrateswithsewageflow
rates.

15.1.3.3DryChemicalFeedSystem
Eachdrychemicalfeedershouldbeequippedwithadissolverthatiscapableofprovidingaminimum5minute
retentiontimeatthemaximumfeedrate.

Polyelectrolytefeedinstallationsshouldbeequippedwithtwosolutionvesselsandtransferpipingforsolution
makeupanddailyoperation.

Makeuptanksshouldbeprovidedwithaneductorfunnelorotherappropriatearrangementforwettingthe
polymerduringthepreparationofthestockfeedsolution.Adequatemixingshouldbeprovidedbyalargediameter
lowspeedmixer.

15.1.4StorageFacilities

Storagefacilitiesshouldbesufficienttoensurethatanadequatesupplyofthechemicalisavailableatalltimes.
Storagevolumerequirementswilldependonsizeofshipment,lengthofdeliverytimeandprocessrequirements.
Storageforaminimumsupplyof10daysshouldbeprovided.

Theliquidchemicalstoragetankandtankfillconnectionsshouldbelocatedwithinacontainmentstructurehaving
acapacityexceedingthetotalvolumeofallstoragevessels.Valvesondischargelinesshouldbelocatedadjacentto
thestoragetankandwithinthecontainmentstructure.

Auxiliaryfacilities,includingpumpsandcontrols,withinthecontainmentareashouldbelocatedabovethehighest
anticipatedliquidlevel.Containmentareasshouldbeslopedtoasumpareaandshouldnotcontainfloordrains.

Bagstorageshouldbelocatednearthesolutionmakeuppointtoavoidunnecessarytransportationand
housekeepingproblems.

Platforms,stairsandrailingsshouldbeprovided,asnecessary,toaffordconvenientandsafeaccesstoallfill
connections,storagetanksandmeasuringdevices.

Storagetanksshouldhaveaccessprovidedtofacilitatecleaning.

15.1.5OtherRequirements

Thechemicalfeedequipmentandstoragefacilitiesshouldbeconstructedofmaterialsresistanttothechemicals
normallyusedforphosphorusremoval.

Precautionsshouldbetakentopreventchemicalstoragetanksandfeedlinesfromreachingtemperatureslikelyto
resultinfreezingorchemicalcrystallizationattheconcentrationsemployed.Aheatedenclosureorinsulationmay
berequired.Considerationshouldalsobegiventohumidityanddustcontrolinallchemicalfeedroomareas.

Pipingshouldbeaccessibleandinstalledwithpluggingwyes,teesorcrosseswithremovableplugsatchangesin
directiontofacilitatecleaning.

Abovebottomdrawofffromchemicalstorageorfeedtanksshouldbeprovidedtoavoidwithdrawalofsettled
solidsintothefeedsystem.Abottomdrainshouldalsobeinstalledforperiodicremovalofaccumulatedsettled
solids.Provisionsshouldbemadeinthefilllinestopreventbacksiphonageofchemicaltankcontents.

Thechemicalhandlingfacilitiesshouldmeettheappropriatesafetyandhazardouschemicalhandlingfacilities
requirements(Section20.5OperatorSafety).

Considerationshouldbegiventothetypeandadditionalcapacityofthesludgehandlingfacilitiesneededwhen
chemicalsareaddedatasewagetreatmentplant(STP).

15.2HighRateEffluentFiltration

15.2.1General

GranularmediafiltersmaybeusedasanadvancedtreatmentprocessfortheremovalofresidualTSSandTPfrom
secondaryeffluent.Filtersmaybenecessarywhereeffluentconcentrationsoflessthan15mg/LofTSSand/or0.5
mg/LofTPneedtobeachieved.Apretreatmentprocesssuchaschemicalcoagulationandsedimentationorother
acceptableprocessshouldprecedethegranularmediafilterunitswhereeffluentsuspendedsolidsrequirementsare
lessthan10mg/L.

Withpretreatmentofsecondaryeffluentandconservativefiltrationsystemdesign,effluentqualityof5mg/L
CBOD5,5mg/LTSSand0.1mg/Ltotalphosphoruscanbeachieved.

IfchlorinedisinfectionisusedatanSTP,effluentfiltrationshouldprecedethechlorinecontactchamberto
minimizechlorineusage,toallowmoreeffectivedisinfectionandtominimizetheproductionofchloroorganic
compounds.

Toperiodicallyremoveexcessivebiologicalgrowthsandgreaseaccumulationsfromthefiltermedia,achlorine
applicationpointshouldbeprovidedupstreamofthefiltrationsystem.Chlorinewouldonlybedosedasnecessary
atthislocation.

Influentflowweirsarerecommendedtoavoidflowsplitissuesandnonuniformfoulingoffilters.

Careshouldbegivenindesigningpipesorconduitsaheadoffilterunits,ifapplicable,tominimizeshearingoffloc
particles.Considerationshouldbegivenintheplantdesigntoprovideflowequalizationfacilitiestomoderatefilter
influentqualityandquantity.

15.2.2FilterTypes

Therearevarioustypesofeffluentfiltrationsystemsincluding:single,dualandmixedmediasystemsshallowand
deepbedsystemsupflowanddownflowfiltersgravityandpressuresystemscontinuousanddiscontinuous
operationfiltersclothorfabricmediafiltersmanualandautomaticbackwashfiltersandslowsandfilters.

Pressurefiltersshouldbeprovidedwithreadyandconvenientaccesstothemediaforinspectionandcleaning.
Pressurefiltersshouldnotbeusedwhereabnormalquantitiesofgreaseorsimilarsolidsthatmayresultinfilter
pluggingareexpected.PressurefiltersarelesscommoninOntario,butmightbeconsideredifbuildingspaceis
limited.

Factorstoconsiderwhenchoosingbetweenthedifferentfiltrationsystemsincludethefollowing:

Theeffluentqualityrequirements
Theenergyrequirementsofthesystems(headrequirements)
Themediatypes,sizes,solidscapturecapacitiesandtreatmentefficienciesofthesystems
Thebackwashingsystems,includingtype,backwashrate,backwashvolumeandeffectonsewageworks
and
Theinstalledcapitalandexpectedoperationandmaintenancecosts.

Diskanddrumfiltersprovidealargefilterareainasmallfootprint.Drumfiltershelptopreventparticle
fragmentation.

Continuousbackwashfiltersallowforaconstantflowtobemaintainedandeliminatespikesinfiltration
performancethataregenerallyfoundafterbackwashcycles.

15.2.3FilterMediaSelection

Selectionofappropriatemediatypeandsizewilldependonrequiredeffluentquality,thetypeoftreatment
providedpriortofiltration,thefiltrationrateselectedandfilterconfiguration.Indualormultimediafilters,media
sizeselectionshouldconsidercompatibilityamongmedia.Theselectionandsizingofthemediashouldbebased
ondemonstratedsatisfactoryfieldexperienceundersimilarconditions.Allmediashouldhaveauniformity
coefficientof1.7orless.Theuniformitycoefficient,effectivesize,depthandtypeofmediashouldbesetforthin
thespecifications.

15.2.4FiltrationRates

Filtrationratesatdesignpeakhourlyflows,includingbackwashflows,shouldnotexceed2.1L/(m2min)(3
USgpm/ft2)forshallowbedsinglemediasystemsandshouldnotexceed3.3L/(m2min)(4.8USgpm/ft2)fordeep
bedfilters.Shallowbedsinglemediafiltersgenerallyhave0.6m(2ft)ofmediadepthdeepormultimediafilters
generallyhave1.2to1.8m(4to6ft)ofmediadepth.Ifflowequalizationisprovided,appropriatelylowerpeak
flowsshouldbeusedinordertoavoidoversizingofthefilter.

Themanufacturer'srecommendedmaximumfiltrationrateshouldnotbeexceeded.

Peaksolidsloadingrateshouldnotexceed51mg/(m2.s)[(0.038lb/(ft2hr)]forshallowbedfiltersand83
mg/(m2.s)[(0.061lb/(ft2hr)]fordeepbedfilters.

Totalfilterareashouldbeprovidedintwoormoreunitsandthefiltrationrateshouldbecalculatedonthetotal
availablefilterareawithoneunitoutofservice.

15.2.5Backwash

Airscourormechanicalagitationsystemstoimprovebackwasheffectivenessarerecommended.Thebackwash
rateshouldbeadequatetofluidizeandexpandeachmedialayeraminimumof20percentbasedonthemedia
selected.Backwashratesshouldbeatleast10L/(m2min)(14.7USgpm/ft2)orwhateverrateisnecessaryto
achieveatleast20percentbedexpansion.Thebackwashsystemshouldbecapableofprovidingvariablebackwash
rates.Minimumandmaximumbackwashratesshouldbebasedondemonstratedsatisfactoryfieldexperienceunder
similarconditions.Thedesignshouldprovideforaminimumbackwashperiodof10minutes.

Pumpsforbackwashingfilterunitsshouldbesizedandinterconnectedtoprovidetherequiredbackwashratetoany
filterwiththelargestpumpoutofservice.Filteredwaterfromtheclearwellorchlorinetank,ifavailable,should
beusedasthesourceofbackwashwater.Backwashwatersshouldbereturnedtotheprimarysedimentationtanks
ortotheeffluentendoftheaerationtanks(ifthereisnoprimarysedimentationstage).

Therateofreturnofwastefilterbackwashwatertotreatmentunitsshouldbecontrolledsothattheratedoesnot
exceed15percentofthedesignaveragedailyflowratetothetreatmentunit.Thehydraulicandorganicloadfrom
wastebackwashwatershouldbeconsideredintheoveralldesignoftheSTP.Surgetanksshouldhaveaminimum
capacityoftwobackwashvolumes,althoughadditionalcapacityshouldbeconsideredtoallowforoperational
flexibility.Wherewastebackwashwaterisreturnedfortreatmentbypumping,adequatepumpingcapacityshould
beprovidedwiththelargestunitoutofservice.

Totalbackwashwaterstoragecapacityprovidedinaneffluentclearwellorotherunitshouldequalorexceedthe
volumerequiredfortwocompletebackwashcycles.

15.2.6FilterAppurtenances

Thefiltersshouldbeequippedwithwashwatertroughs,surfacewashorairscouringequipment,meansof
measurementandpositivecontrolofthebackwashrate,equipmentformeasuringfilterheadloss,positivemeansof
shuttingoffflowtoafilterbeingbackwashedandfilterinfluentandeffluentsamplingpoints.Ifautomaticcontrols
areprovided,thereshouldbeamanualoverrideforoperatingequipment,includingeachindividualvalveessential
tothefilteroperation.Theunderdrainsystemshouldbedesignedforuniformdistributionofbackwashwater(and
air,ifprovided)withoutdangerofcloggingfromsolidsinthebackwashwater.Ifairistobeusedforfilter
backwash,separatebackwashblower(s)shouldbeprovided.Thedesignershouldprovideforperiodicchlorination
ofthefilterinfluentorbackwashwatertocontrolslimegrowth.Whenchemicaldisinfectionisnotprovidedatthe
plant,manualdosageofchlorinecompoundsisanoption.

15.2.7AccessandHousing

Eachfilterunitshouldbedesignedandinstalledsothatthereisreadyandconvenientaccesstoallcomponentsand
themediasurfaceforinspectionandmaintenancewithouttakingotherunitsoutofservice.Housingforfilterunits
shouldbeprovided.Thehousingshouldbeconstructedofsuitablecorrosionresistantmaterials.Allcontrolsshould
beenclosedandthestructurehousingfilter,controlsandequipmentshouldbeprovidedwithadequateheatingand
ventilationequipmenttominimizeproblemswithexcesshumidity.

15.3Microscreening

15.3.1General
Microscreeningunitsmaybeusedfollowingabiologicaltreatmentprocessfortheremovalofresidualsuspended
solids.Microscreeningshouldnotbeconsideredasanalternativetogranularmediafilters.Lowefficienciesin
treatingsecondaryeffluentshavebeenreported.Microscreeninghasbeeneffectiveinremovingcoarseand
filamentoustypesofalgaeandothersuspendedsolidsinsomeinstances.Microscreenshavebeenusedinplaceof
clarifierstopolisheffluentfromlowratetricklingfilterswherethesolidsaregenerallylowinconcentrationand
wellflocculated.

Selectionofthisunitprocessshouldbecarefullyevaluatedandthisreviewshouldconsiderfinaleffluent
requirements,theprecedingbiologicaltreatmentprocessandanticipatedconsistencyofthebiologicalprocessto
provideahighqualityeffluent.

15.3.1.1DesignConsiderations

Pilotplanttestingwithexistingsecondaryeffluentisencouraged.Wherepilotstudiessoindicate,apretreatment
processsuchaschemicalcoagulationandsedimentationshouldbeprovided.Careshouldbetakenintheselection
ofpumpingequipmentaheadofmicroscreenstominimizetheshearingofflocparticles.Theprocessdesignshould
includeflowequalizationfacilitiestomoderatemicroscreeninfluentqualityandquantity.

Thefollowingitemsshouldbeconsidered:

Automaticcontrolofthedrummicroscreenrotationalspeedand/orthebackwashrateviaaheadlosscontrol
system
Appropriatemeasurestocontrolbiologicalslimegrowthonthescreen
Aminimumoftwoindependentunitsand
Thehydraulicandorganicloadingfromthewastebackwashwater.

Asupplyofcriticalsparepartsshouldbeprovidedandmaintained.Allunitsandcontrolsshouldbeenclosedina
heatedandventilatedstructurewithadequateworkingspaceformaintenance.

Themicrofabricshouldbeamaterialdemonstratedtobedurablethroughlongtermperformancedata.Theaperture
sizeshouldbeselectedconsideringrequiredremovalefficiencies,normallyrangingfrom20to35microns.Theuse
ofpilotplanttestingforaperturesizeselectionisrecommended.

15.3.2ScreeningRate

Thescreeningrateshouldbeselectedtobecompatiblewithavailablepilotplanttestresultsandselectedscreen
aperturesize,butshouldnotexceed3.4L/(m2min)[0.083USgal/(ft2s)]ofeffectivescreenareabasedonthe
designpeakinstantaneousflowrateappliedtotheunits.Theeffectivescreenareashouldbeconsideredasthe
submergedscreensurfacearealesstheareaofscreenblockedbystructuralsupportsandfasteners.Thescreening
rateshouldbethatappliedtotheunitswithoneunitoutofservice.Thehydraulicdesignshouldprovideaheadloss
throughthescreennogreaterthan76mm(3in)atdesignaveragedailyflowand15.2cm(6in)atnormally
expecteddesignpeakinstantaneousflows.Undernocircumstancesshouldheadlossthroughthescreenexceed610
mm(24in).

15.3.3Backwash

Allwastebackwashwatergeneratedbythemicroscreeningoperationshouldberecycledfortreatment.The
backwashvolumeandpressureshouldbeadequatetoensuremaintenanceoffabriccleanlinessandflowcapacity.
Equipmentforbackwashofatleast1.65L/(ms)[0.133USgal/(fts)]ofscreenlengthand420kPa(60psi),should
beprovided.Backwashwatershouldbesuppliedcontinuouslybymultiplepumps,includingonestandby,and
shouldbeobtainedfrommicroscreenedeffluent.Therateofreturnofwastebackwashwatertotreatmentunits
shouldbecontrolledsuchthattheratedoesnotexceed15percentofthedesignaveragedailyflowratetotheSTP.
Thehydraulicandorganicloadfromwastebackwashwatershouldbeconsideredintheoveralldesignofthe
treatmentplant.Wherewastebackwashisreturnedfortreatmentbypumping,adequatepumpingcapacityshould
beprovidedwiththelargestunitoutofservice.Provisionsshouldbemadeformeasuringbackwashflow.

15.4Membranes

15.4.1General
Membraneseparationprocessessuchasultrafiltrationandmicrofiltrationcaneffectivelyremoveparticulateand
somecolloidalmatter,producingahighlypolishedeffluentstream(i.e.,permeate).Ultrafiltrationcanalsoremove
certaindissolvedsolids,dependingonthemolecularweightcutoff(MWCO)ratingofthemembrane.Membrane
separationisapressuredrivenphysicalfiltrationprocesscapableofcapturingmaterialinthe0.002to0.2micron
rangeorlargerinthecaseofultrafiltrationandthe0.1to2micronrangeorlargerformicrofiltration,dependingon
theMWCOandporesizeratingfortherespectivemembranetypes.Ultrafiltrationprocessesalsohavethe
significantbenefitofdecreasingresidualBOD5,numbersofcysts,bacteriaandviruses,andenhancingthe
performanceofsubsequentdisinfectionprocesses.

15.4.2DesignConsiderations

Thefollowingitemsshouldbeconsideredduringdesignofmembranebasedpolishingprocesses:

Theappliedpressureorvacuumisnormallybelow690kPa(100psi),typicallybetween140to690kPa(20
to100psi)forultrafiltrationand35to210kPa(5to30psi)formicrofiltration
Liquidvelocitiesof0.9to3.0m/s(3to10ft/s)paralleltothesurfaceofthemembrane(i.e.,crossflow
filtration)helpstoscourmembranesurfacesandprovideamorestablefluxthroughthemembrane
Upstreampretreatmentsystemstypicallyprecedeultrafiltrationsystemstoremovecoarsesolidsandto
enhanceruntime
InfluentTSSlevelsbelow15mg/Larepreferredforultrafiltrationunitstoextendruntime
Pilottestingshouldbeusedformembraneselectionandtoprovidesitespecificoperatingdata
Systemredundancyshouldbeprovidedtoallowmembranebackwashingandmembranereplacement
Backwashflowsshouldhaveasurgetanktodissipatethehydraulicandsolidsimpactsondownstream
componentsand
Ultrafiltrationsystemsshouldbedesignedwithaminimuminitialfluxrateof0.73m/d(18USgpd/ft2)anda
minimumfinalfluxrateof0.20m/d(5USgpd/ft2).

15.4.3EquipmentandAppurtenances

Thefollowingappurtenantfeaturesshouldbeconsideredforinclusioninthesystem:

Redundancyforfeed,backwashandwastepumpsshouldbeprovided,consideringthatthelargestunitisout
ofserviceforeachpumpingsystem
Membranesupportsystemsshouldprovideuniformbackingofmembranesanduniformfluxratesoverthe
unitand
Multiplemodularunitsaredesiredfromanoperatingandcostperspective.Adequateredundancyshould
accountforthelargestunitbeingoutofserviceandtheotherunitsoperatingatafluxlevelof50percentof
themembranesusefullife.

15.5HighRateClarification

Ballastedflocculation,alsoknownashighrateclarification,isaphysical/chemicaltreatmentprocessthatuses
continuouslyrecycledmediaandavarietyofadditivestoimprovethesettlingpropertiesofsuspendedsolids
throughimprovedflocbridging.Theobjectiveofthisprocessistoformmicroflocparticleswithaspecificgravity
ofgreaterthan2.Fasterflocformationanddecreasedparticlesettlingtimeallowtreatmentofflowsata
significantlyhigherratethanwithtraditionalsedimentationprocesses.

Ballastedflocculationunitsfunctionthroughtheadditionofacoagulantorpolymerandaballastmaterialsuchas
microsand(amicrocarrierorchemicallyenhancedsludgecanbeused).Whencombinedwithchemicaladdition,
thisballastmaterialcanreducecoagulationsedimentationtime.Ballastedflocculationunitshaveoperatedwith
overflowratesof815to3260L/(m2.min)(20to80USgpm/ft2)whileachievingtotalsuspendedsolidsremovalof
80to95percent.Thecompactsizeofballastedflocculationunitsmakesthemparticularlyattractiveforretrofitand
highrateapplications.Thistechnologyhasbeenappliedbothwithintraditionaltreatmenttrains,asaparallel
treatmenttraininneworexistingsewageworks,andasoverflowtreatmentforpeakwetweatherflow.

Applicationsofballastedflocculationinclude:

Enhancedprimaryclarification
Enhancedsecondaryclarificationfollowingattachedandsuspendedgrowthbiologicalprocessesand
 Combinedseweroverflow(CSO)andsanitaryseweroverflow(SSO)treatment.

Majoradvantagesforbothnewandupgradedtreatmentoperationsinclude:

Thereducedsurfaceareaoftheclarifiersminimizesshortcircuitingandflowpatternscausedbywindand
freezing
Systemsusingballastedflocculationcantreatawiderrangeofflowswithoutreducingremovalefficiencies
and
Ballastedflocculationsystemsreducetheamountofcoagulantusedorimprovesettlingcomparedto
traditionalsystemsforcomparablechemicalusage.

Somedisadvantagesofballastedflocculationsystemsinclude:

Theyrequiremoreoperatorjudgmentandmorecomplexinstrumentationandcontrolsthantraditional
processesand
Pumpsmaybeadverselyaffectedbyballastmaterialrecycle.Lostmicrosandormicrocarriershouldbe
occasionallyreplaced(exceptwheresettledsludgeisrecycledforuseasamicrocarrier/ballast).

15.6AmmoniaRemovalbyPhysical/ChemicalTreatment
Thetwomainphysical/chemicaltreatmentmethodsusedinNorthAmericaforammoniaremovalarebreakpoint
chlorinationandairstripping.ItshouldbenotedthatneithermethodiscommoninOntario.

15.6.1BreakpointChlorination

Thebreakpointchlorinationprocessisbestsuitedforremovingrelativelysmallquantitiesofammonia,lessthan5
mg/Ltotalammonianitrogen(TAN)andinsituationswherelowresidualsofammoniaortotalnitrogenare
required.Inmostapplications,dechlorinationwillberequiredpriortoeffluentdischarge.

Thereactionbetweenammoniaandchlorineoccursrapidlyandnospecialdesignfeaturesarenecessary,exceptto
provideforcompleteuniformmixingofchlorinewiththefinaleffluentanddechlorination.Goodmixingcanbest
beaccomplishedwithinlinemixersorbackmixreactors.Aminimumcontacttimeof10minisrecommended.

Thesizingofthechlorinatorandafeeddeviceisdependentontheammoniaconcentrationtobetreatedaswellas
thedegreeoftreatmentthatthefinaleffluentistoreceive.

Ifinsufficientchlorineisavailabletoreachthebreakpoint,nonitrogenwillbeformedandthechloraminesformed
ultimatelywillrevertbacktoammonia.Provisionsshouldbemadetocontinuouslymonitortheeffluent,following
chlorineaddition,forfreechlorineresidualandtopacethechlorinefeeddevicetomaintainasetpointfree
chlorineresidual.

Exceptforfinaleffluentshavingahighalkalinity,provisionsshouldbemadetofeedanalkalinechemicaltokeep
thepHofthefinaleffluentintheproperrange.Amethodformeasuringandpacingthealkalinechemicalfeed
pumptokeepthepHinthedesiredrangeshouldbeprovided.

15.6.2AirStripping

Airstrippingofammoniaismosteconomicalifitisprecededbylimecoagulationandsettling.Approximately90
percentofthenitrogeninanonnitrifiedtreatedsewageeffluentisintheformofammoniaforwhichtheammonia
strippingprocessmaybesuitable.Theammoniastrippingprocessisnotsuitableifprecededbyanitrifying
biologicalprocess.Mitigationofairqualityimpactsfromsubstancesthatareremovedbyairstrippingneedtobe
considered(Section3.11EmissionsofContaminantstoAir).

Ammoniastrippinginastrippingtowercannotbeoperatedatairtemperatureslessthan0C(32F)becauseof
freezingwithinthetowerunlesstheairispreheated.Thismakestheapplicationofthistechnologydifficultfor
yearroundapplicationinOntario.

Packingusedinammoniastrippingtowersmayinclude10by40mm(0.4to1.6in)woodslats,plasticpipeanda
polypropylenegrid.Nospecificpackingspacinghasbeenestablished.Generally,theindividualsplashshouldbe
spaced40to100mm(1.6to4in)horizontallyand50to100mm(2to4in)vertically.Atighterspacingisusedto
achievehigherlevelsofammoniaremovalandamoreopenspacingisusedwherelowerlevelsofammonia
removalareacceptable.Towersshouldbedesignedforatotalairheadlossoflessthan50to75mm(2to3in)of
waterbecauseofthelargevolumeofairrequired.Packingdepthsof6to7.5m(20to25ft)shouldbeusedto
minimizepowercosts.

Allowablehydraulicloadingisdependentonthetypeandspacingoftheindividualsplashbars.Althoughhydraulic
loadingratesusedinammoniastrippingtowersshouldrangefrom0.7to2.0L/(m2min)[0.02to0.05US
gal/(ft2s)],removalefficiencyissignificantlydecreasedatloadingsinexcessof1.3L/(m2min)[0.03US
gal/(ft2s)].Thehydraulicloadingrateshouldbesuchthatawaterdropletisformedateachindividualsplashbaras
theliquidpassesthroughthetower.

Airrequirementsvaryfrom2,200to3,800L/s(580to1,000USgal/s)foreach1L/s(0.26USgal/s)ofsewage
beingtreatedinthetower.The6to7.5m(20to25ft)oftowerpackingwillnormallyproduceapressuredropof
15to40mm(0.6to1.6in)ofwater.

15.7PersistentOrganicsRemoval

15.7.1General

Persistentorganiccompoundsareconsideredtobepotentiallytoxic,arepersistentintheenvironmentandmay
biomagnifyastheymoveupthefoodchain.Thesechemicalscanbeclassifiedintogroupsincludingpesticides,
pharmaceuticalandpersonalcareproducts(PPCPs)residuals,polyaromatichydrocarbons(PAHs),brominated
diphenylethers(BDEs),industrialchemicalsandbyproductcompounds.

Dependingonthechemicalcharacteristics,thesecompoundswillremainintheliquidstream,bevolatilizedtothe
airorbesorbedtosolidsinthesystem.Itshouldbenoted,however,thatasisthecaseforindustrialtreatment
works,ifthesewagetreatmentplantregularlyreceivesthesecompounds,microorganismswithinthebiological
processmaybebecomeacclimatedandsomebiodegradationofthecompoundsmayoccur.

Currently,removalofpersistentorganicsisnotspecificallydesignedforatmunicipalSTPinOntario.Theimpact
ofanypersistentorganicsubstanceshouldfirstbecharacterizedpriortoconsideringadvancedremoval
technologies.

Persistentorganicsmayberemovedfromtheliquidstreamthroughtheuseofactivatedcarbonorbyusing
membranetechnology(Section15.4Membranes).

Volatilepersistentcompoundsmaybestrippedfromtheliquidphasetothegasphasethroughtheaerationsystem
inthecaseofaerobictreatmentorbyutilizingstrippingequipment.

Chemicaloxidationcanbeusedtodetoxifythepersistentcompounds.Inthisprocess,anoxidizingagent(s)isused
totransformthechemicaltoeitheralesstoxiccompoundoronethatmaybemorebiodegradableusinga
downstreambiologicalprocess.Chemicaloxidationtechnologiesincludetheuseofozone,hydrogenperoxideor
chlorine.Ultraviolet(UV)irradiationhasbeenusedinconjunctionwithchemicaladditivestoacceleratethe
chemicaloxidationprocess(i.e.,advancedoxidation).

15.7.2ActivatedCarbonAdsorption

Intertiarytreatment,theroleofactivatedcarbonistoremovetherelativelysmallquantitiesofrefractoryorganics,
aswellasinorganiccompoundssuchasnitrogen,sulphidesandheavymetals,remaininginanotherwise
welltreatedeffluent.Activatedcarbonmayalsobeusedtoremovesolubleorganicsfollowingphysical/chemical
treatment.

Theselectionofanactivatedcarbonadsorptionprocessshouldbebasedonactualpilottestdataandontheoverall
economyoftheproposedtreatmentscheme,includingthelifecyclecostofthecarboncontactprocessandthecost
ofdisposingorregeneratingthespentcarbon.

Carboncontactvessels,regenerationfurnacesandotherprocessequipmentthatmaybevulnerabletosevere
climaticconditionsshouldbeenclosedinabuilding.Thedesignershouldconsiderusingamodulardesignfor
futureexpansionofthecarboncontactprocess.Allstructuralsheltersshouldhaveadequateheatingandventilation
fortheprotectionofpersonnelandequipment.
Therequiredvolumeforacarboncontactvesselshouldbebaseduponexpectedorganicandhydraulicloading
conditions.Innocaseshouldtheemptybedcontacttimebelessthan15minutesatallexpectedflowconditions.

Wherethesewageeffluentcontains20mg/Lsuspendedsolidsormore,furtherreductionofsuspendedsolidsby
granularfiltrationshouldbeconsideredpriortofeedingactivatedcarboncontactors.Whereagravitydownflow
contactvesseldesignisproposed,themaximumhydraulicloadingshouldbe27L/(m2min)(40USgpm/ft2)forall
flowconditions.

Thecarboncontactprocessdesignshouldprovideflexibilitytooperatethecontactvesselsinparallelorintwo
stageseriesflowregimes.Thecontactvesselinletandeffluentcollectionshouldprovideforuniformflow
distributionthroughoutthebedvolume.

Whereagravitydownflowcontactvesselisproposed,thevesseldesignshouldprovidefor50percentbed
expansionduringthebackwashcycle.Thebackwashsystemshouldprovidearangeofflowfrom8to17
L/(m2min)(12to25USgpm/ft2)ofsurfacearea.Additionally,supplementalsurfacewashat12.8to25.7
L/(m2min)(18.9to37.8USgpm/ft2)shouldbeprovidedtoassistinbackwashingthebed.

15.7.3OxidativeMethods

Oxidativemethodsfortoxicorganicsandcolourdestructionhaveexpandedsignificantlyduetotechnological
advancesindealingwithhazardouswastewaterandgroundwaterremediation.Acceptedtechniquesinclude
chlorinationandhydrogenperoxideadditionaswellaslessconventionaltechniquessuchasUV/ozoneor
UV/hydrogenperoxideoxidationoradvancedoxidationwithUVandcatalysts(e.g.titaniumdioxide).Thesystems
canofferaneffectiveapproachtotoxicorganicandcolordestructionwhileposingnosidestreamtreatmentor
disposalproblems.Cyanides,phenols,aromaticorganicsandvolatileorganicshavebeeneffectivelytreatedusing
suchtechnologies.Oxidativemethodscanbecombinedwithactivatedcarbontocreateahighlyeffectiveand
reliablecontaminantremovalsystem.OptimizationofoxidativemethodsmayalsoinvolvepHadjustment,
recyclingofflowsandextendeddetentiondependingonthecontaminanttoberemoved.

15.7.4SelectiveIonExchange

Ionexchangetechnologyistypicallyutilizedfortheremovalofheavymetalsorionicallychargedorganics.
Numerousnaturalandsyntheticresinsarecommerciallyavailable,typicallyinbeadorgranularform.Ion
exchangeresinscanbeclassifiedaseithercationicoranionic.Thepotentialforresinfoulingmandatesaninfluent
sewagestreamlowinsuspendedsolidsandorganiccontent.Resinscanoftenberegeneratedonsitehowever,
provisionsshouldbemadetodealwiththeregenerationwastestreams.Multipleunitsareessentialforoperation
andduringregenerationperiods.

15.7.5ReverseOsmosisandMembraneFiltration

Reverseosmosis(RO)representsaquaternarytreatmenttechnology,capableofprovidinganexceptionaleffluent
quality,includingtheremovalofdissolvedorganics.Ahighqualityinfluentsewagestreamisessentialtoits
operation.Extensivepretreatmentisrequiredtoremovesuspendedsolids,extremepHvalues,oilandgreaseand
membranedestructivechemicalconstituents.Similartoionexchangemethods,membranescanbecleanedonsite
however,theyoftengeneratesignificantwastestreams(i.e.,concentrate)bothdifficulttotreatandrequiring
significantdetention.Multiplemembranesystemsareessentialforoperation,cleaningandduringmembrane
replacement.

15.8NaturalSystems

Naturalsystemsusenaturalvegetationtotreatorpolishsewage.Naturalsystemsneedtomeetsimilareffluent
qualitycriteriabasedontheassimilativecapacityofthereceiverasothertreatmentsprocesses.Thisgenerally
meanslimitsforCBOD5,TSS,totalphosphorusandoftenTAN.

Thedesignofanysewagetreatmentworksshouldbebasedonthepremisethatfailureofanysinglecomponent
shouldnotpreventtheworksfrommeetingitseffluentqualitycriteriaandconsequentlyshouldhavealevelof
reliabilityandredundancyofitscomponentscommensuratewiththestringencyoftheeffluentqualitycriteria.
Duetothenatureofconstructedwetlandstreatmenttechnology,whichischaracterizedbylimitedprocesscontrol,
thedesignershouldconsiderutilizationofwetlandtreatmentforsiteswhereitisapolishingcomponentofthe
overalltreatmentprocess.

15.8.1ConstructedWetlands

15.8.1.1General

Constructedwetlandsarelandareaswithwaterdepthstypicallylessthan0.6m(24in)thatsupportthegrowthof
emergentplantssuchascattails,bulrushes,reedsandsedges.Thevegetationprovidessurfacefortheattachmentof
bacterialfilms,aidsinthefiltrationandadsorptionofsewageconstituents,transfersoxygenintothewatercolumn
andcontrolsthegrowthofalgaebyrestrictingthepenetrationofsunlight.

Althoughplantuptakeisaconsiderationinnutrientremovalitisonlyoneofmanyactiveremovalmechanismsin
thewetlandenvironment.Removalmechanismshavebeenclassifiedasphysical,chemicalandbiologicalandare
operativeinthewatercolumn,thehumusandsoilcolumnbeneaththegrowingplantsandattheinterfacebetween
thewaterandsoilcolumns.Sincemostofthebiologicaltransformationstakeplaceonornearasurfacetowhich
bacteriaareattached,thepresenceofvegetationandhumusisveryimportant.

15.8.1.2Types

Sewagetreatmentsystemsusingconstructedwetlandshavebeencategorizedaseitherfreewatersurfaceor
subsurfaceflowtypes.FreeWaterSurface(FWS)WetlandsAFWSwetlandsystemconsistsofbasinsorchannels
withanaturalorconstructedsubsurfacebarriertominimizeseepage.Emergentvegetationisgrownandsewageis
treatedasitflowsthroughthevegetationandplantlitter.FWSwetlandsaretypicallylongandnarrowtominimize
shortcircuiting.

SubsurfaceFlow(SSF)WetlandsASSFwetlandsystemconsistsofchannelsorbasinsthatcontaingravelorsand
mediawhichwillsupportthegrowthofemergentvegetation.Thebedofimpermeablematerialisslopedtypically
between0and2percent.Sewageflowshorizontallythroughtherootzoneofthewetlandplantsabout100to150
mm(4to6in)belowthegravelsurface.Treatedeffluentiscollectedinanoutletchannelorpipe.

15.8.1.3SiteEvaluation

Sitecharacteristicsthatshouldbeconsideredinwetlandsystemdesignincludetopography,soilcharacteristics,
existinglanduse,floodhazardandclimate.

TopographyLeveltoslightlysloping,uniformtopographyispreferredforwetlandsitesbecausefreewater
systemsaregenerallydesignedwithlevelbasinsorchannelsandsubsurfaceflowsystemsarenormallydesigned
andconstructedwithslopesofabout1percent.

SoilSiteswithslowlypermeable(i.e.,<0.5cm/h<0.2in/hr)surfacesoilsorsubsurfacelayersaremostdesirable
forwetlandsystemsbecausetheobjectiveistotreatthesewageinthewaterlayerabovethesoilprofile.Therefore,
percolationlossesthroughthesoilprofileshouldbeminimized.

FloodHazardWetlandsitesshouldbelocatedoutsideoffloodplainsorprotectionfromfloodingshouldbe
provided.

ExistingLandUseOpenspaceoragriculturallands,particularlythosenearexistingnaturalwetlands,are
preferredforwetlandsites.Largeareasarerequiredduetoshallowdepthsandlongretentiontimesofthese
systems.

ClimateSincetheprincipaltreatmentprocessesarebiological,treatmentperformanceistemperaturesensitive.
Storagewillberequiredwheretreatmentobjectivescannotbemetduetoseasonallowtemperatures.

15.8.1.4PreapplicationTreatment

Constructedwetlandsewagetreatmentsystemsshouldbedesignedwithpretreatment.Sincenopermanentescape
mechanismexistsforphosphoruswithinthewetland,phosphorusreductionbychemicaladditionisneededbefore
wetlandtreatment.
15.8.1.5VegetationSelectionandManagement

Theplantsmostfrequentlyusedinconstructedwetlandsincludecattails,reeds,rushes,bulrushesandsedges.Allof
theseplantsareubiquitousinOntarioandcantoleratefreezingconditions.Theimportantcharacteristicsofthe
plantsrelatedtodesignaretheoptimumdepthofwaterforFWSsystemsandthedepthofrhizomeandroot
systemsforSSFsystems.

Harvestingofwetlandvegetationisgenerallynotrequired,especiallyforSSFsystems.However,drygrassesin
FWSsystemsareburnedoffperiodicallytomaintainfreeflowconditionsandtopreventchannelingoftheflow.
Removaloftheplantbiomassforthepurposeofnutrientremovalisgenerallynotpractical.

15.8.1.6DesignParameters

DetentiontimeisakeydesignparameteraffectingthemagnitudeofCBOD5removal.Therangeoftypical
detentiontimeis5to10days(forSSFwetlandsbasedonporevolume).

ForFWS,waterdepthsshouldrangefrom0.1to0.5m(4to20in).ThedesigndepthofSSFsystemsiscontrolled
bythedepthofpenetrationoftheplantrhizomesandrootsbecausetheplantssupplyoxygentothewaterthrough
theroot/rhizomesystem.Themediadepthmayrangefrom0.3to0.8m(12to30in).

TheaspectratioforFWSwetlandsisimportanttotheperformancelengthtowidth(L/W)ratiosof4:1to6:1are
neededtoachievegoodperformancesandavoidshortcircuitingofsewagethroughthewetland.Evenforlarge
systems,anaspectratioshouldneverbesmallerthan2:1.

ForSSFwetlandsthebedwidthisdeterminedbythehydraulicflowrate.Thelengthofthebedisdeterminedby
theneededdetentiontimeforpollutantremoval.ThereforeSSFwetlandsmayhaveaspectratioslessthanor
greaterthan1:1dependingonthetreatmentgoal.

Table15.1summarizesthehydraulic,BOD5andTSSloadingratesfororganicsremovalinbothFWSandSSF
systems.

Table151LoadingRatesforConstructedWetlands
MaximumBOD5 MaximumTSSLoading
WetlandType HydraulicLoadingRate
LoadingRate RateatInlet
FreeWaterSurface 150500m3/(had)[16,04053,450 65kg/(had)[58
NotApplicable
System USgal/(acd)] lb/(acd)]
SubsurfaceFlow 65kg/(had)[58 0.08kg/(m2d)[0.02
NotApplicable
System lb/(acd)] lb/(ft2d)]

Fornutrientremoval,thefollowingshouldbeconsideredforeachtypeofwetland:

FreeWaterSurfaceWetlandsDetentiontimesforammonianitrogenremovalneedtobelongerthanthe5to
10daysrequiredfororganicsremoval.Forammoniaortotalnitrogenremoval,bothminimumtemperature
anddetentiontimeareimportant.Detentiontimesforsignificantnitrogenremovalshouldbe8to14daysor
more.Nitrificationwillbereducedwhenwatertemperaturesfallbelow10C(50F)andshouldnotbe
expectedwhenwatertemperaturesfallbelow4C(39F).Plantuptakeofphosphorusisrapidandfollowing
plantdeath,phosphorusmaybequicklyrecycledtothewatercolumnordepositedinthesediments.Theonly
majorsinkforphosphorusinmostwetlandsisinthesoil.Significantphosphorusremovalrequireslong
detentiontimes(15to20days)andlowphosphorusloadingrates[(<0.3kg/(had)][<0.3lb/(acd)]and
SubsurfaceFlowWetlandsBothdetentiontimeandoxygentransfercanlimitnitrificationandsubsequent
nitrogenremovalinSSFwetlands.OxygentransferiscriticaltonitrificationinSSFwetlands.Plantrootscan
transferaportionofthisdemandforoxygeninthesubsurfacehowever,directoxygentransferfromthe
atmospheremayberequiredtoachieveeffectivenitrification.Thedetentiontimeandtemperaturelimitsfor
FWSwetlandsapplytoSSFwetlands.

15.8.1.7VectorControl
FWSsystemsprovideidealbreedinghabitatformosquitoes.Plansforbiologicalcontrolofmosquitoesthroughthe
useofmosquitofishandsparrowsplusapplicationofchemicalcontrolagentsasnecessaryshouldbeincorporated
inthedesign.Thinningofvegetationmayalsobenecessarytoeliminatepocketsofwaterthatareinaccessibleto
fish.

15.8.2AquaticPlantTreatmentSystems

Aquaticplanttreatmentsystemsconsistofoneormoreshallowpondsinwhichoneormorespeciesofwater
tolerantvascularplantssuchaswaterhyacinthsorduckweedaregrown.Theshallowerdepthsandthepresenceof
aquaticmacrophytesintheplaceofalgaearethemajordifferencesbetweenaquatictreatmentsystemsand
stabilizationponds.Inthesesystems,sewageistreatedprincipallybybacterialmetabolismandphysical
sedimentation.Theaquaticplantsthemselvesdonotprovidesignificanttreatmentofthesewage.Theirfunctionis
toprovidecomponentsoftheaquaticenvironmentthatimprovethesewagetreatmentcapabilityand/orreliability
ofthatenvironment.

Theprincipalfloatingaquaticplantsusedinaquatictreatmentsystemsarewaterhyacinth,duckweedand
pennywort.

Theminimumlevelofpreapplicationtreatmentshouldbeprimarytreatment,shortdetentiontimeaeratedpondsor
theequivalent.Treatmentbeyondprimarylevelsdependsontheeffluentrequirements.Useofoxidationpondsor
lagoonsinwhichhighconcentrationsofalgaearegeneratedshouldbeavoidedpriortoaquatictreatment.When
thereareeffluentlimitationsonphosphorus,itshouldberemovedinthepreapplicationtreatmentstepbecause
phosphorusremovalinaquatictreatmentsystemsisminimal.

Thewaterhyacinthsystemsthatarecurrentlyusedtotreatsewagearelocatedinthewarmtemperatureclimates.
Theoptimumwatertemperatureforwaterhyacinthgrowthis21to30C(70to86F).Anairtemperatureof3C
(27F)for12hourswilldestroytheleavesandexposureto5C(23F)for48hourswillkilltheplants.Ifawater
hyacinthsystemweretobeusedinacolderclimate,itwouldbenecessarytohousethesysteminagreenhouseand
maintainthetemperatureintheoptimumrange.Duckweedismorecoldtolerantthanwaterhyacinthsandcanbe
grownpracticallyattemperaturesaslowas7C(45F).

Overall,thesesystemsarenotgenerallyapplicableforuseinOntariootherthaninagreenhouseenvironmentand
arenotdiscussedinanyadditionaldetails.

15.9LandApplicationofTreatedEffluent

Landapplicationoftreatedeffluentisamethodofdisposingofthefinaleffluentwithoutdirectdischargetosurface
waters.TheminimumleveloftreatmentrequiredfordirectsurfacedischargesinOntarioissecondarytreatment.
Landapplicationisadisposalalternativethatcanbeusedwhenthereisinsufficientassimilativecapacityinnearby
watercoursesorwheredownstreamwateruseswillprecludedirecteffluentdischarges.Otherdisposalmethods,
suchassubsurfacedisposalviatilefieldsorpipelineconveyancetomoreacceptablereceivingstreams,shouldalso
beconsideredasalternativestolandapplicationofeffluent.

Landapplicationoftreatedeffluenttakesadvantageofthesoilandvegetationcapacitiestorenovateeffluentbythe
combinedprocessesoffiltration,adsorption,chemicalprecipitation,ionexchange,biochemicaltransformation
and/orbiologicalabsorption.Thereareanumberoflandapplicationtechniques,includingsprayirrigation,rapid
infiltrationbasins,ridgeandfurrowsystemsandoverlandrunoffsystems.Sprayirrigationhasbeenthemost
widelyusedmethodoflandapplicationinOntario.

Forsuccessfuloperation,aneffluentirrigationsystemwillrequire:

Suitablesoils
Suitabletopographyandhydrologicalconditions
Adequatesiteareaatreasonablecost
Suitablesiteisolationfromconflictinglanduses
Suitableclimate
Effectivesitepreparation
Propercropselection
Goodmanagement
Adequatesewagetreatmentpriortoirrigationand
Adequateeffluentholdingcapacityfornonirrigationperiods.
15.9.1Soils

Asoilsreportshouldbepreparedbeforethedesignofthelandapplicationsystem.Thisreportshouldnotonly
demonstratethesuitabilityofthesoilsforsewagelagoonsconstructionwhichisnormallyrequiredwithland
applicationsystems,butalsotheacceptabilityoftheinfiltrationcapacityandpermeabilityofthesoilto
accommodatetheproposedfinaleffluentapplicationrates.

Theinfiltrationcapacityreferstotherateatwhichwatercanenterthesoil.Iftheapplicationrateexceedsthis
capacity,surfaceponding,runoffanderosionwilloccur,leadingtodeteriorationinsoilstructureandafurther
decreaseininfiltrationcapacity.Thiseffectisparticularlyimportantwithsoilscontainingsiltandclay.

Permeabilityreferstotheabilityofthesoiltoallowwatertomovethroughthesoil.Permeabilitywillgenerally
varywithdepth,withthesurfacesoilsgenerallybeingmorepermeablethansubsoil.Soilstestingshould,therefore,
determinethelimitingpermeabilityofthesoilsattheproposedapplicationsite.

Otherfactorsthatthesoilsreportshouldestablisharethesoiltypeanddrainagecharacteristics,thesoilstrataand
theexpecteddepthtothewatertableduringtheirrigationseason.

15.9.2TopographicalandHydrologicalConditions

Acontourplan,showingcontoursnotexceeding0.5m(2ft)intervals,shouldbepreparedforthetreatmentand
irrigationareas.Thepresentandfuturedirectionsofsurfacedrainageandgroundwatermovementfromthespray
irrigationsiteshouldbedeterminedandshownonthetopographicalplan.Irrigationinareasclosetowatercourses
mayhavetobeexcludeddependingupontherunoffcoefficientforthesiteandthedistancefromthewatercourse.
Designersofsewageeffluentirrigationsystemsneedtodemonstratethattheenvironmentalimpactsthatwillbe
causedbythesystemarecompatiblewithexistingandpotentiallanduse.TheministryGuidelineB7,
IncorporationoftheReasonableUseConceptintoGroundwaterManagementprovidestheframeworkfor
determiningacceptableoffpropertyimpactsongroundwaterresources.Formoredetailedinformationon
applicationoftheGuidelineB7,thedesignershouldrefertoSection22.5AssessmentofImpactonWater
Resources.

Sprayirrigationsitesshouldbeasflataspossibletofacilitateagriculturalactivitiesandtominimizerunoff.Slopes
oncultivatedfieldsshouldbelimitedto4percent.Ongrassland,slopesof3percentmaybeacceptable.Steeper
slopesonforestedlandmaybeacceptable,dependingupontheperiodofsprayirrigation.Depressionsorruts
withinsprayareasshouldbefilledoravoidedtopreventstagnationorchannelizationoftheeffluent.

Considerationshouldbegiventotheneedforemergencydischargesofeffluentfromthetreatmentfacilities.The
methodbywhichsuchdischargescouldtakeplaceandtheroutesuchdischargeswouldfollowtoawatercourse
shouldbedefined.

Thedepthtothewatertableintheirrigationareashouldbeatleast2m(6ft),unlessthesiteisunderdrained,in
whichcaseadraindepthof1m(3ft)issatisfactory.

Soilpermeabilityinthemoderatetorapidclass(104to102cm/s)(40x106to40x104in/s)isgenerally
consideredidealforsprayirrigationsystems.Thesprayareashouldbedesignedinsuchawaythatsurfacerunoff
doesnotenterorleavethesprayarea.

15.9.3SiteAreaRequirements

Variousfactorsinfluencethesizerequirementsfortheirrigationarea,includingthefollowing:

Lengthofirrigationseason
Volumeofeffluenttobeappliedand
Acceptableaverageapplicationrateovertheirrigationseason.

Forinfiltrationpercolationsystems,thefrostfreeperiodistherecommendedlimitforthelengthoftheirrigation
seasonwhenthelandisnotunderdrained.Whenthelandisunderdrained,themeanannualgrowingseasonisthe
recommendedlimitforthelengthoftheirrigationseasonforinfiltrationpercolationandoverlandrunoffsystems.
Forirrigationsystemsrelyingprimarilyuponevapotranspiration(minimuminfiltrationandrunoff),thelimitofthe
irrigationseasonwillbethefrostfreeperiod.
InOntario,themeanfrostfreeperiodrangesfromahighof172daysintheclimaticRegionofLeamingtonto75
daysintheclimaticRegionofPatricia.Forthesameregions,thegrowingseasonsare221and131days,
respectively.

Theamountoffinaleffluentwhichmaybeappliedbysprayirrigationoveraseasonwilldependuponthe
infiltration/permeabilityofthesoilandthecropwaterdeficit.Thecropwaterdeficitisthesumofthepotential
evapotranspirationandthesoilmoistureholdingcapacityminustheMaytoSeptemberprecipitation.Thecrop
waterdeficitisverysmallandusuallyamountstoonlyafewcentimetresofliquidperyear.

Regardlessofthelengthofthefrostfreeperiodandthecalculatedaverageseasonaleffluentapplicationrate,the
sprayirrigationsiteareacannotbebaseduponasprayseasoninexcessof100daysnoruponanaverageeffluent
applicationrateinexcessof55,000L/(had)[5,900USgal/(acd)].

15.9.4SiteBufferZones

Fromtheoutsidelimitsofsewagelagoonstodwellings,anisolationdistanceofatleast100m(330ft)shouldbe
provided.Forlargerlagoonfacilities,distancesupto400m(1300ft)mayberequiredtominimizeodourproblems.

Intheabsenceofdetailedassessments,thedistancefromspraynozzlestothepropertylimitshouldbe150m(490
ft).Sprayingispossibleatcloserdistancesfromthepropertylimitprovidedthatlowpressure,lowangle,closely
spacedsprinklersareusedtominimizetheformationofaerosols.Inaddition,theriskassociatedwithaerosolscan
beminimizedbyprovidingafenceortreescreenaroundthesiteperimeterandbyterminatingsprayingoperations
whenwindspeedsexceedthatofagentlebreezeof15km/hr(9.3mi/hr).Effluentdisinfectionshouldalsobe
consideredinadditiontotheabovemeasures.

Lagoonandirrigationareasshouldbeenclosedwithsuitablefencingtoexcludelivestockandtodiscourage
trespassing.Vehicleaccessgatesshouldbeprovidedwherenecessarytoaccommodatemaintenanceandsupply
vehiclesandagriculturalequipment.Allaccessgatesshouldbelocked.Theperimeterfencesandgatesshouldbe
providedwithappropriatesignsdesignatingthenatureofthefacilityandprohibitingtrespassing.

15.9.5PilotTesting

Onsitepilottestingisrecommendedtodeterminethefeasibilityoflandapplicationoftreatedeffluentandto
providedesigndataonapplicationratesandquantities.

15.9.6TreatmentRequirements

Treatedeffluentcannotbeirrigatedoncropsusedfordirecthumanconsumption.Landwhichhasbeenpreviously
irrigatedwithsecondaryeffluent,orequivalent,canbeusedforsuchcrops,providedthataperiodofatleast6
monthshaselapsedsincethelasteffluentapplication.Withcropsusedforanimalconsumption,landapplicationof
sewagetreatmentlagooneffluentornormallydisinfected(chlorinationat0.5mg/Lresidualand30minutecontact
time)secondaryeffluentfromothertreatmentprocessesmaybeused.

Fordairycattlepastures,thesewageshouldhavereceivedtheequivalentofsecondarytreatmentplusdisinfection
tothebacteriologicalcriteriaforswimmingandbathinguseofwater(geometricmeandensitiesoflessthan100E.
coliper100mL).TreatmentprovidedbyafacultativelagoonisdesignedtothecriteriaoutlinedinSection12.3.1.1
FacultativeLagoonsforseasonaldischarges.Atleast30daysretentiontimesincethelastadditionofrawsewage
priortosprayingisconsideredequivalenttosecondarytreatmentandmayachievetheabovementioned
bacteriologicalcriteriawithoutdisinfectionbeingrequired.

Forpasture,silage,haylage,orchards,andotherfoodcrops,theeffluentshouldbenormallydisinfected
(chlorinationto0.5mg/Lresidualand30minutescontacttime).Fororchards,nonsprayapplicationmethods
shouldbeused,(e.g.ridgeandfurroworgatedpipe).Inallcases,thecropshouldbeallowedtodrybefore
harvestingorpasturing.

Inalloftheabovecases,ifthelandisnottobeusedforatleastonehalfyearafterspraying,disinfectionwillnot
benecessary.

Withrecreationallandssuchasgolfcourses,thetreatmentrequirementissecondarybiologicalactivatedsludge
treatmentorequivalent,withtheresultingeffluentbeingdischargedtothefirstoftwopondsconnectedinseries,
eachwitharetentionperiodofnotlessthan30days.Theeffluenttobesprayedshouldbedisinfected(chlorination
at0.5mg/Lresidualand30minutecontacttimeorequivalent).

15.9.7CropSelection

Onarableland,perennialgrasses(Bromeorchard,ReedCanaryandTimothy)aremostsuitableforsprayirrigation
disposalsitesastheyhavefibrousrootsystems,aresodforming,whichaidsinerosioncontrol,providesforhigh
infiltrationrates,havealongperiodofgrowthandhaveahighuptakeofnutrients.Theorderofpreferenceforuse
ofthesegrassesondisposalsitesisprovidedinTable152.

Table152PreferenceforGrassesUsedatdisposalSites
Order Name Comments
Toleratesexcessivemoistureandishighlyproductiveforlongtermhayorpastureonpoorly
Reed
1 drainedsoilsorareassubjecttoprolongedperiodsoffloodinglesspalatablethanothergrasses
Canary
moreacceptabletolivestockwhenstoredassilageorhaylageratherthandryhay.
2 Timothy Welladaptedtoheaviersoiltypesandvariablydrainedsoils.
Highestdigestibilityofgrasseswhencutattheheadsemergedstagesuperiorforearly
3 Brome
pasturegoodgrowthinfall.
Requireswelldrainedsitestoavoidwinterkillgrowsbackimmediatelyaftercuttingor
4 Orchard
grazing.

Forestsandbrushlandshouldalsobeconsideredforeffluentdisposalasthelandvalueisrelativelylowcompared
tocultivatedareas.

15.9.8MoistureRequirementsandEffluentApplicationAmounts

ThemoisturerequirementsforperennialgrassesgrowninvarioussoiltypesareshownintheTable153.The
applicationamountshouldbeappliedoveraonedayperiodandshouldnotberepeateduntilthenumberofdays
specifiedintheperiodbetweenirrigationapplicationshaspassed.Thecycleisthenrepeatedthroughoutthe
irrigationseason.

TheapplicationamountisthequantitywhichshouldbeneededtomaintainthesoilatFieldCapacity.Any
combinationofrainfalloreffluentquantitiesabovethisamountwillpercolatethroughthesoiltothewatertable.If
thesumoftheeffluentapplicationandrainfallisequaltoorlessthantheapplicationamount,maximumplant
utilizationoftheeffluentnutrientsandminimuminfiltrationtothegroundwatershouldoccur.

Theeffluentapplicationamountsforinfiltrationandevapotranspirationsprayirrigationsystemsshouldbeas
follows:

Thehourlyeffluentapplicationrateshouldbelessthanthesurfaceinfiltrationratemeasuredincm/hr(in/hr).
hedailyeffluentapplicationrateplustheweeklyrainfallonanareaofthesprayfieldthatisirrigatedoneday
perweekmeasuredincm/d(in/hr)shouldbelessthanthepermeabilityofthemostimpermeablesoilsub
horizonmeasuredincm/wk(in/wk).

Table153MoistureRequirementsforPerennialGrasses1
Application PeriodBetweenIrrigation RecommendedApplication
Soil
Amount(cm)[in] Applications(days) Rate(cm/hr)[in/hr]
WellDrainedSands 3.3[1.3] 5 0.61.9[0.240.75]
LoamySands 4.3[1.7] 6 0.61.3[0.240.51]
LightColoured
LoamsandSandy
5.1[2.0] 7 0.61.3[0.240.51]
LoamsandGood
Drainage
DarkColoured
LoamsandSandy
6.9[2.7] 10 0.61.3[0.240.51]
LoamswithFairto
PoorDrainage
 Application PeriodBetweenIrrigation RecommendedApplication
Soil
Amount(cm)[in] Applications(days) Rate(cm/hr)[in/hr]
ClayLoams 6.1[2.4] 9 0.41.0[0.160.39]

ThisinformationisfromIrrigationPracticesforOntario,OMAFAGDEX560/753.

15.9.9SprayIrrigationSystemDesign

Sprayirrigationareasshouldbedividedintosectionssuchthatsprayingcanbecarriedoutonarotationbasiswith
themosteffectiveusebeingmadeofthesprayareaandequipment.

Irrigationpipinginthesprayareasshouldallowforflexibleoperation,includingselectionofsprayareasand
isolationofpipingsections.Althoughstationarypipingsystemsmaybeusedforsmallsystems,travelingsprinklers
mayalsobeconsideredprovidedthetopographyissuitable.Stationarypipingsystemsshouldbedesignedto
permitdrainagetopreventfreezingdamage.Valves,sprinklerheadsandpipelinesshouldbecolourcodedand
designatedascarryingtreatedsewagetopreventcrossconnectionsandimproperuse.

Sprinklersshouldbeprovidedinsuchapatternthatfullfieldcoverageisachieved.Someoverlappingofthespray
patternswillbenecessarytoensuretotalcoverage.Nonirrigatedareaswouldresultinexcessiveweedgrowths
withlowercropvaluesinthedrierareas.

Aflowmetershouldbeprovidedtopermitmeasurementoftheapplicationratesandamounts.Apressuregauge
shouldalsobeprovidedtomonitorlineandsprinklerheadlosses.

15.9.10SiteControl

Thedesignerofirrigationsystemsshouldbeabletodemonstratethattheirrigationlandswillbeavailablewhen
neededtodisposeofeffluent.Thiswillnormallymeanthatthelandsshouldbeownedbytheproponent.

Nonownershipoftheirrigationlandsmaybeconsideredprovidedthatthelandsareleasedoveralongenough
termandwithrenewalclausestoensurethatalternatedisposaloptionscouldbedeveloped,iffoundnecessary.The
termsoftheleaseshouldalsogranttheownerofthesewagetreatmentsystemtherighttoirrigateevenifsuch
actionmaydestroyordamagethecropsbeinggrown.Thislatterprovisionwillbenecessarytoensurethatthe
satisfactorydisposalofeffluentwilltakepriorityoveranycroppingactivitieswhenandif,foundnecessary.The
leaseshouldincludetermstocompensatethelandownerforcropdamageorlossinsucheventualities.

Sludgestabilization
Chapter16:SludgeStabilization
Thischapterdescribestreatmentofwastesolids(sludgeandbiosolids)fromsewagetreatmentplants,including
informationonsludgequantityandconcentration,biologicalanaerobicandaerobicstabilizationandstorage.
Alkalinestabilization,thermaldrying,solardrying,compostingandincineration,arealsodiscussed.Enhanced
biosolidsprocessingisusedtoprovideeitherincreasedstabilization,especiallyforpathogenreduction,forreuseor
landapplication,ormaximumvolumereductionbyincinerationanddiversionawayfromlandapplication.

Thetreatmentofsewageresultsintheproductionofsolidscommonlyreferredtoassludge.Sludgethathas
undergonedewateringortreatmentisgenerallyreferredtoastreatedsludge.Whenthetreatedsludgeissuitablefor
landapplication,itisreferredtoasbiosolids.

Asummaryofdesignloadingandsludgequantitydataforconventionalsludgestabilizationprocessesisprovided
inAppendixV,whichshouldbeusedinconjunctionwiththedetailsinthischapter.

16.1General
Sludgestabilizationisgenerallyachievedbydigestionandtheseguidelinesdealwithtwotypesofsludgedigestion
processesthatarecommonlyusedinOntarioanaerobicandaerobic.Alkalinestabilizationisdiscussed,although
itisnotinbroaduseinOntarioatthistime.However,proprietaryalkalinestabilizationsystemsareavailableand
usedinOntario.

Anaerobicmesophilicdigestionisthemostcommonlyusedprocessforthedigestionofprimaryandmixturesof
primaryandwastesecondarytreatmentsludges(e.g.wasteactivatedsludge),particularlyatlargerplants.In
anaerobicdigestionsystems,methaneandotherhazardousgasesarecreated.Accesstoanyenclosedspacesand
ventilationofthesespacesshouldfollowallrequiredsafetycodes.ItisessentialtoreviewtheCanadianGas
Association(2005)CodeforDigesterGasandLandfillGasInstallation,CAN/CGAB105M93,1993andthe
NationalFireProtectionAssociations(2003)FireProtectioninWastewaterTreatmentandCollectionFacilities,
USNFPA820.Thelatesteditionsofthesecodesshouldbeappliedindesigningdigestionsystems,astheyprovide
comprehensivedetailsconcerninggashandlingandsafety.

AerobicdigestionhasnormallybeenusedinOntarioforthestabilizationofwasteactivatedsludgesfromsewage
treatmentplantswhichdonothaveprimarysedimentationtanks.Aerobicdigestionismostcommonatsmaller
plants.Althoughtherearesomeaerobicsystemstreatingmixturesofraw,primaryandwasteactivatedsludges,due
tothehigheroxygenrequirementsandassociatedhigherenergycosts,itisrecommendedthattheaerobicdigestion
processgenerallynotbeusedforsuchsludgesinnewplants.Autothermalaerobicdigestionsystems(ATAD)that
operateatthermophilicconditionhavebeenconstructedinOntarioandelsewhere.

Facilitiesforprocessingsludgeshouldbeprovidedatallsewagetreatmentplants,unlessfacilitiesareavailableand
canbeusedatanotherfacility,inwhichcaseonlystoragemaybeneeded.Handlingequipmentshouldbecapable
ofprocessingsludgetoaformsuitableforultimatedisposalunlessprovisionsacceptabletotheministryaremade
forprocessingthesludgeatanalternatelocation.

Designersarecautionedtogivethoroughconsiderationtowhattypeofdigestionwillbestsuitaparticularsewage
treatmentplant(STP)andwhattypeofoverallsystem,includingplanttypeanddigestiontypewillproducethe
desiredresultseconomically.Aprocesscontrolnarrative(includinglevelofautomation)shouldbedevelopedand
agreedonbyallparties(owner,operatorandconsultant)duringthepredesignstage.

Incertainplants,separateprocessingofthewasteactivatedsludge(WAS)inaerobicdigestersandprimarysludge
inanaerobicdigestersmaybeeconomicallyjustifiable,butthisisnotcommoninOntarioorelsewhere.

Sludgehandling,digestionanddisposalrepresentalargeportionoftheoverallsewagetreatmentoperationand
mayimpactotherunitprocessesattheSTP.Nooneunitoperationcanbeconsideredinisolationfromtheother
plantcomponents.Ifsludgeunitprocessesnotdescribedinthischapterarebeingconsideredorarenecessaryto
meetprovincialorfederalsludgedisposalrequirements,detailsoftheprocessneedtobeevaluatedandincludedin
thedesignbrief.

TheGeneralRegulation(O.Reg.267/03)madeundertheNutrientManagementActshouldbereferredtofor
criteriaforlandapplicationofbiosolids,e.g.seasonalstoragerequirement.ForSTPwhicharenotphasedinunder
theNutrientManagementAct,requirementsaresetoutintheCertificateofApproval(CofA),basedontheMOE
andtheMinistryofAgriculture,FoodandRuralAffairs'GuidelinesfortheUtilizationofBiosolidsandOther
WastesonAgriculturalLand,1996.

16.1.1SludgeQuantitiesandCharacteristics

AnoverallSTPmassbalanceshouldbeprovidedtoaccountforsludgeproductionfromeachtreatmentunit
process,includingtheliquidandsolidstrainsandtheinfluenceofrecyclestreams.Steadystateordynamic
simulationmodelscanbeusedtoassistthedesignerwithaccuratelyestimatingaplantwidesolidsandnutrients
massbalance.Atminimumthetotalandvolatilesolidsloadingratetothesludgeprocessingunitsshouldbe
estimated.

Whereverpossible,suchasinthecaseofplantexpansions,actualsludgequantitydatashouldbeconsideredfor
digesterorothersludgetreatmentprocessdesign.Often,duetoerrorsintroducedbypoorsamplingtechniques,
inaccurateflowmeasurementsorunmeasuredsludgeflowstreams,thesludgedatafromexistingplantsmaybe
unsuitableforuseindesign.Agoodcheckofthedataistoconductasludgeaccountabilityanalysisbasedonthe
primaryorraw,biologicalandchemicalsludgeexpectedforaplant.Thequantityofprimaryorrawsludge
generatedcanbebasedonfielddatafromasimilaroractualinstallationtakingintoaccountremovalrates.The
biologicalsludgeproductioncanbecalculatedusingthecurrentBOD5loadingandtypicalunitsludgevalues.Unit
biologicalsludgevaluesvaryfrom0.70kgTSS/kgBOD5(0.70lbTSS/lbBOD5)removedforactivatedsludge
plantswithprimaryclarifiersto0.85kgTSS/kgBOD5foractivatedsludgeplantswithoutprimaryclarifiers.The
amountofchemicalsludgeiscalculatedfromthestoichiometry.Detailsforthismethodareavailableinministry
publicationTheOntarioCompositeCorrectionProgramManualforOptimizationofSewageTreatmentPlants
(1996).

Beforesludgedataareusedfordesign,theyshouldbeassessedfortheiraccuracy.Whenreliabledataarenot
available,thesludgegenerationratesandcharacteristicsgiveninTable161maybeusedtoinitiatetheestimation
ofsludgequantity.However,acomprehensiveplantmassbalanceisrecommendedandshouldbeprovided.

ThedesignershouldrefertoChapter17SludgeThickeningandDewateringformethodsforsludgethickening
anddewateringthatmaybeapplicabletodigestionpractices.Mechanicalthickeningpriortodigestioncanreduce
digesterhydraulicloadingandthusincreasedigesterhydraulicandsolidsretentiontimeandreduceheating
requirements.Mechanicalthickeningcanalsoreducedigestersupernatantreturnloadstotheliquidtrainofthe
STP.

Inadditiontosludgethickeningpriortodigestion,whereverpossible,separateremovalofgrit,oilsandgreasesand
otherdebrissuchasragsisrecommendedtoprevententryintothedigestionprocess.

PretreatmentofWASorthickenedWASbyaprocessthatinducescelllysiscouldbeconsidered,toincreaseVS
destructionandgasgenerationintheanaerobicdigestionsystem.

16.1.2ProcessSelection

Theselectionofsludgehandlingandtreatmentprocessesshouldbebaseduponatleastthefollowing
considerations:

Enduseofsludgeorbiosolids
Plantsizeandeconomyofscale
Sludgecharacteristics(e.g.qualityandproportionofvarioustypesofsolids)
Odourcontrol
Locallanduse
Systemenergyrequirements

Table161TypicalSludgeGenerationRatesandCharacteristics1
PrimarySedimentationwithAnaerobicDigestion
Liquid
Sludge2 Solids Solids
Volatile DrySolids:g/m3 DrySolids:
UnitProcess L/m3 Concentration: Concentration:
Solids (lb/1000ft3)3 g/(capd)
(USgal/ Range(%) Average(%)
1000ft3)
Undigested(No
2.0(15) 3.56 5.0 65 120(7.5) 55
PRemoval)
Undigested
(WithP 3.2(24) 3.57 4.5 65 170(10.6) 77
Removal)
Digested(NoP
1.1(8.2) 58 6.0 50 75(4.7) 34
Removal)
Digested(With
1.6(12) 58 6.0 50 110(6.9) 50
PRemoval)
Table161TypicalSludgeGenerationRatesandCharacteristics1
PrimarySedimentationandConventionalActivatedSludgewithAnaerobicDigestion4
Liquid
Sludge2 Solids Solids
3 Volatile DrySolids:g/m3 DrySolids:
UnitProcess L/m Concentration: Concentration:
Solids (lb/1000ft3)3 g/(capd)
(USgal/ Range(%) Average(%)
1000ft3)
Undigested(No
4.0(30) 27 4.5 65 160(10.0) 82
PRemoval)
Undigested
(WithP 5.0(37) 26.5 4.0 60 220(13.7) 100
Removal)
Digested(NoP
2.0(15) 26 5.0 50 115(7.2) 52
Removal)
Digested(With
3.5(26) 26 4.0 45 150(9.4) 68
PRemoval)
Table161TypicalSludgeGenerationRatesandCharacteristics1
ContactStabilizationAndHighRateActivatedSludgeWithAerobicDigestion5
Liquid
Sludge2 Solids Solids
3 Volatile DrySolids:g/m3 DrySolids:
UnitProcess L/m Concentration: Concentration:
Solids (lb/1000ft3)3 g/(capd)
(USgal/ Range(%) Average(%)
1000ft3)
Undigested(No
15.5(116) 0.42.8 1.1 70 170(10.6) 77
PRemoval)
Undigested
(WithP 19.1(143) 0.42.8 1.1 60 210(13.1) 95
Removal)
Digested(NoP
6.1(46) 13 1.9 70 115(7.2) 52
Removal)
Digested(With
8.1(61) 13 1.9 60 155(9.7) 70
PRemoval)
Table161TypicalSludgeGenerationRatesandCharacteristics1
ExtendedAerationWithAeratedSludgeHoldingTank
Liquid
Sludge2 Solids Solids DrySolids: Dry
Volatile
UnitProcess L/m 3 Concentration: Concentration: g/m3(lb/1000 Solids:
Solids
(USgal/ Range(%) Average(%) ft3)3 g/(capd)
1000ft3)
UndigestedWaste
Activated(NoP 10.0(75) 0.41.9 0.9 70 90(5.6) 41
Removal)
UndigestedWaste
Activated(WithP 13.3(99) 0.41.9 0.9 60 120(7.5) 55
Removal)
SludgeHoldingTank
4.0(30) 0.44.5 2.0 70 80(5.0) 36
(NoPRemoval)
SludgeHoldingTank
5.5(41) 0.44.5 2.0 60 110(6.9) 50
(WithPRemoval)

TheabovevaluesarebasedonrawsewagewithBOD5=150200mg/L,SolubleBOD5=50%ofBOD5,TSS=
150200mg/L,TP=68mg/L,TKN=3040mg/L,TAN=2025mg/L.

(L/m3)denoteslitresofliquidsludgepercubicmetreoftreatedsewage.

(g/m3)denotesgramsofdrysolidspercubicmetreoftreatedsewage.

Typicalprimarysludgeconcentrationwilltendinthelowendoftherangelistedwithcothickeningofwaste
activatedsludge.
Wasteactivatedsludgemassrateisapproximatedbytheaerationtankvolume(V)andthetargetSRT.The
volumetricwasteactivatedsludgerate(W)isgovernedbytheSRTandtheratiooftheMLSSconcentrationand
therecycleconcentration(XR)[(W=VXm/XRSRT)].

Costeffectivenessofsludgethickeninganddewatering
Equipmentcomplexityandstaffingrequirements
Adverseeffectsofheavymetalsandothersludgecomponentsupontheunitprocesses
Sludgedigestionorstabilizationrequirements,includingappropriatepathogenandvectorattraction
reduction
Sidestreamorreturnflowtreatmentrequirements(e.g.supernatantfromdigestionorsludgestoragefacilities,
dewateringunitfiltrate,wetairoxidationreturnflows)
Sludgestoragerequirements
Methodsofultimatedisposalorutilizationand
Backuptechniquesofsludgehandlinganddisposal.

16.2AnaerobicSludgeDigestion

16.2.1General

Anaerobicdigestionmaybeprovidedusingmesophilic(35Cor95oF)orthermophilic(55Cor131oF)
temperatures.Activedigestionresultsinvolatilesolidsreductionandgasproduction.Thebasisofdesignshouldbe
supportedbysewageanalysestodeterminethepresenceofundesirablematerials,suchashighconcentrationsof
sulphatesandinhibitoryconcentrationsofheavymetals.

16.2.2MesophilicAnaerobicDigestion

TwostagemesophilicanaerobicdigestionhastypicallybeenpracticedatlargerSTPinOntario.Thisarrangement
withprimaryandsecondarydigestersisconsideredtobehighratedigestion,consistingofaheatedandmixed
primarydigesterandanunheatedandunmixedsecondarydigester.Multipleunitsineachstagemayberequired,
dependingonplantsize.

Twostageswithaminimumofonedigesterineachstageshouldbeprovidedinallplants.Facilitiesfortreated
sludgeorbiosolidsstorageandsupernatantseparationinanadditionalunitmayberequired,dependingonraw
sludgeconcentrationanddisposalmethodsforbiosolidsandsupernatant.Inthecasewhereonlyonedigesteris
providedineachstage,pipingshouldbedesignedtoalloweitherstagetoreceiverawsludgewithmeasuresto
allowformixingandheating.Thenumberofdigestersineachstageoflargerplantsshouldbedictatedby
economics.

16.2.2.1ProcessVariables

Anaerobicdigestergeometryhaslargelybeenbasedonlowprofilecylindricalvessels.Sidewalldepthtodiameter
ratiotypicallyrangesfrom0.3to0.7.Shallowertanksarenotconducivetogoodmixing.Afreeboardallowance
forscumandfoamshouldbeprovided.Inaddition,bottomsedimentscanreduceactivedigestionvolume.

Ifprocessdesignprovidesforsupernatantwithdrawal,theproportionofdepthtodiametershouldbedesignedto
allowfortheformationofareasonabledepthofsupernatantliquor.Aminimumsidewaterdepthof6.1m(20ft)is
recommended.

Newgeometricalhighrateanaerobicdigesterdesignincludeseggshapeddigesters.Thesedigestersdonot
normallyprovideforinternalgasstorage,butareclaimedtoprovidebettercontrolofscumandbottomdeposit
formationandbetteractivezonemixing.Higherratiosofheighttodiameterincylindricaldigestersmayprovide
similarbenefitshowever,heatinglosseswillneedtobeverifiedindesign.

Inadditiontotwostagedigestion,twophasedigestionisaninnovativealternativethatseparatestheacidforming
andmethaneformingreactionsoftheprimarydigestionprocessinseparatevessels.Thishasnotbeenpracticedto
dateinOntario.Otherinnovativestagingoptionsexistincludingtemperaturephasedanaerobicormixed
aerobic/anaerobicdigestionprocess.

Provisionfordigestercleanoutshouldbeprovidedindesigntogetherwithredundancyoftankageorconvertibility
ofsecondarydigesterstoprimarydigestion.Finegritandotherdebrishaveatendencytoaccumulateindigesters
overtime,reducingtheeffectivedigestionvolume.Tofacilitateemptying,cleaningandmaintenance,thefeatures
outlinedinthesubsectionbelowaredesirableforcylindricaldigestiontanks.

16.2.2.2DesignConsiderations

Thefollowingdesignconsiderationsshouldbeassessed:

Thetankbottomshouldslopetodraintowardthewithdrawalpipe.Fortanksequippedwithasuction
mechanismforsludgewithdrawal,abottomslopenotlessthan1to12isrecommended.Wherethesludgeis
toberemovedbygravityalone,a1to4slopeisrecommended
TheCanadianGasAssociation(2005)CodeforDigesterGasandLandfillGasInstallation,CAN/CGA
B105M93,1993specifiesaccessmanholenumbersanddimensionsandthemostuptodateversionofthis
codeshouldbereviewedfordetails.Thereshouldbestairwaysandcatwalkstoreachtheaccessmanholes
Aseparatesidewallmanholeshouldbeprovidedthatislargeenoughtopermittheuseofmechanical
equipmenttoremovegritandsand.Thesidewallaccessmanholeshouldbelowenoughtofacilitateheavy
equipmenthandlingandmaybeburiedintheearthenbankinsulation
AccesstoanytanksorenclosedspacesshouldbeprovidedinaccordancewiththeConfinedSpaces
Regulation(O.Reg.632/05)madeundertheOccupationalHealthandSafetyAct).Theseenclosedspaces
maycontaingasesthatresultinrespiratoryfailureunlessproperapprovedmethodsforentryarefollowed
Nonsparkingtools,rubbersoledshoes,safetyharness,gasdetectorsforflammableandtoxicgasesandat
leasttwoselfcontainedbreathingunitsshouldbeprovidedforemergencyuse
Multiplesludgeinletsanddrawoffsand,whereused,multiplerecirculationsuctionanddischargepointsto
facilitateflexibleoperationandeffectivemixingofthedigestercontentsshouldbeprovided
Maximumflexibilityshouldbeprovidedintermsofsludgetransferfromprimaryandsecondarysewage
treatmentunitstothedigesters,betweenprimaryandsecondarydigestersandfromthedigestersto
subsequenttreatedsludgeorbiosolidshandlingoperations.Theminimumdiameterofsludgepipesshouldbe
150mm(NPS6).Provisionshouldbemadeforflushingandcleaningofsludgepiping.Samplingpoints
shouldbeprovidedonallsludgelines.Mainsludgelinesshouldbefromthebottomoftheprimarydigester
tothemidpointofthesecondarydigester,ifpumped.Additionaltransferlinesshouldbefromintermediate
pointsintheprimarydigester(thesecanbedualpurposesupernatantandsludgewithdrawallines)
Oneinletshoulddischargeabovetheliquidlevelandbelocatedatapproximatelythecenterofthetankto
assistinscumbreakup.Thesecondinletshouldbeoppositetothesuctionlineatapproximatelythe2/3
diameterpointacrossthedigester
Rawsludgeinletpointsshouldbelocatedtominimizeshortcircuitingtothedigestedsludgeorsupernatant
drawoffs
Treatedsludgewithdrawaltodisposalshouldbefromthebottomofthetank.Thebottomwithdrawalpipe
shouldbeinterconnectedwiththenecessaryvalvingtotherecirculationpipingtoincreaseoperational
flexibilityinmixingthetankcontentsand
Anunvalvedventedoverflowshouldbeprovidedtopreventdamagetothedigestiontankandcoverincase
ofaccidentaloverfilling.Thisemergencyoverflowshouldbepipedtoanappropriatepointandatan
appropriateratetotheSTPliquidtrainorsidestreamtreatmentfacilitiestominimizetheimpactonprocess
units.

16.2.2.3TankDesignCapacity

Thetotaldigestiontankcapacityshouldbedeterminedbyrationalcalculationsbaseduponsuchfactorsas:sewage
characterizationsewagetreatmentprocessesvolumeofsludgeadded,percentsolidsandcharacterthe
temperaturetobemaintainedinthedigestersthedegreeorextentofmixingtobeobtaineddegreeofvolatile
solidsreductionrequiredsolidsretentiontimeatpeakloadingsmethodofsludgedisposalandsizeofthe
installationwithappropriateallowancesforgas,scum,supernatantanddigestedsludgestorage.

Thenominalminimumhydraulicretentiontime(HRT)intheprimarydigestershouldbeatleast15days[the
theoreticalsolidsretentiontime(SRT)requirementofslowestmethaneproducersisapproximately10days].
Secondarydigestersoftwostageseriesdigestionsystems,whichareusedfordigestedsludgestorageand
concentration,shouldnotbecreditedinthecalculationsforvolumesrequiredforsludgedigestion.

Calculationsshouldbepreparedtojustifythebasisofdesign.Theminimumdigestiontankcapacityoutlinedbelow
isrequired.Suchrequirementsassumethattherawsludgeisderivedfromordinarydomesticsewage,adigestion
temperatureistobemaintainedat35C(95F),40to50percentvolatilematterinthedigestedsludge,andthatthe
digestedsludgewillberemovedfrequentlyfromtheprocess.
Thesecondarydigestershouldbesizedtopermitsolidssettlingfordecantingandsolidsthickeningoperationsand,
inconjunctionwithoffsitefacilities,toprovidenecessarydigestedsludgestorage.Thestoragevolumeshouldbe
basedonthehighestandlowestlevelinthedigesterwithoutlosingthegasseal.Thenecessarytotalstoragetime
willdependonthemeansofultimatesludgedisposal,withthegreatesttimerequiredwithsoilconditioning
operationsandwithlessstoragerequiredwithlandfillingorincinerationasultimatedisposalmethods.

16.2.3DigestedSludgeStorage

Onsiteoroffsitestorageinsludgelagoons,sludgestoragetanks,orotherfacilitiesmaybeused.Ifhighrate
primarydigestersareusedandefficientthickeningwithinthesecondarydigesterisrequired,thesecondarydigester
shouldbeconservativelysizedtoallowadequatesolidsseparation(secondarytoprimaryvolumeratiosof2:1to
4:1arerecommended).Thesecondarydigesterprovidesrelativelylittlestoragecapacity,particularlyifaland
applicationprogramispracticed.

ThedesignershouldrefertoGeneralRegulation(O.Reg.267/03)madeundertheNutrientManagementActfor
minimumbiosolidsstoragerequirementforabiosolidslandapplicationprogram.

16.2.4DigesterDesignLoadings

Thevolatilesolidsloadingratestomesophilicanaerobicdigestersshouldbedesignedasoutlinedbelow:

CompletelyMixedSystemsHighRateDigestion

Fordigestionsystemsprovidingforintimateandeffectivemixingofthedigestercontents,thesystemmaybe
loadedupto1.6kg/(m3d)ofvolatilesolids(100poundsper1000cubicftofvolumeperday)intheactive
primarydigestionunits.Higherdigesterloadingrateshavebeenproposedforwellmixedsystems.

ModeratelyMixedSystemsLowRateDigestion

Fordigestionsystemswheremixingisaccomplishedonlybycirculatingsludgethroughanexternalheat
exchanger,thesystemmaybeloadedupto0.65kg/(m3d)ofvolatilesolids(40poundsper1000cubicfeetof
volumeperday)intheactivedigestionunits.Thisloadingmaybemodifiedupwardordownwarddependingupon
thedegreeofmixingprovided.

16.2.5DigesterMixing

Primaryanaerobicdigesterscanpotentiallyexperienceseverelossesofactivemixingvolumetodeadspaceand
shortcircuitingofrawsludgepastthemixingzoneandappearinginthedigesteroutlet.Tracertestsare
recommendedtodeterminethestateofdigestermixingastemperatureorsolidsprofilesdonotaloneprovide
evidenceofmixingdegree.

Therearethreemainmixingtechniques:

Gasconfinedandunconfined
Mechanicaland
Pumpandinsitumixers.

Gasmixingsystemsrecirculatecompresseddigestergasineitherunconfinedorconfinedmixing.Bothcreate
upwardmixingactions.

Mechanicalmixingusesaxialflowpropellerswithrooforexternalmounteddrafttubes.Theroofmounteddraft
tubeslimitthedigestersizetolessthan24m(80ft)indiameterwhereas,theexternalmountedtubescan
accommodatediametersof24m(80ft)andgreater.Mechanicalmixersusingverticalmixingactioncanalsobe
considered.

Pumpmixingusesaxialflowpatterns,andscrewtypecentrifugalorchoppertypefeatures.Thisdrawssludgefrom
thebottomandpumpsitbackintothetop.Insitumixersincludetheinternalplungercamdesign.

Wheresludgerecirculationpumpsareusedformixingtheyshouldmeetdesignrecommendationscontainedin
Section16.7SludgePumpsandPiping.
Typicalpowerrequirementforprimarystagemixingrangesbetween5to8W/m3[0.2to0.3hp/(1000ft3)]for
compressedgasmixingand6.6W/m3[0.25hp/(1000ft3)]formechanicalmixing.

Thedesignerscalculationsoftheactualpowerrequirementsshouldbebasedontanksize,sludgerheology,types
ofmixers,mixerperformanceandmixingenergyorshearraterequired.

Oneconcernwithmixingistheformationoffoamandgreaseonthedigestersurface.Meansoffoam/grease
removalorsuppressionshouldbedefined.DigesterstreatingthickenedWASmayhavesignificantlydifferent
mixingrequirementsthandigestersnottreatingsuchafeedstream.

16.2.5.1DigestionTankHeating

Ifdigestiontanksareconstructedabovegradeleveltheyneedtobesuitablyinsulatedtominimizeheatloss.
Maximumutilizationofearthenbankinsulationshouldbeused.

Sludgemaybeheatedbycirculatingthesludgethroughexternalheatersorbyunitslocatedinsidethedigestion
tank.Thesystemmaybedesignedtoprovideforthepreheatingoffeedsludgebeforeintroductionintothe
digesters.Grindertypepumpsarerecommendedtoavoidheatexchangerclogging.Provisionsshouldbemadein
thelayoutofthepipingandvalvingtofacilitateheatexchangertuberemovalandcleaningofthelines.Heat
exchangersludgepipingshouldbesizedforpeakheattransferrequirements.Heatexchangersshouldhavea
heatingcapacityof130percentofthecalculatedpeakheatingrequirementtoaccountfortheoccurrenceofsludge
tubefouling.

Theuseofhotwaterheatingcoilsaffixedtothewallsofthedigester,orothertypesofinternalheatingequipment
thatrequireemptyingthedigestercontentsforrepair,arenotacceptable.

Othersystemsanddeviceshavebeendevelopedtoprovidebothmixingandheatingofanaerobicdigestercontents.
Thesesystemsshouldbereviewedontheirownmerits.Operatingdatadetailingtheirreliabilityandoperationand
maintenancecharacteristicsshouldbereviewed.Processcalculationsshouldbedocumentedtodemonstratethat
sufficientheatingandmixingwillbeobtained.

Sufficientheatingcapacityshouldbeprovidedtoconsistentlymaintainthedesignsludgetemperatureconsidering
insulationprovisionsandambientcoldweathertemperatureconditions.Wheredigestergasisusedforother
purposes,anauxiliaryfuelmayberequired.Thedesignoperatingtemperatureshouldbe35C(95F)foroptimum
mesophilicdigestion.Operatingtemperaturemayhavetobeelevatedto38oCto40oCtoachievetheE.coli
standardsrequiredforagriculturallandapplicationofsewagebiosolidsespeciallyfordigestersthatmayhave
shortcircuitingordeadvolumeproblems.

Theprovisionofstandbyheatingcapacityortheuseofmultipleunitssizedtoprovidetheheatingrequirements
shouldbeconsideredunlessacceptablealternativemeansofhandlingrawsludgeareprovidedfortheextended
periodthatdigestionprocessoutageisexperiencedduetoheatloss.

Asuitableautomaticmixingvalveshouldbeprovidedtotempertheboilerwaterwithreturnwatersothattheinlet
watertotheremovableheatjacketorcoilinthedigestercanbeheldbelowatemperatureatwhichcakingwillbe
accentuated.Manualcontrolshouldbeprovidedbysuitablebypassvalves.

Theboilershouldbeprovidedwithsuitableautomaticcontrolstomaintaintheboilertemperatureataminimum
82C(180F)tominimizecorrosionandtoshutoffthemaingassupplyintheeventofpilotburnerorelectrical
failure,lowboilerwaterlevel,lowgaspressure,orexcessiveboilerwatertemperatureorpressure.Theboilerwater
chemicalqualityshouldbecheckedforsuitabilityforthisuse.RefertoSection8.7.2WaterSupplyforrequired
breaktankforindirectwatersupplyconnections.

Boilerwaterpumpsshouldbesealedandsizedtomeettheoperatingconditionsoftemperature,operatingheadand
flowrate.Duplicateunitsshouldbeprovided.

Thermometersshouldbeprovidedtoindicateinletandoutlettemperaturesofthesludge,hotwaterfeed,hotwater
returnandboilerwater.

Controlsnecessarytoensureeffectiveandsafeoperationarerequired.Provisionforduplicateunitsincritical
elementsshouldbeconsidered.
16.2.5.2GasCollectionandHandling

Allportionsofthegassystemincludingthespaceabovethetankliquidlevel,storagefacilitiesandpipingshould
besodesignedthatunderallnormaloperatingconditions,includingsludgewithdrawal,thegaswillbemaintained
underpressure.Allenclosedareaswhereanygasleakagemightoccurshouldbeadequatelyventilated.

Anaerobicdigestionsystemsproducedigestergaswhichhasmethaneasitsmainconstituent.Tosafeguard
anaerobicdigesterandgashandlingsystemdesign,thedesignershouldfollowtherequirementsoftheCanadian
GasAssociation(CGA)CodeforDigesterGas(andLandfillGas)SystemInstallation,CAN/CGAB105M93
(1993).

TheOntarioTechnicalStandardsandSafetyAuthority(TSSA),ifrequested,willcarryoutareviewofanaerobic
digestergassystemsdesignonafeeforservicebasispriortoconstruction.Certificationofthesesystemswillonly
begrantedfollowinginspectionoftheconstructedworksbytheTSSA.

Toprovidegasstoragevolumeandtomaintainuniformgaspressures,aseparategasstoragesphereshouldbe
providedoratleastonedigestercovershouldbeofthegasholderfloatingtype.Ifonlyonefloatingcoveris
provideditshouldbeonthesecondarydigester.Pressureandvacuumreliefvalvesandflamearrestors,adequately
protectedfromtheelements,shouldbeprovided.Accessmanholesandsamplingwellsshouldbeprovidedonthe
digestercovers.

Steelisthemostcommonlyusedmaterialfordigestercovers.However,otherproperlydesignedandconstructed
materialsareusedsuchasfiberglassandconcrete.

Allnecessarysafetyfacilitiesshouldbeincludedwheredigestergasisproduced.Pressureandvacuumreliefvalves
andflamearrestorstogetherwithautomaticsafetyshutoffvalvesshouldbeprovidedandprotectedfromfreezing.
Watersealequipmentshouldnotbeinstalled.Safetyequipmentandgascompressorsshouldbehousedina
separateroomwithatleastoneexteriordoor.

16.2.5.3GasPiping

Gaspipingshouldhaveaminimumdiameterof100mm(4in).Asmallerdiameterpipeatthegasproduction
meterisacceptable.Gaspipingshouldslopetocondensationtrapsatlowpoints.Theuseoffloatcontrolled
condensatetrapsisnotpermitted.Condensationtrapsshouldbeprotectedfromfreezing.TheCanadianGas
Association(2005)CodeforDigesterGasandLandfillGasInstallation,CAN/CGAB105M93,1993orits
amendmentsneedtobereviewedandtheapplicablecoderequirementsmet.

16.2.5.4GasAppurtenances

Tightlyfittedselfclosingdoorsshouldbeprovidedatconnectingpassagewaysandtunnels,whichconnect
digestionfacilitiestootherfacilitiestominimizethespreadofgas.Pipinggalleriesshouldbeventilatedin
accordancewiththeCanadianGasAssociation(2005)CodeforDigesterGasandLandfillGasInstallation,
CAN/CGAB105M93,1993.

Gasburningboilersandenginesshouldbelocatedinwellventilatedrooms.Suchroomswouldnotordinarilybe
classifiedasahazardouslocationifisolatedfromthedigestiongallery.Gaslinestotheseunitsshouldbeprovided
withsuitableflametraps.

Electricalequipment,fixturesandcontrolsinplacesenclosingandadjacenttoanaerobicdigestionappurtenances,
wherehazardousgasesmayaccumulate,shouldcomplywiththeElectricalSafetyCodeforClassI,Zone1(old
Division1),GroupDlocations(O.Reg.164/99madeundertheElectricityAct,1998),CanadianGasAssociation
(2005)CodeforDigesterGasandLandfillGasInstallation,CAN/CGAB105M93,1993andtheNationalFire
ProtectionAssociations(2003)FireProtectioninWastewaterTreatmentandCollectionFacilities,USNFPA820.

Wastegasburnersshouldbereadilyaccessibleandshouldbelocatedatleast15m(50ft)awayfromthedigester
perimeterandanyplantstructure.Wastegasburnersshouldbeofsufficientheightandsolocatedtopreventinjury
topersonnelduetowindordowndraftconditions.Allwastegasburnersshouldbeequippedwithautomatic
ignitionsuchasapilotlightoradeviceusingaphotoelectriccellsensor.Pilotlightshouldbeeithernaturalor
propanegastype.
Gaspipingshouldbeslopedataminimumof2percentuptothewastegasburnerwithacondensatetrapprovided
inalocationnotsubjecttofreezing.Theventilationrateforenclosedareaswithoutagastightpartitionfromthe
digestiontankorareascontaininggascompressors,sedimenttraps,driptraps,gasscrubbers,orpressureregulating
andcontrolvalves,ifcontinuous,shouldbeatleast12completeairchangesperhour.

Anyundergroundenclosuresconnectingwithdigestiontanksorcontainingsludgeorgaspipingorequipment
shouldbeprovidedwithforcedventilationinaccordancewiththeCanadianGasAssociation(2005)Codefor
DigesterGasandLandfillGasInstallation,CAN/CGAB105M93,1993andtheNationalFireProtection
Associations(2003)FireProtectioninWastewaterTreatmentandCollectionFacilities,USNFPA820.

16.2.5.5GasMetering

Agasmeterwithbypassshouldbeprovidedtometertotalgasproductionforeachactivedigestionunit.Totalgas
productionfortwostagedigestionsystemsoperatedinseriesmaybemeasuredbyasinglegasmeterwithproper
interconnectedgaspiping.

Wheremultipleprimarydigestionunitsareusedwithasinglesecondarydigestionunit,agasmetershouldbe
providedforeachprimarydigestionunit.Thesecondarydigestionunitmaybeinterconnectedwiththegas
measurementunitofoneoftheprimaryunits.Interconnectedgaspipingshouldbeproperlyvalvedwithgastight
valvestoallowmeasurementofgasproductionfromeitherdigestionunitormaintenanceofeitherdigestionunit.

Gasmetersaregenerallyoftheorificeplate,turbine,thermaldispersion,orvortextype.Positivedisplacement
metersshouldnotbeused.Themetershouldbedesignedspecificallyforcontactwithcorrosive,moistanddirty
gases.

16.2.5.6SupernatantWithdrawal

Wheresupernatantseparationistobeusedtoconcentratesludgeinthedigesterunitsandincreasedigestersolids
retentiontime,thedesignshouldprovideforeaseofoperationandpositivecontrolofsupernatantquality.

Supernatantpipingshouldnotbelessthan150mm(NPS6)indiameter.

Pipingshouldbearrangedsothatwithdrawalcanbemadefromthreeormorelevelsinthetank.Anunvalved
ventedoverflowshouldbeprovided.Theemergencyoverflowshouldbepipedtoanappropriatepointandatan
appropriateratetotheSTPliquidtrainorsidestreamtreatmentunitstominimizetheimpactonprocessunits.The
designoftheoverflowshouldpreventdigestergasmigrationtootherprocessareas.Supernatantflowmeasurement
shouldbeprovided.

Onfixedcovertanksthesupernatantwithdrawallevelshouldpreferablybeselectedbymeansofinterchangeable
extensionsatthedischargeendofthepiping.

Afixedscreensupernatantselectororsimilartypedeviceshouldbelimitedforuseinanunmixedsecondary
digesterunit.Ifsuchsupernatantselectorisprovided,provisionshouldbemadeforatleastoneotherdrawoff
levellocatedinthesupernatantzoneofthetank,inadditiontotheunvalvedemergencysupernatantdrawoffpipe.
Highpressurebackwashfacilitiesshouldbeprovided.

Provisionshouldbemadeforsamplingateachsupernatantdrawofflevel.Samplingpipesshouldbeatleast40
mm(1in)indiameterandshouldterminateatasuitablysizedsamplingsinkorbasinmeetingtheCode
requirements.Specialdesignedsamplingvalvesthatensurearepresentativesample,canbeusedinlieuofa
samplingsink.

Supernatantreturnfacilitiesshouldbedesignedtoalleviateadversehydraulicandorganicloadingseffectson
sewagetreatmentplantliquidtrainoperations.Ifnutrientremoval(e.g.phosphorus)istobeaccomplishedatan
STP,thenaseparatesupernatantsidestreamtreatmentsystemmaybeprovided.

16.2.5.7SludgeProduction

Forcalculatingdesignsludgehandlinganddisposalneeds,sludgeproductionvaluesfromatwostageanaerobic
digestionprocessshouldbebasedonamaximumsolidsconcentrationof4percentwithoutadditionalthickening.
Facilitysizingusingpopulationequivalent(P.E.)shouldnotbeusedastheprimarybasisfordesign.Process
calculationbasedonrawsewagetreatedandprocesstypeshouldformthebasisfordesigningofneededfacilities
whereP.E.isusedforroughestimationofneededcapacities.Estimatesshouldalsoconsiderothersolidsaccepted
bytheSTPincluding(butnotlimitedto)septageandwatertreatmentplantresiduals.WhereP.E.isusedforrough
estimation,theapproximatesludgeproductionvaluesonadryweightbasisshouldbeatleast0.07kg/(P.E.d)
(0.15lb/P.E./d)foraconventionalactivatedsludgeplantwithphosphorusremoval.

16.2.6ThermophilicAnaerobicDigestion

Thermophilicanaerobicdigestionisinprinciplesimilartoanaerobicmesophilicdigestion,exceptthatthermophilic
digestionoccursbetween50to60C(122to140F).Becausebiochemicalreactionratesincreasewithincreased
temperatures,thermophilicdigestionisfasterthanmesophilicdigestionforthesamevolatilesolidsreduction.The
highertemperatureatwhichthermophilicdigestiontakesplaceallowsforincreasedpathogendestruction.

16.2.6.1ProcessVariables

Similartomesophilicdigestion,thefollowingarethefourmainprocessvariablestobeconsideredinthedesign
andoperationofthermophilicanaerobicdigestion:

Solidsloadingrate
Solidsretentiontime(SRT)
Hydraulicretentiontime(HRT)
Temperatureand
pH.

16.2.6.2DesignConsiderationsThermophilicanaerobicdigestiongenerallyhasthesamedesignconsiderationsas
anaerobicmesophilicdigestion,specifically:

Digestershape
Digestercoverandbottom
Digestervolume
Mixingsystem
Heatingsystemand
Gascollection,storageanduse.

16.2.6.3OperationalConsiderationsThesameoperationalconsiderationsformesophilicdigestiongenerallyapply
tothermophilicdigestion,suchas:

Feedingandwithdrawal
Temperaturecontrol
pHandalkalinitymonitoringand
Odourcontrol.

Becauseofthehighersensitivityofthermophilicbacteriatotemperaturechangesandpotentialprocessupsets,
temperaturecontrol,pHandalkalinitymonitoringareimportant.Thermophilicanaerobicdigestionproducesa
higherconcentrationofvolatilefattyacids(1,000to2,000mg/L)thanmesophilicdigestion.Thehigheroperating
temperatureinthermophilicdigesterstendstosuppressscumandfoamformation,sothatscumandfoamcontrolis
oftenlessproblematicthaninmesophilicdigesters.

16.3AerobicSludgeDigestion

16.3.1General

Theaerobicsludgedigestionsystemshouldincludeprovisionsfordigestion,supernatantseparation,sludge
concentrationandsludgestorage.Theseprovisionsmaybeaccomplishedbyseparatetanksorprocesses,orwithin
thedigestiontanks.

MultipledigestionunitscapableofindependentoperationaredesirableandshouldbeprovidedinSTPwherethe
designaveragedailyflowexceeds380m3/d(0.1mUSgd).Twostageswithaminimumofonedigesterineach
stageshouldbeprovided.Ifeconomicspermitorplantsizedictates,morethanonedigestercanbeused.Plantsnot
havingmultipleunitsshouldprovidealternatesludgehandlinganddisposalmethods.Aloadingrateof1.6
kg/(m3d)[100lb/(1000ft3d)]volatilesolidsbaseduponfirststagevolumeonlyshouldbeprovided.
Tankdesignisgenerallyopenandmaybecommonwallorearthenbermedtominimizeheatloss.Aerobic
digestersmaybecoveredtominimizeheatlossforcoldertemperatureapplications.Tankdepthsof3.6to4.6m
(11.8to15.1ft)aresuggested.Thetanksandpipingshouldbedesignedtopermitsludgeaddition,withdrawaland
supernatantdecantingfromvariousdepthstoandfromboththeprimaryandsecondarydigesters.

16.3.2TankDesignCapacity

Digestiontankcapacitiesarebasedonasolidsconcentrationof2percentwithsupernatantseparationperformedin
aseparatetankandprovidingsufficienttankvolumebasedonprocessengineeringcalculationsusingsewageand
treatmentcharacteristics.Volumesarebasedondigestertemperaturesof10C(50F).

SizingshouldbedesignedtoachieveaminimumSRTof45days,includingbothdigesterstagesandtheSRTofthe
activatedsludgetreatmentprocess.Itisrecommendedthat2/3ofthetotaldigestervolumebeinthefirststageand
1/3beinthesecondstage.

Ifsupernatantseparationisperformedinthedigestiontank,aminimumof25percentadditionaltankvolumeis
required.Thesecapacitiesshouldbeprovidedunlesssludgethickeningfacilitiesareusedtothickenthefeedsolids
concentrationtogreaterthan2percent.Ifsuchthickeningisprovided,thedigestionvolumesmaybedecreased
proportionallyhowever,excessthickeningmayresultintheoccurrenceofunintendedautothermaldigestion
resultinginfoam,scumandodourthatrequirescontrol.

Ifprimarysludgeistobeincludedfordigestion,minimumSRTandairrequirementsmayhavetobeincreased
basedonspecificprocesscalculations.

Actualstoragerequirementswilldependupontheultimatedisposaloperation.Minoradditionalstorage
requirementsmaybemadeupinthesecondstagedigester,butifmajoradditionalstoragevolumesarerequired,
separateonsiteoroffsitestoragefacilitiesshouldbeconsideredtoavoidthepowerrequirementsassociatedwith
operatinggreatlyoversizedaerobicdigesters.TheGeneralRegulation(O.Reg.267/03)madeundertheNutrient
ManagementActshouldbereviewedforspecificqualityandseasonalstoragerequirementsforalandapplication
program.

Designersshouldbecautionedthataerobicallydigestedsludgeshaveagreaterodourproducingpotentialthen
anaerobicallydigestedsludge,ifsepticityoccurs.

16.3.3Mixing

Aerobicdigestersshouldbeprovidedwithmixingequipmentthatcanmaintainsolidsinsuspensionandensure
completemixingofthedigestercontents.

16.3.4AirRequirements

Sufficientairshouldbeprovidedtokeepthesolidsinsuspensionandmaintaindissolvedoxygenbetween1mg/L
and2mg/L.Forminimummixingandoxygenrequirements,anairsupplyof0.5L/(m3s)(30cfm/1000ft3)should
beprovidedwiththelargestbloweroutofservice.Ifdiffusersareused,thenonclogtypeisrecommendedandthey
shouldbedesignedtopermitcontinuityofservice.Airsupplytoeachtankshouldbeseparatelyvalvedtoallow
aerationshutdownineithertank.Thediffusertypeshouldnotbesusceptibletopluggingduringfrequent
shutdownperiods.Alldiffuserdroppipesshouldbeabletowithstandimpactoficemassesthatmayforminthe
tankageinwinterandshouldallowforeasyremovalfordiffusermaintenance.

Ifmechanicalturbineaeratorsareused,atleasttwoturbineaeratorspertankshouldbeprovidedtopermit
continuityofservice.Aminimumbottomvelocityof0.25m/s(0.82ft/s)shouldbemaintainedwhileaerating.
Mechanicalaeratorsarenotrecommendedforuseinaerobicdigesterswherefreezingconditionswillcauseice
buildupontheaeratorandsupportstructures.

16.3.5SupernatantSeparationandScumandGreaseRemoval

Facilitiesshouldbeprovidedforeffectiveseparationordecantingofsupernatant.Separatefacilitiesare
recommendedhowever,supernatantseparationmaybeaccomplishedinthedigestiontankprovidedadditional
volumeisprovided(Section16.3.2TankDesignCapacity).
ThesupernatantdrawoffunitshouldbedesignedtopreventrecycleofscumandgreasebacktotheSTPliquid
trainprocessunits.Facilitiesshouldbeprovidedfortheeffectivecollectionofscumandgreasefromtheaerobic
digesterforfinaldisposaltopreventlongtermaccumulationandpotentialdischargeintheeffluent.Provision
shouldbemadetowithdrawsupernatantfrommultiplelevelsofthesupernatantwithdrawalzone.

16.3.6HighLevelEmergencyOverflow

Anunvalvedhighleveloverflowandnecessarypipingshouldbeprovidedtoreturndigesteroverflowtothehead
ofthesewagetreatmentplantortothesecondarytreatmentprocessincaseofaccidentaloverfilling.Design
considerationsrelatedtothedigesteroverflowshouldincludewastesludgerateanddurationduringtheperiodthat
thesewagetreatmentplantisunattended,potentialeffectonplantprocessunits,dischargelocationofthe
emergencyoverflowandpotentialdischargeofsuspendedsolidsintheSTPeffluent.

16.3.7SludgeProduction

Forcalculatingdesignsludgehandlinganddisposalneeds,sludgeproductionvaluesfromaerobicdigestersshould
bebasedonamaximumsolidsconcentrationof2percentwithoutadditionalthickening.Facilitysizingusing
populationequivalentshouldnotbeusedastheprimarybasisfordesign.Processcalculationsbasedonrawsewage
treated,processtype,chemicaladdition,septagesolidsandwatertreatmentplantwastesolidsimpacts,where
applicable,shouldformthebasisfordesignofneededfacilitieswhereP.E.isusedforroughestimationofneeded
capacities.

WhereP.E.isusedforroughestimation,theapproximatesludgeproductionvaluesonadryweightbasisshouldbe
atleast0.05kg/(P.E.d)(0.11lb/P.E./d)foranextendedaerationSTPwithphosphorusremoval.

16.3.8DigestedSludgeStorageVolume

SludgestorageshouldbeprovidedinaccordancewiththeGeneralRegulation(O.Reg.267/03)madeunderthe
NutrientManagementActtoaccommodatesludgeproductionvolumesandasanoperationalbufferforunitoutage
andadverseweatherconditionsforbiosolidsdestinedforlandapplication.DesignsutilizingincreasedSRTinthe
activatedsludgetreatmentprocessasameansofstorageshouldbeavoided.

ThedesignershouldrefertoChapter18SludgeStorageandDisposalformoredetailedinformation.

16.4AutothermalThermophilicAerobicDigestion

16.4.1General

Thermophilicaerobicdigestionisinprinciplesimilartomesophilicaerobicdigestion,exceptthatthermophilic
digestionoccursbetween50to70C(122to158F).Becausebiochemicalreactionratesincreasewithincreased
temperatures,thermophilicdigestionisfasterthanmesophilicdigestionforthesame,orgreatervolatilesolids
reduction.Thehighertemperatureatwhichthermophilicdigestiontakesplaceallowsforincreasedpathogen
destruction.Highersolidsloadingandlowerairflowsallowfortheexcessenergyfromtheexothermicreactionto
raisethetemperatureofthesolidstorequiredlevelswithoutanexternalheatsource.Mechanicalenergyissupplied
formixinginlieuofutilizingairmixing.

Retainingtheheatfromthebiologicalprocessisvitaltothisprocess.Thetankdesignshouldconsiderinsulation,
belowgradeconstructionorothermeanstocontrolheatlossfromthesystem.Theeffectsofheatandcorrosionon
thetank(andcover)structuresshouldbeconsideredinthedesign.

Thetotalsolidsconcentrationtothedigestersshouldbe4to6percent,andthevolatilesolidsshouldbeatleast2.5
percent.Volatilesolids(VS)couldrangefrom2.5to5percent.Otherloadingratesarepossibleandshouldbe
establishedbasedondetailedcalculationsandonasitespecificbasis,providedthoseratescanmaintainadequate
processtemperatures.

Tanksshouldprovideafreeboardof1.0to2.0m(3to6ft).Provisionsfordrainingandcleaningthetanksshould
beconsidered.

SingleStageSystems
SinglestageAutothermalthermophilicaerobicdigestion(ATAD)unitsoperatewiththeentireprocessbeing
completelycontainedwithinonetank.Multipletanksmaybeprovidedbutareoftenoperatedasparallelunitsand
maybeloadedonalternatedaystoallowfortheappropriateisolationperiod.Continuousorsemibatchfeedingis
morecommoninthesesystemsandallowsforthedistributionoftheaerationdemandsthroughouttheentire
processcycle.Processtemperaturesforsinglestageunitsshouldbemaintainedat50to70oC(122to158oF).
Detentiontimeshouldbeaminimumof10days.Thefoamblanketshouldbecontrolledandoptimizedbutnot
eliminated.Energyrequirementsformechanicalmixingmaybeintherangeof50to150kW/1000m3(2to6
hp/1000ft3)ofactivedigestervolume.Airrequirementsmayrangefrom10to50m3/min/1000m3(10to50
cfm/1000ft3)ofactivedigestervolumetoachieve30to45percentVSdestructionandareoftenoperatedon
variablefrequencydrives.AirrequirementsshouldbebasedonloadingrateanddegreeofVSdestruction.
Adjustmentstotheairrequirementsforaltitudeandloadingratesshouldbeconsidered.

MultipleStageSystems

ThemultiplestageATADprocessconsistsoftwoormorestages.Itisgoodpracticetoprovidetankage,pipingand
pumpingfacilitiessothatatleasttwotanksareavailable.Thepipingshouldallowtransferofbiosolidsfromone
tanktoanothertoallowformaintenanceandcontinuousdigesteroperation.Processtemperaturesforthefirststage
shouldbemaintainedat35to50C(95to122F).Secondstagetemperaturesshouldbemaintainedat50to65C
(122to149F).Detentiontimeshouldbeaminimumof10days.Thefoamblanketshouldbecontrolledand
optimizedbutnoteliminated.Thedissolvedoxygen(DO)levelintheliquidshouldbemaintainedat2mg/Land
shouldnotbelessthan1mg/L.

Energyrequirementsformechanicalmixingshouldbeintherangeof79to105kW/1000m3(3to4hp/1000ft3)
ofactivedigestervolume.Airrequirementsshouldbeatleast70m3/min/1000m3(70cfm/1000ft3)ofactive
digestervolumetoachieve30to45percentVSdestruction.Adjustmentstotheairrequirementsforaltitudeand
loadingratesshouldbeconsidered.

16.4.1.1OperationalConsiderations

Thesameoperationalconsiderationsformesophilicaerobicdigestiongenerallyapplytothermophilicdigestion,
including:

Feedingandwithdrawal
Temperaturecontrol
pH
DO
Oxidationreductionpotential
Foamcontroland
Odourcontrol.

Thethermophilicbacteriaarelesssensitivetoprocesschangesandarenotpronetoprocessupsets.Temperature
controlandsolidsmonitoringareimportant.Thehigheroperatingtemperatureinthethermophilicaerobicdigester
incombinationwithaerationtendstoproducemorefoam,sofoamcontrolisanimportantdesignconsideration.
Additionally,giventhehightemperatureandtheincreasedammoniafromthevolatilesolidsdestruction,ammonia
andothercompoundsmaybegivenoffintheoffgas.Odourcollectionandcontrolisthereforeanimportant
considerationinthedesign.

16.5OtherSludgeTreatmentMethods

Thefollowingsludgetreatmentmethodsaregenerallyemployedtofurtherstabilizebiosolidsand/orreduce
volume.

16.5.1AlkalineStabilization

Alkalinematerialmaybeaddedtoliquidprimaryand/orsecondarysludgesforsludgestabilizationinlieuof
digestionfacilities,tosupplementexistingdigestionfacilities,orforinterimsludgehandling.Thereisnodirect
reductionoforganicmatterorsludgesolidswiththehighpHalkalinestabilizationprocess.Thereisactuallyan
increaseinthemassofdrysludgesolids.Withoutsupplementaldewatering,additionalvolumesofsludgewillbe
generated.Thedesignshouldaccountfortheincreasedsludgequantitiesforstorage,handling,transportation,
disposalmethodsandassociatedcosts.

AlkalinematerialshouldbeaddedtoliquidsludgetoproduceahomogeneousmixturewithaminimumpHof12
after2hoursofvigorousmixing.Toachievestabilizationsufficientalkalinematerialshouldbeaddedtotheliquid
sludgetoretainahomogeneousmixturewithaminimumpHof12after72hours.Materialshouldbeprovidedto
maintainthepHofthesludgeduringinterimsludgestorageperiods.

Otherproprietaryalkalinestabilizationsystemsusingvariousalkalinereagentswhichincludeapasteurization
processareavailabletoproducebiosolidsfromsludge.

16.5.1.1OdourControlandVentilation

Odourcontrolfacilitiesshouldbeprovidedforsludgemixingandtreatedsludgestoragetankswhenlocatedwithin
0.8km(0.5mile)ofresidentialorcommercialareas.Airpollutioncontroldesignobjectivesshouldbemetfor
varioustypesofairscrubberunits.Ventilationisrequiredforindoorsludgemixing,storageorprocessingfacilities.
(Section7.2.10SafetyVentilation).

16.5.1.2MixingTanksandEquipment

Mixingtanksmaybedesignedtooperateaseitherabatchorcontinuousflowprocess.Aminimumoftwotanks
shouldbeprovided,ofadequatesizetoprovideaminimumof2hourscontacttimeineachtank.

Thefollowingitemsshouldbeconsideredindeterminingthenumberandsizeoftanks:

Peaksludgeflowrates
Storagebetweenbatches
Dewateringorthickeningperformedintanks
RepeatingsludgetreatmentduetopHdecayofstoredsludge
Sludgethickeningpriortosludgetreatmentand
Typeofmixingdeviceusedandassociatedmaintenanceorrepairrequirements.

Mixingequipmentshouldbedesignedtoprovidevigorousagitationwithinthemixingtank,maintainsolidsin
suspensionandprovideforahomogeneousmixtureofthesludgesolidsandalkalinematerial.Mixingmaybe
accomplishedeitherbydiffusedairormechanicalmixers.Ifdiffusedaerationisused,anairsupplyof0.5L/(m3s)
(30cfm/1000ft3)ofmixingtankvolumeshouldbeprovidedwiththelargestbloweroutofservice.Whendiffusers
areused,thenonclogtypeisrecommendedandtheyshouldbedesignedtopermitcontinuityofservice.If
mechanicalmixersareused,theimpellersshouldbedesignedtominimizefoulingwithdebrisinthesludge.
Manufacturersspecificationsshouldbereviewedformixingpowerrequiredformechanicalmixers.An
approximateminimumrequirementforliquidsludgeandlimeslurriesistoprovideabulkfluidvelocityof0.13
m/s(0.42ft/s)andanimpellerReynoldsnumbergreaterthan1,000.

Considerationshouldbemadetoprovidecontinuityofserviceduringfreezingweatherconditions.

16.5.1.3ChemicalFeedandStorageEquipment

Alkalinematerialiscausticinnatureandcancauseeyeandtissueinjury.Equipmentforhandlingorstoring
alkalinematerialshouldbedesignedforadequateoperatorsafety.Storageandfeedequipmentshouldbesealedas
airtightaspracticaltopreventcontactofalkalinematerialwithatmosphericcarbondioxideandwatervaporandto
preventtheescapeofdustmaterial.Allequipmentandassociatedtransferlinesorpipingshouldbeaccessiblefor
cleaning.

16.5.1.4FeedandSlakingEquipment

ThedesignofthefeedingequipmentshouldbedeterminedbytheSTPsize,typeofalkalinematerialused,slaking
requiredandoperatorrequirements.Equipmentmaybeeitherofmanualbatchorautomatedtype.Automated
feedersmaybeofthevolumetricorgravimetrictypedependingonaccuracy,reliabilityandmaintenance
requirements.Manuallyoperatedbatchslakingofquicklime(CaO)shouldbeavoidedunlessadequateprotective
clothingandequipmentareprovided.Atsmallplants,useofhydratedlime[Ca(OH)2]isrecommendedover
quicklimeduetosafetyandlaboursavingreasons.Feedandslakingequipmentshouldbesizedtohandlea
minimumof150percentofthepeaksludgeflowrateincludingsludgethatmayneedtoberetreatedduetopH
decay.Duplicateunitsshouldbeprovided.

16.5.1.5ChemicalStorageFacilities

Alkalinematerialsmaybedeliveredeitherinbagorbulkformdependingupontheamountofmaterialused.
Materialdeliveredinbagsshouldbestoredindoorsandelevatedabovefloorlevel.Bagsshouldbeofthemulti
wallmoistureprooftype.Drybulkstoragecontainersshouldbeasairtightaspracticalandshouldcontaina
mechanicalagitationmechanism.Storagefacilitiesshouldbesizedtoprovideaminimum30daysupply.

16.5.1.6SludgeStorageandDisposal

RefertoChapter18SludgeStorageandDisposalforgeneraldesignconsiderationsforsludgestoragefacilities.In
addition,thedesignshouldincorporatethefollowingconsiderationsforthestorageofhighpHstabilizedsludge:

LiquidSludge

HighpHstabilizedliquidsludgeshouldnotbestoredinalagoon.Thesludgeshouldbestoredinatankorvessel
equippedwithrapidsludgewithdrawalmechanismsforsludgedisposalortreatment.Provisionsshouldbemade
foraddingalkalinematerialinthestoragetank.Mixingequipmentshouldbeprovidedinallstoragetanks.

DewateredSludge

OnsitestorageofdewateredhighpHstabilizedsludgeshouldbelimitedto30days.Provisionsforrapidtreatment
ordisposalofdewateredsludgecakestoredonsiteshouldbemadeincaseofsludgepHdecay.Weatherprotection
fordewateredsludgecakeshouldbeprovidedforlongtermstorage.

OffSiteStorage

ThereshouldbenooffsitestorageofhighpHstabilizedsludgeunlessspecificallydesignedforsuchstorage.

Disposal

ImmediatesludgedisposalmethodsandoptionsarerecommendedtoreducethesludgeinventoryontheSTPsite
andtheamountofsludgethatmayneedtoberetreatedtopreventodoursifsludgepHreductionoccurs.Iftheland
applicationdisposaloptionisutilizedforhighpHstabilizedsludge,thesludgeshouldbeincorporatedintothesoil
duringthesamedayofdeliverytothesite.

16.5.2ThermalDrying

Thermaldryingistheprocessofevaporatingwaterfromsludgeorbiosolidsbytheadditionofheat.Complete
dryingtypicallyresultsinaproductwith5to10percentmoisturecontent,corresponding,fromatypicalliquid
sludgewith95percentmoisturecontent,toanapproximate20foldvolumereduction.Dewateringisusuallya
prerequisiteintermediatestepinthedryingprocesstoreduceenergycostsforevaporationofmoisture(referto
Chapter17).

Duringdrying,sludgeorbiosolidsundergoseveralstructuralchangesasthemoisturecontentdecreases.Themost
criticalstageiscalledtheplasticstagewhenthemoisturecontentisbetween40to60percentdrysolids(DS).In
thisstage,thedriedproductbecomesstickyanddifficulttomanipulate.Thepowerinputrequiredtomovethe
productthroughthisphasetohigherconcentrationsishigh.

Dryersareclassifiedonthebasisof:

Thepredominantmethodoftransferringheattothesolids(convection,conduction,radiationora
combinationofthese)
Themethodoftransitionthroughtheplasticphase
Whetherdryingandpelletizationoccursinoneortwostepsand
 Whetherthebiosolidsarepartially(i.e.,<90percentDS)orcompletely(i.e.,>90percentDS)dried.

Themainbenefitsofdryingsludgethermallycanbesummarizedasfollows:

Increasedpathogendestructionisachieved
Storageofdriedsludgerequireslessvolumeandiseasiertohandle
Transportationcostsarereduced
Thefinalproductcanbemarketedmoreeasilyasafertilizerorsoilconditioner
Driedsludgehasahigherfuelvalueandcanbeincineratedorthermallyconvertedand
Sludgedryingincreasesthenumberoffinaldisposalorutilizationoptions.

Twogeneralalternativesforthermaldryingaredirectandindirectsystems.Thermaldryingequipmentis
proprietarythedesignershouldconsultthemanufacturertoobtainspecificdesignparameters.

16.5.2.1Direct(Convection)DryerProcessAlternatives

Inconvectiondryersthewetsludgeisindirectcontactwiththeheattransfermedium,whichisusuallyahotgas.
Directdryerdesignstypicallyinclude:

Rotarydrumdryersand
Fluidizedbeddryers.

RotaryDryers

Rotarydryershavefoundsuccessfulapplicationinmunicipalbiosolidsfacilities.Rotarydryersconsistofa
horizontalcylindricalsteeldrum,rotatingat5to25rpm.Thewetsludge/biosolidsaremixedwithanamountof
driedproductatthefeedpoint.Fluegasesfromaburnerflowcocurrentlyandindirectcontactwiththebiosolids.
Themixtureofbiosolidsandhotgasesisconveyedtothedischargeendofthedrierwherethedryproductis
separatedfromthegasandvapourmixture.

Thetemperatureofthehotgasattheinletofthedrumistypicallybetween450to500C(842to932F)andthe
temperatureoftheproductisapproximately100to140C(212to284F).Theoxygencontentatthedryeroutletis
between15and17percent.Thefluegasandvapourmixtureissenttoacondenserandthefluegasesandnon
condensablesshouldbetreatedinanodourcontrolunit.

Therearethreemaindisadvantageswiththesetypesofdryers:thehighoxygencontentinthedrumwhichpresents
fireandexplosionrisks,thelargevolumeofgasthatneedstobetreatedinanodourcontrolunitandtheenergy
lossesfromthelargestackrequired.Toaddressthesedisadvantages,somemanufacturersimplementair/vapour
recirculationsystemswithheatexchangers.

FluidizedBedDryers

Influidizedbedsystems,thebiosolidsarefluidizedwhenbroughtintocontactwithhotgasesmovingupward.
Theseareverticallymountedsystemsandinrecentdesignsthehotgasesarerecirculatedinaclosedloop.Wet
biosolidsaremixedwithdriedproduct,enteratthetopofthechamberandsinktothebottom.Astheproductdries
itsdensitydecreasesandasaresultitoccupiesthehighestpartofthedryer.Thedriedproductisdischarged
throughanoverflowandthegasesaredirectedtoacycloneseparatorandanodourcontrolunit.Thecyclone
capturesthedustcreatedbytheattritionoftheparticlescausedbyfluidization.Fluidizedbeddryerstendtobe
sensitivetovariationsinsludgecompositionbecauseofitseffectonthefluidizationprocess.Theheatexchangers
incorporatedinthechambersufferfromabrasion.Thesystemisconsideredtohavehighpowerrequirements.

16.5.2.2Indirect(Conduction)DryerProcessAlternatives

Inconductiondryersasolidretainingwallseparatesthewetsludge/biosolidsfromtheheattransfermedium,which
isusuallysteamoranotherhotfluid.Indirect(conduction)dryersinclude:

Thinfilmdryers
Discdryer
Paddledryers
Verticaldryers
 Pelletizersand
Multipleeffectevaporationdryers.

Abriefdescriptionofthemostcommonindirectdryersystemsemployedformunicipalsludge/biosolidsfollows.

ThinFilmDryers

Thisisanexampleofadryingsystemthatdriesbiosolidsthroughtheplasticphasewithoutdryproduct
recirculation.Itisahorizontalsystemwherebiosolidsareintroducedinafixedshellcontainingarotatingshaft.
Thematerialisspreadontothewallwhereitformsathinfilmonasteamorthermaloilheatedjacket.Blades
mountedontheshaftscrapetheproductandforceitacrossthedryertothedischargeend.

Themaindisadvantageofthistypeofdryingsystemisthelargeamountofmechanicalwearexertedbythedried
productwhenitisabove80percentDS.

DiscDryers

Discdryersarecomposedofheatedhollowdiscssetoneaftertheotherinparallelalongarotor.Thediscsandrotor
areenclosedinafixedshell.Biosolidsfilltheshellandsubmergethediscsandrotor.Therearescrapersattachedto
theencasingshellextendinginwarduntiljustabovetherotorshaftandthediscsareequippedwithlargepaddles,
whichcontroltheresidencetimeoftheproduct.Discdryerscanbeusedforpartialorcompletedrying.Ifusedfor
completedrying,driedproductismixedwithwetfeedbeforeenteringthedryer.Thisconfigurationissubjectto
heavymechanicalwear.

PaddleDryers

Paddledryershaveasimilarconfigurationtodiscdryers.Hollowwedgeshaped,selfcleaningbladestaketheplace
ofthediscsandcasing.Therotorspeedislowandtheresidencetimeishigh.Paddledryersaresubjecttosimilar
wearproblemsasdiscdryerswhenusedforcompletedrying.

16.5.2.3RadiationDryerProcessAlternatives

Inradiationdryers,infraredlamps,electricresistanceelementsorgasheatedincandescentrefractoriessupplythe
energyrequiredtoheatthewetsludge/biosolidsandevaporatemoisture.

16.5.2.4SolarThermalDrying

Solarthermaldryingwithinagreenhouseisathermaldewateringanddryingprocessthatusessolarenergyasthe
primaryenergysource.Thisprocessisapplicabletomunicipalsludge/biosolids.Proprietarysystemsareavailable
thatutilizethistechnology.

Insolardrying,vapourpressuredifferencesresultinevaporationofmoisturetotheatmosphere.Thetransparent
coverprovidesinsulationandtransmissionofsolarradiationandisconstructedtowithstandwindandsnowloads.
Liquidordewateredsludgesarespreadoutonthefloorofthedryingpensandaremixedandpassivelyaerated
throughthemixingaction.Automatedventilationandoptionalheatingsystemshouldbeprovided.

Solardryingcanprovideamorecontrolledenvironment,howeverthetechnologyrequiresasignificantamountof
land.Itismodularandcanbedecentralized.Solardryingfacilitiescanhandleliquidsludgefrom3to10percent
drysolids(DS)anddewateredsludgesfrom10to40percentDS.Thetreatmentprocessprovidesdewateringand
drying.Theprocesscanachieveasubstantialvolatilesolidsandpathogenreductiondependingonthedryingtime.
Dryingtimesofthreemonthsduringwinteroperationwithoutexternalenergy,andshorterperiodsduringsummer
conditions,aretypical.

16.5.3PelletizationofDriedSludge

Pelletizationofdriedsludgecanbeused,especiallyifthedryproductistobeusedasafertilizerorsoil
supplement.Pelletizationmaybeaccomplishedinonestepwithdryingoritmayfollowasaseparatestep.Inthe
formercase,dewateredsludgeisfirstsentthroughapelletizerwhereitistransformedintoapellet.Thisprocedure
givescohesiontothesludgeandcreatesalargeexternalsurfaceareathatacceleratesthedryingprocess.
16.5.4IndirectVerticalDryer

Anotherprocessisanindirectverticaldryerwithanumberofheatedtraysconstructedoneabovetheotherinsidea
cylindricalshell.Thesludge/biosolidsdryastheycontacttheheatedtrays.Recycledpelletsarecoatedwithathin
layerofincomingwetmaterialandintroducedtothedryeratthetop.Astheymovefromthetoptothebottom
traystheydryoutandarefinallytransportedtoaseparationhopperwheretheyaresortedforsize.Pelletsare
recycled5to7times,growinginsizewitheachpassthroughthedryer,untiltheyreachthedesireddiameterat
whichstagetheyareseparatedfromtherecyclingstreamandsenttothestoragefacility.

Pelletizationisprovidedforthefollowingreasons:

Storageofdriedsludge/biosolidspelletsreducestheriskoffireandglowing,whichishigherfordriedsludge
dustand
Handlingofdriedsludgepelletsiseasierandposeslessdangertotheenvironmentandthepersonnelin
contactwithit.

16.5.4.1TechnicalConsiderations

Foreachofthedryercategoriesdescribedabove,therearespecificmanufacturertechnicalanddesign
considerations.However,thefollowingfactorsandconsiderationsapplytoalltypesofdryersandplaythemost
importantroleinthedryerselectionandsizing.

Thedesiredmoisturecontentofthewetanddriedsludge/biosolidswillaffectdryerselection
Theamountofflexibilityrequiredinthedesigntoaccommodatevaryingsludge/biosolidscharacteristics
Mechanicaldewateringisarequirementpriortodrying
Continuousorbatchdryingoperationsaffectdryersize
Storagerequirementsforwetanddriedsludge/biosolidsareanimportantconsideration
Condensatefromairrecyclestreamsshouldbeconsidered
Dustmaybeahazardduringprocessingorifthedriedbiosolidsarestoredinlargevolumesdustcreation
shouldbepreventedtoavoidignitionandexplosiveconditions
Energysourcesforthedryermaybenaturalgasorfueloilbecauseofthelargeamountsofenergyrequired,
recoveryofheatfromtheexhaustgasesshouldbeconsideredinaddition,futureenergycostsshouldbe
considered
Safetyrequirements,especiallypreventionofriskoffireorexplosionsludgedriedandstoredinreducing
conditionsmaydryexothermicallyandpotentiallyleadtoautogenouscombustion(theNationalFire
ProtectionAssociations(2003)FireProtectioninWastewaterTreatmentandCollectionFacilities,USNFPA
820requirementsshouldbereviewed)and
Considerationshouldbegiventoodourcontrolespeciallyifunstabilizedsludge/biosolidsaredried(if
rewetted,odourswillbeemitted).(Section4.4OdourControlandAbatementMeasures).

16.5.5Composting

Compostingisabiologicalprocessinwhichorganicmaterialundergoesbiologicaldegradationtoastableend
productcalledhumus.Compostinghasreceivedattentionasanalternativeforenhancedstabilizationandutilization
ofbiosolidsforanumberofpotentialbeneficialuses.

TheCanadianFoodInspectionAgency(CFIA)regulatestheuseofcompostinaccordancewiththeFertilizers
Regulations(C.R.C.,c.666)madeundertheFertilizersAct(R.S.C.1985,c.F10).CanadianCouncilofMinisters
oftheEnvironment(CCME)GuidelinesforCompostQuality(2005)specifiescriteriaforproductsafetyand
quality:foreignmatter,maturity,pathogensandtraceelements.TheStandardsCouncilofCanada(SCC)provides
voluntaryNationalStandardofCanadaOrganicSoilConditionersComposts.

TheministryguidelinesInterimGuidelinesfortheProductionandUseofAerobicCompostinOntarioprovides
guidanceapplicabletotheestablishmentandoperationofcompostingfacilitiesinOntario.

Thedesignershouldbefamiliarwiththecurrentrequirementsoftheseregulationsandguidelinesandconsultwith
theministryregardingsitespecificdesignandoperatingcriteriarelatedtobufferzones,storageofcomposting
material,runofforleachatecontrol,odourcontrolandotherprocessissues.

Compostingisaccomplishedunderaerobicconditions.Theselfheatingaerobicprocessattainstemperaturesinthe
pasteurizationrangeof50to70C(122to158F).Thisresultsintheinactivationofpathogensandtheproduction
ofwellstabilizedcompostthatcanbestoredandhasminimalodour.Thehighqualitybiosolidsproductcanbe
usedbeneficiallyasasoilconditionerororganicfertilizersupplement.

Maintenanceofaminimumtemperatureof55C(131F)foratleastthreedayscanachievevirtuallycomplete
inactivationofpathogenswithininvesselandaeratedstaticpilesystems.Compostingisasludgeprocessing
technologythat,dependingonprocessdesign,cantreatdewateredundigestedand/ordigestedsludgeand
potentiallyproduceapathogenfreebiosolidsproduct.Dewateringistoprovideatleast18percentsolids
concentrationpriortoadditionofbulkingagents.Thiscoulddeferoreliminatetheneedforfuturedigester
upgradesandexpansionsandcanrepresentaflexibleoptionaspartofadiversifiedbiosolidsmanagement
program.Additionalvolatilesolidsdestructionanddegradationofpersistentorganicsubstancesindigested
biosolidsmaybepossible.

Themassofcompostproductistypicallyaboutonehalfofthemassofwetdewateredsludgethatisaddedtothe
process.However,thereislittlechangeinthevolume,astheproductislessdensethanthewetsludge.

Methodsforcompostingincludeinvessel,windrowandstaticaeratedpilecomposting.Table162summarizes
keyrequirements.

Table162SummaryofCompostingRequirements
Parameter AeratedStaticPile InVessel Windrow
OverallActiveCompostingTime(days) 2128 1021 2128
Timeat55C(days) 3 3 15
OverallTimeIncludingCuring(days) 5080 5080 5080
TurningTimes(#)
SolidsContentAfterDewatering(%) 18 18 18
MinimumSupplyMixtureSolids,IncludingBulkingAgent(%) 40 35 40

Threeseparatestagesofmicrobialactivityoccurduringthecompostingprocess:

Initialmesophilicstage,duringwhichtemperatureswithinthepileincreasefromambienttoabout40C
(104F)
Thermophilicstage,causedbytheheatgeneratedthroughconversionoforganicmattertocarbondioxideand
watervapour,wheretemperaturescanrangefrom40to70C(104to158F)and
Coolingstageassociatedwithreducedmicrobialactivityascompostingapproachescompletion(i.e.,curing).

Compostingunderaerobicconditions,dependingonthesystemdesign,involvesthefollowingsteps:

Mixingofdewateredsludgewithabulkingagentoramendmenttoensureanadequatemixtureporosityfor
properaeration,structuralintegrity,acceptablemixturedensity,reducedbulkmoisturecontentandtoprovide
supplementalcarbontoadjusttheenergybalanceandcarbontonitrogenratio
Aerationand/oragitationofthemixturetopromotetheaerobicmicrobiologicaldecompositionreactions
(i.e.,activecomposting)and
Curingofthecomposttocompletethestabilizationprocess.

Inadditiontoprovidingtherequiredoxygenfororganicsdegradation,aerationandagitationfacilitatetheremoval
ofexhaustgases,watervapourandheat.Therateofaerationmaybeusedtocontrolprocesstemperatureandthe
rateofdrying.Dryingduringthecompostingprocesscanproducesolidsconcentrationsof50to55percent.

Productcuring,whichfollowsactivecomposting,maybeprecededorfollowedbyscreening.Theoveralldetention
timeforcompostingandcuringistypicallybetween50to80days.Iffeasible,thebulkingagentisrecoveredby
screeningforreuse.Anareafortemporarystorageofthefinalstabilizedproductisusuallyprovidedatthe
compostingsite.

16.5.5.1ProcessAlternatives

Thefollowingarethemajoravailableprocessoptionsforsludgecomposting:

Aeratedstaticpile
Windrowand
 Invesselsystems.

AeratedStaticPile

Intheaeratedstaticpileprocess,themixtureofdewateredcakeandcoarsebulkingagentisplacedoveraporous
bed(i.e.,agridofclosedandperforatedpiping).Airissuppliedtoeachpilebyadedicatedblowerandpipingand
isdrawndownwardorforcedupwardthroughthemixture.Thepileiscoveredwithaninsulatingblanketofwood
chipsorscreenedcompost.Theactivecompostingperiodis21to28days.

Smallapplicationscanconsistofanumberofindividualpileswhereaslargerapplicationscaninvolveacontinuous
pilethatisdividedintosectionsrepresentingthecontributionofeachday.Newfacilitiesaretypicallycoveredand
somearefullyenclosedforreducedodourandforimprovedprocesscontrol.

Windrow

Windrowsconsistoflongnarrowparallelpilesofthemixturethroughwhichaerationisachievedbynatural
convectionanddiffusion.Intheaeratedwindrowprocess,supplementalforcedaerationthroughunderlyingair
channelsisused.Thewindrowisremixedperiodicallybyaturningmechanismtofacilitateairmovementand
moisturerelease.Windrowoperationsarecoveredorenclosedsystems.Theactivecompostingperiodis21to28
days.

InVesselSystems

Invesselsystemsforactivecompostingareenclosedandmechanizedprocesses,comprisingareactor(s)and
conveyorsthatofferanincreaseddegreeofprocessandodourcontrol.Thesystemsarecompactandcanbehighly
automated,includingprogrammablelogiccontroller(PLC)basedautomaticcontrolsystems.Thecontrolof
environmentalconditionssuchasairflow,temperature,moistureandoxygenconcentrationpermitsshorter
compostingtimes.

Themixtureofdewateredsludge,amendmentandrecycledcompostisfedintooneendofatunnel,silo,orchannel
oftheinvesselprocessandmovescontinuouslytowardsthedischargeend.Airsuppliedbyblowersisforced
throughthismixturewhichmaybeperiodicallyagitated.

Thethreetypicalinvesselreactordesignsinclude:

Verticalplugflow
Horizontalplugflow(i.e.,tunnelreactor)and
Agitatedbinreactors.

Theplugflowsystemsinvolveperiodicfeeding(e.g.daily)anddischargeoffinishedcompostfromtheopposite
end.Unliketheplugflowdesigns,thedynamicagitatedbedprocessusesmechanicalmixingduringcomposting.
Dependingontheparticularprocessorsystemsupplier,thedetentiontimeinthereactorcanvarybetween10to21
daysforactivecomposting.Comparedwithstaticpileandwindrowcomposting,invesselprocessescanproducea
moreconsistentproduct,requirelessspaceandprovideanenhanceddegreeofodourcontainmentandcontrol.
Modularsystemdesignscanfacilitatefutureexpansion.

Bulkingagentmayberemovedaftercompletionofcompostingbyscreeningtoreducemassandtorecyclethe
bulkingagent.

16.5.5.2TechnicalConsiderations

Processvariablesthatcanaffectcompostingoperationsandperformanceincludetemperature,bedporosity,
moisturecontent,ratiooforganicstonutrients,pH,aerationlevelsanddetentiontime.Parametersthatcanbe
monitoredandusedtocontrolinvesselcompostingprocessesinclude:

Mixturetemperature
Blowerstaticpressure
Relativehumidityofthefreshairsupply
Relativehumidityofprocessheadspace
Volumeoffreshair
 Blowerspeedand
Oxygenconcentrationinprocessheadspace.Anumberoffactorscaninfluenceselectionofthemost
appropriatecompostingprocessforagivenapplication.Thesecaninclude:
Characteristicsofthesludgesupply(e.g.solidscontent,degreeofstabilization,ifany,andloadingrates)
Typeofequipmentandchemicalsusedinupstreamsludgedewateringandtheconsistencyoftheresultant
cakeand
Landavailability.

Dewateredsludgecakeof18to25percentsolidscanbemixedwithbulkingagentoramendmenttoproducethe
desiredsolidscontentofthefeedsupply.

Theuniformityofthemixturewithrespecttoporosityiscriticalinstaticpilesystemsandlesssoinwindrowand
invesselsystems.

Sludgesupplythatisstabilizedbyaerobicoranaerobicdigestionpriortocompostingcanreducethesizeofthe
compostingfacilityduetothereducedorganicsolidscontent.Intheeventthatthecompostingsystemis
overloadedoroutofservice(e.g.formaintenance),thestabilizationofsludge,priortocomposting,offersthe
abilitytodirectlyapplybiosolidstolandonaninterimbasis.Theapplicationofbiosolidstoagriculturalland
shouldbedesignedintotheprogram,includingrelevantpermittingrequirements(e.g.OrganicConditioningSite
CertificateofApproval).Otherconsiderationsinclude:

Compostingofundigestedsludgeresultsinhigherreactionrates,oxygendemand,heatgenerationandodour
potential
Materialbeingcompostedshouldberegularlymixedorturned,dependingonthecompostprocess,to
preventdrying,cakingandairchanneling
Processtemperatureshouldbekeptatbetween55to65C(131to149F)foradefinedperiodoftimeuntil
pathogencontrolrequirementsaremet.Forthefirstfewdays,temperatureshouldbemaintainedatoptimum
levelsofbetween50and55C(122and131F)topromotemaximumratesoforganicsdegradationand
stabilization
Newcompostingfacilitiestypicallyincludeodourcontrolsystemsforthecontainmentandtreatmentof
exhausts.Odourcontrolsystemscanincludebiofilters,wetscrubbersand/orthermaloxidationforthe
removalofammoniaandotherodourcompoundsmeasuresforodourcontrolafterwinterfreezingshouldbe
provided
Dependingonprocessdesign,itmaybepossibletococompostmunicipalSTPsludgewithotherorganic
solidwastes.Thelattersolidwastesrequirepresortingandpulverizingpriortomixingwithsludge
Siteconsiderationsincludelandavailability,access,proximitytotheSTP,sitedrainageandrunoffcontrol,
proximitytoendusersofthefinishedproduct,climaticconditionsandavailabilityofbufferzoneand
Themarketforcompostvariesregionallybasedonlocalconditionssuchaslanduse,availabilityof
competingsoilamendmentandfertilizerproducts,guidelinesforbiosolidscompostandpublicacceptanceof
biosolidsproducts.

16.5.5.3MetalsContentinFinishedCompost

Metalscontentoffinishedcompostaffectstheusabilityoftheproductandshouldbecarefullyconsideredduring
theprocessdesigntoensureamarketforthefinalproduct.TheministryguidelinesInterimGuidelinesforthe
ProductionandUseofAerobicCompostinOntarioprovidesthemetalsconcentrationscriteriawhichfinished
compostneedstocomplywith,andshouldbereferenced.

16.5.6Incineration

Incinerationisaunitprocessforsludgemanagementthatburnstheorganicmatterpresentinthesludge.
Combustionreleasestheheatvalueoftheorganicmatterinthesludgethroughrapidhightemperaturechemical
oxidationreactionsandreducesthevolumeandweightofsolidresiduals(ash)forultimatedisposal.Depending
upontemperature,thisprocesscandestroy,transformorreducetraceorganicmaterials.

Theincinerationofwastewatersludgesemployshightemperaturechemicalreactions,typicallyat700to870C
(1,300to1,600F),whichconverttheorganiccarbonandhydrogeninthesludgeandtheoxygeninthecombustion
airintocarbondioxideandwatervapour.Supplementalfuel,usuallynaturalgasorfueloil,isburnedifrequired,
whichwoulduseadditionalcombustionairandproduceadditionalcarbondioxideandwatervapour.Inorganic
matterinthesludgeremainsasasolidashresidue.Metals(exceptforrelativelyvolatilemercuryand,toalesser
extent,cadmium)areconvertedtostableandgenerallyinsolubleoxideswithintheash.
Theexhaustgasescontain,inadditiontocarbondioxideandwatervapour,nitrogenandunconsumedoxygenfrom
thecombustionairplusasmalleramountofairpollutantemissionofsuspendedparticulates,carbonmonoxide,
oxidesofsulphur(SOX)andoxidesofnitrogen(NOX).Theseusuallyresultwhenthecompoundsarevolatilized
beforetheyareexposedtohighenoughtemperaturestobeproperlyoxidized.Therefore,afterburningoftenhasto
beusedtodestroythesevolatilizedcompounds,especiallyinmultiplehearthincinerators.

Theheatingvalueofthewetsludgecakeisamajorvariablegoverningthedesignandoperationofanincinerator.
Sludgeheatingvaluesvarydependingonthetypesofsludgesandontheformandperformanceoftheconditioning
anddewateringprocessesusedpriortoincineration.Theheatingvaluesofprimaryandsecondarysludges,both
rawanddigested,averageabout23,300to25,600kJ/kg(10,000to11,000Btu/lb)ofvolatilesolids.

Supplementalfuelisneededforheatingupanincineratoruntilitreachescombustiontemperatures.Supplemental
fuelmayberequiredduringroutineoperation,dependingontheoverallheatbalancefortheincinerator.Normally,
eithernaturalgas(37,300kJ/m3or1,000Btu/ft3)orheavyfueloils(3.9x107kJ/m3or1.05x106Btu/ft3for#2
gradesand4.0x107kJ/m3or1.07x106Btu/ft3for#4grades)areselected.Inthecaseofincinerationof
anaerobicallydigestedsludge,theabilitytouserecoveredexcessdigestergas(abouthalfthethermalvalueof
naturalgas)isanoptionforsupplementalfuel.

Incineratorashshouldbedisposedofinaproperlydesignedashpondorapprovedlandfill.

Sludgesshouldideallybeconcentratedtoasolidsconcentrationwheretheywillburnautogenously.Thissolids
concentrationwillvarysomewhatwithsludgetype,volatilesolidspercentageandthechemicalcompositionofthe
solids,butaconcentrationintheorderof30percentTSwillgenerallyberequired.Adetailedmassandenergy
balanceshouldbeprovidedbythedesignertocalculateenergyrequirementsandallowablesolidsloadingrate.The
designcalculationsshoulddefinethepotentialforheatrecoveryfromtheexhaustgasesbasedontheoverallmass
andenergybalancecalculations.

Twotypesofincineratorsaregenerallyusedforwastewatersludge:multiplehearthandfluidizedbed.Fluidized
BedIncineration(FBI)isconsideredthetypeofincinerationwhichisthestateoftheartsystemandisusuallythe
typethatisprovidedforanewinstallation.Themultiplehearthincineratortechnologyhaslargelybeenreplacedby
theFBIforsludgeincineration.

16.5.6.1FluidizedBedIncinerator

TheFluidizedBedIncinerator(FBI)isavertical,cylindrical,refractorylinedsteelshellthatcontainsnointernal
movingmechanicalparts,onlyasandbedandfluidizingairdiffusers.Itisnormallyavailableinsizesfrom2.7to
7.6m(9to25ft)indiameter.Unitswithdiametersupto10.7m(35ft)havebeenbuilt.Thesandbedis
approximately0.76m(2.5ft)thickatrestandsitsonarefractorylinedgrid.Thisgridcontainstuyeresthrough
whichairisinjectedintothefurnaceatagaugepressureof20to34kPa(3to5psi)tofluidizethebed,which
expandstoapproximately200percentofitsatrestvolume.

Sludgeisfeddirectlyintothefluidizedsandbed.Duetothefluidization,thereisviolentmixinginthebedwhich
providesrapidanduniformdistributionoffuelandairandconsequently,goodheattransferandcombustion.Heat
transferandreactionbetweenthegasesandthesolidsarerapidbecauseofthelargesurfaceareaavailable.Thebed
providessubstantialheatstoragecapacity,whichhelpstoreduceshorttermtemperaturefluctuationsthatmay
resultfromvaryingfeedsludgeheatingvaluesormoisturecontents.Organicparticlesremaininthesandbeduntil
theyarereducedtomineralash.Theviolentmotionofthebedcomminutestheashmaterial,preventingthebuildup
ofclinkers(agglomeratedmaterial).Theresultingfineashisstrippedfromthebedbytheupflowinggasesand
carriedoutthetopofthefurnaceandremovedbyairpollutioncontroldevices.

Thetemperatureinthebedismaintainedbetween760and815C(1,400and1,500F)byaddition,ifneeded,of
supplementalfueldirectlyintothebed.Forshortperiodsoftimeduringstartupofthefluidizedbed,anauxiliary
burner(s)locatedeitheraboveorbelowthesandbedisutilized.Ininstallationswithautogenouscombustion,a
waterspray(coolingsystem)abovethebedisusedtoregulatethefurnacetemperature.Inessence,thereactorisa
singlechamberunitinwhichbothdryingandcombustionoccurinthesandbed.Allofthecombustiongasespass
throughthecombustionzone,withresidencetimesofseveralsecondsat760to815C(1,400and1,500F).

Therequiredairflowintothefurnaceisdeterminedbyseveralfactors.Fluidizingandcombustionairshouldbe
sufficienttoexpandthebedtoaproperdensity,yetlowenoughtopreventthesludgefromrisingtoandfloatingon
topofthebed.Toomuchaircanblowsandandproductsofincompletecombustionintotheoffgases,whiletoo
littleaircancauseoxygenlevelstofallbelowstoichiometricrequirementsforcompleteoxidationofallvolatile
solidsinthesludgefeed.Oncetheairflowratehasbeendeterminedindesign,onlyminoradjustmentsarerequired
duringoperation.Temperaturesshouldbesufficientlyhightoassurecompletedeodorizing,butlowenoughto
protecttherefractory,heatexchangerandfluegasducting.Optimumthermaleconomyisgenerallyobtainedwith
20to45percentexcessair,afigurewhichvariesasafunctionofthefeedsludgecomposition.

ThecombustionprocessshouldbefollowedbyanairemissioncontrolsystemtomeettherequirementsofAir
PollutionLocalAirQuality,(O.Reg.419/05),madeundertheEnvironmentalProtectionAct.Thedesignershould
refertoSection3.11EmissionsofContaminantstoAir.

16.6OdourControl
Odourcontrolfacilitiesshouldbeprovidedforsludgemixingandtreatedsludgestoragetankswhenlocatedwithin
0.8km(0.5miles)ofresidentialorcommercialareas.ThedesignershouldrefertoSection4.4OdourControland
AbatementMeasures.

Ventilationisrequiredforindoorsludgemixing,storageorprocessingfacilities(Section7.2.10Safety
Ventilation).Ventilationmaybeeithercontinuousorintermittent.Ventilation,ifcontinuous,shouldprovideatleast
12completeairchangesperhourifintermittent,atleast30completeairchangesperhour.Airshouldbeforced
intotheareabymechanicalmeansratherthansolelyexhaustedfromthearea.Theairchangerequirementsshould
bebasedon100percentfreshair.Portableventilationequipmentshouldbeprovidedifthereisnopermanently
installedventilationequipment.

Anaerobicdigesterpressurereliefvalvesshouldbedesignedandcheckedtopreventunnecessaryreleaseof
digestergas.Similarly,compressorsystemsshouldbedesigned,checkedandmaintainedtopreventgasleakage
thatcouldbeeitherasafetyproblemorodoursource.

16.7SludgePumpsandPiping

16.7.1SludgePumps

Pumpcapacitiesshouldbeadequatebutnotexcessive.Provisionforvaryingpumpcapacityisdesirable.Duplicate
units,orsufficientunitswithatleastthelargestunitoutofservice,shouldbeprovidedatallinstallations.

Pumpswithdemonstratedsolidshandlingcapabilityshouldbeprovidedforhandlingrawanddigestedsludge.
Wherecentrifugalpumpsareused,aparallelpositivedisplacementpumpmaybeprovidedasanalternatetopump
heavysludgeconcentrations,suchasprimaryorthickenedsludge,thatmayexceedthepumpingheadofthe
centrifugalpump.Somepumpsrequireupstreamgrindersforsuccessfuloperation.

Aminimumpositiveheadof610mm(24in)shouldbeprovidedatthesuctionsideofcentrifugalpumpsandis
desirableforalltypesofsludgepumps.Maximumsuctionliftsshouldnotexceed3m(10ft)forplungerpumps.
Unlesssludgesamplingfacilitiesareotherwiseprovided,quickclosingsamplingvalvesorpistonvalvesshouldbe
installedatthesludgepumps.Thesizeofvalveandpipingshouldbeatleast40mm(1.5in)andterminateata
suitablelocation.

16.7.2SludgePiping

Digestedsludgewithdrawalpipingshouldhaveaminimumdiameterof200mm(NPS8)forgravitywithdrawal
and150mm(NPS6)forpumpsuctionanddischargelines.Wherewithdrawalisbygravity,theavailableheadon
thedischargepipeshouldbeatleast1.2m(4ft)andpreferablymore.Undigestedsludgewithdrawalpipingshould
besizedinaccordancewithSection11.3.2.3SludgeRemovalPipeline.

Gravitypipingshouldbelaidonuniformgradeandalignment.Slopesongravitydischargepipingshouldnotbe
lessthan3percentforprimarysludgesandallsludgesthickenedtogreaterthan2percentsolids.Slopesongravity
dischargepipingshouldnotbelessthan2percentforaerobicallydigestedsludgeorwasteactivatedsludgewith
lessthan2percentsolids.Wheregravitysludgetransferisproposed,provisionshouldbemadeforapumped
transferonaregularbasistoremovedepositsandcleanoutthelines.Thepumpedoperationmaybenecessaryafter
afewyearsofgravityoperationwhenthegravityoperationisnotpossibleduetosludgedeposits.Valvingshould
beprovidedtoallowforbothgravityandpumpedtransfer.
Cleanoutsshouldbeprovidedforallgravitysludgepiping.Provisionsshouldbemadefordrainingandflushing
dischargelines.Allsludgepipingshouldbesuitablylocatedorotherwiseadequatelyprotectedtopreventfreezing.
Thesectionofpipingbetweenisolationvalvesshouldhaveadrainandventvalvesorothermeanstorelievebuilt
uppressure,duetogasformation,priortodismantlingthepipingforcleaningorrepairs.

Specialconsiderationshouldbegiventothecorrosionresistanceandpermanenceofsupportingsystemsforpiping
locatedinsidethedigestiontank.

Sludgethickeninganddewatering
Chapter17:SludgeThickeningandDewatering
Thischapterdescribesdewateringofsolids(sludgeandbiosolids)priortodisposalorpriortofurthertreatmentand
stabilization.Thisincludessludge/biosolidsconditioning,gravityandmechanicalthickening,mechanical
dewateringanddryingbedsfordewatering.

Asummaryofthethickeninganddewateringperformanceexpectationsforconventionalprocessesisprovidedin
AppendixV,whichshouldbeusedinconjunctionwiththedetailsinthischapter.

17.1General

ThesludgesolidsconcentrationsthatarelistedinSection16.1.1SludgeQuantitiesandCharacteristicsandTable
161aretheconcentrationswhichcangenerallybeachievedwithouttheuseofseparatethickeningordewatering
facilities.Toachieveanysignificantlyhigherconcentrations,sludgethickeningand/ordewateringfacilitieswillbe
required.Thedesignerneedstoevaluatethedewateringrequirementsforanyplannedsludgeutilization/disposal
operationandtheenduse.

Sludgethickeningnormallyreferstotheprocessofreducingthefreewatercontentofsludgeswhereas,dewatering
referstothereductionofflocboundandcapillarywatercontentofsludges.SeeTables171and172fortypical
performanceexpectationsforvariousthickeninganddewateringprocesses,respectively.

Thebenefitswhichcanbederivedfromreductionsinsludgewatercontentinclude:

Reductionindigestersizingrequirementstoachievethesamesolidsretentiontime
Reductioninheatexchangecapacityrequirementsforanaerobicdigestion
Reductioninsludgepumpageandtransportationcosts
Decreaseinultimatedisposalcosts
Reductionofhandlingproblemsandleachateproductionduringsludgelandfillingoperations
Sizingforsubsequenttreatmentorstabilizationoptions[e.g.sludgedrying,autothermalaerobicdigestion
(ATAD)]and
ReductioninstoragevolumeisrequiredtocomplywiththeGeneralRegulation(O.Reg.267/03)madeunder
theNutrientManagementAct.ForSTPwhicharenotphasedinundertheNutrientManagementAct,
requirementsaresetoutintheCertificateofApproval(CofA),basedontheMOEandtheMinistryof
Agriculture,FoodandRuralAffairs'GuidelinesfortheUtilizationofBiosolidsandOtherWasteson
AgriculturalLand,1996.

Theremaybesomedisadvantagestoexcessivereductioninwatercontentwhichshouldalsobetakeninto
consideration:

Sludgemixingandblendingfacilitiesmayberequiredtocombinesludgesofdifferingwatercontentfor
subsequenttreatmentoperations
Sludgeat12to15percenttotalsolids(TS)isnotfreeflowingandmayrequirespecialsludgehandling
equipment
Dewateredsludgesbecauseoftheirsignificantlossinplantavailablenitrogencontentmaynotbeas
acceptableordesirableforspreadingonagriculturallandsasliquidsludgesareand
Contaminantloadinginrecyclestreamsrequiringtreatment.

Whereverpossible,pilotplantand/orbenchscaledataisrecommendedforthedesignofsludgethickeningand
dewateringfacilities.Withnewplants,thismaynotalwaysbepossibleand,insuchcases,empiricaldesign
parametersshouldbeused.Thefollowingsubsectionsoutlinethenormalrangesforthedesignparametersofsuch
equipment.

Inconsideringtheneedforsludgethickeninganddewateringfacilities,thedesignershouldevaluatetheeconomics
oftheoveralltreatmentprocesses,withandwithoutfacilitiesforsludgewatercontentreduction.Thisevaluation
shouldconsiderbothcapitalandoperatingcostsofthevariousplantcomponentsandsludgedisposaloperations
affected.

Recyclestreams(i.e.,centrateandfiltrate)needtobecarefullyconsideredandtheirimpactontheliquidtrainof
thesewagetreatmentplant(STP)accountedfor.Theimpactoftheserecyclestreamsneedtoberelatedtotheir
scheduleofoperation,asthickeninganddewateringprocessesareoftenoperatedonlyduringthedayshiftandon
weekdays.Withorwithoutequalization,theloadingofthesestreamswillincreasetheloadingtotheliquidtrain.
Theserecyclestreamsmaybesmallintermsoftheirvolumetricloading,butcanbeconcentratedintermsof
organicloading,especiallytotalammonianitrogenloadingfromdewateringofbiosolidsfromanaerobicdigestion
processes.Alsotheoperationofthethickeninganddewateringprocessesshouldbecoordinatedwiththeoperation
ofthesludgefeedprocesses,astheseprocessesmaybecontinuousandthethickening/dewateringprocessesmay
beoperatedperiodically(e.g.7to8hoursperday,5daysperweek).Theimpactshouldbeassessedbasedonthe
actualflowandbiologicalloadfromthedewateringfacilityontheliquidtrainperformance,calculatedoverthe
actualtimewhenthesidestreamisreturnedratherthanaveragedovera24hourperiod,unlessequalizationofthe
recycleflowsisprovided.

Instrumentationshouldbeconsideredforallthickeninganddewateringprocessestomonitorinfluentandeffluent
flows,andsamplingshouldconfirminfluent,thickenedorcakeandrecyclestreamsolids.Additionalsamplingof
therecyclestreamisrecommendedtoconfirmtheloadingtotheliquidtrain.

17.2SludgeConditioning
Sludgethickeningandsludgedewateringoperations(dependingontheprocessused),arehighlydependentupon
sludgeconditioningfortheireffectiveoperation.Sludgeconditioningaffectsthesolidsconcentrationofthe
thickenedordewateredsludgeandthesolidscaptureefficiency.

Thereareseveralcharacteristicsofsludges,includingindustrialderivedconstituentswhichmayadverselyaffect
attemptstoachievesolidliquidseparation.Thepresenceofcolloidalparticlesincreasesthespecificresistanceof
thesludgeandadverselyaffectssedimentationprocesses.Thenetnegativechargeexhibitedbymostsewage
sludgestendstomaketheparticlesrepulseeachotherandthusresistagglomerationintolargerparticles.Sludge
particleshaveaboundwatercontentwhich,ifretained,resultsinlowcakesolidsaftersolidliquidseparation.
Sludgeconditioningoperationsattempttoalteroneormoreoftheabovesludgecharacteristicssoastoimprovethe
efficiencyofthesolidliquidseparationprocesses.

Therearetwosludgeconditioningapproachesthatcanbeused.Sludgecanbeconditionedbyphysicalmethods,
suchasheattreatmentoradditionofflyashorbychemicalmethods,involvingtheadditionofeithercoagulants
and/orpolymers.

Themethodselectedwillnotonlydifferinitseffectonthethickeningordewateringprocess,butwillhave
differenteffectsonsubsequentsludgehandlingoperationsandontheSTPitself,duetorecyclestreams.

17.2.1ChemicalMethods

Chemicalconditioningmethodsinvolvetheuseoforganicorinorganicflocculantstopromotetheformationofa
porous,freedrainingcakestructure.Chemicalconditioningforthickeningoperationsattemptstopromotemore
rapidphaseseparation,highersolidsconcentrationandagreaterdegreeofsolidscapture.Withdewatering
operations,chemicalconditioningisusedinanattempttoenhancethedegreeofsolidscapturebydestabilization
andagglomerationoffineparticles.Thispromotestheformationofacake,whichthenbecomesthetruefilter
mediainthedewateringprocess.

Withmostthickeningoperationsandwithbeltfilterpressdewateringoperations,themostcommonlyused
conditioningchemicalsarepolymers.Fordewateringbyvacuumfiltration,ferricsalts,ofteninconjunctionwith
lime,aremostcommonlyused.Chemicalconditioningusingpolymersismostprevalentwithcentrifuge
dewatering,withmetalsaltsbeingavoidedmainlyduetocorrosionproblems.Fordewateringbyfilterpresses,the
useofhighmolecularweightpolymersforsludgeconditioninghasbeensuccessfullyemployedinlieuoflimeand
ferricchloride.Theultimatedisposalmethodsmayalsohaveaneffectonthechoiceofconditioningchemicals.For
instance,limeandferriccompoundsshouldbeavoidedwithincinerationoptions.

Theselectionofthemostsuitablechemical(s)andtheappropriatedosagerequirementsforsludgeconditioningcan
bestbedeterminedbypilotandfullscaletestingandoptimization.Pilotorfullscaletestingshouldassessthe
impactofresidualpolymerontheliquidtrainprocessesandconsidertheadditivesincreaseinmetalcontentofthe
sludge.

Laboratorytestingshouldbeusedtonarrowdowntheselectionprocessandtoarriveatapproximatedosage
requirements.Generally,laboratorytestingwillyielddosagerequirementswithin15percentoffullscaleneeds.

Mixingofthechemicalsmaybeaccomplishedbyeitherdiffusedairormechanicalmixers.Ifdiffusedaerationis
used,anairsupplyof0.85L/(m3s)(51cfm/1000ft3)ofmixingtankvolumeshouldbeprovided.Whendiffusers
areused,thenonclogtypeisrecommendedandtheyshouldbedesignedtopermitcontinuityofservice.If
mechanicalmixersareused,theimpellersneedtobedesignedtominimizefoulingwithdebrisinthesludgeand
considerationshouldbemadetoprovidecontinuityofserviceduringfreezingconditions.

17.2.2PhysicalMethods

Heatconditioningofsludgeconsistsofsubjectingthesludgetohighlevelsofheatandpressure.Heatconditioning
canbeaccomplishedbyeitheranonoxidativeoroxidativesystem.Withthisprocess,thesludgeistreatedat
temperaturesof175to204C(347to399F),pressuresof1,700to2,800kPa(247to406psi)andfordetention
timesof15to40minutes.Thehightemperaturescausehydrolysisoftheencapsulatedwatersolidsmatrixand
lysingofthebiologicalcells.Thehydrolysisofthewatermatrixdestroysthegelatinouscomponentsoftheorganic
solidsandtherebyimprovesthesolidliquidseparationcharacteristics.

Thisprocessmayresultinasignificantorganicloadingtothebiologicaltreatmentprocessofthesewagetreatment
plant,ifthesupernatantisreturnedtothebioreactor,duetothesolubilizationoforganicmatterduringsludge
hydrolysis.Thisliquorcanrepresent25to50percentofthetotalloadingonthesecondarytreatmentprocessand
allowancesshouldbemadeintheSTPdesigntoaccommodatethisloadingincrease.

Heatconditioningresultsintheproductionofextremelycorrosiveliquidsrequiringtheuseofcorrosionresistant
materialssuchasstainlesssteel.Scaleformationintheheatexchangers,pipesandreactorwillrequireacidwashing
equipmenttobeprovided.

Heatconditioning,particularlythenonoxidativeprocess,canalsoresultintheproductionofodorousgases.If
ultimatesludgedisposalisviaincineration,thesegasescanbeincineratedintheupperportionofthefurnace
[760C(1,400F)orhigher].Ifincinerationisnotapartofthesludgehandlingprocess,acatalyticorothertypeof
oxidationunitshouldbeused.

Thedesignrequirementsforaheatconditioningsystemshouldbedeterminedbyeitherbatchorsmallscale
continuouspilotplants.Throughsuchmethods,thenecessarylevelofhydrolysistoproducethedesiredreduction
inthespecificresistanceofthesludgeandtheliquorcharacteristicscanbedetermined.Testscanalsobemadeat
differenttemperaturesanddetentiontimestodeterminethemosteffectivefullscaleoperatingconditions.

Anothercommonformofphysicalconditioningistheadditionofadmixturessuchasflyash,incineratorash,
diatomaceousearthorwastepaper.Theseconditioningtechniquesaremostcommonlyusedwithfilterpressesor
vacuumfilters.Theadmixtureswhenaddedinsufficientquantitiesproduceaporouslatticestructureinthesludge
whichresultsindecreasedcompressibilityandimprovedfilteringcharacteristics.Whenconsideringsuch
conditioningtechniques,thebeneficialanddetrimentaleffectsoftheadmixtureonsuchparametersasoverall
sludgemass,calorificvalue,shouldbeevaluatedalongwiththeeffectsonimprovedsolidscontent.

Althoughoncewidelyuseasaconditioningtechnique,elutriationisnolongerapopularprocessandisnotbe
coveredintheseguidelines.

FreezingofsludgeshasbeenusedsuccessfullyinOntarioforwatertreatmentplantsludges,buttherearenoknown
systemsintentionallyusingslowfreezingasaconditioningmethodforSTPsludges.Thawedsludgereleasesits
moisturemorerapidlythansludgethathasnotbeenfrozenandthesludgeisleftinalight,fluffycondition.The
processreportedlyproducesgoodresultsforsubsequentgravitydewateringofthethawedsludge(upto16percent
solidsforwasteactivatedsludge(WAS)andupto25percentsolidsfordigestedsludge).Thedisadvantagesofthe
systemarethehighBOD5oftheeffluentandthehighcostoftheprocessunlessnaturalmeansoffreezingcanbe
used.

17.3SludgeThickening
SludgethickeningcanbeemployedinthefollowinglocationsinanSTP:

Priortodigestionforrawprimary,secondarysludgeormixedprimaryandsecondarysludges
Priortodewateringfacilities
Followingdigestionforsludgesorsupernatantand
Followingdewateringfacilitiesforconcentrationoffiltrate,decant,orcentrate.

Thecommonlyusedmethodsofsludgethickeningandtheirsuitabilityforthevarioustypesofsludgeareshownin
Table17.1.Inselectingadesignfigureforthethickenedsludgeconcentration,thedesignershouldrecognizethat
thickeningdevicesareadverselyaffectedbyhighsludgevolumeindex(SVI)andbenefitbylowSVIinthe
activatedsludge.TherangesofthickenedsludgeconcentrationsgiveninthetablebelowassumeanSVIof
approximately100mL/g.Thickeningtargetsshouldalsoconsiderdigestionneeds.Prethickeningsludgetogreater
than4percentTSpriortoaerobicdigestioncanleadtoautothermaldigestionandissuesassociatedwiththis
processsuchasodoursandfoamingproblems.

17.3.1DesignConsiderations

Sludgethickenerstoreducethevolumeofsludgeshouldbeconsideredtoreducetherequireddigestercapacity.
Thedesignofthickeners(gravity,dissolvedairflotation,centrifuge,gravitybeltthickeners,rotarydrumscreens
andothers)shouldconsiderthetypeandconcentrationofsludge,thedownstreamsludgestabilizationprocesses,
dewateringandstoragerequirements,themethodofultimatesludgedisposal,chemicalneedsandthecostof
operation.

Particularattentionshouldbegiventothepumpingandpipingoftheconcentratedsludgeandpossibleonsetof
anaerobicconditionsandimpactofcorrosion.Provisionshouldbemadefordrainingandflushingofdischarge
lines.

Thedesignershouldconsiderodourandaerosol/humiditycontrolforallthickeningtechnologies.Wherever
thickeningdevicesarebeinginstalled,specialconsiderationshouldbegiventotheneedforsludgepretreatmentin
theformofsludgegrindingtoavoidpluggingpumps,linesandthickeningequipment.Also,wherethickenersare
tobehoused,adequateventilationandodourcontrolwillberequired,meetingallapplicablecodes.

17.3.2GravityThickening

Gravitythickeningisprincipallyusedforprimarysludgeandmixturesofprimaryandwasteactivatedsludges.Due
tothebetterperformanceofotherthickeningmethodsforWAS,gravitythickeninghaslimitedapplicationforsuch
sludges.

Gravitythickenersshouldbedesignedinaccordancewiththefollowingparameters:

TankDimensions

Tankshapecircular
Tanksidewaterdepth3to3.7m(9.8to12.1ft)
Tankdiameterupto21to24m(69to79ft)and
Floorslopeacceptablerangeof2:12to3:12.

SolidsLoadings

Primarysludge96to120kg/(m2d)[20to25lb/(ft2d)]
Wasteactivatedsludge12to36kg/(m2d)[2.5to7.4lb/(ft2d)]
Combinationofprimaryandwasteactivatedsludgesbasedonweightedaverageofaboveloadingratesand
Useofmetalsaltsforphosphorusremovalwillincreasesolidsloadingratesbyatleastthestoichiometric
amount.
OverflowRate

Topreventsepticconditions,anoverflowrateof0.19to0.38L/(m2min)(0.28to0.56USgpm/ft2)is
recommended.

MechanicalRake

Rakeshouldhaveatipspeedof50to100mm/s(9.8to19.7ft/min)
Tobeequippedwithhingedliftmechanismswhenhandlingheavysludgesuchaslimetreatedprimary
sludge,otherwiseoptionaland
Surfaceskimmerisrecommended.

SludgeUnderflowPiping

Keeplengthofsuctionlinesasshortaspossibleand
Dualsludgewithdrawallinesshouldbeconsidered.

ChemicalConditioning

Provisionshouldbemadefortheadditionofconditioningchemicalsintothesludgeinfluentlines(polymers,
ferricchlorideorlimearethemostlikelychemicalstobeusedtoimprovesolidscapture).

17.3.3DissolvedAirFlotation

Unlikeheavysludges,suchasprimaryandmixturesofprimaryandwastebioreactorsludges,whicharegenerally
mosteffectivelythickenedingravitythickeners,lightwastebioreactorsludgescanbesuccessfullythickenedby
dissolvedairflotation(DAF).

TheadvantagesofDAFcomparedwithgravitythickenersforexcesssecondarytreatmentsludgesincludeits
reliability,productionofhighersludgeconcentrationsandbettersolidscapture.Itsdisadvantagesincludetheneed
forgreateroperatingskillandhigheroperatingcosts.

ExperiencehasshownthatDAFoperationscannotbedesignedonthebasisofpurelymathematicalcomputations
orbytheuseofgeneralizeddesignparameters.Somebenchand/orpilotscaletestingwillbenecessary.The
following,designparametersaregivenonlyasaguidetoindicatethenormalrangeofvaluesexperiencedinfull
scaleoperation:

TankDimensions

Airbuoyancysystemsvarywithsuppliers
Airtosolidsweightratio0.02to0.05and
Recycleratiosvarywithsuppliers(0to500percent).

SolidsLoadings(WithWAStoachieve4percentFloatSolids)

48kg/(m2d)[10lb/(ft2d)](withoutflocculatingchemicals)and
Upto240kg/(m2d)[49lb/(ft2d)](withflocculatingchemicals).

ChemicalConditioning

Feedchemicaltomixingzoneofsludgeandrecycledflow
Mostinstallationsnowusechemicalconditioningwithpolymerstoachievemoreeconomicaloperationand
Polymerfeedrange0to25g/kg(0to50lb/ton)ofdrysolids.

HydraulicFeed

Upto1.74L/(m2min)(2.56USgpm/ft2)(basedontotalflowincludingrecycle,whenpolymersused)
 Withoutchemicals,lowerrateshouldbeusedand
Feedrateshouldbecontinuousratherthanintermittent.

DetentionTime

Notcriticalprovidingthatparticleriserateissufficientandhorizontalvelocityintheunitdoesnotproduce
scouringofthesludgeblanket.

ThickenedSludgeWithdrawal

Surfaceskimmermovesthickenedsludgeoverdewateringbeachintosludgehopper
Eitherpositivedisplacementorcentrifugalpumpsthatwillnotairbindshouldbeusedtotransfersludge
fromhoppertothenextphaseofprocessand
Inselectingpumps,maximumpossiblesludgeconcentrationsshouldbetakenintoconsideration.

BottomSludge

Abottomcollectortomovesettledsludgeintoahoppershouldbeprovidedand
Sludgeremovalfromthehoppermaybebygravityorpumping.

17.3.4Centrifugation

Centrifugesarecommonlyusedforsludgedewateringandareincreasinglybeingconsideredforsludgethickening.
Asthickeningdevices,theirusehasbeengenerallyrestrictedtowasteactivatedsludges.Threetypesofcentrifuges
havebeenusedwithsuchsludgesthesolidbowldecanter,discnozzleandbaskettypes.

Thefollowinggeneraldesignconsiderationsareprovided:

Centrifugalthickeningoperationscanhavesubstantialmaintenanceandoperatingcosts
Wherespacelimitationsorsludgecharacteristicsmakeothermethodsunsuitableorwherehighcapacity
mobileunitsareneeded,centrifugeshavebeenused
Thickeningcapacity,thickenedsludgeconcentrationandsolidscaptureofacentrifugeisgreatlydependent
ontheSVIofthesludge
85to95percentsolidsrecoverywillgenerallybethemostsuitableoperatingrange
Polymerfeedrange0to6.0g/kg(0to128.0lb/ton)ofdrysolids
Earlyexperiencewithdiscnozzletypecentrifugesfoundcloggingofthesludgedischargenozzlestorequire
frequentmaintenancerecentuseofrotaryscreensandcyclonesforpretreatmenthavehelpedalleviatethese
problemsand
Baskettypecentrifugeshaveseenlimiteduseduetotheirlowcapacitiesandbatchoperations,theirusehas
beengenerallyrestrictedtosmallplants.

17.3.5GravityBeltThickener

Thegravitybeltthickener(GBT)usesaslowmovingfabricbelttoseparatesludgesolidsandfreewater.Polymer
isrequiredtopreconditionthesludgeandispreparedandagedinasmalltankupstreamofthethickeningprocess.
Sludgethickeningonthedeviceisaidedbymultiplerowsofplowsanddrainageelementswhichslowtheflowof
sludgeandprovideadditionalretentiontimeoverthehorizontalgravitybelt.GBTsgenerallyrequireasmaller
footprintthanothersludgethickeningprocesses,arecosteffectiveanduselessenergythanothermechanical
thickeningdevices(i.e.,DAFandcentrifuge).However,GBTsrequirepreconditioningwithchemicalsandare
sensitivetothequalityofthesludgebeingthickened.

Thefollowingaregeneraldesignconsiderations:

PerformanceoftheGBTsissubjecttoupstreamconditionsintheSTP.Thebetterthesettlingofsolidsinthe
plant,thebettertheGBTwillfunctionandpotentiallyatlowerchemicaldosages
Adequateattentionshouldbegiventotransportingthethickenedsolids,inparticularforhandlingthe
maximumsolidscontentexpected
Priortodigestion,adequatemixingorblendingofthickenedsolidswithothersolidsisrequired
 Plowsonthegravitybeltturnanddistributethethickenedsolidstoallowforwatertodrainthroughthebelt
fabric.Thenumberandlocationshouldbeadjustableforeachtypeofsludgebeingthickened
Chemicaladditionandmixingequipmentareimportant,asaremultipleinjectionpoints
GBTsshouldhaveanairhandlingsystemtomaintainasafeworkingenvironmentthiscouldincludea
completeenclosurewithexhaust,odourcontrol,inspectiondoor,andaccessforcleaning
GBTsshouldhaveacurbaroundthemandfloorsslopedtodrainssothatoperatorscanproperlycleanthe
equipment
Meteringofsolidsintoandoutoftheequipmentisimportant
Thickenedsolidsneedtobedesignedtomoveallexpectedmaterialandavoidaccumulationandoverload
Duetoheightofequipment,anelevatedwalkwaywillprobablybeneededtooperateandmaintainthe
equipmentand
Scum(grease)shouldnotbeplacedontheGBTbecauseblindingofthefabriccancreateproblems.

17.3.6RotaryDrumThickener

Rotarydrumscreenthickenersareinternallyfedwithsludgefromaheadboxorflocculationtankafterconditioning
withpolymer.Thesuspensionisdistributedontotheinternalsurfaceoftherotatingdrumandphysicallystrained
fortheseparationoffreewater.Thecylindercanbefittedwithinterchangeablescreeningpanelsandisslowly
rotated(e.g.210rpm)withavariablespeeddriveelectricgearmotor.Separatedsolidsareretainedonthesurface
ofthescreenandareconveyedtothedischargeendoftheunitwheretheydropoutthroughachute.Therotary
drumthickener(RDT)processhasabuiltinspraybackwashingsystem,controlledwithprogrammabletimersthat
canbeoptimizedforeachapplication.Therotationalspeedofthedrumcanbeadjustedandoptimizedbasedon
sitespecificoperatingrequirementstoachievethedesiredlevelsofthickenedsludgeconcentration,solidscapture
efficiencyandpolymerconsumption.Thesystemcanbesuppliedasanenclosedunitwithaventstackfor
containmentandminimizationofodourandvapourreleases.

AswithGBTs,chemicaladditionisrequired.SimilardesignconsiderationstotheGBTshouldbeconsidered,
althoughasthisprocessisenclosed,odourandenvironmentalissuesarereduced.

Table171SludgeThickeningMethodsandPerformancewithVariousSludgeTypes
ThickeningMethod SludgeType ExpectedPerformance
810%TSand8090%Solids
CapturewithBasketCentrifuges
46%TSand8090%Solids
Centrifugation WasteActivatedwithPolymer1 CapturewithDiscnozzleCentrifuges
58%TSand7090%Solids
CapturewithSolidBowlCentrifuges.
GravityBelt
WasteActivatedwithPolymer 48%TSand95%SolidsCapture
Thickener(GBT)
RotaryDrum
WasteActivatedwithPolymer 48%TSand95%SolidsCapture
Thickener(RDT)
Gravity RawPrimary 810%TS
Gravity RawPrimaryandWasteActivated 58%TS
23%TS(Betterresultsreportedforoxygen
Gravity WasteActivated
richactivatedsludge)
DigestedPrimaryDigestedPrimaryand
Gravity 814%TS
WasteActivated
DissolvedAir WasteActivated(NotGenerallyUsedfor 46%TSand95%SolidsCaptureWith
Flotation(DAF) OtherSludgeTypes) FlotationAids

Solidsconcentrationsforcentrifugeswithoutpolymerwillbereduced.

17.4SludgeDewatering

SludgedewateringwilloftenberequiredatSTPpriortoultimatedisposalofsludge/biosolidsorasapreludeto
furthertreatmentorstabilization.Sincedewateringprocessesdiffersignificantlyintheirabilitytoreducethewater
contentofsludges,theultimatesludgedisposalmethodwillgenerallyhaveamajorinfluenceonthedewatering
methodmostsuitableforaparticularSTP.Alsoofinfluencewillbethecharacteristicsofthesludgerequiring
dewateringthatis,whetherthesludgeisrawordigested,whetherthesludgecontainsWASorwhetherthesludge
hasbeenpreviouslythickened.Withrawsludge,thefreshnessofthesludgewillhaveasignificanteffecton
dewateringperformance(septicsludgewillbemoredifficulttodewaterthanfreshrawsludge).

Arationalbasisofdesignforsludgeproductionvaluesshouldbedeveloped.Inlieuofactualsludgeproduction
data,anoverallplantmassbalanceshouldbeprovidedtoaccountforsludgeproductionfromeachtreatmentunit
process,includingtheliquidandsolidstrainsandtheinfluenceofrecyclestreamsonthemainliquidtrain
treatmentprocesses.

Table172givesthesolidscapture,solidsconcentrationsnormallyachieved,energyrequirementsandsuitable
ultimatedisposaloptionsforvariousdewateringmethods.Thesolidsconcentrationsshowninthetableassumethat
thesludgeshavebeenproperlyconditioned.Designersshouldbeawarethatphosphorusremovalchemicals(i.e.,
alumorferricchloride)willreduceallowablesolidsloadingratesfordewateringequipmentandproducealower
cakesolidsconcentrationthanwouldbeexpectedwithoutphosphorusremoval.Thisisexpectedduetothe
additionalsludgeloadingduetothechemicalsludgeanditspotentiallowerinitialconcentration.

Table172SludgeDewateringMethodsandPerformancewithVariousSludgeTypes
Solids MedianEnergyRequired
Dewatering
Capture SolidsConcentrationsTypicallyAcheived1
Method
(%) (MJ/dryt)2[Btu/lb]
RaworDigestedPrimary+
BeltFilter RaworDigestedPrimary+WAS(1425%)
8595 WAS(1425%)
Press WAS(1015%)
WAS(1015%)
Centrifuge RaworDigestedPrimary+WAS(1530%)
9599 360[155]
(SolidBowl) WAS(1215%,withpolymer)
RawPrimary+WAS(3050%)DigestedPrimary+
FilterPress 9095 360[155]
WAS(3550%)WAS(2550%)
RawPrimary+WAS(1025%)DigestedPrimary+
VacuumFilter 9095 1080[464]
WAS(1520%)WAS(812%)

Includingconditioningchemicals(i.e.,polymer).

MJ/dryttonnedenotesmegajoulesperdrytonneofsludgethroughput.

Therequiredsolidsconcentrationforsludgeswhicharetobelandfilledatmunicipalsanitarylandfillsitesare
normallyspecifiedbythelandfillauthority.Withsmallquantitiesofsludgeforcodisposallandfillingwith
garbage,liquidsludgeatsolidsconcentrationsaslowas3percentTSmaybeacceptable.Forsludgeonlylandfill
operations,aminimumof15percentsolidsconcentrationisgenerallyrequiredtosupportcovermaterial.Ifsludge
istobedisposedofinsludgelagoons,dewateringmaynotbenecessaryunlessitisjustifiableforeconomicreasons
relatingtohaulagecosts.

Forultimatedisposalbyincineration,sludgesshouldideallybeconcentratedtoasolidsconcentrationwherethey
willburnautogenouslyorwillbeselfgenerating.Thissolidsconcentrationwillvarysomewhatwithsludgetype,
volatilesolidspercentageandthechemicalcompositionofthesolids,butaminimumconcentrationintheorderof
30percenttotalsolidswillgenerallyberequired.Withconditioningbyheattreatment,sludgedewateringmethods
suchasfilterpresses,beltfilterpresses,centrifugesandperhapsevenvacuumfilterswillbecapableofproducing
autogenoussludgesolidsconcentrations.

Aswiththickeningsystems,dewateringfacilitiesmayrequiresludgepretreatmentintheformofsludgegrindingto
avoidpluggingpumpsandlinesandpluggingordamagingdewateringequipment.Also,adequateventilation
equipmentandodourcontrolwillberequiredinbuildingshousingdewateringequipment,meetingallapplicable
codes.

Inevaluatingdewateringsystemalternatives,thedesignershouldconsiderthecapitalandoperatingcosts,
includinglabour,parts,chemicalsandenergy,foreachalternativeaswellasfortheeffectsthateachalternativewill
haveonthesewagetreatmentandsubsequentsludgehandlingandultimatedisposaloperations.Sincelabourand
especiallyenergycostsareescalatingatarapidrate,itissuggestedthattheseannualcostsbeconvertedtocapital
costequivalentsforevaluationpurposes(i.e.,lifecyclecostingapproachshouldbeused).
17.4.1MechanicalDewateringFacilities

Provisionshouldbemadetomaintainsufficientcontinuityofservicesothatsludgeorbiosolidsmaybedewatered
withoutaccumulationbeyondstoragecapacity.Thenumberofvacuumfilters,centrifuges,filterpresses,belt
filters,othermechanicaldewateringfacilitiesorcombinationsthereofshouldbesufficienttodewaterthesludge
producedwiththelargestunitoutofservice(i.e.,firmcapacity).Unlessotherstandbywetsludgefacilitiesare
available,adequatestoragefacilitiesofatleast4daysproductionvolumepriortodewateringinadditiontoany
othersludgestorageneedsshouldbeprovided.

Backupvacuumandfiltratepumpsshouldbeprovided.Overall,thedesignofdewateringfacilitiesshould
facilitatetheremovalandreplacementofallequipment.

Adequatefacilitiesshouldbeprovidedforventilationofthedewateringarea.Theexhaustairshouldbeproperly
conditionedtoavoidodournuisance.

Limemixingfacilitiesshouldbecompletelyenclosedtopreventtheescapeoflimedust.Chemicalhandling
equipmentshouldbeautomatedtoeliminatemanualliftingrequirements.

17.4.2Centrifuges

Thecentrifugetypeswhichhavebeenusedforsewagesludgedewateringincludethesolidbowl,basketanddisc
centrifuges.Themostfrequentlyusedisthecontinuouscountercurrentsolidbowlcentrifuge.Duetotheir
infrequentusefordewateringandtheirinherentpluggingproblems,disccentrifuges,althoughcapableofreaching
thelowerendofdewateringsolidsconcentrations,aregenerallyonlyusedforthickeningoperationsandwillnotbe
discussedfurtherinthisdewateringsection.

17.4.2.SolidBowlCentrifuges

Thedesignershouldconsultthemanufacturertoobtaintheequipmentdesignparameters.

Themachinevariablesofimportancefordewateringcentrifugesincludebowllength/diameterratio,bowlangle,
bowlflowpattern,bowlspeed,poolvolume,internalconveyordesignandrelativeconveyorspeed.

Bowllength/diameterratiosof2.5to4.0areusuallyprovidedtoensureadequatesettlingtimeandsurfacearea.
Bowlanglesshouldbekeptshallow.

Thebowlflowpatterncanbeeithercountercurrentorcocurrent.Byusingcocurrentflow,thesettledsludgeisnot
disturbedbytheincomingfeedandturbulenceisreduced.Thedisadvantagesofcocurrentflowaretheneedfora
longfeedtubeandthelongtraveldistanceneededtoremovethesludge.Otherproprietaryfeedinletshavealso
beendevelopedtominimizethedisturbancetothepreviouslysettledsolids.

Increasedbowlspeedincreasesthecentrifugalforcesavailableforclarification,butthesettledsolidsbecomemore
difficulttoremoveduetothehighergravitational(G)forces.Increasedbowlspeed,however,willalsoincrease
abrasiondamagewithinthecentrifuge,noiseandvibration.Lowerspeedmachineshavebeendevelopedtoachieve
highsolidscapture.Sludgeinletconditionswiththeselowspeedmachineshavealsobeenimprovedtominimize
accelerationandturbulence.Theselowspeedmachineshavelowernoiselevels,minimizedinternalwearandhave
lowerpowerrequirements,butmayhaveincreasedconditioningchemicalrequirements.

Detentiontimeinthecentrifugewillincreasewithincreasesinpoolvolume.Withlongerdetentiontimesachieved
bygreaterpooldepth,solidscaptureincreases,butcakesolidsconcentrationswilldecreaseduetoreduced
detentiontimeonthedryingdeckandalsoduetothecaptureoffinersolidswithhighermoisturecontent.Pool
depthcanbevariedbyadjustableweirs.

Conveyordesignandspeedwillaffecttheefficiencyofsolidsremoval.Differentialspeedshouldbekeptlow
enoughtominimizeturbulenceandinternalwearyethighenoughtoprovidesufficientsolidshandlingcapacity.
Themostsuitableinternalconveyorpitchwillbeaffectedbythecharacteristicsofthesludgetobehandled.With
highsolidsconcentration,conveyorswithhighpitchanglescanbeused,butwithlowersolids,lowpitchangles
shouldbeused.Conveyordifferentialspeedcanoftenbeoptimizedfollowinginstallation.

Importantprocessvariablesaffectingthecentrifugeefficiencyarefeedrate,feedconsistency,temperatureandthe
chemicalcoagulantsused.
Ashydraulicflowrateincreasesthroughacentrifuge,solidscapturedecreasesandcakesolidsconcentrations
increaseduetothelossoffinesinthecentrate.Ifthefeedsolidsaretoohigh,solidsbuildupwithinthebowlcan
takeplace,reducingclarificationvolume.Therefore,bothsolidsandhydraulicoverloadingcanoccur.

Formostsewagesludges,thecapacityofthecentrifugewillbelimitedbytheclarificationcapacity(hydraulic
capacity)andthereforethesolidsconcentration.Increasingthefeedsolidswillincreasethesolidshandling
capacity.Thickeningshould,therefore,beconsideredasapretreatmentoperation.

Sincetemperatureaffectstheviscosityofsludges,iftemperaturesvaryappreciably(aswithaerobicdigestion),the
requiredcentrifugecapacityshouldbedeterminedforthelowesttemperatureexpected.

Thechemicalconditioningagentsmostcommonlyusedwithcentrifugesarepolymers.Flocculatingagentsare
generallyinjecteddirectlyintotheinteriorofthecentrifugetoavoidshearingthefloc.Maximumeffectivenessis
generallyachievedbydilutingtheflocculanttoconcentrationsof0.1percentorless.

Othergeneraldesignguidelinesforsolidbowlcentrifugesareasfollows:

Feedpumpsludgefeedshouldbecontinuouspumpsshouldbevariableflowtypeonepumpshouldbe
providedpercentrifugeformultiplecentrifugesystemschemicaldosageshouldvarywithpumpagerate
Returnlineshouldbeincludedforwetcakeduringstartup
Sludgepretreatmentdependinguponthesewagetreatmentprocess,gritremoval,screeningormaceration
mayberequiredforthefeedsludgestream
Solidscapture85to95percentgenerallydesirable
Machinematerialsgenerallycarbonsteelorstainlesssteelpartssubjecttowearshouldbeprotectedwith
hardfacingmaterialssuchasatungstencarbidematerial
Machinefoundationsfoundationsshouldbecapableofabsorbingthevibratoryloadsand
Provisionformaintenancesufficientspaceshouldbeprovidedaroundthemachine(s)topermit
disassemblyanoverheadhoistshouldbeprovidedhotandcoldwatersupplieswillbeneededtopermit
flushingoutofthemachinedrainagefacilitieswillbenecessarytohandlewashwater.

17.4.3BeltFilterPresses

Althoughvariationsintheprocessexist,abeltfilterpress(BFP)basicallyconsistsoftwocontinuous,separate
belts:apressbeltandafilterbelt.Sludgeisconfinedbetweenthetwobeltswiththepressbeltexertingpressureon
thefilterbelt,therebycontinuouslydewateringthesludge.

Therearegenerallythreedistinctdewateringzonesthroughtheprocess.Thefirstzoneisagravitydrainagezone,
thesecondisapressurezoneandthethirdisashearzone.Pressureisexertedbytherollers,conveyingbeltsor
otherexternaldevices.Intheshearzone,thesludgecakeisfurtherdewateredbydeformingthesludgecakeby
passingthebeltsaroundrollsand/orbetweenverticallyoffsetrollerscausingaserpentineconfigurationinthe
sludgecakemovement.

MosttypesofsewagesludgescanbedewateredwithBFPsandtheresultsachievedaregenerallysuperiortothose
withvacuumfilters.Beltfilterpressesgenerallyuseonlyonethirdthepowerrequirementsofvacuumfiltersand
donotexperiencesludgepickupproblemsoftenencounteredwithvacuumfilters.BFPshavereportedlybeenused
tofurtherdewaterthesludgecakefromvacuumfilterswithexcellentresults.Suchamethodshouldbeconsidered
forupgradingexistingdewateringsystems.Chemicalconditioningisgenerallywithpolymers.

Solidshandlingcapabilitiesarelikelytorangefrom50g/(m2.s)[0.61lb/(ft2min)]ofdrysolids(basedonbelt
width)forwasteactivatedsludgeto330g/(m2.s)[4.1lb/(ft2min)]forprimarysludge.Expectedsolids
concentrationresultsareshowninTable172.Solidscaptureisusuallyinexcessof85percentandoftenashighas
95percent.

AnenclosureshouldbeconsideredforeachBFPtocontainodoursandsplashing,includingairexhaustwithodour
control.

17.4.4VacuumFilters

RotaryvacuumfilterswerecommonlyusedmechanicalsystemsforsludgedewateringinOntario.Withtherecent
developmentsofnew,lowercostandmoreeffectivedewateringsystemstheuseofvacuumfiltersisbeginningto
decline.
Rotarydrum,rotarybeltandspringcoilvariationsoftherotaryvacuumfilterareavailableforuse.Theprimary
machinevariableswhichaffectdewateringarevacuumpressure,drumsubmergence,drumspeed,degreeofsludge
agitationandfiltermedium.Theoperationvariableswhichaffectdewateringperformancearesludgetype,sludge
conditioningandsludgecharacteristicsincludinginitialsolidsconcentration,natureofsludgesolids,chemical
composition,sludgecompressibility,sludgeage,temperatureandfiltrateviscosity.

Ofprimaryimportancewithvacuumfiltersisthesolidsconcentrationofsludgefeed.Withallotheroperating
variablesremainingconstant,increasesinfiltrationratesvaryindirectproportiontofeedsolids.Sludgethickening
priortovacuumfiltersisthereforeextremelyimportant.Higherconcentrationsinthesludgefeedalsoresultin
lowerfiltratesolids.

Vacuumfiltrationsystemsshouldbedesignedinaccordancewiththefollowingparameters:

Sludgefeedpumpsvariablecapacity
Vacuumpumpsgenerallyonepermachinewithacapacityof10L/(m2min)(15USgpm/ft2)at65kPa(9.4
psi)vacuumormore
Vacuumreceivergenerallyonepermachinemaximumairvelocity0.8to1.5m/s(2.6to4.9ft/s)air
retentiontime2to3minutesfiltrateretentiontime4to5minutesalllinestoslopedownwardtoreceiver
fromvacuumfilter
Filtratepumpsgenerallyselfprimingcentrifugalsuctioncapacitygreaterthanvacuumpump[65to85kPa
vacuum(9.4to12.3psi)]withfloodedpumpsuctionswithcheckvalveondischargesidetominimizeair
leakageintothesystempumpsshouldbesizedforthemaximumexpectedsludgedrainagerates(usually
producedbypolymers)
Sludgeflocculationtankconstructedofcorrosionresistantmaterialswithslowspeedvariabledrivemixer,
detentiontime2to4minuteswithferricandlimewithpolymers,shortertimemaybeused
Washwaterfilteredfinaleffluentgenerallyused
Sludgemeasurementshouldbeprovidedunlessmeasuredelsewhereinplantand
Solidsloadingrate714g/(m2.s)[0.0860.17lb/(ft2min)]forrawprimary2.87g/(m2.s)[0.0340.86
lb/(ft2min)]forrawprimary+WAS47g/(m2.s)[0.0490.86lb/(ft2min)]fordigestedprimary+WAS
notconsideredpracticalforusewithWASalone.

17.4.5FilterPresses

Recentchangesinthedesignoffilterpresses,includingeliminationofleakageproblems,moreautomation,
improvedfiltermedia,greaterunitcapacitiesanddevelopmentofhighmolecularweightpolymersandcompatible
polymerfeedsystems,haveresultedinrenewedinterestinthismethodofsludgedewatering.

Variationsinthefilterpressprocesswhicharenowavailableonthemarketincludeunitswithrecessedplatesor
plateswithframes,toporcentralsludgefeed,airpressureassistedsludgecakerelease,automaticwashingoffilter
media,sequentialorsimultaneousreleaseofsludgecakeandfinalcompressionstageusingflexiblediaphragm
behindfiltermedia.

Themainadvantageofferedbyfilterpressesistheabilitytoconcentratealltypesofsewagesludgestoveryhigh
concentrations.Concentrationsashighas45to50percentTS,cangenerallybeachievedwithproperlyconditioned
sludges.Filterpressesarealsoabletoeffecthighefficienciesinsolidscaptureandasaresultproducerelatively
clearfiltrate.Theirprimarydisadvantagesarethattheprocessisbatchratherthancontinuousandcakeremoval
stillrequiressomemanualassistanceandlargequantitiesofconditioningagentsaregenerallynecessary.

Aswithvacuumfilters,thecapacityoffilterpressesaregreatlyaffectedbytheinitialsolidsconcentration.With
lowerfeedsolids,chemicalrequirementsincreasesignificantly.

Sludgethickeningshouldthereforebeconsideredasapretreatmentstep.Thesludgeisgenerallyconditionedwitha
physicalconditioningagentsuchasflyashorwithchemicalssuchasferricchloride,limeandalum,althoughuse
ofpolymerconditioningagentsisbecomingmorecommonwiththedevelopmentofcompatiblepolymerfeed
systems.Insomeinstances,precoatsareappliedtothefiltermediapriortotheadditionofsludgestoprevent
prematuremediablinding.Variousmaterialscanbeusedforprecoatincludingdiatomaceousearth,flyash,
incineratorashandvarioustypesofindustrialwastebyproducts.

Filterpresssystemsshouldbedesignedinaccordancewiththefollowingguidelines:

Sludgeconditioningtankdetentiontimemaximumof20minutesatpeakpumpagerate
 Feedpumpsvariablecapacitytoallowpressurestobeincreasedgradually,withoutunderfeedingor
overfeedingsludgepumpsshouldbeofatypetominimizeflocshearpumpsshoulddeliverhighvolumeat
lowheadinitiallyandlowvolumeathighheadduringlatterpartofcycleramorpistonpumps,progressing
cavitypumpsordoublediaphragmpumpsaregenerallyused
Cakehandlingfilterpressshouldbeelevatedabovecakeconveyancesystemtoallowfreefallcakecanbe
dischargeddirectlytotrucks,intodumperboxesorontoconveyors(usuallybeltordragchaintype)
conveyorsshouldbeabletowithstandimpactofsludgecakescablecakebreakersmaybeneeded
Cycletimes1.5to6.0hand
OperatingPressuresusually700to1400kPa(102to203psi),butmaybeashighas1750kPa(254psi).

Operatingpressuresdependonthetypesofpressesandthechemicalagentsusedforsludgeconditioning.These
pressuresmaybedevelopedeitherhydraulicallyorbyacombinationofhydraulicandpneumaticmeans.For
example,recessedplatefilterpresseswithdiaphragmmembranesfordewateringpolymerconditionedsludgesare
firstbroughttoapproximately700kPa(102psi)pressurehydraulically(pumping)andthenthemembranesare
inflatedpneumaticallytoprovideafinalsqueezingpressureofapproximately1050kPa(152psi).

Whilethemagnitudeofpressureapplieddoesnotadverselyaffectthedewateringprocess,iflimeandferric
chlorideareusedassludgeconditioning,itisveryimportantthatthegeneratingpressureshouldnotexceed1050
kPa(152psi)ifpolymerisappliedastheconditioningagent,duetotheinteractionoftheconditioners.

17.4.6FiltrateandDrainage/CentrateManagement

Filtrateordrainagefromsludgedryingbedsandcentratefromotherdewateringunitsshouldbereturnedtothe
liquidtrainoftheSTPatappropriatepointsandrates.Appropriatemonitoringandsamplingofthesestreams
shouldbeprovided.

17.4.7OtherDewateringProcesses

Ifitisproposedtodewatersludgebyotheralternativeorinnovativemethods,adetaileddescriptionoftheprocess
anddesigndata(includingfieldorpilotdata)shouldaccompanythedesignreport.

17.5SludgeDryingBeds

Sludgedryingbedsmaybeusedfordewateringstabilizedsludgefromeithertheanaerobicoraerobicprocess.
Dryingbedsareconfined,underdrainedandshallowlayersofsandovergravelonwhichwetsludgeisdistributed
fordrainingandairdrying.Dryingbedshaveprovedsatisfactoryatmostsmallandmediumsizedsewage
treatmentplantslocatedinwarm,dryclimates.

Sludgedryingbedareashouldbecalculatedbasedon:

Thevolumeofwetsludgeproducedbyexistingandproposedprocessesand
Thetimerequiredonthebedtoproducearemovablecake.Adequateprovisionshouldbemadeforsludge
dewateringand/orsludgedisposalfacilitiesforthoseperiodsoftimeduringwhichoutsidedryingofsludge
onbedsishinderedbyweather.

Owingtosimpleoperation,capabilityofproducinghighsolidsconcentrations(greaterthan40percentTS)andlow
capitalcost,conventionalsanddryingbedsshouldbeconsideredasasludgedewateringalternative,especiallyfor
smalltomediumsizedSTP.DuetothepresenceofsludgedryingbedsatalargenumberofexistingOntarioSTP,
theiruseasanemergencysludgedewateringtechniquetobackupmechanicaldewateringprocessesshouldalsobe
considered.

Sincesludgeconditioningcanreducetherequireddryingtimetoonethirdorlessoftheunconditioneddrying
time,provisionshouldbemadefortheadditionofconditioningchemicals,usuallypolymers.

Theusualdesignparametersforconventionalsanddryingbedsareasfollows:

Drainagetile100mm(4in)diameterormore,spaced2.4to3.0m(8to10ft)apart,withslopeofone
percentormore
Bottomofcellshouldbeofimperviousmaterialsuchasclayorasphalt
Drainagetilebeddedingravellayerusually200mmto500mm(8to20in)thick,gradedfrom25mm(1.0
in)onthebottomto3mm(0.12in)onthetop
 Sandlayerabovegravelusually250to450mm(10to18in)thickwithaneffectivesizeof0.3to1.2mm
(0.012to0.047in)andauniformitycoefficientoflessthan5.0
Bedsize4.5to7.5m(15to25ft)widewithlengthselectedtosatisfydesiredbedloadingvolume
Dosingdepth200to300mm(8to12in)forwarmweatheroperatingmodesforwinterfreezedrying
cumulativedepthsof1to3m(3.3to10.0ft)canbeuseddependinguponthenumberofdegreedaysin
winter
Oneinletpipepercell,withinlet300mm(11.8in)abovebedsurfaceandwithsplashpadtopreventbed
disruptionandtopromoteevendistributionofsludgeprovisionforflushinginletlinesshouldbeprovided
Usuallyaminimumof3bedsaredesirableforflexibilityofoperation
Sludgeremovalcaneitherbemanualormechanicalifmechanical,concretevehicletracksaregenerally
requiredwithclaytiles,butmaynotbenecessarywithperforatedplasticpipeand/orflotationtireequipped
frontendloader
Outerwallsandpartitionwallsshouldbewatertightwallsshouldextend460mm(18in)aboveandatleast
230mm(9in)belowthesurfaceofthebed.Outerwallsshouldbewatertightdowntothebottomofthebed
andextendatleast100mm(4in)abovetheoutsidegradeelevationtopreventsoilfromwashingintothe
beds
Eachbedshouldbeconstructedsoastobereadilyandcompletelyaccessibletomechanicalequipmentfor
cleaningandsandreplacement.Concreterunwaysspacedtoaccommodatemechanicalequipmentshouldbe
provided.Specialattentionshouldbegiventoassureadequateaccesstotheareasadjacenttothesidewalls.
Entrancerampsdowntothelevelofthesandbedshouldbeprovided.Theserampsshouldbehighenoughto
eliminatetheneedforanentranceendwallforthesludgebed
UnderdrainsshoulddischargebacktothesecondarytreatmentsectionoftheSTPand
Recommendedsizingforuncoveredbedsbetweenlatitudes40to45Nis0.16m2/cap(1.72ft2/cap)andfor
northof45N,0.20m2/cap(2.15ft2/cap)(forprimarypluswasteactivatedsludgefollowinganaerobic
digestion)therecommendedsizingforcoveredbedswiththesamesludgetypeis0.13and0.16m2/cap
(1.40and1.72ft2/cap),respectively.EquivalentmassloadingratescanbecalculatedusingTable161and
Considerationshouldbegivenforprovidingameansofdecantingthesupernatantofsludgeplacedonthe
sludgedryingbeds.Moreeffectivedecantingofsupernatantmaybeaccomplishedwithpolymertreatmentof
sludge.

Othertypesofsludgedryingbedsthathavebeenusedincludethefollowing:

Pavedrectangularbedswithacentresanddrainagestrip,withorwithoutheatingandwithorwithout
covering
Wedgewiredryingbedswithawedgewiresystemprovisionforaninitialfloodwithawaterlayer,
followedbysludgeintroductionontopofwaterlayer,controlledcakeformationandprovisionforcontrolled
underdrainageandmechanicalsludgeremovaland
Rectangularvacuumassistedsandbeds.

17.6SludgeThickeningLagoons
ThickeninglagoonshavegenerallybeenbuiltatornearthesiteoftheSTPsothatthesludgecanbeconveyedto
thelagoonsbypumpingorgravityandsothatthesupernatantcanbereturnedtotheSTPforfurthertreatment.

Insomecircumstanceswheresuitablelandsurroundsthelagoon,acombinationthickeningandtransferlagooncan
bebuiltwheresupernatantcanbesprayirrigatedontothesurroundinglandandthethickenedsludgecanthenbe
hauledawayforspreadingonfarmland.Withdrawalofsupernatantwillresultinincreasesinsludgeconcentration
totheextentthatsludgeremovalbypumpingmaybecomedifficultorimpossibleaboveasolidsconcentrationof7
to8percentTS,pumpingcanbecomedifficult.

Thedesignandlocationofsludgethickeninglagoonsshouldtakeintoconsiderationmanyfactors,includingthe
following:

Possiblenuisances:odours,appearance,mosquitoes(Chapter4OdourControl)
Design:number,size,shapeanddepth
Loadingfactors:solidsconcentrationofdigestedsludge,loadingrates
Soilconditions:permeabilityofsoil,needforlinerandstabilityofbermslopes
Groundwaterconditions:elevationofmaximumgroundwaterlevel,directionofgroundwatermovement,
locationofwellsinthearea
 Sludgeandsupernatantremoval:volumes,concentrations,methodsofremoval,methodofsupernatant
treatmentandfinalsludgedisposaland
Climaticeffects:evaporation,rainfall,freezing,snowfall,temperature,solarradiation.

Sludgestorageanddisposal
Chapter18:SludgeStorageandDisposal
Sludgeproducedbytreatmentofsewagemayrequiretemporarystoragepriortoprocessing,disposalorutilization.
Thischapterprovidesguidancefordesigningsludgeorbiosolidsstoragesystems.Disposaloptions,includingland
applicationandlandfilling,arealsodescribed.

18.1General

Sludgestoragefacilitiesshouldbeprovidedforallmechanicalsewagetreatmentplants.Storagefacilitiesmay
consistofanycombinationofdryingbeds,lagoons,separatetanksandpadareastostoreliquid,dewateredordried
sludge.Additionalvolumeinbiosolidsstabilizationunitsmaybeused,butthisisusuallylimitedincapacity.The
designshouldprovideforodourcontrolinsludgestoragetanksandsludgelagoons.RefertoChapter17Sludge
ThickeningandDewateringforinformationonsludgevolumereductionanddrying.

Calculationstoestablishthenumberofdaysandvolumeofstorageshouldbecarriedoutandshouldbebasedon
thetotalsludgehandlinganddisposalsystem.RefertoChapter16SludgeStabilizationforsludgecharacteristics
andgenerationratesofvarioussewagetreatmentprocesses.

TheGeneralRegulation(O.Reg.267/03)madeundertheNutrientManagementActshouldbeconsultedfor
storagecapacityrequirementsforbiosolidsdestinedtoagriculturallandapplication.Ifthelandapplicationmethod
ofsludgedisposalistheonlymeansofdisposalusedatasewagetreatmentplant(STP),storageshouldbeprovided
inaccordancewithO.Reg.267/03basedonconsiderationsofthefollowingitems:

Inclementweathereffectsonaccesstotheapplicationland
Temperaturesincludingfrozengroundandstoredsludgecakecondition,(landapplicationofbiosolidsduring
theperiodbeginningonDecember1ofoneyearandendingonMarch31ofthefollowingyearoratany
othertimewhenthesoilissnowcoveredorfrozenisnotallowedbyO.Reg.267/03)
Haulroadrestrictionsincludingspringthawingconditions
Seasonalrainfallpatternsofthearea
Croppingpracticesonavailableland
Potentialforincreasedsludgevolumesfromindustrialsourcesduringthedesignlifeoftheplant
Availableareaforexpandingsludgestorageand
Pathogenreductionandvectorattractionreductionrequirements.

Aminimumof240daysstorageshouldbeprovidedfortheultimatedesigncapacityoftheSTPunlessadifferent
periodisjustifiedonthebasisofthesitespecificconditions.Theminimum240daysstoragerequirementsunder
O.Reg.267/03canbeacombinationofapermanentbiosolidsnutrientstoragefacility,atemporaryfieldnutrient
storagesite(dewateredmunicipalsewagebiosolidsonly)oracombinationofsuchfacilitiesandsitesthatis
capableofstoringgeneratedsewagebiosolidsduringaperiodofatleast240days.

18.2SludgeStorageLagoons

Fullytreated(i.e.,stabilized)sludgemaybestoredinlagoonspriortofurtherprocessingordisposal.Planningand
designshouldaddressdesignelementssuchasdikeengineeringandlinersandconsiderfactorsincludinglongterm
planningissues.

Sludgeshouldbestabilizedinsuchawaythatoffensiveodoursdonotresultfromalagoonsite.Wheresludge
lagoonsareused,adequateprovisionsshouldbemadeforalternativeacceptablesludgehandlingmethodsinthe
eventofupsetorfailureofthesludgestabilizationprocess.

Sludgelagoonsshouldbelocatedasfaraspracticablefrominhabitedareasorareaslikelytobeinhabitedduring
thelifetimeofthestructures.
Adequateprovisionsshouldbemadetosealthesludgelagoonbottomsandembankmentstopreventleachinginto
adjacentsoilsorgroundwater.Thesealshouldbeprotectedtopreventdamagefromsludgeremovalactivities.
Exfiltrationofwaterfromthelagoonmaynotbeacceptableand,ifoccurring,shouldmeettherequirementsofthe
ministryGuidelineB7,IncorporationoftheReasonableUseConceptintoGroundwaterManagementwhich
providestheframeworkfordeterminingacceptableoffpropertyimpactsongroundwaterresources.Thedesigneris
referredtoSection12.3.4LagoonConstructionforadditionalinformation.

Provisionsshouldbemadeforpumpingorheavyequipmentaccessforsludgeremovalfromthesludgelagoonona
routinebasis.

LagoonsupernatantshouldbereturnedtotheSTPatlocationsandratesthatminimizetheeffectonthetreatment
processes.

TwotypesofsludgelagoonsystemshavebeenmostcommonlyconstructedinOntariothickeninglagoonsand
sludgetransfersitelagoons.

18.2.1ThickeningLagoons

Thickeninglagoonshavegenerallybeenbuiltatornearthesiteofthesewagetreatmentplantssothatthesludge
canbeconveyedtothelagoonsbypumpingorgravityflowandthatsupernatantcanbereturnedtotheSTPfor
furthertreatment.

18.2.2SludgeTransferSiteLagoons

Sludgetransfersitestoragelagoonshaveusuallybeenbuiltastemporarysludgestoragefacilities.Thesesitesmay
berequiredaspartofaprogramforbiosolidsutilizationonagriculturallandtoholdbiosolidsduringtimesofthe
yearwhenlandspreadingcannotbecarriedout.Withtruetransfersitelagoons,noparticularattemptisusually
madetowithdrawsupernatantortootherwisethickenthesludgebeyondthenaturalthickeningthatoccursdueto
evaporation.Wheresuitablelandsurroundsthelagoon,acombinationofthickeningandtransferlagoonmaybe
usedwheresupernatantmaybesprayirrigatedontothesurroundinglandandthethickenedbiosolidscanbehauled
awayforspreadingonfarmland.Withdrawalofsupernatantmayresultinincreasesinsludgeconcentrationtothe
extentthatsludgeremovalbypumpingmaybecomedifficultorimpossible,particularlyaboveatotalsolids(TS)
concentrationof7to8percent.

TheselagoonsrequiretheministryapprovalinaccordancewithOntarioRegulation347,GeneralWaste
Management,madeundertheEnvironmentalProtectionAct.

ThedesignershouldrefertotheministrydocumentGuideonApplyingforApprovalofWasteDisposalSitesfor
additionalinformation.

18.2.3AnaerobicallyDigestedSludgeStorage

Anaerobicallydigestedsolidsmaybestoredincoveredbasinsorfacultativesolidsbasins.Theanaerobically
digestedsolidsstoragefacilityshouldbedesignedtoabatevectorattractionandodourconditions.Thefacultative
solidsstoragebasinshouldbedesignedtomaintainanaerobicsurfacelayerfreeofscumaccumulation.The
organicloadingrateforafacultativesolidsstoragebasinshouldnotexceed0.1kgVS/m2(20lb/100ft2)ofsurface
areaperday.Surfaceaeratorsshouldbeusedtomaintaintheaerobiczoneandbreakupsurfacefilm.Thesurface
aeratorsshouldbedesignedtominimizethemixingactionbetweentheaerobicandanaerobiczones.The
facultativesolidsbasinshouldhaveaminimumsidewaterdepthof3.7m(12ft).Thetop0.9m(3ft)shouldbe
keptaerobic.

18.2.4AerobicallyDigestedSludgeStorage

Aerobicallydigestedsolidsmaybestoredforextendedperiodsoftimeandthebasincontentsshouldbekept
thoroughlymixedusingdiffusedairormechanicalaeration.Aminimumairrequirementof30m3/(1000m3min)
(30cfm/1000ft3)shouldbeprovided.Ifmechanicalsurfaceaeratorsareused,aminimumpowerrequirementof
2.6kW/1000m3(0.1hp/1000ft3)shouldbeprovided.

18.2.5AlkalineStabilizedSludgeStorage
LiquidalkalinestabilizedhighpH(>12)sludgeshouldnotbestoredinalagoon,butshouldbestoredinatankor
vesselequippedwithrapidsludgewithdrawalmechanismsforsludgedisposalorretreatment.Provisionsshould
bemadeforaddingalkalinematerialinthestoragetank.Mixingequipmentshouldbeprovidedinallstoragetanks.

Onsitestorageofdewateredalkalinestabilizedsludgeshouldbelimitedto30days.Provisionsforrapidre
treatmentordisposalofdewateredsludgestoredonsiteshouldbemadeincaseofsludgepHreduction.

18.3StorageforSludgeorBiosolids

18.3.1DewateredSludgeorBiosolids

Dewateredsludgewithasolidscontentoflessthan35percentmaybestoredonsiteupto7days.Anexcess
capacityshouldbeprovidedduetoinclementweatherorotherfactorsthatdonotallowtransportordisposal.The
dewateredsludgemaybestoredinsteelorconcretecontainersandshouldbelocatedandstoredtoprecludere
wettingbyrainfall.

Dewateredsludgewithsolidscontentgreaterthanorequalto35percentmaybestoredonsiteforupto90days.
Thedewateredsludgemaybestoredincontainersorinstockpiles.Thestoragefacilityshouldbelocatedto
precludegroundwatercontamination.Openstockpilesshouldincludeprovisionsforcollectingrainfallrunoff.All
rainfallrunoffshouldbecollectedandreturnedtotheheadofatreatmentfacility.

18.3.2DriedSludgeandBiosolids

Driedsludgewithasolidscontentofgreaterthanorequalto50percentmaybestoredonsiteinbinsorcovered
facilities.Enclosedstructuresmayproduceexplosivegaseousbyproductsordust.Theenclosedareaofthestorage
structureshouldbesufficientlyventilatedtoeliminatetheaccumulationofdangerousgasmixtures.Theenclosed
storagestructureshouldbemechanicallyventilatedwithapproximately20to30airchangesperhour.Allexhaust
airshouldpassthroughanodourcontrolsystem.

18.3.3SludgeStorageTanksandBasinsPriortoDewatering

Holdingtanksandbasinsarecommonlyprovidedasanintegralpartofmostconditioningprocessesandmany
stabilizationprocesses.Tanksandbasinsmaybeusedforblendingmaterialssuchassewagesludgefromprimary
andsecondaryclarifiers.

Largestoragetanksaregenerallyconstructedofconcrete.Smallertanksareoftenconstructedofcarbonsteelwitha
suitablecoatingorliner.Tankandbasinequipmentoftenincludesanaerationsystem,mechanicalmixersora
recyclingsystemformixing.Allequipmentwithinthetankshouldbeconstructedofacorrosionresistantmaterial
suchaspolyvinylchloride(PVC),polyethylene(PE),stainlessorglasslinedsteel.

Tanksandbasinsmaybesizedtoretainstilltobedewateredsewagesolids(liquidsludge/biosolids)foraperiodof
severalhourstoafewdays.Ifsewagesolidsarestoredlongerthantwoorthreedays,theproductmaydeteriorate
andcanbecomedifficulttodewater.

Ifthetankorbasinisaclosedvessel,thedesignershouldensurethatthereareaccessportholesforinspectionand
maintenance.AllaccessportholesneedtomeettheCanadianGasAssociation(2005)CodeforDigesterGasand
LandfillGasInstallation,CAN/CGAB105M93,1993requirements.

Shortstorageperiodsofunstabilizedprimaryandsecondarysewagesludgesinaholdingtankorbasincanproduce
nuisanceodours.Decantingtanksfollowingthermalconditioningcanoftencreateodourproblems.Thedesign
shouldincludeassessmentofodourpotentialandprovideforsufficientodourcontrolequipmenttominimizeodour
emissions.

18.3.4BulkStorage

Designconsiderationsforabulkstorageareaareasfollows:

Thesizeofthebiosolidsstorageareadependsonthequantityofbiosolidsproduced,whenitcanbeusedand
itsmoisturecontent
Driersolidscanbestackedhigherwithlesstendencytoslump
 Additionalspaceshouldbeprovidedforscheduledprocesscleaning(lagoondewateringordigestercleaning)
andemergencysituationsand
Materialsshouldnotbestoredinamannerthatwilllikelyresultincontaminationofgroundorsurface
waters,airorlandincaseoffloodorfire.

Thestorageareashouldbeconstructedandsitedtopreventrunonandrunoffofliquids.Asolidsstoragearea
needsawatercollectionsystemandawaytotreattheleachateproducedfromthepile.Careshouldbetakennotto
contaminatethesolidswithoil,grease,gas,rocksandlitter.Theareaneedstobesecuretopreventaccessbythe
public,domesticanimalsorwildlife.

Dependingonthepopulationproximityanddensityofthearea,qualityofthebiosolids(stability)andprevailing
winds,odourcontrolshouldbeprovidedtominimizetheimpactonthesurroundingneighborhood.Inaddition,
mechanicalventilationshouldbeprovidedforenclosedstoragesites.

18.4LandApplication
Biosolidsmaybeusedasasoilconditionerforagricultural,horticulturalorreclamationpurposesdependingonthe
degreeofstabilizationprovided.Thequantityofsolidsgeneratedbytheselectedtreatmentprocessshouldbe
calculatedorestimatedfromsimilarfullscalefacilitiesorpilotfacilities.Pathogenlevelsandconcentrationsof
metalsinsludgeshouldbedeterminedusingstandardlaboratorytestprocedures.Pathogenlevelsandconcentration
ofmetalsshouldbelessthanthelevelsspecifiedinO.Reg.267/03iflandapplicationisused.Amassbalance
approachshouldbeusedtodeterminethequantityofbiosolidsproducedatthefacility.

Importantdesignconsiderationsincludebutarenotnecessarilylimitedto:

Typeofsludge/biosolidsstabilizationprocess
PathogenandvectorattractionreductiontolevelsspecifiedinO.Reg.267/03
Biosolidscharacteristicsincludingthepresenceofinorganicandorganicchemicals
Applicationsitecharacteristics(e.g.soils,groundwaterelevations,setbackdistancerequirements)
Localtopographyandhydrology
TypeofcropandlandtowhichbiosolidscanbeappliedinaccordancewithO.Reg.267/03.ForSTPwhich
arenotphasedinundertheNutrientManagementAct,requirementsaresetoutintheCertificateofApproval
(CofA),basedontheMOEandtheMinistryofAgriculture,FoodandRuralAffairs'Guidelinesforthe
UtilizationofBiosolidsandOtherWastesonAgriculturalLand,1996.
Croppingpractices,spreadingandincorporationtechniques
Populationdensityandodourcontroland
Sampling,healthandsafetyrequirementsinaccordancewithO.Reg.267/03.

Acontingencyplanshouldbeprovidedforflexibilityintheeventofequipmentfailureorconditionsthatprevent
theprimaryuseordisposalmethod.Thedesignshouldaccountforweatherfactorssuchasrainfall,windconditions
andhumidityintheselectionoftheuseordisposalofsewagesludge.Duetoinclementweatherandcropping
practices,alternativestorageordisposaloptionsarerecommendedtoensurethebiosolidsareproperlymanaged.
Mixingequipmentorprovisionstoassistinthemonitoringoflandappliedbiosolidsshouldbeconsideredinthe
designofbiosolidshandlingandstoragefacilities.

MunicipalsewagetreatmentplantsthatapplysewagebiosolidsonagriculturallandarerequiredunderO.Reg.
267/03tohavepreparedanutrientmanagementstrategy(NMS)andhavethestrategyapprovedbytheOntario
MinistryofAgriculture,FoodandRuralAffairs(OMAFRA).

18.5Disposal

ImmediatesludgedisposalmaybeusedtoreducethesludgeinventoryattheSTPsiteandamountofsludgethat
mayneedtoberetreatedtopreventodoursifsludgepHdecayoccurs.

18.5.1Landfilling

Sludgemaybedisposedofinapprovedmunicipalsanitarylandfills.Therequiredsolidsconcentrationforsludges
thataretobelandfilledatsanitarylandfillsitesarenormallyspecifiedbythelandfillauthority.Withsmall
quantitiesofsludgeforcodisposallandfillingwithmunicipalsolidwaste,liquidsludgeatsolidsconcentrationsas
lowas3percent(TS)maybeacceptable.Forsludgeonlylandfilloperations,aminimumof18percentTS
concentrationormore,oraslumpof150mm(6in)orless,isgenerallyrequiredtosupportcovermaterial.The
TestMethodforDeterminationofLiquidWaste(SlumpTest)issetoutinSchedule5ofOntarioRegulation347
GeneralWasteManagement,madeundertheEnvironmentalProtectionAct.

Cotreatmentofseptageandlandfillleachateatsewagetreatmentplants
Chapter19:CoTreatmentofSeptageandLandfillLeachateatSewage
TreatmentPlants
Thischapterincludesdesignconsiderationsfortreatmentofseptage,landfillleachateandotherwasteshauledto
municipalsewagetreatmentplants.Introducingthesehauledwasteloadingsintosewageworksforcotreatment
withsewageexertsdemandsontheprocessesthataredisproportionatetotypicalsewagehydraulicandorganic
loadings.Smallersewagetreatmentplantsinparticularshouldbeaware,beforeacceptingsuchloadings,thata
singleloadmayoverloadandpotentiallyupsettheirprocessesandmaycauseeffluentqualitydeterioration.

19.1Septage

19.1.1General

Onemethodofseptagedisposalandtreatmentisdischargetoamunicipalsewagetreatmentplant(STP).

Thetermseptageforthepurposeoftheseguidelinesreferstothecontentsremovedfromseptictanks,portable
toilets,privyvaultsandholdingtanksservinghouses,schools,motels,mobilehomeparks,campgroundsandsmall
commercialendeavors,allreceivingsewagefromdomesticsources.Althoughseptictankwastemaybethehighest
inconcentrationofthisgroupandpotentiallymorestabilizedthanotherholdingtanktypewastes,thesewastesare
generallycombinedintheloaddischargedattheplantandthereforetheyareoftenconsideredasagroup.Incases
wherethehauledwasteissolelyholdingtankwaste,thecharacteristicswouldbesimilartoregulardomestic
sewage.

19.1.2Characteristics

Comparedtorawdomesticsewagefromaconventionalmunicipalsewagecollectionsystem,septageusuallyhas
highconcentrationsoforganics,grease,nutrients,hair,stringymaterial,scum,grit,solidsandotherextraneous
debris.Substantialquantitiesofphosphorus,TotalKjeldahlNitrogen(TKN),totalammonianitrogen(TAN),
bacterialgrowthinhibitorsandcleaningmaterialsmaybepresentinseptagedependingonthesource,typical
concentrationsareprovidedinTable191.Acomparisonofsomeofthecommonparametersforseptageand
municipalsewageisgiveninTable192.

Dataforlocalseptagetobereceivedshouldbecollectedfordesignofseptagereceivingandtreatmentfacilities.
Thecharacteristicsofseptageshouldbeexpectedtovarywidelyfromloadtoloaddependingonthesource.Ifco
treatedatanSTP,treatmentofseptagewillincreasetheamountofsolidsgenerated.

Table191PhysicalandChemicalCharacteristicsofSeptage
Average Minimum Maximum EPA Suggested
Parameter Concentration Concentration Concentration
(mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) Mean1 DesignValue1,2
TS 34,100 1,100 130,500 38,800 40,000
TVS 23,100 400 71,400 25,300 25,000
TSS 12,900 300 93,400 13,000 15,000
VSS 9,000 100 51,500 8,700 10,000
BOD5 6,500 400 78,600 5,000 7,000
COD 31,900 1,500 703,000 42,800 15,000
TKN 600 100 1,100 700 700
TAN 100 5 120 160 150
TotalP 200 20 760 250 250
 Average Minimum Maximum EPA Suggested
Parameter Concentration Concentration Concentration
(mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) Mean DesignValue1,2
1

Alkalinity 1000 500 4,200 1,000

Grease 5,600 200 23,400 9,100 8,000
pH 1.5 12.6 6.9 6.0
LinearAlkyl
110 200 160 150
Sulphonate(LAS)

Valuesexpressedinmg/L,exceptforpH.

Thedatapresentedinthistablewerecompiledfrommanysources.Theinconsistencyofindividualdatasetsresults
insomeskewingofthedataanddiscrepancieswhenindividualparametersarecompared.Thisistakeninto
accountinofferingsuggesteddesignvalues.

Table192ComparisonofContaminantConcentrationsinSeptageandSewage
Parameter Septage1(mg/L) Sewage(mg/L) RatioofSeptagetoSewage
TS 40,000 720 55:1
TVS 25,000 360 69:1
TSS 15,000 210 71:1
VSS 10,000 160 62:1
BOD5 7,000 190 190
COD 15,000 430 35:1
TKN 700 40 17:1
TAN 150 25 6:1
TotalP 250 7 36:1
Alkalinity 1,000 90 11:1
Grease 8,000 90 89:1
pH 6.0
LinearAlkylSulphonates(LAS) 150

Suggesteddesignvalues(seeTable191).

ThegeneralcharacteristicsforseptagethatmaybehauledtoanSTParediscussedbelow.Thedesignershould
evaluatethepotentialimpactsofthesecharacteristicsandassesswhethertheplanthasenoughcapacityandproper
equipmenttocotreatseptageeffectivelyconsideringthelargevariabilityinthephysicalchemicalcharacteristics
ofseptage.Duetothecontentsandnatureofsolidsinseptage,theirimpactonexistinggritremovalequipment,
pumpsandairdiffusersshouldbespecificallyevaluated.

Inmanyrespects,septageissimilartodomesticsewage,exceptthatseptageissignificantlymoreconcentrated.
Differencesincontaminantconcentrationsbetweenseptageanddomesticsewageareoutlinedbelow:

BOD5
TheBOD5ofseptagecanbeasmuchas30to50timesormoreconcentratedthanthatofnormaldomestic
sewage.
TSS
Comparedtodomesticsewage,septagecanbeveryhighintotalsuspendedsolids(e.g.10to50timestypical
STPinfluenttotalsuspendedsolids).Evaluationofsolidscharacteristicsoflocalseptagewasteis
recommendedandshouldincludetotalsolids(TS),totalsuspendedsolids(TSS),totalvolatilesolids(TVS)
andsettleablesolids(SS).
Fats,OilsandGrease
Almostnodecompositionofgreaseoccursatasewagetreatmentworksandtheexpenseofhandlingand
disposinggreasecanbeconsiderable.ContentsfromgreasetrapsshouldnotbehauledtomunicipalSTPfor
 treatment.Renderingandotherrecyclingoptionsareoftenavailableandpreferabletohandlingsuchmatter
atasewagetreatmentworks.
Grit
Ahouseholdseptictankwillaccumulategrit,rocksandotherdensematerialinitssedimentlayeroverthe
years.Aftercleaningoutmanyseptictanks,theaccumulationofthissedimentloadintheseptagehauling
tankcanbeseveralhundredkilograms.Becauseofthisconcernfordownstreamsedimentation,discharge
intoasewagecollectionsystemshouldbeavoided.TheseptagereceivingstationattheSTPsiteshouldhave
provisionsforanadequaterocksump.Evenwithanadequaterocksump,densegritcanformacompacted
layerinasewerafterseveralyearsofroutineseptagedischargeintothecollectionsystem.
Odour
Duetotheanaerobicnatureofaseptictanksystemandthemixtureoforganicmaterials,septageisvery
odorous.Designshouldincludemeanstocontrolthesepotentialsourcesofodour.
Nutrients
Theconcentrationsofnitrogenandphosphorusinseptagearehighcomparedtotypicaldomesticsewageand
needstobeaccountedfor.Thisisespeciallyimportantifnitrificationand/orbiologicalnutrientremovalis
requiredattheSTP.
HeavyMetals
Metalsinseptagemaycomefromhouseholdchemicals,leachingofplumbingpipesandfixturesand
possiblecontaminationfrompreviousindustrialloadshauledintheseptagehaulingtruck.Becausemetalsdo
notdecomposeandtheintervalbetweenseptictankpumpingscanbeseveralyears,metalstendto
accumulateinseptage.

19.1.3Treatment

SeptageisnormallyconsideredtreatableatSTPwhenproperengineeringdesignisprovided.Thedesignershould
considerthefollowingfactorstominimizeshockloadingsorotheradverseimpactsonplantprocessesandeffluent
quality:

Hydrauliccapacity[m3/d(mUSgd)]oftheplantrelativetothevolumeandrateofseptagedirectedtothe
plant
Unusedplantcapacityavailable(abovecurrentsewagecollectionsystemloadings)totreatseptageloadings
Sensitivityofthetreatmentplantprocesstodailyfluctuationsinloadingsbroughtaboutbytheadditionof
septage(e.g.slugloads)
SlugseptageloadingsofBOD5,TKN,TANorphosphoruswhichmaycauseprocessupset(e.g.tothe
nitrificationprocess,ifapplicable),odournuisance,aerationtank/aerateddigesterfoamingorpassthroughto
theSTPeffluent
ThepointofintroductionoftheseptageintotheSTPprocess.Feasiblealternativepointsoffeedtothe
treatmentunitsshouldbeevaluatedincludingfeedtothesludgeprocessingunitsprovidedtheunitfunction
willnotbeadverselyaffected.Generallyseptagecanbeintroducedatthefollowinglocationswithinaplant:
Upstreamoftheprimaryclarifier
Directlyintoananaerobicdigesterbutwithcautionnottooverloadthedigester[maximumTotal
VolatileSolids(TVS)loadingshouldbecontrolled]
Atsmallextendedaerationplants,septagecanbeaddedtoanaerobicdigester
Blendingseptagewithsludgepriortodewateringshouldnotbeconsidered
Theabilitytocontrolfeedratesofseptagetotheplantforoffpeakloadingperiods
Thevolumeandconcentrationsofbacterialgrowthinhibitorsinseptagefromsomeportablevaulttoiletsand
recreationaldumpstationholdingtanksand
Treatmentofseptageinasewagestabilizationpond(lagoon)canbedonebutrequiresevaluationdepending
onthenumberofstages(lagoonsinseries)andtheamountofseptagereceivedcomparedtosewageflowand
mayrequireequalizationofseptage.TANremovalmaybeaproblemduetohighloadsfromtheseptageand
additionaltreatmentsuchasintermittentsandfiltrationmayberequiredfollowinglagoontreatment.(Section
12.3.6IntermittentSandFilters)

Theeffluentqualityrequirementsoneachofthecontrolledparametersshouldbeconsideredwhenevaluatingthese
factors.

Iftheseptageisprimarilyseptictanksolids,whicharepartiallystabilized,thismaterialmaybesuccessfully
introducedintothesludgetreatmentprocess(i.e.,digesters)afterpretreatment.Loadingsneedtobecarefully
reviewed,potentialimpactsonsludgetreatmentprocesses(e.g.dewatering)assessedandequalizationconsidered.
SinceseptageinOntarioisoftenacombinationofseptictankandholdingtankwastes,itisgenerallyfirsttreated
throughtheSTPliquidtrain.

19.1.4DesignCriteria

Thedecisiontotreatseptageflowsasapartoftheconventionalmunicipalsewagetreatmentprocesshasseveral
significanteffects.TreatingtheseflowsincreasestheloadonboththeliquidandsolidstrainsoftheSTPwith
resultingincreasesinoperatingcost,solidsproduction,solidshandlinganddisposalorutilizationcosts.Accepting
thisloadingconsumesagreaterproportionofthecapacitythansimilarvolumesofnormalsanitarysewageflow.
Treatingseptageflowscanaffecttheongoingoperationandthequantityofbiosolidsproducedatagivenfacility.

WaterEnvironmentFederation(WEF)SeptageHandlingManualofPracticeNo.24(1997)andotherreferences
providerangesofdesignvalues.AlthoughliteraturevaluesforBOD5andotherseptageconstituentconcentrations
areavailable,assessmentoftheactualseptagecompositionandvolumesthatareexpectedlocallyshouldprovide
thebasisfordesign.

DesignoftheSTPprocessesshouldaccountforseptageloadingasapartofthecompletedesign.Loading
assumptionsanddesigncriteriaforseptagereceivingshouldbecalculatedseparatelyinadditiontothemain
influentsewageloadingassumptions.

19.1.5Considerations

InthecaseofexistingSTP,itisessentialthatanadequateengineeringevaluationbemadeoftheexistingprocesses
andtheanticipatedseptageloadingpriortoreceivingseptageattheplant.Forproposedplantexpansionand
upgrading,theengineeringreportneedstoincludeanticipatedseptageloadinginaddressingtreatmentplantsizing
andprocessselection(Chapter2ProjectDesignDocumentation).Thefollowingitemsshouldbeincludedas
appropriateintheengineeringevaluation:

Thecontinuousandsatisfactorytreatment(i.e.,continuouslymeetingtheplanteffluentqualitycriteria)of
sewageloadsfromthesewersystemshouldnotbeadverselyaffectedbytheadditionofseptagetotheplant
forcotreatment
Thesmallertheplantdesigncapacityrelativetotheseptageloading,themoresusceptibletheplantwillbeto
processupsetandpotentialviolationofeffluentqualityrequirements
Allocationofplantorganicstreatmentcapacityoriginallyplannedforfuturegrowth
Forplantstobeexpandedandupgraded,theengineeringevaluationshouldincludethesensitivityofthe
treatmentprocess(es)toreceivingseptageandtheimpactontheeffluentquality.Amendmentsneedtobe
madetotheCertificateofApprovalofthesewageworkstoaccountfornewseptagereceivingfacilities
Anevaluationofavailableplantoperatorstaffandthestaffingrequirementsnecessarywhenseptageistobe
received
Thespaceforconstructingseptagereceivingfacilitiesthatistobeofflinefromtherawsewageincoming
fromthesewersystem.Thelocationoftheseptagereceivingfacilityandtheseptagehaulerunloadingarea
shouldconsiderotherplantactivityandtrafficflow
Theamountofadditionalsludgegeneratedwilldependonthetypeoftreatmentused,theseptagetosewage
ratioandseptagecharacteristicsand
Theimpactoftheseptagehandlingandtreatmentontheplantsludgehandlingandprocessingunitsand
ultimatesludgedisposalprocedures.

Severalsoftwarepackagesarenowavailableforsimulatingmodelsofsewagetreatmentprocessesandfullplant
models.Basedonacalibratedmodeloftheexistingfacilityundercurrentoperatingconditions,estimatesofthe
effectsofincreasedorganicorhydraulicloadings(e.g.associatedwithseptageadditions)canbemade.

19.1.6ReceivingFacility

Thedesignoftheseptagereceivingstationatthesewagetreatmentplantshouldprovideforthefollowing
elements:

Ahardsurfacehaultruckunloadingrampslopedtoadraintoallowreadycleaningofanyspillageand
washingofthehaultank,connectorhosesandfittings.Therampdrainageshouldbetributarytotreatment
facilitiesandshouldexcludeexcessivestormwater
 Aflexiblehosefittedwitheasyconnectcouplingtoprovidefordirectconnectionfromthehaultruckoutlet
tominimizespillageandhelpcontrolodours
Electronicmeteringandbillingsystemsareavailabletomonitorseptagereceivedandprovideaccurate
billinginformationtoseptagehaulersandplantstaff.Thesesystemsgenerallyconsistofacardreaderorkey
padforcontrolledaccessincombinationwithaflowmeterandvalve
Washdownwaterwithamplepressure,hoseandspraynozzleforconvenientcleaningoftheseptage
receivingstationandhaultrucks.Theuseofchlorinatedeffluentmaybeconsideredforthispurpose
Anadequateofflineseptagereceivingtankshouldbeprovided.Thetankshouldbesizedtoholdtwicethe
maximumdailyvolumeofseptageexpectedonapeakday.Capabilitytocollectarepresentativesampleof
anytruckloadofwasteacceptedforcotreatmentattheplantshouldbeprovided.Thereceivingtankshould
bedesignedtoprovidecompletedrainingandcleaningbymeansofaslopedbottomequippedwithadrain
sump.Thedesignshouldgiveconsiderationtoadequatemixing.Adequatemixingwillensureuniformityof
septagestrengthandmixingforchemicaladdition,ifnecessary,fortreatabilityandodourcontrol
Screening,gritandgreaseremovalorgrindingoftheseptageasappropriatetoprotecttheSTPprocessunits
Pumpsprovidedforhandlingtheseptageshouldbeofthenoncloggingdesignandcapableofpassing100
mm(4in)diametersolids
Glasslinedpipesarerecommended
Valvingandpipingforoperationalflexibilitytoallowthecontroloftheflowrateandpointofseptage
dischargetotheSTPand
Safetyfeaturestoprotecttheoperationalpersonnel.

19.2LandfillLeachate
Landfillleachateisproducedasaresultofrainpercolatingthroughthelandfillwasteandreactingwiththe
productsofdecomposition,chemicalsandothermaterialsinthewaste.Typically,landfillleachateisanoxic,acidic,
richinorganicacidgroups,TKN,TAN,sulphateandchlorideionsandwithhighconcentrationsofcommonmetal
ionsespeciallyiron.

AcceptanceofleachateforcotreatmentatanSTPshouldbeassessedandthencarriedoutwiththesame
precautionsoutlinedintheguidelinesprovidedaboveforseptage.Duetotheextremevariabilityofleachate,
dependentonitssource,itshouldbereviewedonacasebycasebasistodetermineitsproperties.Unlikeseptage,
leachatecancontaincomponentsofindustrialnatureandamorecomplexsamplingprogrammaybenecessary.
PotentialinhibitoryeffectsofleachateconstituentsandloadingsonSTPprocesses(e.g.onnitrification,if
applicable)needtobeassessed.

PretreatmentoflandfillleachateshouldbeconsideredtoreducethestrengthandequalizetheloadingtotheSTP.A
varietyofbiologicalandchemicaltreatmentoptionscanbeusedtopretreatleachateonsite.Forbiological
treatment,characterizationandtreatabilitytestsshouldbeconductedtoensuretheleachateonitsownistreatable
withoutadditionalnutrientsandchemicaladjustments.

19.3OtherTypesofHauledWaste

Otherwastesmaybehauledtothesewagetreatmentplant,buttheselikeallseptageandhauledwastesfrom
industrialandcommercialsourcesshouldbecharacterizedandexpectedloadsanddeliverytimesknown.The
capacityandcapabilityoftheSTPtocotreatthesewastetypesneedtobeassessedonacasebycasebasis.This
willensurethattheimpactofthesewastesontheSTPoperationscanbedeterminedbeforebeingaccepted.Itis
inappropriateforhazardousandflammablewastestobecotreatedatSTPandareexcluded.

19.3.1ChemicalToiletWaste

Materialsfromportabletoiletfacilitiesarecommonlycalledchemicaltoiletwaste.Portabletoiletsarepumped
similarlytoseptictanksandtransportedtoatreatmentworksforcotreatment.Commonlyachemicalisaddedto
theportabletoiletsholdingtanktocontrolodours.Characteristicsofchemicaltoiletwasteneedtobeassessedfor
potentialimpactsontheSTP.

19.3.2RecreationalVehicleWaste

Thecharacteristicsofrecreationalvehicle(RV)wastearesimilartochemicaltoiletwaste.

19.3.3VactorWaste
Manysanitarysewercollectionsystemsusevacuummaintenanceequipmenttocleansewerlines,catchbasins,
manholesandpumpstationwetwells.Dependinguponthesource,theresultingcompositionofthevactorloadcan
varywidely.Afullvactortruckmaycontainmaterialsfromseveraldifferenttypesofcleaningassignments.Any
vactorspoilscontaminatedwithsewageshouldbeproperlytreatedanddisposed.Ifvactorwastesarereceivedfrom
sourcesotherthansanitarysewers,thesewastesneedtobecharacterizedbeforebeingaccepted.

19.3.4WastefromOtherSewageTreatmentPlants

Sludgeorsewagereceivedfromothersewagetreatmentfacilitiesshouldbeassessedonacasebycasebasis.

19.3.5WaterfromSoilRemediation

Waterbyproductfromsoilremediationprocesses(mostlygroundwater)shouldbeassessedbeforedischargingto
municipalsewagetreatmentplants.

HandlingofChemicals
Chapter20:HandlingofChemicals
Thischapteroutlinesthehandlingofchemicalsthatarecommonlyusedatsewagetreatmentplants(e.g.for
phosphorusremoval,disinfection,andsludgethickeninganddewatering).

20.1General
Chemicalsselectedforuseinsewagetreatmentplants(STP)shouldnotadverselyaffecttheoperationofthe
sewageorsludgetreatmentprocessesandshouldnotleavedangerousorharmfulresidualsintheeffluentorsludge
leavingtheplant.Thepurityofchemicalsproposedtobeusedshouldbedetermined.Occasionally,wastestreams
fromindustry,suchasferrouschemicals,canbeusedatSTPprovidedthattheyarenotcontaminatedwithother
hazardousmaterials.

Laboratory,pilotorfullscalestudiesofvariouschemicals,feedpointsandapplicabletreatmentprocessesare
recommendedforSTPtodeterminetheachievableperformancelevel,costeffectivedesigncriteriaandrangesof
chemicaldosagerequirements.

TheselectionofappropriatechemicalsanddosagesforSTPshouldbebasedonsuchfactorsasinfluentsewage
characteristics,theproposedchemical,effluentqualityrequirementsandapplicabletreatmentprocess
requirements.

Commonusesofchemicalsandhazardousmaterialsatsewagetreatmentfacilitiesincludesewagetreatment,
processenhancementandcontrol,housekeeping,landscaping,laboratory,maintenance,fuelsupplyandodour
control.CommonchemicalsandhazardousmaterialsusedinSTPinclude,butarenotlimitedto,thoseshownTable
201.

20.2StorageofChemicals

Storageshouldbeprovidedforatleastthirtydaysofconsumptionatthemaximumanticipatedchemicalusagerate,
allowingforvariationsinsewageflowandchemicaldosageinthatperiod.Wheredeliveriesofchemicalsmaybe
interruptedbyadverseweatherconditionsinisolatedlocations,provisionshouldbemadeforincreasedstorage
capacitytakingintoconsiderationthatsomechemicalsdegradewithtime(e.g.sodiumhypochloritesolution).
Wheredeliveriescanbeassuredonshortnoticeandthematerialisnotessential,storagerequirementscanbe
reduced.

Table201CommonChemicalsandHazardousChemicalsUsedinSTP
TreatmentChemical Combustible,Hazardous,FlammablesandExplosiveHazards
 Alum
Ammonia
Caustic(e.g.sodium
hydroxide)
Chlorine
Activatedcarbon
Chlorinedioxide
Acetylene
Defoamers
Dieselfuel
Ferricchloride
Digestergas
Ferricsulphate
Fueloil
Ferroussulphate
Gasoline
Ferrouschloride
Liquefiedpetroleum(LP)gas(propane)
Hydrochloricacid
Lubricatingoils
Hydrogenperoxide
Methanol
Lime
Naturalgas
Odourmaskingagents
Paintsandthinners
Oxygen
Pesticides
Ozone
Solvents
Polymers
Weldinggases
Sodiumbisulphite
Sodiumhypochlorite
Sodiumthiosulphate
Sulphurdioxide
Sulphuricacid

Someoftheconsiderationsthatwillhaveaneffectonthechemicalstoragevolumerequirementsareasfollows:

Chemicalusagerateanddeliverytime
Typicalvolumedelivered(storageshouldbeatleastonetruckloadplus25percent)
Availabilityofalternatesuppliers
Lossinstrengthofchemicalwithstoragetime
Seasonalchangesinchemicalstrengthand
Criticalnatureofchemicalwithrespecttotreatmentprocess.

Structures,roomsandareasaccommodatingchemicalstorageandfeedingequipmentshouldbearrangedtoprovide
convenientaccessforchemicaldeliveries,equipmentservicingandrepair,andobservationofoperation.Itis
recommendedthatwhereverpossiblethestorageareabeseparatedfromthemainplantandthatsegregatedstorage
beprovidedforeachchemical.Wheretwoormorechemicalscouldreactwithundesirableeffects,thedrainage
piping(ifprovided)fromtheseparatechemicalhandlingareasshouldnotbeinterconnected.Fordangerous
materialssuchasgaseouschlorine,eitherfloordrainsinthestorageandscaleroomsshouldbeomittedentirely,or
floordrainsinstalled,butkepttotallyseparatedfromthedrainagesystemsfortherestofthebuilding.

Chemicalstorageareasneedtobeenclosedindykesorcurbsthatarecapableofcontaining110percentofthe
maximumstoredvolumeuntilitcanbesafelytransferredtoalternatestorageorreleasedtothesewageata
controlledratethatwillnotdamagefacilities,inhibittreatmentorcontributetoreceiverpollution.Curbs,sloped
areasanddrainsshouldbeusedtocontainspillsatunloadingareas.

Itisstronglyrecommendedthatallchemicalstoragebeatorabovethesurroundinggrade.Wheresubsurface
locationsforchemicalstoragetanksareproposed,theselocationsshouldbefreefromsourcesofpossible
contamination,andpositivedrainage(i.e.,pumped)forgroundorstormwaters,chemicalspillsandoverflows
needstobeassured.Whereabovegradestorageisprovided,dueconsiderationshouldbegiventothemethodof
unloadingchemicalsforexample,thereisalimitontheallowablepressurestobeusedforairpaddedtrucks.
Wheredrychemicalsareused,itisrecommendedthatsomeformofloadingdockorrampbeprovided.

Thestorageareasandlocationsshouldbearrangedtopreventanychemicalspillsandtofacilitatecleanup
operations.Thefloorsurfacesshouldbesmooth,impervious,slipproofandadequatelyslopedtodrainagepoints.

Adequatemeasuresshouldbetakentoprovideaminimumtemperatureof15C(59F)forchlorinegasareasand
theremainderofthechemicalbuildingsshouldbeheatedtoatemperaturetopreventcrystallizationorfreezingof
chemicalorabnormallyhighviscosities(polyelectrolytes)whichwouldmakepumpingdifficult.
Theventilationsystemforchemicalbuildingsshouldbesuchthatexhaustedairispassedoutsidethebuildingand
arrangedwithinthebuildingtoprovideforslightnegativepressuresinareaswheredrychemicalsareinuse,asa
dustcontrolmeasure.Wherelargeamountsofdustareanticipatedfromchemicalhandlingoperations,adequateair
filtrationequipmentshouldbeincludedintheventilationsystem.

Theventsoftankscontainingchemicalsthataresensitivetomoistureshouldbeequippedwithdesiccantcartridges.

Thedesignershouldnotethatspecialprecautionsmaybenecessaryinthedesignofairemissionscontrolsystems
topreventchemicalconcentrationsatthepointofimpingementfromexceedinglimitspermittedwithinthebuilding
orsitebyAirPollutionLocalAirQuality,(O.Reg.419/05)madeundertheEnvironmentalProtectionAct(EPA)or
whichmightbehazardous.AnapprovalunderSection9oftheEPAisrequiredifacontaminantmaybedischarged
intotheairfromanypartoftheplant.Fordetails,seetheministrysGuideforApplyingforApproval(Airand
Noise).

Allchemicalbuildingsshouldbeprovidedwitheyewashunitsand/ordelugeshowers,adequatefacilitiesfor
cleaningupchemicalspills,spaceforcleaningandstorageoftherecommendedprotectiveequipmentandadequate
warningsigns,conspicuouslydisplayedwhereidentifiablehazardsexist.Itisrecommendedthatalldoorsin
chemicalroomsopenoutwardandthatcorridorsorspacebetweenstorageareasbeaminimum1.5m(5ft)wideto
permittheuseofequipmentsuchashandtrucks.

Theuse,storageandhandlingofanyhazardousmaterialsshouldbeinaccordancewithfederalandprovincial
legislation(e.g.Regulation860,WorkplaceHazardousMaterialsInformationSystem(WHMIS),madeunderthe
OccupationalHealthandSafetyActaswellastheBuildingCode,O.Reg.350/06madeundertheBuildingCode
Act,1992andtheFireCode,O.Reg.388/97madeundertheFireProtectionandPreventionAct,1997).

Chemicalbuildingsorstorageareasshouldbeprovidedwithadequatewarningsigns,conspicuouslydisplayed
whereidentifiablehazardsexist,astorageareaforMaterialSafetyDataSheets(MSDS)andotherprovisionsin
accordancewiththeOccupationalHealthandSafetyAct(OHSA),R.S.O.1990,cO.1.Allstoragecontainers
shouldbeconspicuouslylabelledwithaWHMISlabelthatincludes:theproductname,thesuppliername,hazard
symbol(s),risk,precautionarymeasuresandfirstaidmeasures.AnMSDSshouldbeavailableforeachchemical.

20.2.1LiquidChemicals

Allstoragetanksshouldbeconstructedofamaterialprovenfortheintendedservice.Sincesomechemicals,such
asferricchloride,aredeliveredatveryhightemperatures(upto60Cor140F),thetanksandassociated
equipmentshouldbeabletowithstandsuchtemperatures.Tankslocatedoutsideshouldbeheattracedand
insulatedtomaintaintheminimumallowabletemperatureforthechemicalbeingstored.

Allstoragetanksshouldbeprovidedwithanadequatesizefillline,minimum50mm(2in)indiameter,whichis
slopedtodrainintothetank.Thefilllineshouldbeadequatelyidentifiedattheendremotefromthetankand
provisionshouldbemadetodrainthisfillline,ifadownlegexists.

Eachtankshouldhaveanadequateventline,minimumsize50mm(2in),withadownturnedend.Whereventing
outsidetheroomisrequired,theventshouldbeprovidedwithaninsectscreen.

Alltanksshouldhaveanoverflowadequatefortherateoffillproposedforthetankandoverflowsshouldbe
slopeddownfromthetanks,withendsturneddownandhavinginsectscreens,andshouldhaveareadilyvisible
freedischargedirectedtoasuitablecontainmentarea.Tankstobefilledbypumpingshouldbeprovidedwithan
overflownotlessthan300mm(12in)abovethedesignlevelandnotlessthan150mm(6in)abovethedesign
levelwhenfillingisdonebygravityflow.

Eachtankshouldbeprovidedwithmeanstoindicatethelevelofthecontentsinthetankandwhereanexternal
levelgaugeisprovided,itshouldhaveashutoffvalveatthetankconnection.Eachtankshouldbeequippedwitha
drain.Tanksshouldhaveremovablelidsorcoversormanholeswherethecontentsaresuchthatventingindoorsis
permitted.Inthecaseoftankswhicharetobeventedoutside,thecoversormanholesshouldbeconstructedsoas
tobeairtight.Overflowsfromtanksholdingcorrosivechemicalsshouldbeprovidedwithsealstopreventvapours
migratingtotheroom.

Tanksshouldbearrangedtoprovideaminimumclearspaceallaroundthemofnotlessthan300mm(12in).
Wheretankswithlinersareused,weepholesshouldbeprovidedintheoutershelltoshowpositiveindicationof
linerleakage.
Acontainmentsystemshouldsurroundliquidstoragetankstocontainspills,havingacapacityexceedingthe
volumeofallstoragevesselscontained(i.e.,110percentofoverallcontentvolume).

Allstoragetanksshouldbeconspicuouslysignedwiththecontentsandprincipalhazardsofthecontentsshown.

20.2.2DryChemicals

Wheredrychemicalsaretobeused,provisionshouldbemadetominimizedustproblemsinhandling.Theuseof
granularmaterialsispreferred.

Particularcareshouldbetakenwithfinedustsaroundelectricalequipment.Whereexhaustfans,filtersandvacuum
conveyingsystemsareused,groundingshouldbeprovidedtopreventanystaticelectricitybuildup.

20.2.3LiquidGasChlorine

Gaschlorinationequipment(chlorinators,weightscales,chlorinecylinders)needstobelocatedinanisolatedroom
orrooms.Inlargerinstallationsthestorageandweighingfacilitiesshouldbeinaroomseparatefromthe
chlorinators.Theconstructionofthefacilityshouldbeoffireresistantandcorrosionproofmaterial,haveconcrete
floorsandbegastight.Allinteriorsurfacesshouldbecoatedwithasubstanceimpermeabletochlorinegas.

Safetychainsneedtobeusedtoretaineachcylinder,instorageandonweighscales,inasafeuprightposition.
Chlorineshouldnotbestoredbelowgroundlevelandthecylindersneedtobeprotectedfromexcessiveheat,
dampnessandmechanicaldamage.Onetonnecylindersshouldbestoredontheirsidesonlevelracks.

Areascontainingchlorineorchlorinationequipmentneedtobeclearlymarked.Theexitdoorswithpanichardware
needstobehingedtoopenoutwardly.Thereneedstobetwoormoreexitsifthedistancetotraveltothenearest
exitexceeds5m(15ft).Allexitsfromthechlorineroomandstorageareashouldbetoanoutsidewall.Access
betweentheseroomsispermittediftheyhaveacommonwall.

Thetemperatureinthechlorinestorageandscaleroomshouldnotbehigherandpreferablyslightlylowerthanthat
inthechlorinatorroom.Thegaslinesbetweenthescales,chlorinatorsandinjectorsshouldnotbelocateddirectly
onanoutsidewallorinalocationwherelowtemperaturesmaybeencountered.

Aspreviouslyindicated,floordrainsfromchlorinestorageorscaleroomsshouldnotbeconnectedwithdrainage
systemsofotherpartsofthebuildingorotherbuildings.Chlorinegasisheavierthanairandcouldtravelvia
drains,suchasfloordrainsandfoundationdrains,intootherrooms.Iffloordrainsaretobeused,theyshouldbe
completelyseparatedfromotherdrainagesystems.Asanalternativetofloordrains,thefloorsmaybesloped
towardsdoorstoprovidetheneededdrainage.

Gasdetectorsandalarmsshouldbeprovidedforstorageandscalerooms.Iftheplantisnotcontinuouslymanned
orconnectedtoaplantSupervisoryControlAndDataAcquisition(SCADA)system,thealarmshouldterminateat
afirestation,policestationorother24hourmannedlocation.

Eachsewagetreatmentworksusingliquidgaschlorineshouldhaveacontingencyplantodealwithmajorgas
leaks.

Chlorinegasfeedandstorageroomsshouldbeprovidedwithinspectionwindowstopermitviewingoftheinterior
oftheroomandequipment.Switchesforfansandlightshouldbeoutsidetheroomattheentranceandasignal
lightindicatingfanoperationshouldbeprovidedateachentrance.Ventsfromfeedersandstorageshoulddischarge
totheoutsideatmosphereabovegradeandshouldslopedownwhereverpossible.

20.3ChemicalApplicationPoints

Allchemicalsshouldbeappliedtothesewagestreamsorsludgesatsuchpointsandinsuchawayastoensurethe
maximumefficiencyfortreatmentandtoprovidemaximumsafetytotheoperators.Chemicalsshouldbeaddedata
pointofturbulenceoratapointofmechanicalorinducedmixingorthroughadiffusertoensuresatisfactory
mixing.Particularcareshouldbetakenwherethepointofadditionisclosetoapointwheretheflowssplit.
Alternatechemicaladditionpointsshouldbeprovidedtogivemaximumflexibilityofoperationwhereappropriate.
Wherechemicalsareaddedtolinesunderpressure,asuitableisolatingvalveshouldbeprovided.
Withphosphorusremovalchemicals,itisdesirabletoterminatethechemicalfeedpointabovetheliquidlevelof
thetankorchannelsothatthechemicaldischargecanbeobservedbytheoperator.

20.4ChemicalFeedEquipment
Wherethechemicaladdedisnecessaryfortheprotectionofthereceivingwaterssuchaschlorination,
dechlorination,phosphorusremovalorothercriticalprocesses,aminimumoftwofeedersshouldbeprovided,with
oneactingasastandbyunit.

Thedesignandcapacityoffeedersshouldbesuchthattheywillbeabletosupplyatalltimes,thenecessary
amountsofchemicalsatanaccuraterate,throughoutthefeedrange.Feedersshouldbecapableofproportioning
thechemicalfeedtotherateofsewageorsludgeflow.

Chemicalsolutionscanbepreventedfrombeingsiphonedintothesewagestreambyeitherassuringdischargeata
pointofpositivepressureorprovidingvacuumrelieforasuitableairgap.

Allpositivedisplacementpumpsshouldbeequippedwithadequatelysizedpressurereliefvalves.Ifthepumped
fluidisrelievedthroughthisvalve,itneedstopasstoasafelocation,preferablybacktothestoragetank.Where
liquidfilleddiaphragmpumpsareinuse,theoverpressureshouldberelievedinternallyorbydischargeofthe
motivefluidtoasafelocation.Pressurereliefvalvesshouldbesetatasafereliefpressuretoavoiddamagetothe
chemicalfeedlines.

Chemicalfeedlinesshouldbekeptasshortaspossible,protectedagainstfreezingandreadilyaccessiblethrough
theirentirelength.

Theminimumlinesizeshouldbe12mm(0.5in),unlessthematerialpumpedexhibitsscaleformingtendencies,
thentheminimumsizeshouldbe25mm(1in).Ingeneral,thefeedlineshouldbedesignedtobeconsistentwith
thescaleformingorsolidsdepositingpropertiesofthematerialconveyed.Wherefeedlinesareprovidedfrom
duplicatepumpingunitsorpassedtoadistributionmanifold,adequatevalvingshouldbeprovidedtoisolate
sectionsoftheline.

Wherereciprocatingtypepumpsaretobeused,itisrecommendedthatflexibleconnectionsbeprovidedonthe
pumpsuctionanddischargetopreventthetransmissionofvibrationstothefeedline.Theseflexibleconnections
shouldbesufficientlyrigidtowithstandboththepumpsuctionanddischargepressure,andreinforcedhoseis
recommended.Thepump,incombinationwithitssuctionpipingandvalvingarrangement,shouldbesuchthatthe
pumpdischargerateremainsthesameregardlessofthelevelofchemicalinthefeedtank.

Wheredrychemicalfeedersandstorageequipmentareprovided,thedesignofthestorageequipmentshouldbe
adequatetopreventbridgingorotherproblemsinthestoragesilo.Drychemicalfeederswillbeacceptableifthey
measureeithervolumetricallyorgravimetricallyandprovideforeffectivesolutionofchemicalinasolutionpot.
Thedrychemicalfeedsystemshouldbeenclosedtopreventemissionofchemicaldustsintotheoperatingroom.

Feedersmayeitherbemanuallyorautomaticallycontrolledandautomaticcontrolshouldreverttomanualcontrol
asnecessary.Feedratesproportionaltoflowsshouldbeprovided.

Wheresolutiontanksaretobeused,thedesignershouldprovideasmeanstomaintainauniformstrengthsolution.
Continuousagitationshouldbeprovidedtomaintainslurriesinsuspension.Normally,twosolutiontankswillbe
requiredtoensurecontinuityofsupplyinservicingthesolutiontank.Eachtankshouldbeprovidedwithadrain.

Makeupwaterforthesolutiontankshouldenterthetanknotlessthan150mm(6in)aboveortwopipediameters
abovethemaximumsolutionlevel,whicheverisgreater.

Wherethedesignofthechemicalfeedsystemincludesdaytanks,suchdaytanksshouldhaveamaximumcapacity
equivalenttothechemicalconsumedovera30hourperiod.Daytanksshouldeitherbescalemountedorhavea
calibratedlevelgaugeprovided.Thepipingarrangementforrefillingthedaytanksshouldbesuchthatitwill
preventoverfillingofthetank.Inallotherrespects,therequirementsfordaytanksshouldconformtothe
requirementsforbulkstoragetanks.

20.5OperatorSafety
Thedesignofsewageworksneedtoincludeprovisionstoprotectoperatorandotherworkersafetyandhealth.The
safetyofworkersandworkplacesisgovernedbytheOccupationalHealthandSafetyActandtheWorkplaceSafety
andInsuranceAct,aswellastheregulationsmadeundertheseacts,whicharebothadministeredbytheOntario
MinistryofLabour.

Controlandtreatmentofcombinedseweroverflows
Chapter21:ControlandTreatmentofCombinedSewerOverflows
Thischapterprovidesguidanceregardingcombinedseweroverflow(CSO)controlaswellasanoverviewof
minimumtreatmentrequirements.Adiscussionofsourcemanagementandcommonlyusedtreatmenttechnologies
isalsoprovided.Manyofthecontroloptionspresentedinthischapterareoperationalmeasureswhichmayserveto
mitigatetheimpactsassociatedwithcombinedsewersystems.

21.1CSOConsiderations

21.1.1CSOControlRequirements

ThedesignershouldconsidertherequirementsoftheministryProcedureF55,DeterminationofTreatment
RequirementsforMunicipalandPrivateCombinedandPartiallySeparatedSewerSystemsinthedesignor
upgradingofsewageworksassociatedwithcombinedsewersystems.TheminimumCSOcontrolsinaccordance
withthisProcedureshouldconsistofthefollowing:

EliminationofCSOsduringdryweatherperiodsexceptunderemergencyconditions
EstablishmentandimplementationofPollutionPreventionprogramsthatfocusonpollutantreduction
activitiesatsource,asdescribedintheProcedure
Establishmentandimplementationofproperoperation,regularinspectionandmaintenanceprogramsfor
combinedsewersystems
Establishmentandimplementationofafloatablescontrolprogramtocontrolcoarsesolidsandfloatable
materials
Maximizingtheuseofthecollectionsystemforthestorageofwetweatherflowswhichareconveyedtothe
sewagetreatmentplant(STP)fortreatmentwhencapacityisavailable(e.g.byadjustingregulatorsettings)
MaximizingflowtotheSTPforthetreatmentofwetweatherflows(e.g.byremovingobstructionstoflow),
withthesecondarytreatmentcapacityattheSTPbeingutilizedtothemaximumextentpossiblefortreating
theseflowsand
Captureandtreatmentofalldryweatherflowplus90percentofthevolumeresultingfromwetweatherflow
thatisabovethedryweatherflowforanaverageyear,duringasevenmonthperiodcommencingwithin15
daysofApril1,asspecifiedintheGuideline.

21.1.1.1BeachProtection

AdditionalcontrolsabovetheminimumCSOcontrolsdescribedabovearerequiredforswimmingandbathing
beachesaffectedbyCSOs.ThedesignershouldrefertoProcedureF55formoreinformation.

21.1.1.2NewSanitaryConnectionstoCombinedSewerSystems

Newdevelopmentstributarytocombinedsewersystemsshouldbeavoideduntilthenecessaryupgradestothe
combinedsewersystemcanbecompleted.Conditionsunderwhichsomedevelopmentwillbepermittedare
specifiedinProcedureF55.

21.1.1.3NewStormConnectionstoCombinedSewerSystems

AsstatedinProcedureF55,newstormdrainagesystemshouldnotconnecttoexistingcombinedsewersystems
ifthatincreasesthegrossareaservicedbythecombinedsewersystemexceptwhereevaluationsindicatethat
circumstancesallownootherpracticalalternative.TheevaluationsshouldbedocumentedaspartofaPollution
PreventionandControlPlan.

21.1.2TreatmentLevels
ThetreatmentofwetweatherflowsfromcombinedsewersystemsmayoccuratthecentralSTPoratother
locationssuchassatellitetreatmentfacilities.MinimumtreatmentrequirementsaredescribedinProcedureF55.

21.1.3CSOMonitoring

Thedesigner,inconsultationwiththemunicipalityoroperatingauthorityofthecombinedsewersystem,should
considertheprovisionformonitoringequipmentforsewageflowsandoverflowsatvariouslocationswithinthe
sewersystemforthepurposesofassessingupgradingrequirementsanddeterminingcompliancewithministry
requirements.

21.1.4CSOModelling

Thefollowingsubsectionsbrieflysummarizecombinedsewersystemmodellingobjectives,modelselection
strategiesandmodeldevelopmentandapplication,includingmodelcalibrationandvalidationandthedifferent
typesofmodelsimulations(e.g.longtermcontinuousversusstormeventsimulations).Amoredetaileddiscussion
isprovidedintheministryStormwaterManagementPlanningandDesignManual(2003)aswellastheU.S.EPA
guidancedocumentsCombinedSewerOverflowsGuidanceforLongTermControlPlanandCombinedSewer
OverflowsGuidanceforMonitoringandModeling.

21.1.4.1CombinedSewerSystemModellingObjectives

Theprimaryobjectiveofcombinedsewersystemmodellingistounderstandthehydraulicresponseofthe
combinedsewersystemtoavarietyofprecipitationanddrainageareainputs.Combinedsewersystemmodelling
canalsobeusedtopredictpollutantloadingstoreceivingwaters.Oncethemodeliscalibratedandverified,itcan
beusedfornumerousapplicationsthatsupportCSOplanningefforts,including:

Predictingoverflowoccurrence,volumeandinsomecases,qualityforraineventsotherthanthosewhich
occurredduringthemonitoringphase.Thesecanincludeastormeventoflargemagnitude(longrecurrence
period)ormorefrequentstormeventsoveranextendedperiodoftime
Predictingtheperformanceofportionsofthecombinedsewersystemthathavenotbeenextensively
monitored
DevelopingCSOstatistics,suchasannualnumberofoverflowsandpercentofcombinedsewagecaptured
Optimizingcombinedsewersystemperformance.Inparticular,modellingcanassistinlocatingstorage
opportunitiesandhydraulicbottlenecksanddemonstratethatsystemstorageandflowtotheSTPare
maximizedand
Evaluatingandoptimizingcontrolalternatives.Themodelcanbeusedtoevaluatetheresultingreductionsin
CSOvolumeandfrequencyforbothsimpleandcomplexcontrolstrategies.

Foraspecificsystem,thedesignershouldconsiderwhetheranalysisusingcomplexcomputermodelsisneeded.In
simplesystems,computationofhydraulicprofilesusingbasicequationsandspreadsheetprogrammingmightbe
sufficientforidentifyingareaswherecertainmeasurescanbeimplementedandforevaluatingtheirhydraulic
effect.Incomplexcombinedsewersystems,thathaveloopednetworksorsectionsthatsurcharge,ahydraulic
computermodelisausefultool.

Continuoussimulationreferstotheuseoflongtermrainfallrecords(e.g.fromseveralmonthstoseveralyears)
ratherthanrainfallrecordsforindividualstorms(i.e.,designstorms).Continuoussimulationhasseveral
advantages:

Simulationsarebasedonasequenceofstormssothattheadditiveeffectofstormsoccurringclosetogether
canbeexamined
Stormswitharangeofcharacteristicsareincludedand
Longtermsimulationsenablethedevelopmentofperformancecriteriabasedonlongtermaverages,which
arenotreadilydeterminedfromdesignstormsimulations.

21.1.4.2CombinedSewerSystemModelSelection

Combinedsewersystemmodellinginvolvestwodistinctelementshydraulicsandwaterquality:

Hydraulicmodellingconsistsofpredictingflowcharacteristicsinthecombinedsewersystem.These
characteristicsincludethedifferentflowratecomponents(i.e.,sanitarysewage,infiltrationandstormwater
 runoff),theflowvelocityanddepthintheinterceptorsandsewersandtheCSOflowrateanddurationand
Combinedsewersystemqualitymodellingconsistsofpredictingthequalityofthecombinedsewageinthe
system,particularlyatCSOoutfallsandatthetreatmentplant.Waterqualityismeasuredintermsofcritical
parameters,suchasbacterialcountsandconcentrationsofBOD5,suspendedsolids,nutrientsandtoxic
contaminants.

Somemodelsincludebothhydraulicandwaterqualitycomponentswhileothersarelimitedtooneortheother.The
designer,inconsultationwiththesystemowner/operator,shoulddeterminewhichtypeofmodelismost
appropriate.

21.1.4.3ModelCalibrationandVerification

Ageneralmodelshouldbeadjustedtothecharacteristicsofaspecificsiteandsituation.Modelersusemodel
calibrationandverificationfirsttoperformthisadjustmentandthentodemonstratethecredibilityofthemodel
simulationresults.Usinganuncalibratedmodel(e.g.usingtypicalindustryvaluesformodelparameters)mightbe
acceptableforscreeningpurposes.Withoutsupportingevidence,however,theuncalibratedresultmightnotbe
accurate.Tousemodelsimulationresultsforevaluatingcontrolalternatives,themodellershouldprovideevidence
demonstratingthemodelsreliability.

21.2StormwaterManagement

TheministryStormwaterManagementPlanningandDesignManualprovidestechnicalandproceduralguidance
fortheplanning,designandreviewofstormwatermanagementpractices.Specifically,themanualprovides
guidanceregarding:

Environmentalplanning
Environmentaldesigncriteria
Stormwatermanagementplansandstormwatermanagementpractice(SWMP)design
Infilldevelopmentand
Operation,maintenanceandmonitoring.

Thedesignershouldconsulttheministrymanualforguidanceregardingthedevelopmentofastormwater
managementprogramandforthedesignofSWMPs,aspartofanoverallCSOcontrolprogram.

21.3SourceManagementandControlTechnologies
Controlmeasurescanincludetechnologies,operatingstrategies,publicpoliciesandregulations,orothermeasures
thatwouldcontributetosomeaspectofCSOcontrol.Controlmeasurescangenerallybeclassifiedunderoneofthe
followingcategories:

Sourcecontrols
Collectionsystemcontrols
Storagetechnologiesand
Treatmenttechnologies.

Abriefdescriptionofsomeoftheoptionsavailableforeachcategoryisprovidedbelow.

21.3.1SourceControl

Sourcecontrolsaffectthequantityand/orqualityofrunoffthatentersthecollectionsystem.Sincesourcecontrols
reducethevolumes,peakflowsorpollutantloadsenteringthecollectionsystem,thesizeofmorecapitalintensive
downstreamcontrolmeasurescanbereducedor,insomecases,theneedfordownstreamfacilitiescanbe
eliminated.Thesourcecontrolsdiscussedbelowincludebothquantityandqualitycontrolmeasures.Amore
detaileddiscussionisprovidedintheU.S.EPAdocumentCombinedSewerOverflowsGuidanceforLongTerm
ControlPlan.

21.3.1.1PorousPavements
Porouspavementsreducerunoffbyallowingstormwatertodrainthroughthepavementtotheunderlyingsoil.
Porouspavements,mostcommonlyusedinparkinglots,requireskillandcareininstallationandmaintenanceto
ensurethattheporesinthepavementdonotbecomeplugged.

21.3.1.2FlowDetention

Detentionpondsinuplandareasandrooftopstoragecanstorestormwaterrunofftemporarily,delayingits
introductionintothecollectionsystemandtherebyhelpingtoattenuatepeakwetweatherflowsinthecollection
system.Thedetentionfacilitiesdrainbacktothecollectionsystemwhenpeakwetweatherflowssubside.

21.3.1.3AreaDrainandRoofLeaderDisconnection

Inhighlydevelopedareaswithrelativelylittleopen,perviousspace,roofleadersandareadrainsarecommonly
connecteddirectlytothecombinedsewagecollectionsystem.Reroutingoftheseconnectionstoseparatestorm
drainsoravailableperviousareascanhelpreducepeakwetweatherflowsandvolumes.

21.3.1.4FoundationDrains

Foundationdrainsmaybeconnectedtostormsewersinsomeareas.Sumppumpsmaybeusedtodischarge
foundationdrainagetothesurfaceortosoakawaypits.Inareaswheretheseasonalhighwatertableiswithin1m
(3ft)ofthefoundationdrain,sumppumpsshouldnotbeusedinordertopreventtheformationofalooped
pumpingoperationandexcessivepumpoperation.Wheresumppumpsarenotfeasible,athirdpipemaybeused
toconveyfoundationdrainagetoasuitabledischargepoint.

21.3.1.5UseofPerviousAreasforInfiltration

Detentionofstormflowinperviousareasnotonlyhelpsattenuatepeakwetweatherflowinthecollectionsystem
butalsoreducesrunoffvolumethroughinfiltrationintothesoil.Grassedswales,infiltrationbasinsandsubsurface
leachingfacilitiescanbeusedtopromoteinfiltrationofrunoff.Infiltrationsumpscanbeusedinareaswithwell
drainingsoils.Thedesignershouldconsidertheimpactofcoldclimateconditions.Thistypeofcontrolmightbe
moreappropriateasarequirementforfuturedevelopmentorredevelopmentandcouldbeimplementedthrough
sewerusebylawsandthroughstrictreviewofproposeddevelopmentplans.

21.3.1.6SolidWasteManagement

Althoughlitteringisgenerallyprohibited,itisacommonprobleminmanycommunities.Streetlittertypically
includesmetallic,glassandpapercontainers,cigarettes,newspapersandfoodwrappers.Ifnotremovedfromthe
streetsurfacesbycleaningequipment,someoftheseitemsoftenendupincombinedseweroverflows(Section
8.5.6.4BypassesandOverflowsatSewageWorksServingCombinedSewers),creatingvisiblepollutiondueto
theirfloatablenature.

Enforcementofantilitterbylaws,publiceducationprograms,andconvenientlyplacedwastedisposalcontainers
mightbeeffective,lowcostalternatives,especiallyinurbanbusinessareas.Theproperdisposalofleaves,grass
clippings,crankcaseoil,paints,chemicalsandothersuchwastescanbeaddressedinapubliceducationprogram.
Becausetheresultsofsuchaprogramdependonvoluntarycooperation,thelevelofeffectivenesscanbedifficult
topredict.

21.3.1.7StreetSweeping

Frequentstreetsweepingcanpreventtheaccumulationofdirt,debrisandassociatedpollutants,whichmaywash
offstreetsandothertributaryareastoacombinedcollectionsystemduringastormevent.Currentsweeping
practicescanbeanalyzedtodeterminewhethermorefrequentcleaningwillyieldCSOcontrolbenefits.Theoverall
effectivenessofstreetsweepingasaCSOcontrolmeasuredependsonanumberoffactors,includingfrequencyof
sweeping,sizeofparticlescapturedbysweeping,streetparkingregulationsandclimaticconditions,suchas
rainfallfrequencyandseason.

21.3.1.8FertilizerandPesticideControl
Fertilizersandpesticideswashedoffthegroundduringstormscontributetothepollutantloadsinstormwater
runoff.Itisimportantthatallusersfollowproperhandlingandapplicationprocedures.Theuseoflesstoxic
formulationsshouldalsobeencouraged.Becausemostoftheproblemsassociatedwiththesechemicalsarearesult
ofimproperorexcessiveusage,apubliceducationprogrammaybebeneficial.

21.3.1.9SnowRemovalandDeIcingControl

Thisabatementmeasureinvolveslimitingtheuseofchemicalsforsnowandicecontroltotheminimumnecessary
forpublicsafety.This,inturn,wouldlimittheamountofchemicals(i.e.,normallysalt)andsandwashedintothe
collectionsystemandultimatelycontainedinCSOs.Properstorageandhandlingmeasuresforthesematerials
mightalsoreducetheimpactsofrunofffrommaterialstoragesites.

21.3.1.10SoilErosionControl

ControllingsoilerosionisimportantinrelationtoCSOsandwaterqualityforanumberofreasons:

Soilparticlescarrynutrients,metals,andothertoxicswhichmaybereleasedintothereceivingwater,
contributingtoalgalblooms,potentialtoxiceffectsandbioaccumulationoftoxicsand
Erodedsoilcancontributetosedimentationproblemsinthecollectionsystem,potentiallyreducinghydraulic
capacity.

Properlyvegetatedand/orstabilizedsoilsarenotassusceptibletoerosionandthuswillnotbewashedoffinto
combinedsewersduringwetweather.Likeforfertilizerandpesticidecontrol,aneducationalprogrammaybe
usefulincontrollingsoilerosion.Implementationandenforcementoferosioncontrolregulationsatconstruction
sitescanalsobeeffective.

21.3.1.11Commercial/IndustrialRunoffControl

Commercialandindustriallands,includinggasolinestations,railroadyards,freightloadingsareasandparkinglots
contributegrit,oils,greaseandotherpollutantstocombinedsewersystems.Suchcontaminantscanrunoffinto
receivingwaters.Installingandmaintainingoil/gritseparatorsincatchbasinsandareadrainscanhelpcontrol
runofffromtheseareas,whilepretreatmentrequirementscanbeidentifiedaspartofthemunicipalitysseweruse
bylaws.

21.3.1.12AnimalWasteRemoval

Thismeasurereferstoremovinganimalexcrementfromareastributarytocombinedsewersystems.Theimpactof
thiscontrolmeasureisdifficulttoquantifyhowever,itmightbepossibletoachieveaminorreductioninbacterial
loadandoxygendemand.Thisbestmanagementpractice(BMP)canbeaddressedbyapublicinformationprogram
andpooperscooperbylaws.

21.3.1.13CatchbasinCleaning

Theregularcleaningofcatchbasinscanremoveaccumulatedsedimentanddebristhatcouldultimatelybe
dischargedinCSOs.Inmanycommunities,catchbasincleaningistargetedmoretowardmaintainingproper
drainagesystemperformancethanpollutioncontrol.

21.3.2CombinedSewerSystemControl

CombinedsewersystemcontrolsandmodificationsaffectCSOflowsandloadsforstormwaterrunoffthathas
enteredthecollectionsystem.ThiscategoryofcontrolmeasurescanreduceCSOvolumeandfrequencyby
maximizingthevolumeofflowstoredinthecollectionsystem,ormaximizingthecapacityofthesystemtoconvey
flowtoaSTPandincludesthecontrolalternativesdescribedinthefollowingsubsections.Amoredetailed
discussionisprovidedintheU.S.EPAguidancedocumentCombinedSewerOverflowsGuidanceforLongTerm
ControlPlan.

21.3.2.1SewerLineFlushing
SedimentsthataccumulateinsewersduringdryweathercanbeasourceofCSOcontaminantsduringstormevents.
PeriodicallyflushingsewersduringdryweatherconditionswillconveysettledmaterialstotheSTP.Thecost
effectivenessofsuchaprogram,however,dependsontreatment,labourcosts,physicalsewercharacteristicsand
productivity.

Sewercleaningusuallyrequirestheuseofahydraulic,mechanicalormanualdevicetoresuspendsolidsintothe
sewageflowandcarrythemoutofthecollectionsystem.Thispracticemightbemoreeffectiveforsewerswith
veryflatslopes.Cleaningcostsincreasesubstantiallyforlargerinterceptorsduetooccasionalaccumulationsof
thicksludgeblanketsininverts.

GritmanagementshouldbeconsideredandprecautionstakentoavoidoverloadingtheSTPduringthecleaning
process.Considerationshouldalsobegiventodisposalofdebrisdislodgedduringflushing.Additionalinformation
isprovidedintheministryStormwaterManagementPlanningandDesignManual(2003).

21.3.2.2MaximizingUseofExistingSystem

Thiscontrolmeasureinvolvesmaximizingthequantityofflowcollectedandtreated,therebyminimizingCSOsIt
involvesongoingmaintenanceandinspectionofthecollectionsystem,particularlyflowregulatorsandtidegates.
Inaddition,minormodificationsorrepairscansometimesresultinsignificantincreasesinthevolumeofstorm
flowretainedinthesystem.Strictadherencetoawellplannedpreventivemaintenanceprogramcanbeakeyfactor
incontrollingdryandwetweatheroverflows.

21.3.2.3SewerSeparation

Separationistheconversionofacombinedsewersystemintoseparatestormwaterandsanitarysewagecollection
systems.SewerseparationisapositivemeansofeliminatingCSOsandpreventingsanitaryflowfromenteringthe
receivingwaterduringwetweatherperiodsandmaybeapplicableandcosteffectiveonasitespecificbasis.The
benefitsofseparationshouldbeevaluated,withconsiderationgiventoapotentialincreaseintheloadingof
stormwaterrunoffpollutants(e.g.sediment,bacteria,metals,oils)beingdischargedtothereceivingwater,cost(it
isrelativelyexpensive)andthepotentialdisruptionoftrafficandothercommunityactivitiesduringconstruction.

21.3.2.4Infiltration/InflowControl

Excessiveinfiltrationandinflow(I/I)canincreaseoperationandmaintenancecostsandcanconsumehydraulic
capacity,bothinthecollectionsystemandattheSTP.Incombinedsewersystems,surfacedrainageisbydesign
theprimarysourceofinflow.Sourcesofinflowincombinedsewersystemsshouldbecontrolled,includingroof
leaders,sumppumps,andtidalinflow(i.e.,throughleakingormissingtidegates,whereapplicable).

Infiltrationisgroundwaterthatentersthecollectionsystemthroughdefectivepipejoints,crackedorbrokenpipes,
manholes,footingdrainsandothersimilarsources.Infiltrationflowtendstobemoreconstantthaninflow.
Significantlengthsofsewersusuallyneedtoberehabilitatedtoeffectivelyreduceinfiltrationandtherehabilitation
effortshouldincludehouselaterals.

Implementationofaneffectivemaintenanceandinspectionprogram,consistingofclosedcircuittelevision
(CCTV)inspections,manholeandlateralassessments,isnecessarytocontrolinfiltration.

21.3.2.5RegulatingDevicesandBackwaterGates

Flowregulatingdeviceshavebeenusedformanyyearsincombinedsewersystemstodirectdryweatherflowto
interceptorsandtodivertwetweathercombinedflowsinexcessofinterceptorcapacitytoreceivingwaters(i.e.,as
CSOs).

Ingeneral,regulatorsfallintotwocategories:staticandmechanical.Staticregulatorshavenomovingpartsand,
onceset,areusuallynotreadilyadjustable.Theyincludesideweirs,transverseweirs,restrictedoutlets,swirl
concentrators(i.e.,flowregulators/solidsconcentrators)andvortexvalves.Mechanicalregulatorsareadjustable
andmightrespondtovariationsinlocalflowconditionsorbecontrolledthrougharemotetelemetrysystem.They
includeinflatabledams,tiltingplateregulators,reversetaintergates,floatcontrolledgatesandmotoroperatedor
hydraulicgates.
Thedesignershouldalsotakeintoaccountmaintenanceissues(i.e.,frequencyandcomplexity)associatedwiththe
particulartypeofregulatorbeingconsidered.

21.3.2.6RealTimeControl

Systemwiderealtimecontrol(RTC)programscanprovideintegratedcontrolofregulators,outfallgatesandpump
stationoperationsbasedonanticipatedflowsfromindividualrainfallevents,withfeedbackcontroladjustments
basedonactualflowconditionswithinthesystem.ComputermodelsassociatedwiththeRTCsystemallowan
evaluationofexpectedsystemresponsetocontrolcommandsbeforeexecution.LocalizedRTCmightalsobe
providedtoindividualdynamicregulators,basedonfeedbackcontrolfromupstreamand/ordownstreamflow
monitoringelements.Aswithanyplanforimprovinginlinestorage,totakethegreatestadvantageofRTC,a
combinedsewersystemshouldhaverelativelyflatupstreamslopesandsufficientupstreamstorageand
downstreaminterceptorcapacity.

21.3.2.7FlowDiversion

Flowdiversionisthediversionorrelocationofdryweatherflow,wetweatherflow,orbothfromonedrainage
basintoanotherthroughneworexistingdrainagebasininterconnections.Flowdiversioncanrelieveanoverloaded
regulatororinterceptorreach,resultinginamoreoptimizedoperationofthecollectionsystem.Flowdiversioncan
alsobeusedtorelocatecombinedsewerflowfromanoutfalllocatedinamoresensitivereceivingwaterareatoan
outfalllocatedinalesssensitiveone.

21.3.3Storage

WetweatherflowscanbestoredforsubsequenttreatmentattheSTPoncetreatmentandconveyancecapacityhave
beenrestored.SpecificdesignguidanceforstoragefacilitiesisprovidedintheEnvironmentCanadaCSO
TreatmentTechnologiesManual.

21.3.3.1InLineStorage

Inlinestorageisstorageinserieswiththesewer.Inlinestoragecanbedevelopedintwoways:

Constructionofnewtanksoroversizedconduitstoprovidestoragecapacityor
Constructionofaflowregulatortooptimizestoragecapacityinexistingconduits.

Thenewtanksoroversizedconduitsaredesignedtoallowdryweatherflowtopassthrough,whileflowsabovea
designpeakisrestricted,causingthetankoroversizedconduittofill.Aflowregulatoronanexistingconduit
functionsunderthesameprinciple,withtheexistingconduitprovidingthestoragevolume.Developinginline
storageinexistingconduitsistypicallylesscostlythanother,morecapitalintensivetechnologies,suchasoffline
storage/sedimentationandisattractivebecauseitprovidesthemosteffectiveutilizationofexistingfacilities.The
applicabilityofinlinestorage,particularlytheuseofexistingconduitsforstorage,isverysitespecific,depending
onexistingconduitsizesandtheriskoffloodingduetoanelevatedhydraulicgradeline.

21.3.3.2OffLineNearSurfaceStorage

Thistechnologyreducesoverflowquantityandfrequencybystoringalloraportionofdivertedwetweather
combinedflowsinofflinestoragetanks.Thestoragearrangementisconsideredtobeparallelwiththesewer.
StoredflowsarereturnedtotheinterceptorforconveyancetotheSTPoncesystemcapacityisavailable.Insome
cases,flowsareconveyedtoaCSOtreatmentfacility.

21.3.3.3DeepTunnelStorage

Thistechnologyprovidesstorageandconveyanceofstormflowsinlargetunnelsconstructedwellbelowthe
groundsurface.Tunnelscanprovidelargestoragevolumeswithrelativelyminimaldisturbancetotheground
surface,whichcanbeverybeneficialincongestedurbanareas.Flowsareintroducedintothetunnelsthrough
dropshaftsandpumpingfacilitiesareusuallyrequiredatthedownstreamendsfordewatering.

21.3.4TreatmentTechnologyOptions
ThedesignofCSOtreatmentfacilitiesinvolvesallthenormalconsiderationsassociatedwithanySTPdesignplus
theratheruniqueaspectofanintermittentandhighlyvariableinfluent.Inaddition,specialattentionshouldbepaid
tositingissuesandthepotentialoperatingimpactssuchasodoursthatmaybeassociatedwithasatellitefacility.

MostCSOtreatmentfacilitiesarecomprisedofanumberofunitprocessestiedtogetherinatrain.Multiple
processesareemployedbecauseofthespecializedfunctionofeachunit(e.g.solidsremoval,disinfection).Some
processessuchasscreeninganddegrittingareemployedprimarilytoprotectdownstreamprocessequipment.Even
so,screensanddegrittingservealsotoremovegrosssolidsandheavygritparticles,whichenhancethequalityof
thetreatedeffluent.Someunitprocesses,suchasUVdisinfection,requiremoreextensivepretreatmenttobe
viable.UVdisinfectiondesignguidelinesareprovidedinSection14.4UltravioletIrradiation.AcompleteCSO
treatmentprocesstrainshouldaddressbothliquidandsolidstreatmentandresiduedisposal.

ThelocationoftheproposedCSOtreatmentfacilityshouldalsobeconsideredinfinalizingtheprocesstrain.
Satellitefacilitiesshouldincorporateallliquidtrainunitprocessesonsite.Dependinguponcircumstancesitmay
notbedesirabletoutilizeaprocessrequiringchemicalstorageatsomesatellitelocations.Communitysensitivity
mayinthiscasedictateadifferentprocesstrainselection.

Otherdesignconsiderationsmayalsoinfluenceprocesstrainselection.Forexample,thefacilityfootprintmaybea
majorfactorwherelimitedsitingopportunitiesareavailable.Inturn,thismayfavourveryhighratetreatment,
integratinganumberofunitprocesseswithinasinglefacility.Otherprocessesarecomplextooperateandrequire
skilledattention.Thesemaynotbewellsuitedtosatellitelocations.Finally,bothcapitalandoperatingcostsplaya
majorroleintechnologyselectionandshouldbecarefullyweighedduringprocesstrainevaluation.

Specificdesignparameters,suchasflowrate,hydraulicloadingandsolidsloadingforachosentechnologywill
dependonthetreatmentobjectivesandthecharacteristicsofthespecificunitselected.Theseparametersareoften
establishedthroughpilotingandinconsultationwiththemanufacturer.Additionalinformationisalsoprovidedin
EnvironmentCanadasCSOTreatmentTechnologiesManual.

21.3.4.1ScreeningDevices

ScreeningtechnologiescanbeappliedinaCSOtreatmenttraininoneoftwomodes:

PartofanoverallCSOtreatmentprocesstrain.ThisapplicationisassociatedwithCSOtreatmentfacilities
capableofprovidingprimaryequivalenttreatment.Thescreeningdevicecanbeemployedeitherfor
pretreatmentorforeffluentpolishingand
Standalonewherethescreenisthemaintreatmentdevicealthoughnotgenerallyabletoprovideprimary
equivalenttreatment.Thisapplicationisusedtoaddressgrosssolidsincludingfloatablematerialsinthe
remainingoverflowsdischargingwithoutprimaryequivalenttreatmentorCSOtreatmentfacilitybypass
streams.

Thereareawidevarietyofscreensandscreeningdevicesinallmannerofconfigurations,aperturesizesand
applications.Therefore,thedesignershouldconsultthemanufacturerforspecificdesignguidance.

21.3.4.2FloatablesControl

Severaltechnologiesareavailableforfloatablescontrol,includingscreens,fabricnets,rotarysieves,orbyusing
systemsoperatingonthevortexprinciple,trapsincatchbasinsandsimpleunderflowbafflesintheoverflowpath.

21.3.4.3BallastedClarifiers

Ballastedclarificationisatermappliedtoproprietarytechnologiesthatemployballastedcoagulationassisted
settling.Themainadvantageoftheseprocessesistheveryhighrateoftreatmentpossiblethatallowsareasonably
smallfootprint.Becauseofthetypicallyhighcoagulantandcoagulantaiddosagesemployed,thesetechnologies
mayalsoyieldagreaterdegreeofpollutantremoval.

ThesetechnologiesmaybeemployedatsatellitelocationsoraspartofastandaloneorintegratedfacilityataSTP.
Thedesignershouldconsultwiththemanufacturerregardingspecificdesignrequirements.Pilottestingis
recommendedforsitespecificapplications.ForadditionalinformationonballastedclarifiersseeSection15.5
HighRateClarification.
21.3.4.4RetentionTreatmentBasins(AssistedandUnassisted)

Retentiontreatmentbasins(RTB)areintendedtoprovideremovalofCSOpollutantsthroughsedimentation,
removaloffloatablematerials(i.e.,throughintegralbafflingandscreening)andfullorpartialcaptureofCSO
discharges.

RTBstypicallyconsistofseveralcompartmentstoallowsmalleroverfloweventstobecapturedand/ortreated
withouttheutilizationoftheentirefacility.DividingthestoragevolumeoftheRTBintoseparatecompartments
alsoallowsdifferentportionsofthetanktobeusedforotherunitoperations,suchasdisinfection.Positively
buoyantmaterialsareusuallyremovedbysometypeofbaffleorskimmerarrangementorbyinstallationof
screens.Smallerstormeventsandportionsoflargereventsarecapturedwithinthestoragevolumeaffordedbyan
RTB.

SpecificguidanceforthedesignofRTBisprovidedintheEnvironmentCanadaCSOTreatmentTechnologies
Manual.

21.3.4.5InclinedPlateSettlers

Installationofinclinedplateseparatorsmayincreasetheeffectivesettlingareaandallowablesurfaceoverflowrate
ofasedimentationunit.Thistechnologyshouldbecombinedwithchemicaltreatmentifasignificantincreasein
suspendedsolidsremovalisneeded.Platesettlersaregenerallyincorporatedintootherprocessunits,suchasRTB
orballastedclarifiers.

21.3.4.6FlowBalanceMethods

Theflowbalancetechniqueisaretentiontreatmentsystemusingweightedplasticcurtainshungfrompontoonsin
shorelocationsinnaturalreceivingwaterbodies.Duringoperation,extraneousfluid(stormwater/CSO)flowsinto
apontoonedmulticelledsystemwhiledisplacingcurrentlystoredfluid(lakewater).Thismethodrelieson
stratificationofnaturalwaterandCSOsbecauseoftheirdifferentspecificgravities.Infreshwaterbodies,multiple
cellscanbeusedinplaceofabottomoutlet.

Afterthestormevent,thereversepatterniscreatedbypumpingcontentsfromthefirstorinfluentcellofthe
storagefacilitybacktothesewerforsubsequenttreatment.Depositedsolidscanalsoberetrievedbypumping.For
asmallrunoffevent,onlyoneormoreofthecellsareused.Foralargeevent,allcellsarefilledandthesystemcan
beoverflowed.Relativeefficiencyintransferringflowsthroughplugflowoperationisdeterminedbythenumber
ofcellsandrelativeplacement.

Afeedpumpandthedischargepointareconnectedtothefirstcompartment.Excessstormwaterflowisdiverted
throughlargeopeningsinintermediatebaffles.Openingsareplacedalternativelyatthebottomandtoptoprevent
stratificationcausedbywatertemperaturedifferences.Thebaffles,madeofplasticcloth,hangfrompontoons.The
clothisattachedtothebottomwithweights.Thereisnodemandforabsolutetightnessagainstthebottom,asthe
solefunctionofthebafflesistocreateplugflowconditions.

AdditionalinformationisprovidedinWaterEnvironmentFederation,WEFManualofPracticeFD17Prevention
andControlofSewerSystemOverflows.Thedesignershouldconsultwiththemanufacturerregardingspecific
designrequirements.

21.3.4.7VortexSeparators(AssistedandUnassisted)

VortexseparatorscanbeappliedinsatellitefacilitiesoraspartofanintegratedorstandalonefacilityataSTP.The
separatorsareasversatileasRTBandcanbeemployedwiththefollowingconfigurations:

Invesselcoagulantaddition
Invesselchemicaldisinfection
Integralfinescreensand
Addondisinfection(chemicalorUV).

Separatorsdonotnecessarilyrequirepretreatmentalthoughtheyaremostoftenprecededbycoarsescreens.Fine
screens(screenscanbeaddonorintegral)canalsobeaddedifremovalofneutraldensityfloatablesisrequired.
SeparatorsproducesignificantquantitiesofunderflowwhichneedtobetransportedandtreatedataSTP.
AdditionalinformationonVortexseparators,astheyareappliedtopreliminarytreatment,canbefoundinSection
10.3.3.4VortexGritRemoval.

Thedesignershouldconsultwiththemanufacturerregardingspecificdesignrequirements.Pilottestingis
recommendedforsitespecificapplications.

21.3.4.8CompressibleFilterMedia

Acompressiblefiltermediasystemisaproprietarytechnologythatprovidesahighrateofsolidsremovalthrough
theuseofsyntheticfibrespheres.TheseprocessesaretypicallyusedasapolishingstepinamorecomplexCSO
treatmenttrain,whichmayincludeotherphysicalseparationtechnologiesupstreamandUVdisinfection
downstreamoftheunit.Influenttothefiltersusuallyrequirespretreatmenttoremoveheavysolidsandcoarse
floatablematerials.

Intheory,theseunitscouldbeemployedatsatellitelocations.However,untilmoreexperienceisgainedwith
automatedoperation,itissuggestedthattheybeappliedeitherasanintegratedorstandaloneCSOtreatmentat
STPlocations.Thedesignershouldconsultthemanufacturerforspecificdesignguidance.Pilottestingis
recommendedforsitespecificapplications.

21.4HandlingandDisposalofCSOSolidsResiduals

ResiduemanagementisaprincipalconcernwhenusingscreeninganddegrittingtotreatCSOs.Thehandlingof
collectedmaterialsontrashracksandmanuallycleanedbarscreensinvolvesremovinglargerdebristhatmaybe
collected,sincethespacingwillallowmostofthefloatablestopassthroughtheopenings.Asthescreenaperture
decreases,therewillbeanincreaseintheamountofcollectedmaterialsrequiringremoval.Inaddition,material
collectedimmediatelyupstreamanddownstreamofthescreenmayrequireperiodicremoval.

Typicalvolumesofresidueremovedbyscreensrangefrom3.5to84Lper1,000m3(0.47to11.2ft3/(millionUS
gal))ofinfluent.Theactualamountofresiduetobedisposedofwillvarydependingonthefollowingfactors:

Drainagesystemconfiguration
Timeofyear
Stormintensityandintereventtime
Velocityofflowthroughthescreenand
Screenaperture.

Thedisposalofscreeningsmaybeprovidedbyanyofthefollowing:

Removalbyhaulingtodisposalsites(landfills)
Incineration,eitheraloneorincombinationwithsludgeandgrit
Disposalwithmunicipalsolidwastesand
Returntosewage,eitherdirectlyorviagrindersandmacerators.

Tominimizehandlinganddisposalcosts,itispreferabletohavescreeningsandgritreturnedtothesewer.
Alternatively,screeningscanbedischargedtoacontainerforultimatedisposalatbothsatelliteandSTPlocations.
Screeningresiduescanalsobereturnedtoaninterceptorseweratsatellitelocations.Inthiscase,thescreenings
willbeoncemoreremovedattheSTPandthentakentodisposal.

ResidualsmanagementforscreeninganddegrittingoperationsisaddressedintheEnvironmentCanadaCSO
TreatmentTechnologiesManualaswellasinSection10.6Screenings,GritHandlingandDisposal.

21.5Disinfection
EffluentdisinfectionisrequiredwhereCSOaffectsswimmingandbathingbeachesandotherareaswherethereare
publichealthconcerns.Theinterimeffluentqualitycriterionfordisinfectedcombinedsewageduringwetweather
isamonthlygeometricmeannotexceeding1000E.coliorganismsper100mL.Thiscriterionmaybemodifiedby
theRegionalstaffoftheministryonacasebycasebasisduetositespecificconditions.

AlloverflowsandbypassesattheSTPshouldbesubjectedtothedisinfectionprocesswhereavailableinorderto
reducethebacterialloadingsatdischarge.
SpecificguidanceregardingthedesignofdisinfectionsystemsisprovidedinChapter14Disinfectionaswellas
intheEnvironmentCanadaCSOTreatmentTechnologiesManual.

21.5.1ChlorinationandDechlorination

Incaseswherechlorinationisusedasthedisinfectionprocess,subsequentdechlorinationofthesewageworks
effluentsshouldbeusedtominimizetheadverseeffectsofchlorineresidualsonpublichealthandtheaquatic
environmentwherenecessary.

21.5.2UltravioletIrradiation

Ultraviolet(UV)irradiationforthedisinfectionofCSOshouldbeusedinconjunctionwithotherunitprocesses
capableofmeetingprimaryequivalenttreatmentrequirementswhichshouldaddressfloatables,TSSandCBOD5.
UVirradiationshouldfollowpretreatmentandsolidsseparationprocesses.UVirradiationcanbeappliedin
satelliteorSTPintegratedorstandalonefacilities.

Largesubsurfacesewagedisposalsystems
Chapter22:LargeSubsurfaceSewageDisposalSystems
Thischapterprovidesanoverviewoflargesubsurfacesewagedisposalsystemswithdesignflowsgreaterthan
10,000L/d.ItalsoprovidesacomparisonofthesesystemstothosesmallersystemsregulatedbyPart8ofDivision
BoftheBuildingCode(O.Reg.350/06)madeundertheBuildingCodeAct,1992.

22.1ApplicableLegislation
Small(i.e.,totaldailydesignsanitarysewageflowof10,000L/d(2640USgal/d)orless)individualormultiple
subsurfacesewagedisposalsystems,locatedwhollywithintheboundariesofthelotorparceloflandonwhichare
locatedtheresidence(s),building(s)orfacility/ieswhichtheyserve,aresubjecttotherequirementsofPart8of
DivisionBoftheBuildingCode(O.Reg.350/06)madeundertheBuildingCodeAct,1992.ThisActis
administeredbytheOntarioMinistryofMunicipalAffairsandHousing.

UnderPart8oftheBuildingCode,themeanstodeterminethetotaldailydesignsewageflowareprovidedin
Article8.2.1.3.ThevaluesinTables8.2.1.3.A.and8.2.1.3.B.representsewageflowgenerationratesfrom
residentialoccupanciesandotherspecificfacilities.

Thedesignandconstructionofsmallsubsurfacesewagedisposalsystems,underthejurisdictionoftheBuilding
CodeAct,1992,shouldstrictlyadheretostandardscontainedinPart8oftheBuildingCoderelatingto:

Classificationofsewagesystemsandsiteevaluation
Sewagedesignflowsandclearancerequirements
Typesanddesignoftanksusedtocollect,treat,holdsanitarysewageand
Thesewagesubsurfacedisposaldesign,construction,operationandmaintenancerequirements.

Allsewageworkswithadesigncapacityinexcessof10,000L/d,includingsubsurfacedisposalsystems,are
subjecttotherequirementsofSection53oftheOntarioWaterResourcesAct(OWRA)administeredbytheOntario
MinistryoftheEnvironment[1].Subsurfacedisposalsystemswithadesigncapacityinexcessof10,000L/dare
referredtoaslargesubsurfacesewagedisposalsystems(LSSDS).

ThedesignofaLSSDSunderOWRAjurisdictionissubjecttotheministryengineeringreviewandapproval
process(Section1.5MinistryApprovalProgramforSewageWorks).Theengineeringreviewprovidesan
evaluationofhowthedesignerintendstomeetthesitespecificperformancecriteriaestablishedforthedesignlife
ofthesewageworks.Theperformancebasedministryengineeringreviewisnotprescriptiveinnatureandthe
requiredperformancelevelsmaybemetusingmanyalternatives,includingnewandinnovativetechnologies.

ThedesigneroftheLSSDSisadvisedtoconsider,whereappropriateandapplicable,thedesignstandardsforsmall
subsurfacedisposalsystemscontainedinPart8,DivisionB,oftheBuildingCode.However,clearancesor
separationdistancesfromlargesystemstosuchfeaturesaswells,surfacewaterbodiesandpropertyboundaries
needtobedeterminedonacasespecificbasisseeSection22.5AssessmentofImpactonWaterResources.
Ministrytechnicalreviewerswillexaminetheproponentsassessmentofeffectsonwaterresources.Thisreview
evaluatesthehydrogeologicalaspectsoftheassessmentsuchasthesubsurfaceconditionsatthesite,thechoiceof
reasonableusegroundwatercriteriaatthedowngradientpropertyboundary,andthesitespecificdischarge
criteriatoensurethatthedowngradientcriteriaaremet.Incaseswheredischargeofgroundwatertosurfacewater
isaconcern,asurfacewaterassessmentandreviewmayalsoberequired.

Dependingonthelocationofthesite,theCleanWaterAct,associatedregulationsandsourcewaterplanningmay
apply.Iftheproposedsystemistobesitedinalocationwithinasourcewaterprotectionvulnerableareaas
definedundertheCleanWaterAct,thedesignerisadvisedtoconsiderandaddresstherequirementsoftheClean
WaterActpriortoproceedingwithanOWRAapplicationforapproval.ConsultationwiththelocalConservation
AuthorityorSourceWaterProtectionAuthorityisrecommendedtodetermineifthisisaconcernandifsowhat
specificrequirementsneedtobeaddressed.

22.2General
Inadditiontothecommonuseofsubsurfacesewagedisposal(i.e.,septictanksystems)forindividualresidences,
therearemanyapplicationsthatusethismethodofsewagedisposalforlargebuildingsoranumberofbuildings.
Largesewagesystemsofthistypemayincludefairlyextensivesewagecollectionsystemsandsewagetreatment
worksandmaybesimilartosystemsfromwhichthefinaleffluentisdischargedtosurfacewater.

Sometypicalexamplesoflargesystemsarethoseserving:

Nursinghomes,hotels,motelsandinstitutions
Subdivisions
Mobilehomeparksandtentandtrailerparks
Clubhouses
Churches
Recreationalparksandcentres
Industrialandcommercialparks,establishmentsandplazasand
Residentialcondominiumswhereeachsewagesystemservesseveralunits.

ProposalsofLSSDSareoftenconsideredduetononavailabilityofamunicipalsewersystem.Wherethe
municipalsewerservicesareinanadjacentarea,butrequireeithersewerextensionortreatmentplantexpansion
(orboth)inordertoservicethenewdevelopment,thedesignershouldensurethattheproposalisnotinconflict
withzoningbylawsortheOfficialPlansforthearea.

Whilethisguidelineisnotintendedasastatementonlanduse,itisacknowledgedthatmostapplicationsofLSSDS
areinareasnotlikelytobeservicedbycentralizedmunicipalorcommunalsewageworksinthefuture.When
consideringtheuseoflargesubsurfacesystemsintheseareas,itisespeciallyimportanttotakeintoaccountthe
individualandcumulativeeffectsofexistingandfutureusesoftheadjacentlandontheoperationofthesystems.

Thesanitaryservicingstrategyforalargedevelopmentshouldbebasedonareviewofthefollowinghierarchyof
servicingalternatives:

Thepotentialofextendinglocalmunicipalsewersystemsorofpumpingthesewagetoalocalmunicipal
treatmentsystem
Thepotentialtoexpandexistingcommunalsewagetreatmentfacilitiesintheareaandtoservicethe
developmentviathesefacilities
Thepotentialofdevelopinglocalcommunalsewagetreatmentfacilitiestoservicetheproposed
development
Theuseofanonsitesewagetreatmentsystemand
Theavailabilityofmunicipalsewagetreatmentfacilitiesorotherfacilitiesthatcanlegallyacceptseptage
fromLSSDS.

22.3EvaluationofSiteCharacteristics

TheproposedsiteforaLSSDSneedstobeevaluatedmorerigorouslythanasingleresidencesitebecauseofthe
largervolumeofsewagethatistobeappliedandthegreaterneedtodeterminehydraulicgradientsofthe
groundwater.Thedesignerneedstoensurethatasystemthatappliesalargerhydraulicloadtothesubsurfaceover
agreaterareadoesnotexceedthesitescapacitytoacceptit.Restrictivesoilhorizonsthatmayinhibitdeep
percolationneedtobeidentifiedbeforeproceedingwithdesign.Groundwatermoundinganalysisshouldbe
performedtodeterminewhetherthehydraulicloadingtothesaturatedzone,ratherthantheloadingtothe
infiltrationsurface,controlssystemsizing.

ThesiteshouldbeevaluatedforconditionsthatmightinhibitconstructionorproperoperationoftheLSSDS.With
inputfromthegroundwaterspecialist,thedesignershouldpredictthedirectionofgroundwaterflowandpropose
themostlogicallocationforadrainfield/dispersalfield.Inmostcasesalargedrainfield/dispersalsystemwillneed
alargeamountofownercontrolled,downgradientareatofullytreatanddilutetheeffluent.Itisrecommendedthat
therebenoonsitewells,existingorplanned,downgradientofthedispersalfield,andthatthefieldandanyonsite
wells,existingorplanned,belocatedsuchthatthewellswouldnotdrawinwaterthatisaffectedbysewage.

SitingoftheLSSDSshouldbedoneasearlyaspossibleinthelanddevelopmentplanningprocesssuchthatthe
hydrogeologicalassessmentcanbeusedtodeterminetheappropriatedrainfield/dispersalsite,abletotreatand
dilutetheeffluent,beforethehousinglocationsareestablished.Adecisionhastobemadeearlyonastowhether
thehousingdevelopmentisgoingtobeservicedbyindividualdrinkingwaterwellsoracommunaldrinkingwater
system.LocatinghouseswithindividualdrinkingwaterwellsdowngradientfromLSSDSdrainfieldsisnotadvised
unlessitcanbeshownthatthesituationisprotectiveofdrinkingwaterquality.Thedesignershouldchoosea
potentialdispersalsystemlocationthatbestaccommodatestheaboveconsiderationsbasedonthepredicted
groundwaterflowdirection,existingdrinkingwatersuppliesandtheplanforfuturedrinkingwatersupply.

22.4SoilEvaluation
Thesiteevaluationshouldincludediggingtestpitsordrillingboreholesattheproposeddrainfieldlocationto
revealsoilandgroundwaterconditions.Soilconditionsshouldbeproperlyevaluatedbeforedesigningthe
drainfield.

Thepurposeofthesoilevaluationisto:

Determinethedepthtotheprimaryrestrictinglayer(highgroundwaterlevel,impermeablesoilorrock).At
least0.9m(3.0ft)separationdistanceisrecommended.Issuesregardingdepthtorockmayalsoarise
relativetopossibleundesirableeffectsonwaterresources(Section22.5AssessmentofImpactonWater
Resources)
Determinetheinfluenceofanysecondaryrestrictions(hardpans,abrupttexturalchanges,disturbedsoil)
Determinetheinfiltrationrates
Determinetheabilityofsoiltotransmittheeffluentfrominfiltrationsurfacetodeeperanddistantlayers
(percolation/linearloadingrate/groundwatermounding)
Assesstreatmentabilitiesoftheunsaturatedsoil(basedonsoiltextureandstructure).Preliminaryassessment
criteriaareprovidedinTable221and
Determineanyconstructionrelatedconcerns(smearing,compaction).

Table221SuggestedHydraulicandOrganicLoadingRatesforSizingInfiltrationSurfaces
Hydraulic Hydraulic Organicloading Organicloading
loading loading (g (g
Structure: Structure: (L/m2day) (L/m2day) BOD5/1000m2day) BOD5/1000m2day)
Texture (lb (lb
Shape Grade (gallons/ft2day) (gallons/ft2day)
BOD5=150 CBOD5=30 BOD5/1000ft2day) BOD5/1000ft2day)
mg/L mg/L BOD5=150mg/L CBOD5=30mg/L
Coarse
sand,
sand,
loamy Single
Structureless 32(0.8) 65(1.6) 4880(1) 1950(0.4)
coarse grain
sand,
loamy
sand
 Hydraulic Hydraulic Organicloading Organicloading
loading loading (g (g
Structure: Structure: (L/m2day) (L/m2day) BOD5/1000m2day) BOD5/1000m2day)
Texture (lb (lb
Shape Grade (gallons/ft2day) (gallons/ft2day)
BOD5=150 CBOD5=30 BOD5/1000ft2day) BOD5/1000ft2day)
mg/L mg/L BOD5=150mg/L CBOD5=30mg/L
Fine
sand,
very
fine
sand,
loamy Single
Structureless 16(0.4) 40(1) 2440(0.5) 1220(0.25)
fine grain
sand,
loamy
very
fine
sand
Coarse
sand
loam, Massive Structureless 8(0.2) 24(0.6) 1220(0.25) 730(0.15)
sand
loam
Coarse
sand
loam, Platy Weak 8(0.2) 20(0.5) 1220(0.25) 630(0.13)
sand
loam
Coarse
sand Prismatic,
loam, blocky, Weak 16(0.4) 28(0.7) 2440(0.5) 880(0.18)
sand granular
loam
Coarse
sand Prismatic,
Moderate,
loam, blocky, 24(0.6) 40(1.0) 3661(0.75) 1220(0.25)
Strong
sand granular
loam
Fine
sandy
loam,
very Massive Structureless 8(0.2) 20(0.5) 1220(0.25) 634(0.13)
fine
sandy
loam
Fine
sandy
loam, Prismatic,
very blocky, Weak 8(0.2) 24(0.6) 1220(0.25) 730(0.15)
fine granular
sandy
loam
 Hydraulic Hydraulic Organicloading Organicloading
loading loading (g (g
Structure: Structure: (L/m2day) (L/m2day) BOD5/1000m2day) BOD5/1000m2day)
Texture (lb (lb
Shape Grade (gallons/ft2day) (gallons/ft2day)
BOD5=150 CBOD5=30 BOD5/1000ft2day) BOD5/1000ft2day)
mg/L mg/L BOD5=150mg/L CBOD5=30mg/L
Fine
sandy
loam, Prismatic,
Moderate,
very blocky, 16(0.4) 32(0.8) 2440(0.5) 980(0.2)
Strong
fine granular
sandy
loam
Loam Massive Structureless 8(0.2) 20(0.5) 1220(0.25) 630(0.13)
Prismatic,
Loam blocky, Weak 16(0.4) 24(0.6) 2440(0.5) 730(0.15)
granular
Prismatic,
Moderate,
Loam blocky, 24(0.6) 32(0.8) 3660(0.75) 980(0.2)
Strong
granular
Silt
Massive Structureless 8(0.2) 0.00(0) 240(0.05)
loam
Prismatic,
Silt
blocky, Weak 16(0.4) 24(0.6) 2440(0.5) 730(0.15)
loam
granular
Prismatic,
Silt Moderate,
blocky, 24(0.6) 32(0.8) 3660(0.75) 980(0.2)
loam Strong
granular
Sandy
clay
loam,
clay Massive Structureless
loam,
siltclay
loam
Sandy
clay
loam,
Weak,mod.,
clay Platy
strong
loam,
siltclay
loam
Sandy
clay
loam, Prismatic,
clay blocky, Weak 8(0.2) 12(0.3) 1220(0.25) 390(0.08)
loam, granular
siltclay
loam
Sandy
clay
loam, Prismatic,
Moderate,
clay blocky, 16(0.4) 24(0.6) 2440(0.5) 730(0.15)
Strong
loam, granular
siltclay
loam
 Hydraulic Hydraulic Organicloading Organicloading
loading loading (g (g
Structure: Structure: (L/m2day) (L/m2day) BOD5/1000m2day) BOD5/1000m2day)
Texture (lb (lb
Shape Grade (gallons/ft2day) (gallons/ft2day)
BOD5=150 CBOD5=30 BOD5/1000ft2day) BOD5/1000ft2day)
mg/L mg/L BOD5=150mg/L CBOD5=30mg/L
Sandy
clay,
clay, Massive Structureless
silty
clay
Sandy
clay,
Weak,mod.,
clay, Platy
strong
silty
clay
Sandy
clay, Prismatic,
clay, blocky, Weak
silty granular
clay
Sandy
clay, Prismatic,
Moderate,
clay, blocky, 8(0.2) 12(0.3) 1220(0.25) 390(0.08)
Strong
silty granular
clay

Evaluationofsoilshouldbeperformedbyasoilsprofessional.Thefirststepinasoilsevaluationinvolves
reviewingtheapplicablesoilsurveyinformation.Thenextstepinvolvestheexaminationofthesoilinsoilpits.
Soildescriptionsshouldberecorded.Enoughtestpitsshouldbeexcavatedandanalyzedtoadequatelycharacterize
thesiteandshouldbelocatedwithinornearthesystemboundaries.Itisimportanttolocatetestpitssuchthatthe
disturbedsoilwillnotinterferewiththefutureabsorptionarea.Inadditionsamplesfromdeepboringstoadepthof
3m(10ft)ormorebelowthewatertableshouldbeevaluatedtodeterminethehydrauliccapabilitiesofthese
deepermaterials.Soildescriptionincludingsoiltexture,structureandcolourfromthetestpitsshouldbepartofthe
designdocumentation.

22.5AssessmentofImpactOnWaterResources

Developmentsinthescienceofcontaminanthydrogeologyandinenvironmentalregulationsandpoliciesmay
requirechangesintheministrysapproachtowaterresourcesimpactassessments.Also,certainaspectsofthe
predictionofeffectsonwaterresourcesarehighlycasespecificandsitespecific.Therefore,presubmission
consultationwithministrygroundwaterandsurfacewaterstaffatthelocalRegionalOfficeisstronglyadvised.

ThefollowingguidanceforwaterresourceimpactassessmentsusesconceptspresentedinministryGuidelineB7,
IncorporationoftheReasonableUseConceptintoMOEEGroundwaterManagementActivitiesandProcedureB
71,DeterminationofContaminantLimitsandAttenuationZones.Thesearecommonlyreferredtoasthe
ReasonableUseGuideline.WhiletheguidancepresentedhereispartlybasedontheReasonableUseGuideline,
anassessmentperformedinsupportofanapplicationforapprovalofaLSSDSshouldreferprimarilytothe
guidancegivenintheSection22.5AssessmentofImpactonWaterResources.

Thisguidanceappliestothosesewagesystemswhichdischargetothesubsurfaceandaregovernedbythe
requirementsofSection53oftheOntarioWaterResourcesAct,includingsewagesprayirrigationsystems.

Awaterresourcesimpactassessmentisrequiredtoassesstheriskofundesirableeffectsofthesewage,fromthe
pointwhereitentersthesubsurface,onsurroundingwaterbodies,waterresources,andotherusers,includingall
groundwaterandsurfacewaterthatmaybesignificantlyaffected.Thefocusofsuchanassessmentisontheeffect
ofthesewageconstituentsonthequalityofwatersrelativetoanyfunctionoruse,potentialoractual,ofthose
waters.Thisassessmentshouldtakeintoaccountthedesignofasewageworks,especiallyasthedesignwould
affecteffluentquality.Inturn,thedesignoftheworkswouldneedtominimizetheriskofundesirable
environmentaleffects.

Sincethegroundwaterregimeistheinitialmediumtoreceivesewageeffluent,theprimarytechnicalreviewfor
theseassessmentswillbedonebyahydrogeologistintheministryTechnicalSupportSectionatthelocalRegional
Office.Thedegreeofdetailrequiredfortheassessmentofsurfacewaterbodyeffectsisespeciallydependantonthe
attributesofreceivingwaterbodies.Therefore,presubmissionconsultationwithministrygroundwaterandsurface
waterstaffregardingpotentialsurfacewaterimpactsisadvised.

22.5.1MinistryDocuments

OtherMinistrydocumentsrelevanttoLSSDSapprovalsare:

GuidelineB1WaterManagementPolicies,Guidelines,ProvincialWaterQualityObjectivesoftheMinistry
oftheEnvironment
GuidelineB7IncorporationoftheReasonableUseConceptintoMOEEGroundwaterManagement
Activities
ProcedureB71DeterminationofContaminantLimitsandAttenuationZones
WellsRegulationOntarioRegulation903,RevisedRegulationsofOntario1990
CleanWaterActand
AuthorshipofWaterResourceImpactAssessment.

22.5.2AuthorshipofWaterResourceImpactAssessment

Technicalsubmissionsneedtobepreparedbyageoscientist,designatedP.Eng.orP.Geo.,qualifiedtoprepare
assessmentsofgroundwaterqualityimpactsand,wherenecessary,bypersonsqualifiedtopreparesurfacewater
qualityimpactassessments.

Technicalsubmissionsshouldcontainthenames,signatures,andqualifications/designationsoftheauthors.

22.5.3PresubmissionConsultationandPreliminaryGroundwaterImpactAssessment

Fornewdevelopments,aproponentshouldundertakeapreliminaryassessment,utilizingexistingdata,to
determinefeasibility.Usuallyaproponentspropertycansupportsomelevelofdevelopmentrelyingupon
commerciallyavailableonsitesewagetreatmenttechnology.Thepreliminaryassessmentshouldevaluatethe
subjectpropertyandthesurroundingpropertiestodeterminewhatlevelofdevelopmentcantakeplacewithinthe
boundsofministryrequirementsandanappropriatelevelofrisk.

ThepreliminaryassessmentshouldbepresentedtoWaterResourcesstaffattheministrysRegionalOfficeaspart
ofpresubmissionconsultation.Thesepreliminarystepsarefortheproponentsbenefittoavoidtheexpenditureof
largesumsofmoneyinadvancingaproposalthatmaybeinfeasibleoruneconomicalbecauseofstringenteffluent
dischargecriterianecessitatedbythehydrogeologicalenvironmentorthesensitivityofreceivingsurfacewaters.

Alsointhecaseofasimplereplacementorminoralterationofaninfiltrationfacility,theproponentshouldcontact
theministrytodeterminewhatdegreeofevaluationmayberequired.(RefertoSection22.5.18Replacementof
InfiltrationFacilities.)

22.5.4ScopeofDetailedWaterResourceImpactAssessment

Inmostcasesadetailedgroundwaterimpactassessmentshouldbecompletedtoadequatelycharacterizethesite
anddeterminetheanticipatedimpactofthedevelopmentupontheenvironmentandpublichealth.
RecommendationsforthescopeofadetailedgroundwaterimpactassessmentareoutlinedinSection22.6Scope
ofDetailedWaterResourcesImpactAssessmentintheDesignofLSSDS.

22.5.5CriticalContaminants

MostproposalsforLSSDSinvolvedomesticsewage.Inthecaseofgroundwater,thecriticalcontaminantis
typicallynitrate.Itshouldbeassumedthatallnitriteandammoniawillconverttonitrate.Allwaterquality
assessmentsshouldreporttheconcentrationsofthesesubstancesinunitsofasNitrogensuchas,nitrateN,
nitriteNandtotalammoniaN.
Inthecaseofsurfacewaters,thecriticalcontaminantsareusuallyammoniaandphosphorus.Theministryis
proposingtoestablishanobjectivefornitrateinsurfacewater.Shouldthatbefinalized,nitratemaybecomea
criticalcontaminantforsurfacewatertoo.

Ifthesystemistreatinganyotherwaste(e.g.industrialorcommercialwaste),orcontainsquantitiesofnon
domesticwastesinexcessofthosetypicallyfoundindomesticwastes,itistheresponsibilityoftheproponentto
evaluatetheeffluentqualityinordertoidentifythecriticalcontaminant(s).

22.5.6WaterQualityLimits

Withrespecttogroundwater,theimpactofasewagesystemusingsubsurfacedischargeisassessedusinga
procedurederivedfromtheministrysGuidelineB7,IncorporationoftheReasonableUseConceptintoMOEE
GroundwaterManagementActivities.Itisgenerallyassumedthatthereasonableuseofanygroundwateris
drinkingwater.Consequently,theallowablecontaminantconcentrationlimitsingroundwaterataproperty
boundaryarenormallybasedonrelevantdrinkingwaterqualitystandardssuchastheOntarioDrinkingWater
QualityStandards(ODWQS).

Waterqualitylimitsforthepurposesofwaterresourcesimpactassessmentareafractionoftherelevantdrinking
waterstandards.Themaximumallowableconcentrationatthepropertyboundaryforasubstancethatoriginatesin
thesewageandthathasanapplicabledrinkingwaterqualitylimit,suchasanODWQS,isonequarterofahealth
relatedlimitandonehalfofanaestheticlimit.Inasituationwherethereasonableuseofgroundwaterisdrinking
water,themaximumconcentrationfornitrateingroundwateraffectedbysewageeffluentis2.5mg/LasNbecause
thehealthrelatedODWQSfornitrateis10mg/LasN.Theequivalentconcentrationsforchloride,whichisan
aestheticparameter,are125and250mg/L,respectively.Notethatbackgroundconcentrationsarenotusedinthe
calculationofallowableconcentrationsforthepurposesofthewaterresourcesimpactassessment.However,
determiningbackgroundconcentrationsisnormallynecessaryformonitoringpurposes.(RefertoSection22.5.7
ExistingandBackgroundConcentrationsandSection22.5.8PredictionofContaminantAttenuationformore
information.)

Wheretheplumeoriginatingatthesewagesystemdischargestosurfacewaters,whetherthesewatersareonoroff
site,theassessmentofimpactwoulduseproceduresderivedfromGuidelineB1WaterManagementPolicies,
Guidelines,ProvincialWaterQualityObjectivesoftheMinistryoftheEnvironment.AlthoughtheProvincial
WaterQualityObjectiveswouldbeusedinsuchassessments,thedeterminationsofwaterqualitylimitsarenotas
straightforwardasforthedrinkingwatercase.Thedeterminationoflimitsismuchmoredependantonreceiver
specificcharacteristics,andtheandfractionsusedinthedrinkingwatercasedonotapply.Phosphorusand
ammoniaarelikelytobecontaminantsofinterestinthesurfacewatercase.

Incertaincases,theapplicantmaywishtoproposeotherreasonableusesorotherwaterqualitystandards,suchas
whereactivitiesinthedowngradientareaarenotandwillnotinthefuturebedependantongroundwaterorona
particularuseofgroundwater.DiscretiontoacceptorrejectanysuchproposalslieswiththeministrysRegional
Director.Veryearlypresubmissionconsultationisadvisedinsuchcases.

22.5.7ExistingandBackgroundConcentrations

Existingandbackgroundconcentrationsofcriticalcontaminantsshouldgenerallybeusedonlyforreference,not
forcalculationofallowablewaterqualitylimits.Obtainingandanalyzingsamplesandrecordingtheconcentrations
isnormallyrequiredaspartoftheimpactassessmentandmayalsoberequiredaspartofalongtermmonitoring
programforthepurposesofdifferentiatingbetweentheeffectsofthesubjectsewagesystemandothersources.
Groundwatersamplingtodetermineexistingbackgroundconcentrationsshouldbeundertakenusingmonitors
locatedonthesiteandwithscreenedintervalswithinthehydrostratigraphicunitthatwillreceivetheeffluent.

22.5.8PredictionofContaminantAttenuation

Forthebasiccalculationofimpactofeffluentongroundwaterqualityatareceiver(i.e.,apropertyboundaryora
surfacewaterbody),aconstantquantityofdilution,whichisasurrogateforallattenuativemechanisms,shouldbe
usedinmostcases.Thatquantityis250mm(10in)ofwaterperyearovertheareaofthecontaminantplume,
whichisapproximatelytherateofinfiltrationofprecipitationintoasandunit.Ithasbeenusedastheamountof
uncontaminatedwaterthatmixeswithanddilutesacontaminantplumeinasandenvironment.Sincesoilswitha
finertexturearelikelytobemoreattenuativethansand,butwouldlikelyallowlessinfiltration,thesandrelated
quantityisappliedasasurrogateforallattenuativemechanismstoallsoiltextures.
Inthecaseofaleachingbed,theareaoftheplumeistheproductofthewidthoftheleachingbedtransversetothe
groundwatergradientandthedistancefromtheupgradientedgeoftheleachingbedtotherelevantreceptor(thatis,
theleachingbedareaisincludedintheplumearea).Foranexfiltrationlagoon,thedimensionsaresimilarly
obtainedfromthefootprintoftheexfiltrationareaandthedowngradientarea.Forasprayirrigationsystem,itisthe
dimensionsoftheareaofsprayapplicationandthedowngradientarea.

Theareaoftheplumedependsonthewidthoftheareaofsewageinfiltration,andthegreaterthiswidth,thegreater
thedispersionofthesewageinputtogroundwater.Increasingthewidthofthesewageinfiltrationareaand
increasingthedistancetothereceptorofinterestwouldbothcontributetoincreasingattenuation.

Thearea/dilutionapproachdescribedabovemaynotalwaysbeappropriate,suchaswhereeffectsonsurfacewater
arebeingconsidered,orwheresoilsareoflowpermeability,orwherethenatureoftheeffluentdifferssignificantly
fromtypicalhouseholdwastewater.PleaserefertoSection22.5.11AttenuationofPhosphorusandAmmoniaand
toSection22.5.14LowPermeabilityEnvironments.Abasicgroundwaterdilutionschematicandformulationis
providedbelow.

Figure221Sampleschematicforabasicgroundwaterdilutioncalculation

WithreferencetoFigure22.1,estimatesoftheannualdilutionvolume(VA),thetotalvolumeofwater(VT)and
concentrationatthepropertyboundary(CPB)maybecalculatedasfollows:

VA=ADk

VT=VA+VS

CPB=(CSVS)VT

Where:

VA
annualdilutionvolume[m3(USgal)]
AD
dilutionarea[m2(ft2)]
VT
totalvolumeofwater[m3(USgal)]
VS
annualsewagevolume[m3(USgal)]
CPB
concentrationatpropertyboundary[mg/L(lb/USgal)]
CS
concentrationinsewage[mg/L(lb/USgal)]and
k
0.25m(SI)or6.23USgal/ft2(US).

Theabovecalculationassumesa250mm(10in)annualdilutionprecipitationrate(k).

22.5.9SewageEffluentVolumes

Sewagesystemdesignflowsnormallyincorporateasafetymarginandmaythereforebegreaterthanactualflows.
Arealisticestimateofthedailyflowsshouldbebasedonmonitoringofsimilar,existingsystemsor,intheabsence
ofsuchperformancedata,onacceptedfacilitybasedstandards.Inthiscase,aCertificateofApproval(CofA)
grantedbytheministrywouldstipulateamaximumflowandmayrequireaprogramofmonitoringofflowsto
ensurethattheassessmentassumptionsarevalid.

Inthecaseofsystemsthatareonlyoccasionallyused,suchasseasonalusefacilities,itisassumedthatthe
contaminantplumemovesasaslugwithadvectinggroundwaterandthatitaffectswaterqualitywhenitarrivesat
thereceptorinthesamewaythatacontinuoussourcewould.Therefore,anoccasionalusesystemshouldbe
assessedasthoughitwasacontinuoususesystem.

22.5.10EffluentQuality

Theproponentneedstodeterminetheconcentrationofthecontaminantsofconcerninthesewageeffluentatthe
pointofinputtotheinfiltrationsurface.Theproponentshouldacquiresuchinformationfromdocumented
monitoringofsimilarfacilities.Wheresuchinformationisnotavailable,andsewageisexpectedtobeatypical
domestictype,anestimatednitratenitrogenconcentrationof40mg/Lisgenerallyacceptable.

Whereatreatmentfacilityisrequiredtoreducetheconcentrationofacontaminantinthesewageeffluenttoa
specifiedlevelbeforedischargetothesubsurface,documentationofthetreatmentsystemperformanceisrequired.
Inthiscase,monitoringofeffluentqualitywouldbeneeded.Contingencyplansincaseoffailuremayalsobe
necessary,andwouldbecomeconditionsinaCofA.

22.5.11AttenuationofPhosphorusandAmmonia

Phosphorusisofconcernrelativetosurfacewater.Manygeologicalmaterialshaveahighcapacitytoattenuate
phosphorusbyprecipitationintheunsaturatedzoneandbyadsorptionbelowthewatertable.However,the
attenuativecapacityofageologicalmaterialislimited,andoftenreversible,whichcanresultinsignificant
phosphorusmovementoverthelongterm.Insomesettings,suchasthosewithexposedfracturedbedrockorwith
onlyathinveneerofoverburden,thephosphorusattenuationcapacitymaybequitelow.

InthecaseofproposedsewagesystemsonthePrecambrianShield,theeffectsofphosphorusdischargetosurface
watersshouldbeevaluatedconsideringtherequirementsandrecommendationsinthedocumentLakeshore
CapacityAssessmentHandbookProtectingWaterQualityinInlandLakesonOntariosPrecambrianShield
ConsultationDraft,December2007oritsreplacement.

Unionizedammonia(NH3)isalsoaconcern.Incaseswhereanaerobicconditionsaremaintainedbetweenthe
sewagesystemandthesurfacewaterbody,ammoniummaynotbeconvertedtonitratebeforeitdischargesto
surfacewater.

Thepotentialforsurfacewaterimpactincreasesasthedistancetothepointofplumedischargetothesurfacewater
decreases.Inmostcases,aseparationdistanceof300metres(980feet)betweentheareaofsewageinfiltrationand
thesurfacewaterbodyshouldbesufficienttoensurethattherearenoappreciableeffectstosurfacewaterquality.
Howeverincertainsituationssuchaswherethereareparticularlysensitivereceiversorwheredifferentsurface
waterqualitystandardsmayapply,anassessmentwouldberequired.

Wherethesurfacewaterbodyisrelativelyshallow,theassessmentmayneedtoincludeathreedimensional
evaluationofgroundwaterflowpatternstodeterminewhethertheplumeactuallydischargestothesurfacewater
body.

22.5.12MicrobialPathogens

Therisktohumanhealthfrompathogensoriginatinginasewagesystemisgreaterwheretheeffluenthasaccessto
anaquiferwithhighgroundwaterflowvelocities.Thiswouldoccurwheretheaquiferisexposedatsurfaceand
consistsofcoarselytexturedgranularoverburdenorfracturedorkarsticbedrock,orwherethesoiloverlyingan
aquiferisafinetexturedsoiloflimitedthicknesspenetratedbyrootholes,desiccationcracksorotherhighly
conductivefeatures.Insuchgroundwatersettings,thepotentialmovementofpathogensistobetakeninto
considerationinevaluatingtheadequacyofthesetbackfromthedowngradientpropertyboundary.Monitoringfor
specificpathogensorindicatororganismsmayberequiredinsettingswhererapidoffsitemovementofpathogens
ingroundwaterispossible.

Themaximumacceptablemicrobialpathogencontentindrinkingwaterisnil.Inordertoensureadequate
attenuation,thesubsurfacetraveltimebetweentheareaofsewageinfiltrationandtheboundaryorreceptorshould
beconsidered.Wherehighervelocitiesarelikely,treatmenttoremove/inactivatehumanpathogensmaybe
required.

22.5.13AssessmentofImpactinShallowBedrockEnvironments
Shallowbedrockenvironmentsoftenposedifficultiesbothwithrespecttotheattenuationofsewagederived
contaminantsandthecharacterizationofgroundwaterflow.Someoftheproblemsencounteredinthese
environmentsare:

Unpredictableflowpatternsgovernedbyfracture/beddingplaneorientationandgeometry
Highgroundwaterflowvelocitiesand
Lowattenuationcapabilities.

Inshallowbedrockenvironments,theadditionalriskwillneedtobetakenintoaccountandspecialconstruction
(e.g.additionalmaterialinconstructedleachingbeds)oradditionalassurancesregardingeffluentqualitymaybe
requiredtoensurecompliancewithrelevantcriteria.Thehighergroundwaterflowvelocitywithincreased
pathogensurvivalratemayalsorequireprovisionfortreatmenttoremove/inactivatehumanpathogens.

22.5.14LowPermeabilityEnvironments

Whereitcanbeshownthattheuppermostsubsurfaceunit(s)ataninfiltrationfacilityhaveaverticalhydraulic
conductivityof105cm/secorless,isatleast10metres(33feet)thickandextendsatleast100m(330ft)
downgradientoftheinfiltrationarea,attenuationcalculationsmaynotberequired.Theassessmentwouldhowever
needtodemonstratetheabsenceofhigherpermeabilitypathwaysinthelowerpermeabilitymaterial.

Inthecaseofaleachingbed,wherethereissuchathick,extensiveandlowpermeabilityunitatsurface,araised
bedmaybeneeded.Inthecaseofasewagelagoonthatwillhaveaconstructedorartificiallinerdesignedto
preventleakageintothesubsurface,therequirementforawaterresourcesimpactassessmentmaynotapply.
However,whereasewagelagoonisexcavatedintonativesoils,theriskofleakagemaybesufficienttowarranta
waterresourceassessmentpursuanttothisguideline.AproponentshouldengagetheministryRegionalOfficein
presubmissionconsultationatanearlystagetoaddressthisissue.

22.5.15ExistingSubsurfaceDisposalSystems

Wherethereisanexistingsubsurfacedisposalsystematasite,oratanearbysiteinasufficientlysimilar
environment,andtheplumefromthatsystemhashadsufficienttimetoreachastableconditiononsite,the
assessmentoftheexistingimpactfromthatsystemwouldneedtobeusedaspartofthewaterresourcesimpact
assessmentfortheproposedsystem.Extrapolationfromactualperformancedataisconsideredtobeamorereliable
approachthanapredictionbasedontheoreticalassumptionsthataredifficulttoverify.Theextenttowhichawater
resourcesimpactassessmentcanrelyuponanassessmentofexistingsystemswilllargelydependonthesimilarity
betweentheexistingandproposedsystemsandenvironments.Thisshouldbeevaluatedonacasebycasebasis.

22.5.16ContaminantAttenuationZones

Wherethereisinsufficientdistancebetweentheinfiltrationfacilityandthedowngradientpropertyboundaryto
meetrequiredwaterqualitylimitsatapropertyboundary,theproponentmaywishtonegotiateaformal
ContaminantAttenuationZone(CAZ)orotherinstrumentwiththeowner(s)ofthedowngradientproperty(s)to
acquiresufficientarea.ACAZwouldneedtobeagreedamongotherpartiessuchasthemunicipalityandthe
ministry,anditwouldhavetobewrittenintodocumentationoflandownershipandlanduseplanning.The
ministrywillrequirethattheownerofthepropertycontainingtheCAZregisteraCertificateofRequirementinthe
LandRegistry.TheCertificateofRequirementnotifiesanyonewithaninterestinthepropertyofthepresenceof
theCAZ.

22.5.17AssessmentofImpactonOnsiteWells

Inthecaseofgroundwater,theprimaryfocusofthewaterresourcesassessmentisonoffsiteimpacts.The
potentialfordegradationofonsitewellwaterisalsoaconcernandneedstobeassessed.Anyonsitewells,
whetherinuseornot,shouldbelocatedandexaminedforcontaminationpotential.Onsitewellsandother
subsurfacestructuresmayactasaconduitforverticalcontaminantmovement.Thelocationofinfiltrationarea
shouldbechosentoensurethatthequalityofwaterfromonsitewellsisnotcompromised.

Onsitewellsneedtobeconstructed,maintainedand,ifunusedorsubjecttocontamination,abandonedin
accordancewithO.Reg.903.

Thewaterresourceimpactassessmentshould:
 Identifyallonsitewaterwells,whetherinuseornot,includinginformationfromWaterWellRecords,
consultantsreportsandhearsay
Specifyiftheonsitewaterwellsareormightbeusedasasourceofdrinkingwater
Reviewthelocationoftheonsitewaterwellswithrespecttoseparationdistancesbetweenwellsand
contaminantsources,asmayberequiredbythePart8ofDivisionBoftheBuildingCode(O.Reg.350/06)
andWellsRegulation(O.Reg.903)
AssesstheconstructionandintegrityoftheonsitewaterwellswithrespecttotherequirementsofO.Reg.
903
Determinethepresenceofanyabandonedoilwells
Assessthepotentialforthewelltobeaconduitforcontaminantmovementand
Assessthepotentialforcontaminationofonsitewaterwells.

Wherethereissignificantpotentialforcontaminationofanonsitewellthatisormaybeusedforhuman
consumption,orwherethewellmayactasaconduitforcontaminantmigration,properabandonmentofthewell
mayberequiredasaconditionoftheCofA.

22.5.18ReplacementofInfiltrationFacilities

Insomecaseswhereanexistingsubsurfacesewagedisposalsystemisbeingreplacedandthereisnoincreasein
designcapacity,adetailedwaterresourcesimpactassessmentmaynotberequired.However,insomereplacement
scenarios,suchaswherethereareincidentsorcomplaintsofcontaminationinanyonsiteoroffsitewellsorin
groundwaterorsurfacewater,someformofassessmentwouldlikelyberequired.Presubmissionconsultationwith
theMinistrysRegionalOfficewouldbeessentialinsuchcases.

Proponentsofreplacementsystemsareencouragedtooptimizetheavailableonsiteattenuationcapacityofthesite
andapplyreasonabletechnologyinthereplacementsystemdesigntoreducewaterresourcesimpacts.Monitoring
requirementsforreplacementsewageinfiltrationworksshouldbeevaluatedonacasebycasebasis.

22.5.19PostConstructionMonitoringandContingencyPrograms

Thewaterresourceimpactassessmentshouldaddresstheneedforgroundwaterandsurfacewatermonitoringand
contingencyplanning.Theseactivitieswouldberequiredinenvironmentsinwhichplumebehaviourwouldbe
particularlydifficulttocharacterizeorwheretheconsequencesoffailureofthepredictionsareofparticular
concern.

Circumstancesinwhichacomprehensivemonitoringprogramwouldlikelybeneededincludethepresenceof:

Highgroundwaterflowvelocities
Lowattenuationcapabilities
Specificeffluentqualityrequirementsand
Proximalreceptors.

Thecomponentsthatmayberequiredinacomprehensivemonitoringprograminclude:

Clearlystatedgoalsandobjectives
Ascheduleforthemonitoringofflowsandqualityofsewageatthepointofinputtotheinfiltrativesurface
Aplanforthelocationofmonitoringwellsintheplume,withprovisionsforfuturedeterminationofwhether
theplumeisdelineatedandwhetheradditionalwellsarenecessary
Thedesignationofotherwellsandotherwaterbodiesformonitoring
Ascheduleforwaterlevelandwaterqualitymonitoringinwellsandwaterbodies,includingidentificationof
thecontaminantstobemonitored
Ascheduleforcontinualassessmentandreportingoncomplianceandefficacyoftheprogram
Acontingencyplanfordealingwithanyproblemsthatariseorthatmayreasonablybepredictedtoariseand
acommitmenttomitigateundesirableimpacts
Aprotocolforroutineandextraordinaryreportingtotheministryand
Ascheduleofregularmaintenanceofthetreatmentworks.

Themonitoringreportspreparedforthesewageworksshouldpresenttheresultsofthemonitoringand
maintenanceinamannerthatfacilitatesregulatoryreview.Monitoringreportsshouldinclude,butnotbelimitedto:

Locationandsitemaps(toscale)showingrelevantfeatures
 Plumemapsforimportantparameters,inthreedimensionswherenecessary
Piezometricmapswithinterpretedflowdirectionsanddatapointsshown
Tabularsummariesofdata
Appendedlaboratoryreports
QualityAssuranceandQualityControlassessmentofdataandsamplecollection
Interpretationofattenuationprocesseswithintheplumeanddevelopmentoftheplumerelativetopredictions
madeinthewaterresourcesimpactassessment
Assessmentofcompliancewiththerelevantwaterqualitycriteriaforgroundwaterandsurfacewaterand
effluentqualitycriteriaofsewagetreatmentprocesses,ifanyand
Recommendationsforremedialactionandchangestothemonitoringprogram,includingconsiderationof
whethertheplumeisbeingadequatelydelineatedandwhetheranexpansionorotherimprovementsinthe
monitoringprogramisneeded.

Thefrequencyofmonitoringreportsubmissionshouldnormallybelessthanannually,butwillbedecidedona
casebycasebasis.Morefrequentsubmissionmayberequiredatthebeginningofsitemonitoringorsystem
operation.Incaseswheretheactualsubmissionofreportstotheministryisnotrequired,theministrymay
neverthelessrequiretheownerofthesystemtoproduceandstoreroutinereportsandprovidethemtoministrystaff
onrequestortosendstatuslettersconfirmingthatrequiredmonitoringhasbeencompleted.

22.5.20GeologicalInformationinSupportofSewageWorksDesign

ThePart8ofDivisionBoftheBuildingCode(O.Reg.350/06)setsstandardsforsmallsewagesystemsand
containssomedesignrequirementsthatmayalsoapplytoLSSDS.TheCodesetstherangeofthesoilpercolation
timewherealeachingbedcouldbeconstructedandincludesdesignrequirementsfor:

Verticalseparationfromthehighwatertableand
Verticalseparationfrombedrockorsoilsoflowpermeability.

Theaboverequirementsaretobeconsideredandaddressedaspartoftheoverallsystemdesignwithrespectto
LSSDS.TherequirementsintheBuildingCoderepresenttheminimumstandardsacceptablefortheinstallationof
smallsystems(10,000L/dorless).ThesestandardsmayneedtobeincreasedforLSSDSandthedesignerofthe
LSSDSshouldassessthesuitabilityoftheuseoftheseminimumstandardsforsitespecificconditions.

22.6ScopeofDetailedWaterResourcesImpactAssessmentintheDesignofLSSDS

Thefollowingsubsectionsprovidebulletedlistsoutliningthescopeofdesigninformationtobeconsideredand
includedwhenconductingadetailedimpactassessmentforLSSDSdesigns.

22.6.1FieldActivitiesandDataCollection

Adetailedwaterresourcesimpactassessmentmayneedtocontainthefollowingsitespecificfieldworkanddata
collectionactivitiesaswellasanyotherinformationthatprovetobenecessary:

ReviewofavailableWaterWellRecords,sourcewaterprotectionmappingetc.,topographicmapsand
geologicalmaps
Inspectionofthesiteanditsimmediatevicinitywithrespecttolanduse,topographyandvegetativecoveras
thesemightaffectinfiltration
Testpits,boreholesandassociatedlogs
Examinationofnearbyroadcuts,banks,erosionalfeatures,orexcavations
Monitoringwellinstallation
Hydraulicconductivitytesting
Soilsamplingandgrainsizeanalysis
Groundwatersamplingandanalysisforparametersincludingthecriticalcontaminant(e.g.nitrateandnitrite)
andotherkeycontaminantindicatorparameters(e.g.nitrateplusnitriteplusammonia,electrical
conductivity,dissolvedoxygen,TOC,pH,phosphorus,TKN,sodium,chloride,metals,andpotassium)
Determinationofstaticwaterelevationsinwells
Inspectionofthesiteanditsimmediatevicinityforevidenceofpermanent,intermittentorephemeralwater
courses
Determinationofrelativeelevationsofsurfacewaterbodiesonsiteorintheimmediatesitevicinityand
Doortodoorsurveyinthesitevicinitytodeterminewaterwelluseandcharacteristics.
22.6.2DataInterpretationandPresentation

Interpretationandpresentationofthedatashouldinclude:

Descriptionofthemethodologyusedtodeterminemonitoringwellelevations
Potentiometricplanmapswithindicationsofgroundwaterflowdirections
Presentationofhydrogeologicalinformationoncrosssectionsacrossthesiteandsitevicinity(bothparallel
andtransversetothemaingroundwaterflowdirection)
Summarytablesofanalyticaldata
Establishmentofnaturalbackgroundandexistingbackgroundlevelsofthecriticalcontaminant(s)
DeterminationofReasonableUseofgroundwaterontheadjacentpropertyand
Descriptionoftheexpectedlateral,verticalandlongitudinalconfigurationoftheplume.

22.6.3AppendedInformation

SupportinginformationappendedtotheGroundwaterImpactAssessmentshouldinclude:

Borehole/monitoringwelllogs
Doortodoorwaterwellsurveyresults
Laboratoryanalyticalreports
Fieldanalyticaldata
Confirmationfromtheanalyticallaboratorythatitiscertifiedfortheanalysesperformed
Copiesofwaterwellrecordsusedintheassessment
Copiesofpermitsforwatertakingsinthesitevicinity
Historicalmeasurementsofstaticwellwaterelevations
Decommissioningprocedures,proposedoralreadyimplemented,forboreholes,monitoringwellsandtest
pitsusedintheinvestigation
Fieldnotesforsurveyworkdonetoestablishmonitoringwellelevationsorthereportofalicensedsurveyor
and
Hydrogeologystudiesdoneinsupportofnearbydevelopment,whichmaybeavailableinmunicipalplanning
offices.

22.6.4AvailableInformation

Informationthatshouldberetainedbytheconsultantbutavailabletotheministryuponrequestincludes:

Datacollectedduringwelldevelopment(asdistinctfromwellpurging)todemonstratethatthewellis
properlydevelopedtoenablerepresentativegroundwatersamplestobeobtained.

22.7DesignConsiderations

22.7.1LSSDSVersusSmallSubsurfaceSewageDisposalSystems

TheprincipaldistinctionbetweenaLSSDSsubjecttoOWRAandsmallonsitesewagedisposalsystemssubjectto
Part8ofDivisionBoftheBuildingCode(O.Reg.350/06)standardsliesintheareaofcomplexityandtheneed
forprofessionalengineeringdesignandconstructionsupervision.Asewagesystemservicingalargedevelopment
mayhaveamuchhigherdailysewageflow,variationsinpeakingfactors,andchangingcharacteristicsofthe
sewage.Similarly,itcouldservicealargeresidentialdevelopmentandhavesimilarsewagecharacteristicsbut
requireasizeablecollectionsysteminvolvingsanitarysewers,manholesandpumpingstations.Thesetypesof
systemsneedtobedesignedwithconsiderationforsitetopography,hydrauliccapacity,surfacedrainage,
groundwatermovement,andtheoverallimpactsonthesurroundingenvironment.

Everyapplicationforalargesubsurfacedisposalsystemshouldbeevaluatedindividuallyforspecificsite
constraints.MoreextensivebackgroundstudiesmayberequiredinsupportofaLSSDStoensurecompatibility
withthesiteandprotectionoftheenvironment.Thesemayinclude,butarenotlimitedto:

Hydraulicdispersaltothesoiloflargevolumesofsewageeffluentmayproduceproblemsoutofproportion
totheincreaseofflowsfromasmalltoalargesystem.Thisisespeciallytruewherethesoilsunderlyingthe
drainfieldpresentanincreasingresistancetodownwardpercolationasthedepthincreases,andwherethe
lateraloutflowpotentialofthemorepermeableuppersoillayerslimitssiteacceptability.Theresistanceto
 dispersalinthesoilcausesthesewageeffluenttomoundovertheareaofitsapplicationtoaheightthatwill
createsufficientpressuretoovercometheresistance.Dispersalintheunderlyingandsurroundingsoil
withoutbreakouttothesurfaceisaffectedby:
Theinfiltrationareacoveredbythedrainfield.Forthesamesewageflow,aleachingbedconstructedin
asoiloflowpercolationtimewillrequirelessareaandwillconcentratetheapplicationofsewage
effluenttothesoilperunitofarea,comparedtoaleachingbedtreatingthesamesewageflowinasoil
ofhigherpercolationtime
Thepermeabilityandthicknessoftheunderlyingsoilstrata
Thedepthtowatertableanditshydraulicgradient.Thepossibilityofpeaksewageflowsoccurringat
thesametimeashighgroundwaterconditions,andtheeffectofheavylawnsprinkling,orthediversion
ofsurfacewaters,shouldbeconsidered
Thedirectionofmovementofthegroundwaterawayfromthebed,andwhetherornotthesubsurface
configurationatsomepointinthatdirectionmayrestricttheoutflowofsewage
Thedischargeinonelocationofarelativelylargeamountofcontaminantsintothesoilmakestheir
attenuationmoredifficultthaninindividualresidentialsystemsandemphasizestheneedtoassesstheeffects
onthegroundwater
Thesewagecollectionsystemmaybemuchmoreextensivethanasinglebuildingsewerandinclude
manholes,liftstations,pumpchambers,andotherstructures
Theassessmentandcomputationofdailysewageflowrequiresknowledgeofpeakhourlyanddailyflows
necessaryfortheproperselectionanddesignofatreatmentplanttomeettheseconditions
Thesiteconditionssuchassitetopography,drainage,highwatertableandtheprevalenceofrockorsoilsof
lowtounacceptablepermeabilitymayberestrictivetothelocationoflargesewagesystemsbecauseofthe
largearearequired.Wherefissuredrockisprevalentinthearea,thelocationmaybeunacceptablebecauseof
theadverseeffectsongroundwaterand
Inlargecommercialsystems,someconstituentsinthesewage,maybepresentingreaterproportionsthan
theyareinresidentialsewage,andthushaveagreaterbearingonequipmentselectionandsystemdesign.An
exampleistheconcentrationofwashingdetergentsordisinfectants.Wastewaterwithasignificantheavy
metalscontentisnotsuitedfortreatmentinaLSSDS.

ThedesignerofaLSSDSshouldconsidertheneedfor:

Arequirementtoregisterontitletheneedforaservicecontractortheneedforincludinginformation
regardingtheservicingrequirements
Anylongtermmaintenanceoroperationagreementsthatmayberequired
Arequirementforaspareareatoallowforsystemenlargementshouldproblemsarise
Designationofanyareawhichissetasideforexpansionofthebedtohandleexpansionofthedevelopment
Anyspecificrequirementsrespectingconstruction,suchassupervision,certificationbytheprofessional
engineer,orcompletionofasconstructeddrawings,operationormaintenance
Anyspecialconditionswithrespecttoongoingmonitoringofthesystem
Anysourcewaterprotectionrequirements,whereapplicable
Anylimitationsonthetypeofsewageflowtobetreatedand
Anyrestrictionsontheuseofthepropertyorneighbouringpropertieswithrespecttotheattenuationzoneof
theeffluentplume.

Notwithstandingtheabove,thedesigneroftheLSSDSisadvisedtoconsider,whereappropriateandapplicable,the
designstandardsforsmallsubsurfacedisposalsystemscontainedinPart8,DivisionB,oftheBuildingCode.
However,clearancesorseparationdistancesfromlargesystemstosuchfeaturesaswells,surfacewaterbodiesand
propertyboundariesneedtobedeterminedonasitespecificbasisseeSection22.5AssessmentofImpacton
WaterResources.

22.7.2SewageCharacteristics

Ifthequalityofsewageissimilartothatoftypicaldomesticwastewater,thenitmaybereasonabletodesignthe
systemforthesametypeofsewagetreatmentasatypicalsmallsystemunderPart8,DivisionBoftheBuilding
Code.IftheLSSDSisproposedtoservicedryindustry,commercialfacilities,institutionaldevelopment,
restaurants,officebuildingsoralargerresidentialdevelopment,itwillbenecessarytoassessboththesewage
qualityandflowcharacteristics.

TherearesometypesofwastewaterthatmaynotbesuitabletobetreatedwithaLSSDS.Thesemayinclude
wastewaterfromautomaticcarwashes,garagefacilities,orsomeagriculturalusessuchaseggwashing.LSSDSfor
thesetypesofsewagemayrequirecomplicatedpretreatmentorthistypeofwastewatermaynotbesuitablefor
subsurfacedisposal.

Typicalcharacteristicsofundiluted(noinfiltration)residentialsewagearepresentedinTable222.

Table222MassLoadingsandConcentrationsinTypicalResidentialWastewater1,4
MassLoading Concentration
Constituents (g/persond)
(lb/persond) (mg/L)2
TotalSolids(TS) 115200(0.2530.44) 500880
VolatileSolids(VS) 6585(0.1430.187) 280375
TotalSuspendedSolids(TSS) 3575(0.0770.165) 155330
VolatileSuspendedSolids(VSS) 2560(0.0500.132) 110265
5dayBiochemicalOxygenDemand(BOD5) 3565(0.0770.143) 155286
ChemicalOxygenDemand(COD) 115150(0.2530.330) 500600
TotalNitrogen(N) 617(0.0130.015) 2675
TotalAmmoniaNitrogen(TAN) 13(0.0020.007) 413
NitritesandNitrates <1(<0.002) <1
TotalPhosphorus(TP) 12(0.0020.004) 612
Fats,Oils,andGrease 1218(0.0260.040) 70105
VolatileOrganicCompounds(VOC) 0.020.07(0.000040.00015) 0.10.3
Surfactants 24(0.0040.009) 918
TotalColiforms3 1081010
FecalColiforms3 106108

1Fortypicalresidentdwellingswithstandardwatersuingfixturesandappliances.

2Milligramsperlitre,assumingwastewatergenerationrateof225litres/person/day(60USgallons/person/day).

3ColiformsconcentrationspresentedinMostProbableNumberoforganismsper100millilitres.

4Source:AdaptedfromBaueretal.1979BennetandLinstedt,1975Laak,1975,1986Sedllak,1991
TchobangolousandBurton,1991.

22.7.3DesignSewageFlows

Thecomputationofthedesignsewageflowforalargesewagesystemwillvaryaccordingtothenatureofthe
developmenttobeserved.RecommendationsconcerningdesignflowsaregiveninSection5.5.2DesignSewage
Flows.Calculationofdesignpeakdailyanddesignpeakhourlyflowswillbenecessarytodeterminethe
requirementsofallpartsofthesewagesystem.CollectionsystemsforLSSDSmayconsistofsinglebuildingdrains
fromsitessuchasschools,ormayconsistofmanholes,gravitysewers,andsewagepumpingstationsiffrommulti
structuredfacilitiessuchascommercialmalls.Thesecollectionsystemsshouldbedesignedbyprofessional
engineersinaccordancewithmunicipalstandardsandministryguidelines.

22.7.4PretreatmentofSewage

LSSDSperformanceisdependentontheefficiencyofthepretreatmentsystem(e.g.septictank,aerobictreatment
process,and/orfiltration),themethodofsewageeffluentdistributionandhydraulicandorganicloadingstothesoil
infiltrativesurface,andthepropertiesofthevadoseandsaturatedzonesunderlyingtheinfiltrativesurface.

TheLSSDSismainlycomprisedoftwocomponents,apretreatmentprocess(es)(i.e.,aseptictankorother
treatmentprocessesfacilities)followedbyasoilcomponent(e.g.drainfield).Thepretreatmentfacilitiesshouldbe
designedtoachievethetreatedsewageeffluentqualitypredeterminedbythehydrogeologicalstudyandsoil
evaluationinthedrainfieldarea.Thesequalityrequirementsmayinclude,inadditiontoCBOD5andTSSother
parameterssuchaspathogens,nitrogenandphosphorus.

SewagepretreatmentprocessesthatmaybeconsideredforLSSDSinclude:physicalandbiologicalsuchas
anaerobic,aerobic,andanoxic.Thebasicdesigncriteriafortheseprocesseshavebeendiscussedinpreceding
chaptersoftheGuidelines.

22.7.5SepticTanks

Theseptictankisthemostcommonlyusedanaerobicpretreatmentprocessforasmallonsitesewagesystemfor
BOD5andTSSreduction(50and70percent,respectively)andoil/greaseremovalthroughsedimentationand
flotation.ThedesignerofaLSSDSwhichistoutilizeseptictank(s)shouldfollowtheconstructiondetailsprovided
inPart8oftheBuildingCode.Theworkingcapacityoftheseptictank(s)shouldbeattheminimum24hours
retentionatadesignpeakdailyflow.

Thetankgeometryaffectstheseptictankefficiency.Thelengthtowidth(L/W)ratio,surfaceareaandliquiddepth
areimportantconsiderations.Compartmentalized,elongatedtankswithL/Wratiosof3:1andgreater,reduceshort
circuitingacrossthetankandimprovesuspendedsolidsremoval.Otherelementsinthedesignoftheseptictank
thatshouldbeconsideredbythedesignerincludegrease/oilinterceptors,inletandoutletdevices,baffles,effluent
filters,accessopenings,gasmanagementandotherissues.

22.7.6AerobicProcesses

Usingsecondaryaerobicbiologicaltreatmentprocesses(otherthanprimaryseptictanks)forlowering
concentrationsofBOD5andTSSintheeffluentisrecommended.Byloweringorganicloadingsinthesewage
effluent,thedrainfieldrequiredareamaybereducedandthelifeoftheLSSDSsystemprolonged.

Forflowsnotsubstantiallylargerthan10,000L/dthedesignershouldconsidertheuseofpreengineered(package)
aerobicbiologicaltreatmentunits.

22.7.7Filtration

Sandorothermediamaybeusedinpackedbedfilterstoprovideadvancedtreatmenttoseptictankorsecondary
aerobictreatmentuniteffluentinintermittent(singlepass)orrecirculatingoperationmodes.Foamblocks,wood
chips,peatorcoarsefibrematerialsareusedinproprietaryunitswhichmayprovideadditionalprocessbenefits
suchasnitrificationanddenitrification.Thedesignershouldrefertothemanufacturersspecificationsforfurther
information.

Filtrationofsecondarytreatmenteffluentisneededwhereapplicationofaspecificdrainfieldtechnologyrequires
veryhighqualityeffluent.Forashallowburiedtrenchmethod,usedforsoilswithpercolationtimegreaterthan50
minutes,theeffluentCBOD5concentrationof10mg/LandTSSconcentrationof10mg/Lshouldbeconsistently
achieved.

22.7.8TertiaryTreatment

ThehydrogeologicalevaluationofthesiteandapplicationoftheministrysGuidelineB7guidelinemayresultin
theneedforreductionofpathogens,nitrogen(nitrates)and/orphosphorusconcentrationsinthetreatedsewage
effluent.ForguidanceonnitrogenremovalthedesignerisreferredtoChapter12BiologicalTreatment,for
guidanceonphosphorusremovaltechnologiestoChapter15SupplementalTreatmentProcessesandforguidance
onsewagedisinfectiontoChapter14Disinfection.

22.7.9Drainfield

Theminimumdrainfieldinfiltrationsurfaceareaisafunctionofthemaximumanticipateddailyeffluentvolumeto
beappliedandthemaximuminstantaneousanddailymassloadinglimitationsoftheinfiltrationsurface.Insizing
theinfiltrationsurface,conservativeinfiltrationloadingratesarerecommended.Morphologicfeaturesofthesoil,
particularlystructure,texture,andconsistence,arebetterpredictorsofthesoilshydrauliccapacitythanpercolation
rates.TheinfiltrativeloadingratesbasedonthesoilmorphologyinformationshowninTable221mayprovide
someguidancetothedesignersofLSSDS.TheTablehastwosetsofloadingratesoneforapplicationofseptic
tankeffluent(>150mg/LBOD5)andanothersetforsecondarybiologicaltreatmentprocesseffluent(<30mg/L
CBOD5).

Inadditiontosizingofthedrainfield,thedesignershouldgivecarefulconsiderationsoftheplacement,geometry,
anddepthoftheinfiltrativesurface.Designersshouldconsiderthefollowingforsatisfactorylongterm
performance:

Shallowplacementoftheinfiltrationsurface
Trenchorientationparalleltosurfacecontours
Narrowtrenches(widthof<900mm[3ft])
Timeddosingwithpeakflowstorage
Uniformapplicationofpretreatedsewageovertheinfiltrationsurfaceand
Multiplecellstoprovideperiodicresting,standbycapacity,andspaceforfuturerepairsorreplacement.

Thedesignershouldbeawarethattheareaincludedforcalculationofdilutionbyinfiltratingprecipitationisthe
widthofthedrainfieldnormaltothedirectionofgroundwaterflowmultipliedbythelengthoftheplumefromthe
upgradientendofthedrainfieldtothepropertyboundaryorsurfacewaterbody.Thereforethedesignershould
considerlocatingthedrainfieldasfarupgradientofthepropertyboundaryorsurfacewaterbodyaspossibleand
makingthedrainfieldaswideaspossible.

22.7.9.1PlacementofInfiltrationSurface

Actualplacementrelativetotheoriginalsoilprofileatthesiteisdeterminedbythedesiredseparationdistance
betweentheinfiltrativesurfaceandthehighestgroundwaterlevel,whichmaybebelow,at,orabovetheexisting
groundsurface(inaningroundtrench,shallowburied,atgrade,orelevatedinamoundsystem).

Verticalseparationbetweentheinfiltrationsurfaceandthewatertableneedstobemaintainedtoachieveacceptable
pollutantremovals,sustainaerobicconditionsinthesubsoil,andprovideanadequatehydraulicgradientacrossthe
infiltrationzone.Treatmentneeds(performancerequirements)establishtheminimumseparationdistance,butin
caseofapotentialforgroundwatermounding,theseparationdistanceshouldbeappropriatelyincreased.Effluent
quality,hydraulicloadingrates,temperature,soilcharacteristics,sewageeffluentdosingpatternanddistribution
methodscanaffecttheunsaturatedsoildepthneededfortreatment.Thedesignershouldconsideralltheseelements
bothseparatelyandcollectivelywhendesigningthesystem.Seekingreductionsinverticalseparation,ordrainfield
sizebasedsolelyonthehigherqualityoftheeffluentbeingappliedshouldbecarefullyconsidered,and
combinationofcreditsshouldbeavoided.ItshouldbenotedthatPart8ofDivisionBoftheBuildingCode
requires900mm(3ft)verticalseparationbetweeninfiltrationsurfaceandagroundwatertableforallcode
regulatedsystemsregardlessofthequalityofthesewageeffluentapplied.

22.7.10DepthoftheInfiltrationSurface

Thedepthoftheinfiltrationsurfaceisanimportantconsiderationinmaintainingadequatesubsoilaerationand
frostprotectionincoldclimates.Themaximumdepthshouldbelimitedtonomorethan0.9to1.2m(3to4ft)
belowfinalgradetoadequatelyreaeratesoilandsatisfythedailyoxygendemandoftheappliedeffluent.

22.7.11Geometry,OrientationandConfigurationoftheDrainfieldInfiltrationSurface

Theprinciplesfordesignoflargedrainfieldsaresimilartothoseofsmallersystemsforbothraisedand
conventionalbedsbutforlargedrainfields,moreconsiderationshouldbegiventothelayout,configuration,and
designofthedrainfield.Layoutandorientationwillbecriticalastheywilldependontheareawhichisavailable,
thepotentialforgroundwatermounding,thesuitabilityofthesubsurfaceforsewagedisposal,andtheimpactonthe
groundwater.Asanexample,thedrainfieldshouldbelocatedattheupgradientsideofthesitetoallowforthe
maximumamountofdilutionwiththeunderlyinggroundwater.

TheminimumsetbackstothedrainfieldsmayneedtobeincreasedforLSSDS.Theclearancesfromwells,surface
watersandpropertyboundariesaretobeestablishedbythehydrogeologicalassessmentratherthantheminimum
valuessetbyPart8ofDivisionBoftheBuildingCode.Drainfieldsandanysoilmantles(ifrequired)shouldbe
keptanappropriatedistancebackfromthetopofanyslopesorfromareasthatarepotentiallyunstable.Minimum
depthsofthemantleandminimumclearancestogroundwatershouldbeincreasedtominimizethepotentialof
groundwatercontamination.Throughtheuseofmanifoldchambers,flowlevelers,andeffluentpumpingsystems,a
maximumamountofflexibilityshouldbedevelopedforeffluentdistributionwithinthedrainfield.Thisallowsthe
operatortomanuallyadjustthesystemandrespondtoanytypeofbreakoutthatmayoccur.Thegreatestconcern
withlargedrainfieldsistheabilitytoensureevendistributionoftheeffluent.Thedesignrecommendationon
LSSDSsitesaresummarizedinTable223.

Table223LSSDSGeometry,OrientationandConfiguration
AbsorptionTrench DesignConsiderations
Preferablylessthan0.9m(3ft).Designwidthisaffectedbydistributionmethod,
Width
constructabilityandavailablearea.
Restrictedbyavailablelengthparalleltositecontour,distributionmethodand
Length
distributionnetworkdesign.
Sidewallsarenotconsideredanactiveinfiltrationsurface.Minimumheightisthat
SidewallHeight
neededtoencasethedistributionpipingortomeetpeakflowstoragerequirements.
Shouldbeconstructedparalleltositecontoursand/orwatertableorrestrictivelayer
contours.Shouldnotexceedthesite'smaximumlinearhydraulicloadingrateperunit
Orientation/Configuration
oflength.Spacingofmultiple,paralleltrenchesisalsolimitedbytheconstruction
methodandslowdispersionfromthetrenches.
Table223LSSDSGeometry,OrientationandConfiguration
Bed DesignConsiderations
Shouldbeasnarrowaspossible.Bedswiderthan3.0mto5.0m(10to16ft)should
Width
beavoided.
Restrictedbyavailablelengthparalleltositecontour,distributionmethod,and
Length
distributionnetworkdesign.
Sidewallsarenotconsideredanactiveinfiltrationsurface.Minimumheightisthat
SidewallHeight
neededtoencasethedistributionpipingortomeetpeakflowstoragerequirements.
Shouldbeconstructedparalleltositecontoursand/orwatertableorrestrictivelayeror
Orientation/Configuration contours.Theloadingoverthetotalprojectedwidthshouldnotexceedtheestimated
downslopeminimumlinerhydraulicloading.

Source:AdaptedfromU.S.EPAOnsiteWastewaterTreatmentSystemsManual,EPA/625/R00/008,February
2002.

22.7.12EffluentDistributionOntotheInfiltrationSurface

ThesizeofLSSDdrainfieldinterfacesurfacegenerallyprecludestheuseofgravityflowtothedrainfields.Part8
ofDivisionBoftheBuildingCodemandateseffluentdistributionthroughdosingforanysewagesystemhaving
morethan150m(490ft)lengthofdistributionpipe.Typically,allLSSDSsfallwithinthiscategoryandshouldbe
dosedappropriately.

Pumpsprovidethemostreliablemethodtoalternatelydosethedrainfields.Ifthedrainfieldsarenotofequalsizes
orareatsignificantlydifferentelevations,itispossibletousedifferentsizedpumpssetonatimersystemtodose
thedrainfields.Thesetimersshouldbesettodoseaspecificvolumetoeachfieldandgenerallyeachfieldwould
needtobeservicedbyaseparateeffluentpump.Theeffluentisdeliveredtothedistributionboxandgravityisused
todistributesewageeffluentinthelaterals.

Pressuredistributionreliesonfullypressurizingthedistributionpipeswhicharetypically34mm(1.3in)diameter
withdistributionholes8mm(0.3in)indiameter).Thecombinationoffullpressurization,smallpipediameterand
smallperforationsensurethateffluentisdistributedequallyalongthelateral.

Thedesignshouldevaluatethemainmeansofdosing:

Demanddosing
Timeddosing
Reduceddosevolume
Orificesinthe12oclockor6oclockpositionand
Networkremainingfullorpartiallyfullbetweendoses.
Anumberofadvantagesanddisadvantagesareassociatedwitheachmethodandshouldbeconsideredwhen
designingdosingsystems.Theseinclude:

Demanddosingistheleastcomplexsystemandthereforetheleastcostlytoinstallandoperate.However,
thissystemisnotsensitivetoheavyusedaysand/orhydraulicsurgesthatoverloadthedrainfield
Timedosingcontrolsthedischargetotheareaswithevenlyspaceddoses.Itallowsformorefrequent,
smallerdosestothepumpedandprotectsthereceivingcomponentfromhydraulicoverload.Thesystemis
howeversensitivetoheavyusedaysandwillactivatealarmswhenvolumesexceeddesignlevels.The
systemismorecostlyandcomplicatedthanthedemanddosingsystem,butcanalsohelpdetectgroundwater
leakingintotheseptictankorpumpchamber
Thereduceddosevolumesmethodproducessmallermorefrequentdoseswithinterveningrestingand
aerationperiods,whichassuresunsaturatedflowthroughthesoilorfiltermedia.Thesesystemsmayrequire
smallerorifices,pipesandvalvesthatcanincreasethefrequencyofmaintenanceduetoclogging
Orificesinthe12oclockpositionwillmaintainthelateralsfullorpartiallyfullandthereforereducethe
amountofeffluentrequiredtopressurizethesystem.Maintainingeffluentinthepipesandlinescanpromote
biologicalgrowthwhichwillcausecloggingandabuildupofsolidsandslimethatwillrequiremorefrequent
maintenance.Periodicdrainingofthelateralscanreducecloggingproblems,butwillincreasethedose
volumerequired.Orificesinthe6oclockpositionwillreduceclogginginthelateralsbeingdrainedbetween
dosecycles,butthesesystemswillrequirealargerdosevolumetopressurizethesystemand
Networksremainingfullorpartiallyfullbetweendoseshavethesameadvantagesanddisadvantagesas
indicatedfortheotherdosingmethods:thatis,morefrequentdoseswithinterveningrestingandaerationwill
promoteunsaturatedflowthroughthesystem,buteffluentlinesthatarefullwillpromotebiologicalgrowth.

Appendices
AppendixI:Glossary
Capacity
Theflowratethatatreatmentprocessunitorprocesstrainortreatmentplantiscapableofeffectively
processing.
CertificateofApproval
Anauthorizationtoinitiatetheestablishment,constructionoralterationofasewageworksincludingthe
righttooperate,allinaccordancewiththeOntarioWaterResourcesActR.S.O.1990,c.O.40,applicable
regulationsorconditionsofapproval.TheCertificateofApproval(CofA)documentconsistsofadetailed
descriptionoftheworksaswellastermsandconditionsoftheapproval.
Continuousmonitoringequipment
Equipmentthat,atintervalsappropriatefortheprocessandparameterbeingmonitored,automaticallytests
fortheparameterdirectlyinthestream(orinthecaseofUVapplication,throughthestream)ofwaterbeing
treatedordistributed,orinacontinuoussampletakenfromthestreamofwaterbeingtreatedordistributed,
whereacontinuoussampleisacontinuousstreamofwaterflowingfromthestreamofwaterbeingtreatedor
distributedtothemonitoringequipment.
Flux
Foramembraneseparationprocess,thevolumeormassofpermeatepassingthroughthemembraneperunit
surfaceareaperunittime.Solvent(water)fluxiscommonlyexpressedingallonspersquarefootperdayor
cubicmetrespersquaremetrepersecond,ormetrespersecond.
Groundwater
Thewatercontainedininterconnectedporeslocatedbelowthewatertableinanunconfinedaquiferorina
confinedaquifer.
MaterialSafetyDataSheet(MSDS)
Informationontheuse,handlingandstorageofspecificchemicalsorproducts.Materialsafetydatasheets
containmandatedtypesofinformationconcerningphysicalcharacteristics,reactivity,requiredpersonal
protectiveequipmentandothersafeguards.
Membranebackwashing
Acleaningoperationthattypicallyinvolvesperiodicreverseflowofpermeatetoremoveparticulatematter
accumulatedonthemembranesurfacealsoreferredtoasbackpulse,backpulseclean,orfluxmaintenance.
Ministry
OntarioMinistryoftheEnvironment.
NetPositiveSuctionHead(NPSH)
Ameasureofthepressureatthesuctionsideofthepump,includingatmosphericpressureandvapour
pressureoftheliquidbeingpumped.
Permeate
Forapressuredrivenmembranetreatmentprocess,theportionofthefeedsolutionthatpassesthroughthe
membraneknownasfiltrateformicrofiltration.
Pointofimpingement
Anypointonthegroundoronareceptor,suchasnearbybuildings,locatedoutsidetheemittersproperty
boundariesatwhichthehighestconcentrationofacontaminantcausedbytheaggregateemissionofthat
contaminantfromafacilityisexpectedtooccur.
SewageWorks
Worksforthecollection,transmission,treatmentanddisposalofsewageoranypartofsuchworks,butdoes
notincludeplumbingtowhichtheBuildingCodeAct,1992applies.
Surfacewater
Surfacewaterbodies(lakes,wetlandsandponds,includingdugouts),watercourses(rivers,streams,
drainageditches),infiltrationtrenchesandareasoftemporaryprecipitationponding.
WaterWorks
Anypartofadrinkingwatersystemincludingcollection,production,treatment,storage,supplyand
distributionofwateroranypartofsuchworks.
Watershed
Thedrainagebasinareacontainedwithintheboundsspecifiedbyadivideandaboveaspecifiedpointona
stream.Awatershedisalsocalledacatchmentarea,drainageareaordrainagebasin.

AppendixII:UnitsofMeasure
Units Definition
% percent
C degreesCelsius
F degreesFahrenheit
m micrometresormicrons
ac acres
atm atmospheres
Btu/ft3 Britishthermalunitspercubicfoot
Btu/lb Britishthermalunitsperpound
cfm/1000ft3 cubicfeetperminuteper1000cubicfeet
cfm/1000USgal cubicfeetperminuteper1000U.S.gallons
cfm/ft cubicfeetperminuteperfoot
cfm/ft2 cubicfeetperminutepersquarefoot
cfm/ft3 cubicfeetperminutepercubicfoot
cm/d centimetresperday
cm/hr centimetresperhour
cm/s centimetrespersecond
cm/wk centimetresperweek
cuft/mil.USgal cubicfeetpermillionU.S.gallons
d days
ft feet
ft/100ft feetper100feet
ft/ft feetperfoot
ft/h feetperhour
ft/min feetperminute
ft/s feetpersecond
ft/s squarerootoffeetpersecond
ft2 squarefeet
Units Definition
ft2/cap squarefeetpercapita
ft2/ft3 squarefeetpercubicfoot
ft/(minft2) cubicfeetperminutepersquarefoot
g/(capd) gramspercapitaperday
g/(ms) gramspermetrepersecond
g/(m2s) gramspersquaremetrepersecond
g/kg gramsperkilogram
g/m2/d gramspersquaremetreperday
g/m3 gramspercubicmetre
hp horsepower
hp/1000ft3 horsepowerper1000cubicfeet
hr hours
in inches
in/ft inchesperfoot
in/hr inchesperhour
in/s inchespersecond
in/wk inchesperweek
kgBOD5/(kg kilogramsoffivedaybiochemicaloxygendemandperkilogramofmixedliquorvolatile
MLVSSd) suspendedsolidsperday
kgO2/kgBOD5 kilogramsofoxygenperkilogramof5daybiochemicaloxygendemand
kgO2/kWh kilogramsofoxygenperkilowatthour
kgVS/m2 kilogramsofvolatilesolidspersquaremetre
kg/(had) kilogramsperhectareperday
kg/(m2d) kilogramspersquaremetreperday
kg/(m3d) kilogramspercubicmetresperday
kg/(P.E.d) kilogramsperpopulationequivalentperday
kg/d kilogramsperday
kJ/kg kilojoulesperkilogram
kJ/m3 kilojoulespercubicmetre
km kilometres
km/hr kilometresperhour
kPa kilopascals
kW kilowatts
kW/1000m3 kilowattsper1000cubicmetres
L litres
L/(capd) litresperdaypercapita
L/(had) litresperdayperhectare
L/(has) litrespersecondperhectare
L/(ms) litrespersecondpermetre
L/(m2d) litresperdaypersquaremetre
L/(m2min) litresperminutepersquaremetre
L/(m2s) litrespersecondpersquaremetre
Units Definition
L/(m3s) litrespersecondpercubicmetre
L/(mmd)/m litrespermillimetreofpipediameterperdayperlinearmetreofsewerlength
L/d litresperday
L/m2 litrespersquaremetre
L/m3 litrespercubicmetre
L/mmdiameter/100
litrespermillimetrediameterper100metresperhour
m/hr
L/s litrespersecond
L/Wratio lengthtowidthratio
lbO2/lbBOD5 poundsofoxygenperpoundof5daybiochemicaloxygendemand
lb/(1000ft3d) poundsperdayper1000cubicfeet
lb/(acd) poundsperdayperacre
lb/(ft2d) poundsperdaypersquarefoot
lb/(ft2hr) poundsperhourpersquarefoot
lb/(ft2min) poundsperminutepersquarefoot
lb/(ft3d) poundsperdaypercubicfoot
lb/(hphr) poundsperhorsepowerperhour
lb/100ft2 poundsper100squarefeet
lb/1000ft3 poundsper1000cubicfeet
lb/1000lbof
poundsperthousandpoundsofmixedliquorvolatilesuspendedsolidsperhour
MLVSS/hr
lb/d poundsperday
lb/P.E./d poundsperpopulationequivalentperday
m metres
m/d metresperday
m/hr metresperhour
m/min metresperminute
m/s metrespersecond
m/s squarerootofmetrespersecond
m2 squaremetres
m2/cap squaremetrespercapita
m2/m3 squaremetrespercubicmetre
m3 cubicmetres
m3/(had) cubicmetresperhectareperday
m3/(md) cubicmetrespermetreperday
m3/(m2d) cubicmetrespersquaremetreperday
m3/d cubicmetresperday
m3/min/1000m3 cubicmetresperminuteper1000cubicmetres
m3/s cubicmetrespersecond
mg/gofMLVSS/hr milligramspergramofmixedliquorvolatilesuspendedsolidsperhour
mg/(m2s) milligramspersquaremetrepersecond
Units Definition
mg/L milligramsperlitre
mi miles
MJ/dryt megajoulesperdryU.S.ton
mL millilitres
mL/m3 millilitrespercubicmetre
mm millimetres
mm/s millimetrespersecond
mUSgd millionU.S.gallonsperday
mWs/cm2 milliwattsecondspersquarecentimetre
oz/(capd) ouncespercapitaperday
psi poundspersquareinch
USgal U.S.gallons
USgal/(acd) U.S.gallonsperacreperday
USgal/(capd) U.S.gallonspercapitaperday
USgal/(fts) U.S.gallonsperfootpersecond
USgal/(ft2d) U.S.gallonsperdaypersquarefoot
USgal/(ft2s) U.S.gallonspersecondpersquarefoot
USgal/(ind)/ft U.S.gallonsperinchofpipediameterperdayperlinearfootofsewerlength
USgal/1000ft3 U.S.gallonsper1000cubicfeet
USgal/d U.S.gallonsperday
USgal/ft2 U.S.gallonspersquarefoot
USgal/hr/ft U.S.gallonsperhourperfoot
USgal/lb U.S.gallonsperpound
USgal/s U.S.gallonspersecond
USgpd/ft U.S.gallonsperdayperfoot
USgpd/ft2 U.S.gallonsperdaypersquarefoot
USgpm U.S.gallonsperminute
USgpm/ft2 U.S.gallonsperminutepersquarefoot
W/m3 wattspercubicmetre
W watts

AppendixIII:Abbreviations
Abbreviation Definition
ADF AverageDailyFlow
ASP ActivatedSludgeProcess
ATAD AutothermalThermophilicAerobicDigestion
BAF BiologicalAeratedFilter
BMP BestManagementPractice
BNR BiologicalNutrientRemoval
FivedayBiochemicalOxygenDemandequivalentto
BOD5
fivedayTotalBiochemicalOxygenDemand(TBOD5)
BPR BiologicalPhosphorousRemoval
Abbreviation Definition
CAS ConventionalActivatedSludge
CCTV ClosedCircuitTelevision
CBOD5 FivedayCarbonaceousBiochemicalOxygenDemand
ClassEA MunicipalEngineersAssociationsMunicipalClassEnvironmentalAssessment
COD ChemicalOxygenDemand
CofA CertificateofApproval
CIP CleaninPlace
CSO CombinedSewerOverflow
DAF DissolvedAirFlotation
DO DissolvedOxygen
DS DrySolids
DPHF DesignPeakHourlyFlow
D/W DepthtoWidthRatio
DWF DryWeatherFlow
EBCT EmptyBedContactTime
ED50 EffectiveDose50thPercentile
ESR EnvironmentalStudyReport
FBI FluidizedBedIncineration
F/M FoodtoMicroorganismRatio
F/Mv FoodtoMicroorganismRatioBasedonMLVSS
FWS FreeWaterSurface
GAC GranularActivatedCarbon
GBT GravityBeltThickener
GC GasChromatography
GFCI GroundFaultCircuitInterruption
GP GrinderPump
HDD HorizontalDirectionalDrilling
HDPE HighDensityPolyethylene
HMI HumanMachineInterface
HRT HydraulicRetentionTime
HVAC Heating,VentilatingandAirConditioning
I/I InfiltrationandInflowoftheSewerSystem
IFAS IntegratedFixedFilmActivatedSludge
IFS IntegratedFixedfilmSystem
LSSDS LargeSubsurfaceSewageDisposalSystem
LPHO LowPressureHighOutput(UVLamp)
LP/HI LowPressure/HighIntensity(UVLamp)
LP/LI LowPressure/LowIntensity(UVLamp)
L/W LengthtoWidthRatio
MF Microfiltration
MLSS MixedLiquorSuspendedSolids(intheReactor)
MLVSS MixedLiquorVolatileSuspendedSolids(inReactor)
MP MediumPressure(UVLamp)
MP/HI MediumPressure/HighIntensity(UVLamp)
Abbreviation Definition
MSDS MaterialSafetyDataSheet
MTZ MassTransferZone
NOD NitrogenousOxygenDemand
NPS NominalPipeSize
ODWQS OntarioDrinkingWaterQualityStandards
OPSS OntarioProvincialStandardsSpecificationsforRoadsandPublicWorks
ORP OxidationreductionPotential
OU OdourUnit
OUR OxygenUptakeRate
PAC PowderedActivatedCarbon
PCN ProcessControlNetwork
PLC ProgrammableLogicController
PE PopulationEquivalent
PFD ProcessFlowDiagrams
P&ID ProcessandInstrumentationDiagrams
PVC PolyvinylChloride
PWQO ProvincialWaterQualityObjectives
RAS ReturnActivatedSludge
RBC RotatingBiologicalContactors
RDT RotaryDrumThickener
RTB RetentionTreatmentBasins
RTC RealTimeControl
SBR SequencingBatchReactor
SCADA SupervisoryControlAndDataAcquisition
SDGS SmallDiameterGravitySewers
SI InternationalSystemofUnits
SG SpecificGravity
SOR SurfaceOverflowRate
SRT SolidsRetentionTime(orSludgeAge)
SS SettleableSolids
SSF SubsurfaceFlow
STEP SepticTankEffluentPumpingSystem
STP SewageTreatmentPlant
SVI SludgeVolumeIndex
SWD SidewaterDepth
TAN TotalAmmoniaNitrogen
TKN TotalKjeldahlNitrogenTotalofOrganicNitrogen+TotalAmmoniaNitrogen
TF/SC TricklingFilter/SolidsContact
TOC TotalOrganicCarbon
TS TotalSolids
TSS TotalSuspendedSolids
TVS TotalVolatileSolids
TWL TopWaterLevel
UF Ultrafiltration
Abbreviation Definition
UPS UninterruptiblePowerSupply
UTM UniversalTransverseMercator
UV Ultraviolet
VAC VoltsAlternatingCurrent
VE ValueEngineering
VFD VariableFrequencyDrive
VSS VolatileSuspendedSolids
WAS WasteActivatedSludge
WWF WetWeatherFlow

AppendixIV:Acronyms
Acronym Definition
ANSI AmericanNationalStandardsInstitute
APHA AmericanPublicHealthAssociation
ASCE AmericanSocietyofCivilEngineers
AWWA AmericanWaterWorksAssociation
AWWARF AmericanWaterWorksAssociationResearchFoundation
CGA CanadianGasAssociation
CSA CanadianStandardsAssociation
CSCE CanadianSocietyforCivilEngineering
MEA MunicipalEngineersAssociation(ofOntario)
MNR MinistryofNaturalResources(ofOntario)
MOE MinistryoftheEnvironment(ofOntario)
NEMA NationalElectricalManufacturersAssociation
NWRI NationalWaterResearchInstitute
PEO ProfessionalEngineersOntario
U.S.EPA UnitedStatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgency
WEF WaterEnvironmentFederation

AppendixV:SummaryofMOEDesignCriteriaforConventional
SewageTreatmentProcesses
Process:PrimarySedimentationTanks
Process
ProcessType/Condition
Parameter Units Type/Condition Reference
WithWASCothickening
WithoutWAS
SurfaceOverflowRate(SOR)[at
designaveragedailyflow] m3/(m2d) 3040 2530 Table111

SOR(atdesignpeakdailyflow) m3/(m2d) 6080 5060 Table111

Note:

1.WASmeanswasteactivatedsludge

Process:AerationTankofActivatedSludgeProcesses
 ProcessType/Condition: ProcessType/Condition: Process
Parameter Units ConventionalASwithout ConventionalASwith Type/Condition: Reference
nitrification nitrification ExtendedAeration
BOD5
kg/(m3d) 0.310.72 0.310.72 0.170.24 Table121
Loading
F/Mv d1 0.20.5 0.050.25 0.050.15 Table121
HRT
hours 6 6 15 Table121
(min.)
Return
%of
Sludge 25100 50200 50200 Table121
Qavg
Rate
>4at20C
SRT(min.) days 46 >15 Table121
>10at5C
Oxygen 1.0perkgBOD5+4.6per 1.5perkgBOD5+
kgO2 1.0perkgBOD5 Table121
Demand kgTKN 4.6perkgTKN
MLSS mg/L 1,0003,000 3,0005,000 3,0005,000 Table121

Notes:

1.ASmeansactivatedsludge.
2.F/MvmeansfoodtomicroorganismbasedonvolatileMLSS(i.e.,MLVSS).
3.HRTmeanshydraulicretentiontime.
4.SRTmeanssolidsretentiontime.
5.MLSSmeansmixedliquorsuspendedsolids.
6.Qavgmeanstheaveragedailyflowratetothesewagetreatmentplant.
7.TKNmeansTotalKjeldahlNitrogen.

Process:SecondarySedimentationTanks
ProcessType/Condition: ProcessType/Condition:
Parameter Units Reference
Rectangular Circular
Section
Dimensions:
13.2.1
SWD 3.64.6 3.64.6
m Section
Length:Width >4:1 NA
m 13.2.1
RapidSludge NA >18
Section
Removal
13.3.2
Process:SecondarySedimentationTanks
CAS,Step EA,Single Chemicalsaddedto
Parameter Units Aeration, Stage MLSSforeffluentTP Reference
CompleteMix,etc. Nitrification <1.0mg/L
Loading
SOR(atDPHF) 37
m3/(m2d) 50 40 Table131
PeakDailySolids 240w/onitrification
LoadingRate(w/ kg/(m2d) 240 170
170w/nitrification
Table131
RAS)

Notes:

1.SWDmeanssidewaterdepth.
2.CASmeansconventionalactivatedsludge.
3.EAmeansextendedaeration.
4.SORmeanssurfaceoverflowrate.
5.DPHFmeansdesignpeakhourlyflow.
6.RASmeansreturnactivatedsludge.

Process:EffluentDisinfection
 ProcessType/Condition: ProcessType/Condition:Tertiary
Parameter Units Reference
SecondaryEffluent FilteredEffluent
Chlorine
mg/L 112 16 Table141
Dosage
Process:EffluentDisinfection
Process Process Process
Parameter Units Type/Condition: Type/Condition: Type/Condition: Reference
LP/LI LP/HI MP/HI
UVDosage mWs/cm2 30 30 30 Section14.4.3
UVeffective Sections14.4.2.2
h 8,00013,000 5,00012,000 5,0008,000
lamplife 14.4.2.4

Notes:

1.LP/LImeanslowpressure/lowintensity.
2.LP/HImeanslowpressure/highintensity.
3.MP/HImeansmediumpressure/highintensity.
4.Chlorinedosagebasedona30minutecontacttimeatdesignaveragedailyflow.
5.TypicalchlorineandUVdosagestoensureamonthlygeometricmeandensityoflessthan200E.coli
organismsper100mL.

Process:ChemicalAdditionforPhosphorusRemoval
Process Process
ProcessType/Condition:
Parameter Units Type/Condition: Type/Condition: Reference
FerricChloride
Alum Lime
TypicalDosageRates
Section
(fortargeteffluentTP mg/L 110225 630 40400
15.1.2.1
of1.0mg/L)
Process:TertiaryFiltration
ProcessType/Condition: ProcessType/Condition:
Parameter Units Reference
ShallowBed DeepBed
FiltrationRates(at Section
DPHF) L/m2s 2.1 3.3
15.2.4
SolidsLoadingRate Section
(atDPHF) mg/(m2s) 51 83
15.2.4
Process:TertiaryFiltration
Process
ProcessType/Condition: ProcessType/Condition:
Parameter Units Type/Condition:Min. Reference
Min.BedExpansion Min.Duration
Rate
Section
Backwash 10L/m2s 20% 10minutes
15.2.5
Process:EstimatedSludgeQuantities
ProcessType/Condition: ProcessType/Condition:CAS
Parameter Units Reference
CASwithPrimaries withoutPrimaries
BiologicalSludge kgTSS/kg Section
Production BOD5removed 0.70 0.85
16.1.1
Process:EstimatedSludgeQuantities
Process
ProcessType/Condition: ProcessType/Condition:EA
Type/Condition:
Parameter Units EAwithPRemoval withPRemoval(Holding Reference
CASwithP
(UndigestedWAS) TankWasteSludge)
Removal
Undigested
Sludge
g/capd 100 55 50
Solids Table161
%TS 4.0[2.06.5] 0.9[0.41.9] 2.0[0.44.5]
Production
Concentration
Digested
Sludge
g/capd 68
Solids Table161
%TS 4.0[2.06.0]
Production
Concentration

Notes:

1.CASmeansconventionalactivatedsludge(withupstreamprimarytreatment).
2.EAmeansextendedaeration.
3.Sludgeconcentrationsexpressedasaveragevalues,withrangesinparentheses.

Process:Digestion(Mesophilic)
Parameter Units Anaerobic Aerobic Reference
RetentionTime
days 15 Section16.2.2.3
HRT(min.)
days 15 45(total) Section16.3.2
SRT(min.)
0.65(tolowrateprimarydigester) Section16.2.4
VSLoading kg/m3.d 1.6(tohighrateprimarydigester) 1.6(tofirststagedigester) Section16.3.1
Section16.2.2.1
SidewaterDepth m 6.1 3.64.6
Section16.3.1

Notes:

1.HRTmeanshydraulicretentiontime.
2.SRTmeanssolidsretentiontime.
3.VSmeansvolatilesolids.
4.AerobicSRTincludestheactivatedsludgeprocessandtheaerobicdigestionprocessSRT.

Process:SludgeThickening
Expected
ExpectedPerformance: ExpectedPerformance:
ProcessType Performance: Reference
SludgeConcentration(%TS) SolidsCapture(%)
SludgeType
Centrifugation

basket
centrifuge 810 8090
WasteActivated
discnozzle 46 8090 Table171
(WAS)
centrifuge 58 7090
solidbowl
centrifuge

GravityBelt
WAS 48 95 Table171
Thickener(GBT)
RotaryDrum
WAS 48 95 Table171
Thickener(RDT)
RawPrimary 810
Gravity RawPrimary+WAS 58
Table171
Thickener WAS 23
DigestedSludges 814
DissolvedAir
WAS 46 95 Table171
Flotation(DAF)
 Process:SludgeDewatering
Process ExpectedPerformance:Sludge ExpectedPerformance:
SludgeType Reference
Type Concentration(%) SolidsCapture(%)
Undigested
Primary+WAS 1425
BeltFilter
DigestedPrimary 1425 8595 Table172
Press
+WAS 1015
WAS
Undigested
Centrifuge Primary+WAS 1530
(Solid DigestedPrimary 1530 9599 Table172
Bowl) +WAS 1215
WAS
Undigested
Primary+WAS 3050
Filter
DigestedPrimary 3550 9095 Table172
Press
+WAS 2550
WAS
Undigested
Primary+WAS 1025
Vacuum
DigestedPrimary 1520 9095 Table172
Filter
+WAS 812
WAS

AppendixVI:SummaryofMajorChangesBetween1984and2008
(MOEDesignGuidelinesforSewageWorks)
TheMOEDesignGuidelinesforSewageWorkshavebeenupdatedtoincludenewsewagecollectionandtreatment
technologies.Theinformationwasobtainedfromotherguidelines,including:theTenStatesStandardsanddesign
guidelinesfromotherStatesandProvincesinNorthAmerica.Thefollowingmainadditionshavebeenmadetothe
previousversionoftheguidelines:

Chapter3GeneralDesignConsiderations:sectionsonTechnologyDevelopmentandSewageTreatment
PlantCapacity,includingReRating.
Chapter4OdourControl:includingOdourProductionandControlmethods.
Chapter5DesignofSewers:sectionsonNewInstallations/ConstructionTechnologies(i.e.,horizontal
drilling,microtunneling,andpipebursting),AlternativeSewerTypes(i.e.,pressureandvacuumsewers,and
septiceffluentsystems),andSewerSystemRehabilitation.
Chapter7SewagePumpingStations:includingForcemainRehabilitationTechniques.
Chapter8DesignConsiderationsforSewageTreatmentPlants:sectiononBasisofProcessSelection.
Chapter9InstrumentationandControl:sectionsonProcessNarrativesandBasisofControl.
Chapter10PreliminaryTreatment:sectionsonFineScreening,MicroscreeningandVortexGritRemoval.
Chapter12BiologicalTreatment:sectionsonActivatedSludgeSelectors,OtherBiologicalSystems(i.e.,
SBR,RBCs,BAF,IFF,MBR,BNRandIntermittentSandFilters).
Chapter14Disinfection:sectionsonDechlorination,UVIrradiation,andOzonation.
Chapter15SupplementalTreatmentProcess:sectionsonHighRateEffluentFiltration,Microscreening,
Membranes,andNaturalSystems.
Chapter16SludgeStabilization:sectionsonThermophilicAnaerobicDigestion,ATAD,Alkaline
Stabilization,Composting,ThermalDryingandIncineration.
Chapter17SludgeThickeningandDewatering:sectionsonGravityBeltThickenersandRotaryDrum
Thickeners.

Thefollowingarenewchaptersadded:
Chapter6ChallengingConditionsAffectingServicing
Chapter19CoTreatmentofSeptageandLandfillLeachateatSewageTreatmentPlants
Chapter21ControlandTreatmentofCombinedSewerOverflows
 Chapter22LargeSubsurfaceSewageDisposalSystems

AppendixVII:References
AirForce,ArcticandSubarcticConstructionUtilities,AFR8819,Volume5,(1987)

AmericanPublicHealthAssociation(APHA),AmericanWaterWorksAssociation(AWWA)&WaterEnvironment
Federation(WEF),StandardMethodsfortheExaminationofWaterandWastewater,21stEdition

AmericanSocietyofCivilEngineers,SulfideinWastewaterCollectionandTreatmentSystems,ManualofPractice
No.69

Bauer,D.H.,E.T.Conrad,andD.G.Sherman,EvaluationofOnsiteWastewaterTreatmentandDisposalOptions,
EPA/600/s281178,U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,Cincinnati,OH,(1979)

Bennett,E.R.,andE.K.Linstedt,IndividualHomeWastewaterCharacterizationandTreatment,Completion
ReportSeriesNo.66,EnvironmentalResourcesCenter,ColoradoStateUniversity,FortCollins,(1975)

CanadianCouncilofMinistersoftheEnvironment(CCME),GuidelinesforCompostQuality,(2005)

EnvironmentCanada,ColdRegionsUtilitiesMonograph(formerlyColdClimateUtilitiesDeliverDesignManual),
EnvironmentCanada,(1996)(AmericanSocietyofCivilEngineerswebsite)

EnvironmentCanada,UVGuidanceManualforMunicipalWastewaterTreatmentPlantsinCanada,(2002)

Laak,R,RelativePollutionStrengthsofUndilutedWasteMaterialsDischargedinHouseholdsandtheDilution
WatersUsedforEach,ManualofGreyWaterTreatmentPracticePartII,MonogramIndustries,Inc.,Santa
Monica,California,(1975)

Laak,R,WastewaterEngineeringDesignforUnseweredAreas,SecondEdition,(1986)

MOEandtheMinistryofAgriculture,FoodandRuralAffairs(OMAFRA),GuidelinesfortheUtilizationof
BiosolidsandOtherWastesonAgriculturalLand(1996)

MTO,MinistryofTransportationandCommunication,DrainageManual,(1980)

ProfessionalEngineersOntario,EngineeringServicestoMunicipalities,(1998)

Smith,D.W.andHrudey,S.E.,DesignofWaterandWastewaterServicesforColdClimateCommunities,(1981)

Tchobangolous,G.andBurton,F.L.,Wastewaterengineering:treatment,disposalandreuse,Thirdedition,New
York:MetcalfandEddy,Inc.McGrawHill,Inc.,(1991)

TheUrbanDrainageSubcommitteeoftheCanadaOntarioAgreementonGreatLakes,WaterQualityManualof
PracticeonUrbanDrainage,(1987)

Tyler,E.Jerry,DesigningwithSoil:DevelopmentandUseofaWastewaterHydraulicLinearandInfiltration
LoadingRateTable,(2000)

U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,AlternativeWastewaterCollectionSystems,EPA625/191/024,(1991)

U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,CombinedSewerOverflowsGuidanceforLongTermControlPlan

U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,CombinedSewerOverflowsGuidanceforMonitoringandModeling

U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,OdourandCorrosionControlinSanitarySewageSystemsandTreatment
Plants,EPA/625/185/018

U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,OnsiteWastewaterTreatmentSystemsManual,EPA/625/R00/008,(2002)

U.S.NationalFireProtectionAssociation,StandardforFireProtectioninWastewaterTreatmentandCollection
Facilities
WaterEnvironmentFederation(WEF),AlternativeSewerSystems,ManualofPracticeFD12,(1986)

WaterEnvironmentFederation(WEF),DesignandConstructionofSanitaryandStormSewers,ManualofPractice
MOP9

WaterEnvironmentFederation(WEF),PreventionandControlofSewerSystemOverflows,ManualofPractice
FD17

WaterEnvironmentFederation(WEF),SeptageHandling,ManualofPracticeNo.24,(1997)

Footnotes
[1]^Theproductsofasequenceofprocessescanbeformednofasterthantherateofthesloweststepinthe
sequence.Therefore,ifoneofthestepsinasequenceisslowerthanalltheothers,theoverallprocessrateis
limitedbyandisexactlyequalto,therateofthissloweststep(theratecontrollingstep).Theratedcapacity
ofthetreatmentsystemisthereforebasedontheratecontrollingstepunderspecificoperatingconditions
suchasinfluentsewagequalityandflowvariations,temperatureandeffluentqualityrequirements.
[1]^Consistsoftwospringloadedcheckvalvesoperatinginseriesandadiaphragmactivated,pressure
differentialreliefvalve,locatedbetweenthecheckvalves.Twoshutoffvalveswithtestcockscompletethe
device.Recommendedforhighhealthhazardriskwhereitwouldbeimpracticaltohaveanairgap
separation.Malfunctioningofthisdeviceisindicatedbydischargeofwaterfromthereliefport.The
backflowpreventersrequireperiodicinspection,maintenanceandinducehighpressureloss.Theycannotbe
installedbelowgroundlevelandshouldbeprotectedfromfreezing.Spaceformaintenanceandtesting
shouldbeprovided.
[1]^Thedesignershouldbejudiciousinapplicationofthisnumber.
[2]^Consistsoftwospringloadedcheckvalvesoperatinginseriesandadiaphragmactivated,pressure
differentialreliefvalve,locatedbetweenthecheckvalves.Twoshutoffvalveswithtestcockscompletethe
device.Recommendedforhighhealthhazardriskwhereitwouldbeimpracticaltohaveanairgap
separation.Malfunctioningofthisdeviceisindicatedbydischargeofwaterfromthereliefport.The
backflowpreventersrequireperiodicinspection,maintenanceandinducehighpressureloss.Theycannotbe
installedbelowgroundlevelandshouldbeprotectedfromfreezing.Spaceformaintenanceandtesting
shouldbeprovided.
[1]^Toclarifyitfurther:(a)ifasewagesystemhasaratedcapacityofgreaterthan10,000L/d(2,640US
gal/d),itisanOWRAsewageworksregardlessoflocation(b)ifasinglepropertycontainsseveralsmall
systems(eachratedatlessthan10,000L/d(2,640USgal/d))butthecombinedratedcapacityofthesystems
exceeds10,000L/d(2,640USgal/d),allthosesystemsareOWRAsewageworksregardlessoftheir
individualcapacityand(c)ifthesystemisnotcontainedentirelywithinthepropertyofthebuilding(or
buildings)itserves,itisanOWRAsewageworksregardlessofthecapacityofthesystem.

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