Republic of the Philippines

Batangas State University

Pablo Borbon Main II, Alangilan, Batangas City
College of Engineering, Architecture and Fine Arts

EnSe-413
Sewage and Industrial Wastewater Treatment

Laboratory Experiment No. 1

Physical Characteristics of Wastewater

Group no. 3

ALANO, ALDIN Z.
BAUTISTA, GIAN CARLO B.
DELEN, EDRIEL ROYCE P.
ERANA, MARY JOY
FAMPULME, PAULINE
SAMANIEGO, ERICSON

FEBRUARY 1, 2018
 Laboratory Report no. 1
Physical Characteristics of Wastewater

Objectives:
Determine the volume and physical characteristics of wastewater generated
in CIT Building, BSU-Alangilan Campus

Theorem:
Wastewater is any water that has been affected by human use. Wastewater
is "used water from any combination of domestic, industrial, commercial or
agricultural activities, surface runoff or storm water, and any sewer inflow or sewer
infiltration". Therefore, wastewater is a byproduct of domestic, industrial,
commercial or agricultural activities. The characteristics of wastewater vary
depending on the source. Types of wastewater include: domestic wastewater from
households, municipal wastewater from communities (also called sewage) or
industrial wastewater from industrial activities. Wastewater can contain physical,
chemical and biological pollutants.

Materials used:
- Tally sheet
- Writing Materials

Procedure
1. Specify the areas in the building, which may produce wastewater like
comfort rooms, laboratories, and etc.
2. List down all the fixtures/equipment/appliances that may produce
wastewater.
3. To determine the physical characteristics of wastewater present in the
area, ocular observation in the area will be done.
 4. To determine the volume of wastewater generated in the said location,
the number of fixtures/equipment/appliances is needed and multiplied
to their water supply fixture units. (1 WSFU=1GPM=3,79L/min)

The WSFU (Water Supply Fixture Units) is defined by the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) and can be
used to determine water supply to fixtures and their service systems:

Data Gathered:
Physical characteristics of wastewater
Fixtures Color Odor TSS
Water Closet Colorless to Yellowish Odorless to Pungent Absent
Urinal Colorless to Yellowish Odorless to Pungent Absent
Lavatory Colorless to Cloudy Odorless to Soapy Absent

Number of Fixtures per Floor Level

Floor Level Fixtures Quantity Vol. of WW generated (L)
Basement Water Closet 1 5685
(CR for PWD) Urinal 1 4548
Lavatory 1 2274
Ground Floor Water Closet 3 17055
(Women’s CR- Lavatory 5 11370
Faculty)
2nd floor Water Closet 2 11370
(Male’s CR-Faculty) Urinal 3 13644
Lavatory 5 11370
3rd Floor Water Closet 4 22740
(Women’s CR) Lavatory 4 9096
4 floor
th Water Closet 2 11370
(Men’s CR) Urinal 3 13644
Lavatory 5 11370
Total 145,536 Liters/day
Notes:
- (1 WSFU=1GPM=3,79L/min)
- The time used in computation of wastewater generated per day is from 7:00 am to
5:00pm (regular working hours) which is equivalent to 600 minutes
- Values may still vary depending on the model of fixtures used, no. of person in the area
and the maintenance of the area
Data Presentation and Analysis:
For the Physical Property of Wastewater
By conducting visual observation of the area, physical characteristics of
wastewater present in the fixtures were determined. For the water closet, the
wastewater was determined to be colorless to yellowish in color, odorless to
pungent in terms of smell and there was no presence of total suspended solid was
found. For the urinal, the wastewater was determined to be colorless to yellowish in
color, odorless to pungent in smell and there was no presence of total suspended
solids was found. For the lavatory, the wastewater was determined to be colorless
to cloudy, odorless to soapy in terms of smell and there was no presence of total
suspended solids was found.

For the Volume of Wastewater generated

In the data showed, the water closet has the greatest consumption of water
compared to the urinal and lavatory. Summing up, a total of 145,536 liters of water
were used everyday to operate and maintain the fixtures. The result may still vary
depending on the model of fixtures used, no. of person and maintenance of the area.

Conclusion
Physical characteristics of water are the easiest to be identified compared to
its chemical and biological properties. By just using the human senses, we can
determine the color, odor and taste, total suspended solids and etc. Yet, there are
several tests conducted to come up with a accurate and précised readings for the
physical properties of water.
Volume of wastewater generated depends on the use of the area (school,
hospital, restaurant, etc.), number of occupants and existing fixtures used.

Encountered Problems
- The researchers were not able to easily get access on some areas since
authorized people were only allowed to enter.
- Difficulty in conducting visual observation since many people are using the
area

Recommendation
For more accurate and precise results, use of laboratory equipment is
recommended. With the figures shown above, a lot of water is used and being
generated as wastewater, that is why wastewater treatment plant/facility a
necessity in institutions and industry due to the huge volume of wastewater they
produce.