Outline of Water Quality Control

at Treatment Plants

Kitakyushu City Water and Sewer Bureau - Sewer

System Department Water Quality Control Division
August 2015
 Contents

1 Water quality control work 1

• Importance of water quality control work 2
• Legal system related to water quality control 3
• Water quality control system in Kitakyushu City 4
• Goals of water quality control work at treatment plants 5

2 Daily monitoring at treatment plants 6

• Visual inspections 7
• Reaction tank SV measurements 8
• Automatic monitoring using industrial instruments 9

3 Tests of water quality, etc., at treatment plants 10

• Water quality tests 11
• Biological analysis 18
• Sludge tests 22
• Water quality test procedures (Water sampling to analysis) 24
• Utilization of test results 37

4 Characteristics of water quality control system in Kitakyushu City 40

5 Introduction to work standards documents, etc. 43

1 Water quality control work

P1
 Importance of water quality control work
◆ Importance of water quality control work
The preparation of sewers is essential for the achievement of the
environmental standards for water quality in public water bodies.

However, the current sewerage system is designed for domestic

wastewater and it cannot completely treat business wastewater from
places such as factories.

The following measures

are required:

 Management of the conformity of the business wastewater to water quality

standard for sewers for the protection of the facilities such as the sewage facilities
 Management of the conformity of final effluent from treatment plants to water
quality standards

P2
 Legal system related to water quality control

Basic Environment • Basic laws related to environmental conservation in Japan

Law • Established “Environmental Quality Standards on Water Quality”

⇒ Water quality regulation with the laws shown below to observe these
standards

• Regulation of the wastewater flowing from factories and businesses,

Water Pollution
etc., into public water bodies (rivers, wetlands, sea areas, etc.)
Prevention Act

• Regulation of the wastewater flowing from factories and businesses,

Sewerage Law etc., into sewage facilities
• Regulation of the final effluent flowing from purification centers

<Others>
• Bad smells ⇒ Offensive Odor Control Law
• Sludge properties ⇒ Waste Disposal and Public Cleansing Law
P3
 Water quality control system in Kitakyushu City
 Water quality management in Kitakyushu City is performed in the system
below!
Before inflow into the treatment plant
⇒ Management of the conformity of the business wastewater, etc., to the water
quality standards for sewers (Guidance staff)
After inflow into the treatment plant
⇒ Management of the conformity of final effluent from treatment plants
to the water quality standards (Inspection staff)

The dirtied water

goes along the
sewer pipes and is
collected at
something called a
Purification center
purification center!

Pumping station Sea

Factory
River House Sludge treatment
facility

Industrial pretreatment Reaction

tank
facility
Settling Primary Final Sterilizat
sedimentation tank
basin sedimentati ion tank
on tank

Air blower

Sewage pipe Purification center

Facilities to treat the wastewater from factories, etc., to within the standard values for The part to be discussed in
acceptance into sewers the lecture today
P4
 Goals of water quality control work at treatment plants

 Observance of regulation values for treatment water quality, etc.

• Implement inspections periodically for the items defined in the laws, etc.!

 Check of functioning of each treatment process

• Daily monitoring (Visual observation inspections, SV measurements, continuous
monitoring using industrial instruments, etc.)
• Testing of water quality, etc., for each treatment process
<Types of test>
Water quality tests : Tests to check water quality at each treatment process
Biological analysis : Tests to check the organism counts and biota inside the
reaction tank
Sludge tests : Tests to check the properties of the sludge generated at
each treatment process
<Test procedures>
Sample collection ⇒ Analysis ⇒ Test results report production
⇒ Gain an understanding of the treatment situation and adjust
the operation management accordingly!
P5
2 Daily monitoring at treatment plants

P6
 Visual inspections

 Check for abnormalities using the five senses, especially sight!

<Inspection points and details>

Primary sedimentation tank : Check the situation of scum occurrence and the scum color
Reaction tank : Check the situation of scum occurrence and foaming
Final sedimentation tank : Color of water surface, sedimentation status of activated
sludge, occurrence situation of bubbles and scum
Final effluent : Color of water surface, occurrence situation of bubbles and
scum

<Primary sedimentation tank> <Reaction tank>

<Final sedimentation tank> <Final effluent (Sterilization tank exit)> P7

 Reaction tank SV measurements

 The simplest method for the estimation of sludge properties inside the
reaction tank!
What is SV (Sludge Volume)?
• An index showing the settleability and concentration, etc., of the activated sludge
• The index shows the proportion of sludge that has settled ((2)/(1)) as a percentage when
activated sludge is placed in a 1 liter measuring cylinder and then left to rest for 30 minutes.
When there is a big change in the SV
⇒ Check for an increase or decrease in filamentous bacteria,
change in sludge properties, etc.
When SV is high ⇒ Respond by increasing the excess sludge withdrawal
volume, etc.
When SV is low ⇒ Check the settleability (settling velocity)

(1)
Left for 30 minutes
(2)

P8
 Automatic monitoring using industrial instruments

 Automatic monitoring continuously for 24 hours to deal with abnormalities

rapidly
<Monitoring point>
Primary sedimentation tank influent and effluent

<Automatic monitoring items>

Total nitrogen, total phosphorus, COD, pH *Measure pH on primary
sedimentation tank influent only

<Total nitrogen, total phosphorus and COD <Overall view of automatic <pH meter>
measurement tool> measurement tools>
• Total nitrogen and total phosphorus are printed
• COD is displayed on the screen

P9
3 Tests of water quality, etc., at treatment plants

P10
 Water quality tests

 Check whether each treatment process and the effluent water quality
conform to the standards and adjust the operating conditions according to
the results!

 Tests for management (Check of the functioning of each treatment

process)
⇒ ests implemented for the appropriate operation and maintenance of water
treatment facilities, sludge treatment facilities, etc.
• Daily tests : Simple tests performed at a fixed time each day
• Weekly tests : Tests to understand the water quality in each treatment
process

 Legally-required tests (Observance of the regulation values for treated

water quality, etc.)
⇒ Tests required by the Sewerage Law, Water Pollution Prevention Act, etc.
Judgment of whether the water quality of final effluent satisfies the defined
standard values, etc.

P11
 Water quality tests

<Main measurement items, final effluent standard values and

measurement frequency>
Total Nitrogenous Total Normal hexane Number of
Measurement SS BOD COD
pH nitrogen compounds phosphorus extracts coliform bacilli
item (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L)
(mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (Quantity/mL)

Standard
5.8~8.6 40 15 20 20 100 2 5 3,000
values

Measurement
Twice per month
frequency

<Analysis method>
Analysis is performed based on Sewage Test Method.

<Wastewater treatment>
Processing of the wastewater containing the heavy metals, etc., included in
the reagents for the testing should be subcontracted to an industrial waste
disposal contractor.

P12
 Water quality tests
<Water quality testing results report>
 State the target values and standard values for final effluent
 Implement water quality testing for each treatment process
 Enter comments on the evaluation of the test results, changes in water quality and future measures Target
values/Standard
Inflow Effluent values

P13
 Water quality tests
<Water quality testing results report (Calculation formulas)>

P14
 Water quality tests
<Water quality testing results report (Calculation formulas)>

P15
 Water quality tests

<Water quality testing results>

 Good water quality is realized for each treatment process throughout the year!
* Annual average (FY2012) : Hiagari purification center
Units:mg/L

Measure Treatment plant Primary Final sedimentation Final

ment influent Removal
sedimentation tank rate
tank treated water effluent
item (a) effluent (Deep vessel) (b)
(a - b)/a

SS 145 32 99% 1 2

BOD 120 51
98% 4.5 2.3

91%
COD 74 35 7.1 7.0
50%
T-N 26 19 12 13
67%
T-P 2.9 2.1 1.1 0.95

P16
 Water quality tests
<Effluent water quality at each purification center>

 Standard values sufficiently cleared throughout the year!

Units:mg/L

Purification center SS BOD COD T-N T-P

Shinmachi 2 1.9 8.1 9.1 0.25

Hiagari 2 2.3 7.0 13 0.95

Sone 2 1.2 8.0 10 0.16

Kitaminato 3 2.1 12 11 0.37

Kougasaki 1 1 ND 6.3 8.9 0.20

Kougasaki 2 2 ND 7.4 10 0.14

* Standard values 40 15 20 20 2

Annual average (FY2012)

P17
 Biological analysis

 Observe the organisms inside the reaction tank with a microscope (number of
organisms and biota) and adjust the operating conditions according to the results!

<Points to be checked>
Number of organisms, biota, comparison with previous test, etc.

<Test method>

Use an optical microscope and count the number of organisms

<Scene of observations using an optical <Count the number of organisms with a

microscope> counter>
P18
 Biological analysis
<Organism testing results report>
 Are the number of organisms and biota that of good water treatment?
 Is the flock size appropriate?
 Is there any deterioration from the results of the previous testing?

Enter comments about the flock sizes and trends P19

 Biologicalanalysis
Biological analysis
<Pyramid of organisms inside reaction tanks>
Key point:The balance of the biota is extremely important
Aspidisca

Carnivorous

Vorticella

bact.-predatory
Protozoa (Higher-level

Dispersed bact.-

Filamentous

Floc bacteria-
predatory
predatory
consumers)

Bulking, scum, foam formation

Bacteria (Primary

Floc formation
Adhesion to floc
Treated water consumers)

Filamentous

Nitrifying
Dispersed

surface

bacteria
bacteria

bacteria
turbid in white

Inflow sewage Effluent

Low-molecular, dissolved Solid NH4

Organic matter (Producers)

 Biological analysis
<Biological transitions in sewage purification>
 The structure of organisms changes as time elapses
 In piston flow incubators, slow-growing organisms cannot survive, but in the activated
sludge method, flocks are formed, so a wide variety of organisms can be mixed together.

Microbial count (relative)

Bacteria

Ciliates

Flagellates

Rotifers (multicellular)

Time

P21
 Sludge tests

 Check the sludge properties, etc., occurring at the treatment process

⇒ Adjust the operating conditions according to the results to realize good water
treatment

<Samples and measurement items>

• Samples)
Sludge withdrawn from early sediment, gravity concentrated sludge, mixed sludge,
dehydration separated liquid, etc.

• Measurement item
pH, solid content (%), organic content (%), SS (mg/L), etc.

P22
 Sludge tests
<Sludge testing results report and dehydrated cake results report>
 Check that there are no abnormal values in the pH, solid content, organic content, etc.
 Check whether the solid content of the dehydrated cake is equal to or greater than the target
value

Check whether the solid content is

equal to or greater than the
treatment target value

Enter comments if there

<Sludge testing results report> <Dehydrated cake results report>
are any abnormalities, etc. P23
 Water quality test procedures (Water sampling to analysis)

<Sample collection>
 Take extreme care to ensure that the sample is a representative
sample
[Cautions]
Carefully consider the position and time of sampling.
• Sampling position ••• A position where mixing is sufficient and where a sample can
be taken safely
• Sampling time ••• Collect the sample at a time presumed to be showing
average values.
(Because water quality varies throughout the day.)
• Select appropriate methods to suit the structures of each facility.

(Example)
Sampling of sewage influent
• Sampling position•••• Before the settling basin inflow (at a point not affected by
return water)
If this is difficult, then at a manhole on the inlet pipe

P24
 Water quality test procedures (Water sampling to analysis)
<Sampling method>
• Manual sampling Check the advantages and
• Sampling using an automatic collection device disadvantages then decide.

Sampling method Advantages Disadvantages

• The collection frequency and time of day are
• It is possible to check the condition of the sample.
limited.
Manual • It is possible to collect water samples at a different
• It is not possible to always collect the sample
place to the usual point.
under the same conditions.
• It is possible to always collect the sample under
• It is necessary to clean the equipment frequently.
the same conditions.
• There is a risk of equipment failure or
Automatic • It is easy to increase the frequency of sample
malfunction.
collection device collection.
• There is a limit to where the equipment
• It is possible to safely collect samples during the
installation is possible.
night hours.

• In this city, the sample collection for testing is performed manually.

• Install (automatic) industrial instruments for the primary sedimentation tank influent and effluent
and continuously measure COD, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and pH. * Measure pH on primary
sedimentation tank influent only

<Storage of samples for repeat testing>

• There may be doubts about the test results, or the testing may fail, so collect a greater
amount of sample than is necessary.
• Store in a cool dark place.
• The storage methods and possible storage periods will vary depending upon the test items, so
check these in advance.
P25
 Water quality test procedures (Water sampling to analysis)

<Preparations for water sampling>

<Prepare water sampling bottles for each separate purification center (Day before
sampling day)>

<Stick labels on the water sampling bottles>

P26
 Water quality test procedures (Water sampling to analysis)
<Types of water sampling apparatus>

<Glass bottles> <Hyroht water sampler>

<Polyethylene bottles (small,
* Apparatus to sample water from an arbitrary depth
medium, large)>

<Thermometer> <ORP meter> <pH meter> <Polyethylene buckets> P27

 Water quality test procedures (Water sampling to analysis)
<Water sampling apparatus>
• Hyroht water sampler : Influent outside site
• Dipper : Primary sedimentation tank, reaction tank, return sludge
• Polyethylene bucket : Treated water, final effluent

<Water sampling>

<Influent outside site> <Primary sedimentation tank <Reaction tank>

influent>
Install the water sampling bottle on
the Hyroht water sampler and
collect the water

<Return sludge> <Treated water> <Final effluent>

P28
 Water quality test procedures (Water sampling to analysis)

<Notes of caution for water sampling>

 Record the time of sampling and the temperature, etc.

 Keep cool for testing for the number of coliform bacilli

<Water sampling> <Cooler for keeping cool>

P29
 Water quality test procedures (Water sampling to analysis)

<Electrical conductivity, pH, turbidity>

<Situation of analysis apparatus installation> <Electrical conductivity meter>

<pH meter> <Turbidimeter>

P30
 Water quality test procedures (Water sampling to analysis)
<SS>
Suspended Solid: Insoluble substances

<Filtration> <Drying (110°C, 2 hours)>

<Filter paper> ⇒ ⇒

⇒ <Allowing to cool (30 minutes inside desiccator)> ⇒ <Weighing>

P31
 Water quality test procedures (Water sampling to analysis)
<BOD>
Biochemical oxygen demand: Biochemical oxygen demand

<Dilution of sample> ⇒ <Transfer to incubator bottle>

⇒ <Cultivation at 20°C for 5 days> ⇒ <DO measurement (Before and after cultivation)>
P32
 Water quality test procedures (Water sampling to analysis)
<COD>
Chemical Oxygen Demand: Chemical oxygen demand

<Addition of the reagents in the red frame> ⇒ <Heating at 100°C for 30

<Sample collection> ⇒
(From left: Sulfuric acid, silver nitrate and minutes>
potassium permanganate)

<Addition of sodium oxalate> ⇒ <Dripping in of potassium permanganate) ⇒ <Sample after dripping in>
(Reagent in the blue frame) (Until the solution becomes a light pink color)

P33
 Water quality test procedures (Water sampling to analysis)
<Total nitrogen, total phosphorus>

<Addition of sodium hydroxide - potassium ⇒ <Autoclave disintegration (120°C, 30 minutes)>

peroxodisulphate solution>

⇒ <Transfer to glass tube and dilute with distilled ⇒ <Absorbance measurement>

water>
(Addition of HCl for nitrogen and coloring solution for
phosphorus) P34
 Water quality test procedures (Water sampling to analysis)
<Number of coliform bacilli>

<Put sample in sterilized Petri <Transfer desoxycholate agar to <Leave until culture medium
dish> Petri dish> becomes solid>
⇒ When solid, put culture
medium in again.

<Cultivation in thermostatic <After cultivation> <Count the colonies>

chamber> Reddish violet, 0.5 mm or larger
(37°C),18~20h
P36
 Utilization of test results

<Water quality review meeting>

(1) Goal
The goal is to consider the water treatment situation at each purification center and
exchange opinions, to share knowledge of water treatment and to make a
contribution to the passing down of water treatment techniques and to the
development of personnel.

(2) Participants
• Staff responsible for water quality inspections (Water Quality Control Division)
• Facility managers (Facilities Construction Division)
• Operation managers (Eastern and western purification centers)
• Contractors* (Kitakyushu Water & Sewer Association) * Consignment of part of work for
water quality inspections and operation management, etc.

(3) Materials
Water quality testing results report, Dehydrated cake results report, Organism
testing results report, Comments on general situation of water treatment, etc. in
the past month
P37
 Utilization of test results

<Examples of results being useful for operation management (1)>

• In the water quality inspection at the Kitaminato purification center, it was found that the
nitrification (from nitrous acid to nitric acid) was not proceeding in the standard tank*.

• It was judged that there was a problem in the activated sludge and sludge was
transferred from the deep tank* to the standard tank.

• A special examination was performed and it was confirmed that the nitrification
was proceeding.

* Standard tank : Reaction tank with water depth of 4.5 m

Deep tank : Reaction tank with water depth of 10 m

P38
 Utilization of test results

<Examples of results being useful for operation management (2)>

• In the water quality inspection at the Shinmachi purification plant, it was found that the
phosphorus treatment was deteriorating.

• When a special investigation was performed, it was found that the cause was the re-
elution of phosphorus from the final sedimentation tank.

• Adjustments were made to the telescopic valve and excess sludge withdrawal
volume.

• It was confirmed in regular testing, etc., that the phosphorus treatment had
improved.

P39
4 Characteristics of water quality control system in Kitakyushu City

P40
 Characteristics of water quality control system in Kitakyushu City

 Automatic monitoring continuously for 24 hours to deal with

abnormalities rapidly
⇒ There are very few local governments constantly monitoring ”total nitrogen” and “total
phosphorus” in the influent.

<Goal>
To monitor the influent water quality to respond rapidly to any abnormalities that may occur.

<Method>
Implementation using industrial instruments

<Measurement items>
pH, COD, total nitrogen, total phosphorus

<Action for emergencies>

• When a value greater than normal is produced, a sample of water is taken and a simplified
water inspection product test is performed to check that there is no failure of the industrial
instruments.
• If it is not a failure of the instruments, etc., then samples are taken to the Water Quality
Control Division for analysis and emergency action is implemented according to the figures.

P41
 Characteristics of water quality control system in Kitakyushu City

 Kitakyushu City has set water quality objectives independently!

<Goal>
To understand the indices during normal operation and adjust the appropriate
operation accordingly.
<Target water quality>
• Water quality treatment possible at the current facilities
• Water quality on consideration of the characteristics and past results of each
purification center
• Continuous measurement of the inflow water quality using industrial instruments
Units :mg/L

Regulation
Type Shinmachi Hiagari Sone Kitaminato Kougasaki 1 Kougasaki 2
value

COD 11 8.5 8.4 15 8.8 8.0 20

Total nitrogen 10 15 11 12 11 13 20

Total
0.3 1.6 0.2 0.6 0.2 0.2 2
phosphorus

Number of
coliform bacilli 300 3,000
(Quantity/mL)

<List of water quality targets>

P42
5 Introduction to work standards documents, etc.

P43
 Introduction to work standards documents, etc.

 Work is implemented according to a manual that was produced

independently!
• Water quality control work manual (Common manual)

• Produced with reference to JIS, Sewage Test Method, Guideline for Maintenance and
Operation in Sewerage Systems, etc.
⇒ It is a common manual, so staff transfers (movement roughly every 3 years) are dealt
with.

<Water quality control work manual>

P44
 Introduction to work standards documents, etc.

<Other documents>

<Guideline for Maintenance and Operation in Sewerage

Systems>
• A practical technical book about sewage maintenance and
control work.
• Many local governments use this as a reference for
maintenance and control

<Sewage Test Method>

• A document defining the test methods for water quality

and sludge testing, legally-required inspections of
effluent water quality and monitoring of business
wastewater, etc.

<JIS>
(Japanese Industrial Standards)

• National standards established by the Industrial

Standardization Act

P45