OVERVIEW OF WASTEWATER

TREATMENT

Sources and
Characteristics of
Wastewater

WASTEWATER
Water

discharged from homes,

businesses, and industries that contains
dissolved, suspended, and particulate
inorganic or organic material.

WASTEWATER CONSTITUENTS

Wastewater is characterized in
terms of its physical,
chemical and biological
composition/properties.

Physical Properties
Physical Properties
Color

Sources
Domestic & industrial
wastes, natural decay of
inorganic materials

Odor

Decomposing wastewater,
industrial wastes

Solids

Domestic & industrial

wastes, soil erosion

Temperature

Domestic & Industrial

Wastes

Chemical Constituents
Organic Compounds
Carbohydrates, proteins,
priority pollutants,
surfactants, volatile
organic compounds, and
fats, oils, and grease

Sources
Domestic, commercial
and industrial wastes

Pesticides
Phenols
Other

Agricultural wastes
Industrial wastes
Natural decay of organic
materials

Chemical Constituents
Inorganic
Compounds

Sources

Alkalinity, chlorides Domestic wastes,

domestic water supply,
groundwater infiltration
Heavy metals
Nitrogen

Industrial wastes
Domestic and agricultural
wastes

pH

Domestic, commercial
and industrial wastes

Chemical Constituents
Inorganic
Compounds

Sources

Phosphorous

Domestic, commercial
and industrial wastes,
natural runoff

Priority pollutants

Domestic, commercial
and industrial wastes

Sulfur

Domestic water supply;

domestic, commercial
and industrial wastes

Chemical Constituents
Gases

Sources

Hydrogen Sulfide,
Methane

Decomposition of domestic
and industrial wastes

Oxygen

Domestic water supply,

surface-water infiltration

Biological Constituents
Biological
Constituents
Animals and plants

Eubacteria and
Archaebacteria
Viruses

Sources
Domestic watercourses
and treatment plant
Protists
Domestic wastes,
surface-water infiltration,
treatment plants
Domestic Wastes

Physical Characteristics

SOLIDS
Wastewater

contains a variety of solid

materials varying from rags to colloidal
material

TOTAL SOLIDS
May

be composed of floating matter,

colloidal matter, settleable matter and
matter suspended in solution

ODOR
Usually

gases produced by organic matter

decomposition or by other substances found in
the waste
More of the psychological stress produced
than harm to the body
Offensive odor causes poor appetite for food,
lowered water consumption, impaired
respiration, nausea & vomiting
Can lead to deterioration of personal &
community pride, interfere with human
relations, discourage capital investment, lower
socio-economic status and deter growth

Odorous Compounds Associated

With Untreated Wastewater
Odorous Cpd Chemical Formula Odor, quality
Amines
CH3NH2
Fishy
Diamines

NH2(CH2)4NH2

Decayed
flesh

Hydrogen
Sulfide

H2S

Rotten egg

Mercaptans

CH3SH

Decayed
Cabbage

Skatole

C9H9N

Fecal matter

TEMPERATURE
Important

parameter because of its

effect on chemical reactions and
reaction rates, aquatic life and suitability
of water for beneficial uses
Increased temperature in receiving
bodies of water can cause a change in
fish species
Optimum bacterial activity at range of
25-35oC

COLOR
Condition

of wastewater refers to age

and can be determined qualitatively by
color and odor
Black water is septic

TURBIDITY

A test

used to indicate quality of waste

discharges with respect to colloidal and
residual suspended matter

Chemical Characteristics

ORGANIC MATTER
Normally

composed of a combination of
carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen together with
nitrogen in some cases
Typical composition of wastes
40 to 60% protein
25 to 50% carbohydrates
10% fats and oils
Proteins, carbohydrates, fats, oils and grease,
surfactants, priority pollutants, Volatile organic
compounds (VOCs), and pesticides and
agricultural chemicals

Measuring Organic Content

Biochemical

oxygen demand (BOD)

Chemical oxygen demand (COD)
Total organic carbon (TOC)

Measurement of Organic Content

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
Most widely used parameter of
organic pollution applied to
wastewater (5-day BOD)
Measurement of dissolved oxygen
used by microorganisms in the
biochemical oxidation of organic
matter

BOD
Biochemical

oxygen demand
Measured at standard conditions: 5 days
at 20 deg C
BOD = DOi DOf
For BOD > 7 mg/l
BOD

= (DOi DOf) / P where P is a dilution

factor

Measurement of Organic Content

Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
Used to measure the content of organic
matter using a strong chemical oxidizing
agent in an acidic medium
Also used to measure the organic
matter in industrial and municipal waste
that contain compounds toxic to
biological life

COD
Chemical

oxygen demand
Measuring all components (organic and
inorganic) susceptible to oxidation via strong
oxidizing agent
Use of sulfuric-chromic acid, mercury, trivalent
chromium
BOD/COD may be established for specific
industrial wastes
BOD/COD indicator of biodegradability (>0.4)

TOC
Total

organic carbon
Amount of carbon dioxide produced after
combustion is correlated to the amount
of organic matter present in the
wastewater
Most convenient and fast method of
determination

Inorganic Matter
pH

Hydrogen ion concentration; is

equally important for both natural
water and wastewater
Chlorides in natural water result from
leaching of chloride containing rocks
to soil, and in coastal areas from
saltwater intrusion
Nitrogen Nitrogen and phosphorous are
essential to growth of plants such as
nutrient or biostimulants

Inorganic Matter
Phosphorous

essential to the growth

of algae and other biological organisms
in wastewater
Sulfur required in the synthesis of
proteins
and is released in their
degradation as H2S.

Inorganic Matter
Toxic

Inorganic Compounds heavy

metals of arsenic, copper, chromium,
lead, silver and boron are toxic in
varying degrees to microorganisms and
plants.
Cyanides and chromates must be
removed by pre-treatment rather than
mixed with the wastewater

Inorganic Matter
Heavy

Metals Traces of priority

pollutants and metals i.e. Ni, Mn, Cr &
Cd, Cu, Fe, and Hg may be necessary
for biological life and absence of
sufficient quantities could limit growth of
algae.

Gases
Commonly found in untreated wastewater
include Nitrogen (N2), Oxygen (O2),
Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Hydrogen Sulfide
(H2S), Ammonia (NH3) and Methane
(CH4)
Dissolved

Oxygen required for the

respiration of aerobic microorganisms as
well as other aerobic life forms

Gases
Hydrogen

Sulfide formed from the

anaerobic decomposition of organic
matter containing sulfur or from reduction
of mineral sulfites and sulfates
Methane principal by-product of the
anaerobic decomposition of organic
matter in wastewater is methane gas
which is colorless, odorless and
combustible hydrocarbon of high value.

Biological Characteristics

Need to Know the Biological

Characteristics
Principal

groups of microorganisms found

in the wastewater as well as those
responsible for biological treatment
Pathogenic organisms in wastewater
Organisms used as indicators of pollution
and their significance (e.g. E. Coli, Fecal
Coliform)
Determine toxicity levels of
microorganisms

Wastewater Composition

Typical Characteristics of Domestic

Wastewater
Concentration
Weak Medium
350
720
250
500
100
220
5
10

Contaminants
Solids, total
Dissolved
Suspended
Settleable
Solids

Unit
mg/L
mg/L
mg/L
mg/L

Strong
1,200
850
350
20

BOD5

mg/L

110

220

400

COD

mg/L

250

500

1,000

Typical Characteristics of Domestic

Wastewater
Contaminants
TOC
Nitrogen
Phosphorous
Chlorides
Grease

Unit
mg/L
mg/L
mg/L
mg/L
mg/L

Coliform

no/
100L

Concentration
Weak Medium
80
160
20
40
4
8
30
50
50
100
106107

107-108

Strong
290
85
15
100
200
107-109

Wastewater Characterization
Studies

Objectives of Wastewater
Characterization Studies
Determine

physical, chemical and

biological characteristics
Determine best means of reducing the
pollutant concentration
Basis for the conceptualization and design
of the wastewater treatment facility

Wastewater Characterization
Sampling

sampling technique used must

ensure that representative samples are obtained
Sampling Location As built drainage and
manholes will help to determine sampling points
Sampling Intervals degree of flow rate
variations dictates the time and interval for
sampling. Must be representative of the
character of the effluent
Sampling Equipment
Sample Preservation

TYPE OF TREATMENTS
Preliminary/Primary

Treatment
Secondary Treatment
Sludge of Treatment and Disposal
Advance Wastewater Treatment
Wastewater Disposal and Reuse

Preliminary/Primary Treatment
Facilities
Its

a physical separation of coarse to fine

sized solids
Screening
Comminution
Grit

Chamber
Primary Sedimentation

Preliminary/Primary Treatment
Facilities
SCREENING
Device used to
remove coarse
solid from
wastewater.
Type:
1.Bar Screen
(manual or
Motorized)
2.Fine and
Coarse Screens

Preliminary/Primary Treatment
Facilities
COMMINUTION
Device used to
shred or reduce the
size of the particles
into smaller
particles.

Preliminary/Primary Treatment
Facilities
GRIT CHAMBER
Device used to remove
wide assortment of
inorganic solids such
as pebbles, sand, silt,
egg, glass

Preliminary/Primary Treatment
Facilities
PRIMARY
SEDIMENTATION
Unit Operation designed
to concentrate and
remove suspended
organic solids from
wastewater

Secondary Treatment
The

removal of impurities from water by

the digestive action of various small
organisms in the presence of air oxygen

Secondary Treatment
Classified
Aerobic,

Classified

according to oxygen supply

anaerobic, facultative, anoxic

according to carbon source

Heterotrophic,

Classified

autotrophic

according to engineering

design
Attached,

suspended, hybrid

Secondary Treatment
Aerobic vs Anaerobic

Faster reaction rate

End products are CO2,
H2O, nitrate, new cell
Tendency to produce
excess sludge /
filamentous problem
Phosphorous removal
through microbial uptake
Not sensitive to
temperature changes

Slower reaction rate

End products are CO2,
CH4, H2S, NH3, new cell
Less excess sludge
produced
Phosphorous is released
by the microorganisms
Sensitive to temperature
changes

Suspended and Attached

Activated

Sludge

System
SBR

Oxidation

Ditch

Rotating

Biological
Contactors
Trickling Filters

Secondary Treatment

Sequencing Batch Reactor

Secondary Treatment
Advantages of
SBR

Disadvantage of
SBR

Operating flexibility and control

Equalization, primary
clarification, biological treatment,
and secondary clarification can
be achieved in a single reactor
Minimal footprint
Potential capital cost savings
by eliminating clarifiers and
other equipment

Higher level of maintenance

Higher level of sophistication is
required
Potential plugging of aeration
devices during the operational
cycles.

Secondary Treatment

Rotating Biological Contractor

of DOS Palmas Island Resort

Rotating Biological Contractor

Secondary Treatment
Advantages of
RBC
LOW POWER CONSUMPTION
MINIMAL MAINTENANCE
SIMPLE OPERATION.
LOW INSTALLED COST
FLEXIBILITY - SIZES FROM
2,000 GPD TO 250,000 GPD
HIGH BOD REDUCTION
NO SLUDGE RETURN
NITRIFICATION
PACKAGE CONFIGURATION

Disadvantages of
RBC
More resistant types of organic
molecules including some lipids and
hydrocarbons are not oxidized
completely but instead become
partially chlorinated. Chlorinated
hydrocarbons tend to be toxic and
are difficult to mineralize. Alternative
means of disinfections are more
expensive, hence chlorination
remains the principle means of
sewage disinfectant.

Secondary Treatment
Anaerobic Treatment
Septic Tank
Digesters
Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket
Reactor

Secondary Treatment

Septic Tank

Secondary Treatment
Septic Tank
Tips to increase your tanks efficiency:
1. Do not flush non-biodegradable hygiene products
2. Do not dump cooking oil or grease directly into your sinks (grease
and oil can cause your inlet drains to block)
3. Do not grind a lot of food in your sink
4. Do not pour high concentrated items such as paint solvent or
bleach directly into your drain/pipes
5. Repair all plumbing leaks so an overflow of water does not enter
the tank at once causing strain or overload
6. Do not dump motor fuel or oils down your drains

Wastewater Flow Components

Domestic

(sanitary) wastewater
Industrial wastewater
Infiltration and inflow
Storm water

Factors Affecting Performance

Influent wastewater characteristics
pH,

BOD, COD, TSS and VSS (primary

parameters)
Phosphorus, nitrogen and alkalinity
(secondary parameters)
Presence of toxic and inhibitory compounds
(I.e., heavy metals, ammonia, VOCs)
Clarification
TSS

contributes BOD

For wastewater failing the

treatability trials
Identify

inhibitory or toxic compounds

Pre-treatment (chemical or anaerobic)
then aerobic system
Post treatment requirements if COD
removal is significant relative to initial
COD
Consider chemical treatment
Consider advance systems such as RO

Other biological options

Compact

Biological Systems

membrane

AS (Activated Sludge, MBBR,

aerated septic tanks

Natural

systems

Wetlands,

fertigate

Upgrading Projects
MBBR
Membrane

Activated Sludge
Conversion of Conventional Activated
Sludge to SBR

EMB MIMAROPA Region

Pollution Control Division
(02) 5218904

References:
Wastewater Treatment and Reuse
By: Metcalf and Eddy
7th Edition
Dictionary of Environment
By: Dr. R. M Lodha