Adopted February 18, 1986
IOWA WASTEWATER FACILITIES DESIGN STANDARDS
CHAPTER 15
SCREENING AND GRIT REMOVAL
15.1 GENERAL
15.1.1 Applicability
15.1.2 Variances
15.1.3 Explanation of Terms
15.2 SCREENING DEVICES
15.2.1 Location
[Link] Indoors
[Link] Outdoors
[Link] Access
[Link] Ventilation
15.2.2 Electrical
15.2.3 Servicing
15.2.4 Bar Racks and Screens
[Link] When Required
[Link] Design and Installation
[Link].1 Bar Spacing
[Link].2 Slope
[Link].3 Velocities
[Link].4 Channels
[Link].5 Invert
[Link].6 Flow Distribution
[Link].7 Flow Measurement
[Link] Accessibility
[Link].1 Railings and Gratings
[Link].2 Enclosures
[Link].3 Raking
[Link] Control Systems
[Link].1 Timing Devices
[Link].2 Manual Switch
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[Link] Disposal of Screenings
[Link] Auxiliary Screens
15.2.5 Fine Screens
[Link] General
[Link] Design
[Link].1 Capacity
[Link].2 Cleaning
[Link].3 Preceding Units
15.3 COMMINUTORS
15.3.1 Location
15.3.2 Design Considerations
[Link] Location
[Link] Size
[Link] Installation
[Link] Downstream Clogging
[Link] Servicing
[Link] Electrical
15.4 GRIT REMOVAL FACILITIES
15.4.1 When Required
15.4.2 Location
[Link] General
[Link] Housed Facilities
[Link].1 Ventilation
[Link].2 Access
[Link].3 Electrical
[Link] Outside Facilities
15.4.3 Type and Number of Units
15.4.4 Design Factors
[Link] General
[Link] Channel-type Chambers
[Link] Aerated Grit Chambers
[Link] Detritus Style Grit Chambers
[Link] Grit Washing
[Link] Drains
[Link] Water
[Link] Grit Handling
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IOWA WASTEWATER FACILITIES DESIGN STANDARDS
CHAPTER 15
SCREENING AND GRIT REMOVAL
15.1 GENERAL
15.1.1 Applicability
This chapter is applicable to construction, installation or modification of any disposal system required to
obtain a construction permit from this Department under the Iowa Code, Section 455B.45, and 900 - -
64.2 of the Iowa Administrative Code (I.A.C.)
15.1.2 Variances [900 - - 64.2(9) “c”, I.A.C.]
When engineering justification satisfactory to the executive director is provided substantially
demonstrating that variation from the design standards or siting criteria will result in either: at least
equivalent effectiveness while significantly reducing costs, or improved effectiveness, such a variation
from design standards or siting criteria may be accepted by the executive director.
15.1.3 Explanation of Terms
The terms “shall” or “must” are used in these standards when it is required that the standard be used.
Other terms such as “should” and “recommend” indicate desirable procedures or methods which should
be considered but will not be required.
15.2 SCREENING DEVICES
15.2.1 Location
[Link] Indoors
Screening or other wet process devices installed in a building where other equipment or
offices are located shall be separated from the rest of the building and provided with
separate outside entrances.
[Link] Outdoors
Screening devices installed outside shall be protected from freezing. Fine screens shall
not be installed outside.
[Link] Access
Screening areas shall be provided with stairway access (not ladders), adequate lighting,
and a convenient and adequate means for removing the screenings.
[Link] Ventilation
For indoor installations, uncontaminated air shall be introduced continuously at a rate of
12 air changes per hour or intermittently at a rate of 30 air changes per hour.
Intermittently operated ventilating equipment shall be interconnected with the lighting
system.
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15.2.2 Electrical
Electrical equipment, fixtures and controls (including ventilators and heaters) in screening areas where
hazardous gases may accumulate shall meet the requirements of the National electrical Code for Class 1,
Group C, Division 1 locations. Explosion proof gas detectors shall be provided for such areas.
15.2.3 Servicing
Hosing equipment shall be provided to facilitate cleaning. Provision shall be made for isolating or
removing units from their location for servicing.
15.2.4 Bar Racks and Screens
[Link] When Required
All wastewater treatment plants shall be provided with protection for pumps or other
equipment by installing coarse bar racks, bar screens or trash baskets. Protection for
comminutors or other grinding devices shall be provided by coarse bar racks.
[Link] Design and Installation
[Link].1 Bar Spacing
Clear openings between bars shall be no less than one inch for manually
cleaned screens. Clear openings for mechanically cleaned screens may
be as small as 5/8 of an inch. Maximum clear openings shall be 1¾
inches.
[Link].2 Slope
Manually cleaned screens, except those for emergency use, shall be
placed on a slope of 30 to 60 degrees from the horizontal.
[Link].3 Velocities
At AWW flow conditions, approach velocities should be no less than 1.25
feet per second to prevent settling; and no greater than 3.0 fps at MWW
flow to prevent forcing material through the openings.
[Link].4 Channels
Channels preceding and following screens shall be shaped to minimize
settling of solids. Fillets shall be installed as necessary.
Bypass channels shall be provided and equipped with the necessary
gates to isolate flow from any single mechanical screening unit.
Provisions shall also be made to facilitate dewatering each mechanical
unit. Channels shall be designed for ease of access for cleaning.
Single channels with manually cleaned screens which are removable
without dewatering are acceptable for small installations.
[Link].5 Invert
The screen channel invert shall be 3.0 to 6.0 inches below the invert of
the incoming sewer unless impractical due to hydraulic limitations.
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[Link].6 Flow Distribution
Entrance channels shall be designed to provide equal and uniform
distribution of flow to the screens.
[Link].7 Flow Measurement
Screening devices shall not be located such that changes in backwater
elevations will interfere with the accuracy of upstream flow measuring
equipment.
[Link] Accessibility
[Link].1 Railings and Gratings
Manually cleaned screen channels shall be protected by guard railings
and/or deck gratings, with adequate provisions for removal of gratings to
facilitate raking.
Mechanically cleaned screen channels shall be protected by guard
railings and/or deck gratings. Consideration should also be given to
temporary access arrangements to facilitate maintenance and repair.
[Link].2 Enclosures
Mechanical screening equipment shall have adequate removable
enclosures to protect personnel against accidental contact with moving
parts.
[Link].3 Raking
Manually cleaned screening facilities shall include an accessible platform
from which the operator may rake screenings easily and safely. Suitable
drainage facilities shall be provided for both the platform and the storage
areas.
[Link] Control Systems
[Link].1 Timing Devices
All mechanical units which are operated by timing devices shall be
provided with auxiliary controls which will set the cleaning mechanism in
operation at a preset high water elevation.
[Link].2 Manual Switch
Automatic controls should be supplemented by a manual start, stop
and/or reverse switch located in view of the equipment.
[Link] Disposal of Screenings
Facilities must be provided for removal, handling, storage, and disposal of screenings in
a sanitary manner. Separate grinding of screenings and return to the sewage flow is
unacceptable except for the material which passes the coarse bar racks required ahead
of comminutors or other grinding devices.
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[Link] Auxiliary Screens
Where a single mechanically cleaned screen is used, and auxiliary manually cleaned
screen shall be provided. Where two or more mechanically cleaned screens are used,
the design shall provide for taking any unit out of service without sacrificing the capability
to handle the PHWW flow.
15.2.5 Fine Screens
[Link] General
Moving or rotating fine screens with maximum openings of 0.06 inches may be used in
lieu of primary sedimentation (except preceding RBC units) providing that subsequent
treatment units are designed on the basis of anticipated screen performance. Fine
screens should not be considered equivalent to primary sedimentation. Static fine
screens shall not be permitted for continuous duty in lieu of primary sedimentation.
[Link] Design
[Link].1 Capacity
A minimum of two fine screens shall be provided, each unit being
capable of independent operation. Capacity shall be provided to treat
PHWW flow with one unit out of service.
[Link].2 Cleaning
A continuous cleaning device such as jets or wiper blades shall be
incorporated in the design of moving or rotating fine screens, with
provisions for automatic conveyance of the material removed from the
screen to the sludge treatment processes.
[Link].3 Preceding Units
Continuously operated fine screens shall be preceded by a bar screen,
by grit removal facilities and by facilities for the removal of floatable oils
and greases. Comminuting devices are not necessary ahead of fine
screens.
15.3 COMMINUTORS
15.3.1 Location
Provisions for location shall be in accordance with those for screening devices, Section 15.2.1.
15.3.2 Design Considerations
[Link] Location
Comminutors should be located downstream of any grit removal equipment.
[Link] Size
Comminutor capacity shall be adequate to handle PHWW flow.
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[Link] Installation
A screened bypass channel shall be provided with capacity to handle the PHWW flow.
The use of the bypass channel should be automatic at depths of flow exceeding the
design capacity of the comminutor.
Bypass channels will not be required where two comminutors are installed. Each
comminutor shall be capable of comminuting the PHWW flow.
Channels shall be provided with the necessary gates to insolate flow from any
comminutor unit, and provisions shall be made to facilitate dewatering each unit.
[Link] Downstream Clogging
Provisions shall be made to minimize the problem of downstream clogging caused by
formation of rag ropes if comminutors are proposed for plants with digesters or jet type
aerators for activated sludge.
[Link] Servicing
Provisions shall be made to facilitate servicing units in place or removing units from their
location for servicing.
[Link] Electrical
Electrical equipment, fixtures and controls (including ventilators and heaters) in
comminutor chambers where hazardous gases may accumulate shall meet the
requirements of the National Electrical Code for Class 1, Group C, Division 1 locations.
Explosion proof gas detectors shall be provided for such areas. Motors in areas not
governed by this requirement may need protection against accidental submergence.
Control switches or a disconnecting device for the comminutor shall be located in view of
the comminutor.
15.4 GRIT REMOVAL FACILITIES
15.4.1 When Required
Grit removal facilities shall be provided for all wastewater treatment facilities serving systems with
combined sewers or systems receiving substantial quantities of grit. Grit removal facilities shall also be
provided ahead of continuously operated fine screens.
15.4.2 Location
[Link] General
Grit removal facilities should be located ahead of pumps and comminuting devices.
Coarse bar racks should be placed ahead of grit removal facilities.
[Link] Housed Facilities
[Link].1 Ventilation
Uncontaminated air shall be introduced continuously at a rate of 12 air
changes per hour, or intermittently at a rate of 30 air changes per hour.
Intermittently operated ventilating equipment shall be interconnected with
the lighting system. Odor control facilities may also be warranted.
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[Link].2 Access
Adequate stairway access to above or below grade facilities shall be
provided.
[Link].3 Electrical
All electrical equipment, fixtures and controls (including ventilators and
heaters) in enclosed grit removal areas where hazardous gases may
accumulate shall meet the requirements of the National Electrical Code
for Class 1, Group C, Division 1 locations. Explosion proof gas detectors
shall be provided for such areas.
[Link] Outside Facilities
Grit removal facilities located outside shall be protected from freezing.
15.4.3 Type and Number of Units
Plants treating wastes from combined sewers and plants utilizing fine screens shall have at least two
mechanically cleaned grit removal units, with provisions for bypassing. Adequate capacity for the MWW
flow shall be provided with the largest unit out of service. A single manually cleaned or mechanically
cleaned grit chamber with bypass is acceptable for small sewage treatment plants serving separate
sanitary sewer systems. Minimum facilities for larger plants serving separate sanitary sewers should be
at least one mechanically cleaned unit with a bypass. Facilities other than channel-type are acceptable if
provided with adequate and flexible controls for agitation and/or air supply devices and with grit collection
and removal equipment.
15.4.4 Design Factors
[Link] General
Design of grit chambers shall be based on the size and specific gravity of the grit particle
to be removed. If this information is not obtained from actual field measurements, then
the design shall assume removal of all particles retained on a 65 mesh sieve (0.21 mm
opening and having a minimum specific gravity of 2.65).
[Link] Channel-type Chambers
Positive hydraulic control shall be provided through the use of a parabolic cross-section
controlled by a downstream Parshall flume or a rectangular cross-section controlled by a
downstream proportional weir to maintain a channel velocity on one foot per second
through the expected flow range.
The length of the channel shall be sufficient for the grit to reach the bottom plus a safety
factor of 2 times the maximum depth for entrance and exit disturbances.
[Link] Aerated Grit Chambers
Air rates should be adjustable in the range of 3 to 8 cubic feet per minute per foot of tank
length.
The detention time at the MWW flow rate should be in the range of 3 – 5 minutes.
Inlets and outlets shall be designed to prevent short circuiting. The inlet to the chamber
should introduce the wastewater directly into the circulation pattern caused by the air
diffusion. The outlet should be at a right angle to the inlet, and consideration should be
given to installing a baffle near the outlet.
The grit chamber shall be designed to avoid producing dead spaces.
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[Link] Detritus Style Grit Chambers
Hydraulics shall be controlled by adjustable deflectors that insure a relatively uniform
velocity across the entire tank.
Design shall consider the size particle to be removed by settling and the MWW flow rate.
The depth of flow shall be such that the flow is non-turbulent, with an additional
allowance of depth to allow for the raking mechanisms.
[Link] Grit Washing
The need for grit washing shall be determined by the method of final grit disposal.
[Link] Drains
Provision shall be made for isolating and dewatering each unit. Drainage from grit
washing facilities carrying organic solids washed from the grit shall be added to the plant
flow downstream of the grit removal facilities.
[Link] Water
An adequate supply of water under pressure shall be provided for cleanup.
[Link] Grit Handling
Grit removal facilities located in deep pits shall be provided with mechanical equipment
for hoisting or transporting grit to ground level. Impervious, non-slip, working surfaces
with adequate drainage shall be provided for grit handling areas. Grit transporting
facilities shall be provided with protection against freezing and loss of material.
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IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
SPECIAL WASTE AUTHORIZATION
INSTRUCTIONS FOR
Instruction No.
SWA21.4
Disposal of stabilized bar screenings
Instructions:
1. The generator shall stabilize the bar screenings to destroy any pathogenic organisms prior to disposal at the landfill.
Stabilization can be done by the addition of lime to raise the pH to least pH 11 for 4 hours.
2. The generator shall pre-arrange a delivery schedule with the landfill operator.
3. The Hauler shall identify the waste to the landfill attendant upon arrival at the landfill.
4. The landfill operator shall direct the hauler to the working face.
5. Deposit the waste over compacted refuse, cover with regular refuse and/or soil and compact.
NOTE: The waste can not contain any free liquids.
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