SEPTIC TANK
An Anaerobic Stabilization Unit
MODULE 2 – Septic Tank S4 - Building Services, KMEA COA Rejitha R Pillai
What is a SEPTIC
TANK
A Primary
Sedimentation
Tank with a longer
detention period
(12 -36hr against 2 hrs
in a normal
sedimentation tank)
and
With an extra provision for the digestion of settled sludge. Type of
Sedimentation Tank - Horizontal Continuous Flow Type
MODULE 2 – Septic Tank S4 - Building Services, KMEA COA Rejitha R Pillai
What is a SEPTIC
TANK
❑ An underground water
tight box
❑ Materials – Concrete, Fiber glass, Plastic
❑ Discharges partially filtered effluent to soak pit, drain field or
further treatment.
MODULE 2 – Septic Tank S4 - Building Services, KMEA COA Rejitha R Pillai
Who uses a SEPTIC
TANK
❑ Areas where there is no public
sewer facility
❑ Also known as On-Site waste
water disposal system or
subsurface waster water
disposal system
MODULE 2 – Septic Tank S4 - Building Services, KMEA COA Rejitha R Pillai
Why to use SEPTIC
TANK
❑ Avoids environmental degradation by preventing human sewage from
contaminating ground water, wells and streams
Role of Septic Tank
❑ Reduce load of pathogens in effluent
❑ Anaerobic fermentation of solids
❑ Hold effluent for longer time for improved safety
❑ Retain solid material from blocking further disposal system
MODULE 2 – Septic Tank S4 - Building Services, KMEA COA Rejitha R Pillai
Major Functions
1. Sedimentation
2. Storage of
influent for a
longer period
3. Sludge Digestion
4. Storage of digested sludge
MODULE 2 – Septic Tank S4 - Building Services, KMEA COA Rejitha R Pillai
Biological
Activity in a
Septic Tank
Sludge Digestion by
Anaerobic
decomposition
process
Hence classified under Anaerobic decomposition units
Organic
Anaerobic
Matter +
Gases + Humus
Bacteria
CO2, CH4, H2S, NH3
Foul gases evolve – Hence completely covered unit with high vent shaft for escaping gases
MODULE 2 – Septic Tank S4 - Building Services, KMEA COA Rejitha R Pillai
Average
Removal of BOD, TSS & Grease
Parameter Avg Raw Sewage Avg Septic tank % Removal
Influent effluent
BOD (mg/L) 308 122 60
TSS (mg/L) 316 72 77
Grease (mg/L) 102 21 79
TSS – Total Suspended Solids
MODULE 2 – Septic Tank S4 - Building Services, KMEA COA Rejitha R Pillai
Zones Inside Septic
Tank
Zone 1 – Scum layer
Zone 2 – Clarified liquid
Zone 3 – Sludge layer
MODULE 2 – Septic Tank S4 - Building Services, KMEA COA Rejitha R Pillai
Influent & Effluent Characteristics
Influent Raw Sewage
Performance 60-70% reduction of dissolved solids
Effluent Quality Foul in nature
Effluent Disposal i) Disposed for sub-surface irrigation
ii) To be treated in trickling filter before disposing
of in water course
Sludge Removal At intervals of 6-12 months, not exceeding 3yrs
Sludge Disposal In a sanitary manner or by drying it
MODULE 2 – Septic Tank S4 - Building Services, KMEA COA Rejitha R Pillai
Advantages &
Disadvantages
Advantages Disadvantages
Easy Construction Foul smell
No maintenance Periodic cleaning needed
Very less amount of solids are produced Very large size needed to serve many people
Excellent reduction of BOD
Low cost
MODULE 2 – Septic Tank S4 - Building Services, KMEA COA Rejitha R Pillai
Components of a
SEPTIC TANK
1. Long, Continuous flow tank with water proofed sides
2. Facility for gas vent through vent pipe
3. Inlet and outlet Tee pipes
4. Bottom with slope to facilitate sludge pumping
5. Manhole for sludge removal
6. Baffles to reduce turbulence and aid sedimentation
MODULE 2 – Septic Tank S4 - Building Services, KMEA COA Rejitha R Pillai
Plan of a SEPTIC
TANK
Tee pipe
MODULE 2 – Septic Tank S4 - Building Services, KMEA COA Rejitha R Pillai
Sectional
Elevation of a
SEPTIC TANK
7.5 cm
D
MODULE 2 – Septic Tank S4 - Building Services, KMEA COA Rejitha R Pillai
Design
Considerations 1.
Capacity of Septic Tank
Capacity
of
Septic
TanksVolume of tank for storing sewage flow during detention period
Rate of sewage flow = 80% of water supplied
Volume of Sludge accumulated Rate of Accumulation of Sludge =
30L/person/year
MODULE 2 – Septic Tank S4 - Building Services, KMEA COA Rejitha R Pillai
Design
Considerations
2. Freeboard
0.3m above the top sewage line
in the tank
3. Inlet and Outlet7.5 cm
❑ Tee pipes
❑ Inlet – with top 22cm above top sewage line &
bottom 30cm below it.
❑ Outlet- Should penetrate to about 40% of
sewage depth.
❑ Outlet invert should be kept 5-7.5cm below
inlet invert level
Min
MODULE 2 – Septic Tank S4 - Building Services, KMEA COA Rejitha R Pillai
Design
Considerations
4. Detention Period
Varies from 12 to 36 hours,
commonly adopted as 24 hours
5. Length to Width Ratio
Rectangular Tank- Length to Width
relation
Length
Not less
Width
2 to 3 times
1.2 to 1.8m
Width
than 90 cm
Depth- ranges b/w 1.2 to 1.8m
2 to 3 times width
MODULE 2 – Septic Tank S4 - Building Services, KMEA COA Rejitha R Pillai
MODULE 2 – Septic Tank S4 - Building Services, KMEA COA Rejitha R Pillai
Design Problem -
Illustration
Design the dimensions of
a septic tank for a small
colony of 150 persons
provided with an
assured water supply
from municipal
head-works at a rate of
120 litres per person per
day. Assume any data,
you may need.
Solution
The
quantity of water supplied = Per capita rate of water
supply X Population = 120 l/person/day X 150 =
18,000 L/day
Assuming, 80% of water supplied becomes Sewage
The quantity of sewage produced = 1800 X 0.80 = 14,400 L/day
Assuming, the detention time to be 24 hours,
The quantity of sewage produced during the detention period (ie, capacity of the tank) =
14,400 X 24 = 14,400 X 24 = 14,400 Liters
24
MODULE 2 – Septic Tank S4 - Building Services, KMEA COA Rejitha R Pillai
Design Problem - Illustration
Solution (Cont…..)
Capacity for Sewage
Capacity of tank +
= Capacity for Sludge
Assuming, i) rate of deposited Sludge as 30 l/capita/year
ii) Period of cleaning = 1 year
The quantity of sewage deposited = 30 X 150 X 1 = 4500 L
The total required capacity of the tank = Capacity for sewage + capacity for sludge =
14,400 + 4,500 = 18,900 L = 19.9 Cu.m
MODULE 2 – Septic Tank S4 - Building Services, KMEA COA Rejitha R Pillai
Design Problem -
Illustration
Solution (Cont…..)
Assuming, depth of the tank =
1.5 m,
Surface area of tank = 18.9 sq.m
= 12.6 sq.m
1.5
Assuming, length to width ratio =
3:1
L X B = 12.6 sq.m
Length = 12.6
m = 6m
3B X B = 12.6 sq.m 2.1
B = 12.6 sq.m Depth = Assumed depth + Free board =
3 1.5m + 0.3 m
= 1.8m
= 4.2 = 2.05m say, 2.1m
Hence the size of the tank required will be 6m x 2.1m x 1.8m
MODULE 2 – Septic Tank S4 - Building Services, KMEA COA Rejitha R Pillai