Septic Tank Design, Function and Performance

Victor DAmato, PE 4915 Prospectus Drive, Suite F Durham, NC 27713 (919) 544-4535 vdamato@arcadis-us.com

Overall Project Objective

WERF project to identify, compile, analyze, and report on the existing body of literature and other data sources addressing the performance of primary treatment units (septic tanks and grease traps) in onsite wastewater systems and the factors impacting their performance
What is known? What is not known? What additional research is needed?

Presentation Outline
Introduction Background History and Current Standards Factors Influencing Performance Potential Research Needs Conclusions

Project Team/Organization
WERF Project Manager Christine Handog WERF PSC Chair: Matt Byers Kyoung Ro Bruce Lesikar Richard Otis Saya Qualls ARCADIS Senior Reviewer Dennis Kamber

ARCADIS Principal Investigator Victor DAmato

ARCADIS QA/QC Officer Libby Nessley

Data Analyst

Sarah Liehr

Database Developer Krich Ratanaphruks

Lynx Group Communications Specialist

Senior Technical Advisors

Anita Bahe

Chet Rock Kevin Sherman Terry Bounds Tom Konsler Robert Seabloom

Why? (arent septic tanks simple?)

Primary treatment is often the single most important unit process in onsite treatment systems
They are used in virtually all onsite systems They remove > half of all contaminants in raw wastewater Downstream problems are frequently traced back to the performance of the primary unit(s)

There is wide variability in performance among individual primary treatment units (they are complex) There is disagreement about fundamental design and operational considerations There is a lot of very diffuse information that needs to be brought together

What are we looking at?

Septic tank/grease trap process design and performance
Sizing, geometry, compartmentation Appurtenances Wastewater source and characteristics Location/climatological factors

Operation and maintenance

Sludge/scum accumulation, pumping Additives Inspection, sampling, troubleshooting

Tank construction and installation

Materials and construction practices Watertightness Installation, abandonment Quality control

Project Products
Comprehensive white paper Bibliographic database which will be delivered as companion piece to the white paper Extension service-style communications pieces
Policy piece Research piece Technical piece

User-friendly CD-ROM containing the white paper, the extension-style pieces, the bibliographic database

Modern History of Septic Tanks

Late 1940s building boom after WWII Federal Housing and Home Finance Agency (HHFA) recognized exurban housing trends and had mortgage defaults due to failing septic systems In 1946, HHFA initiated studies aimed at developing a factual basis on which (onsite systems) could be designed, installed and maintained
US Public Health Service (USPHS) Studies (1940s-1950s) UC-Berkeley Sanitary Engineering Research Lab (1950s-1960s) University of Wisconsin SSWMP (1970s-1980s)

More diffuse study specific to septic tanks since then

Existing Standards: State Regulations

Objectives were to:
Establish the regulatory landscape for septic tanks and grease traps Determine the scope of existing regulations Assess specifics of existing regulations and their bases Identify unique or noteworthy regulations/programs to highlight

Existing Standards: Industry Standards

Organization ASTM ASTM ASTM ASTM IAPMO IAPMO IAPMO CSA NSF/ANSI ICC ICC UL AS-NZS CEN CEN Standard Number C890-06 C1227-05 C1644-06 C1613-06 PS 001-2006 PS 080-2006 Appendix H, UPC B66-05 Standard 46 IPC Standard Title Standard Practice for Minimum Structural Design Loading for Monolithic or Sectional Precast Concrete Water and Wastewater Structures Standard Specification for Precast Concrete Septic Tanks Standard Specification for Resilient Connectors Between Reinforced Concrete On-Site Wastewater Tanks and Pipes Standard Specification for Precast Concrete Grease Interceptors Prefabricated Septic Tanks Grease Interceptors and Clarifiers Recommended Procedures for Design, Construction and Installation of Commercial Kitchen Grease Interceptors Design, Material, and Manufacturing Requirements for Prefabricated Septic Tanks and Sewage Holding Tanks Evaluation of components and devices used in wastewater systems International Plumbing Code International Private Sewage Disposal Code Septic Tanks, Bituminous-Coated Metal Septic Tanks (1998) Prefabricated Septic Tank Septic Tanks Built In Situ from Prefabricated Kits

UL 70 1546, Part 1 EN 12566, Part 1 EN 12566, Part 4

Summary of Existing Standards

US PHS studies and the Design Manuals (PHS and EPA) are still the dominant influence on todays regulations and standards
The proportion of onsite systems (new and existing) hasnt changed significantly since the 40s-50s Water use (dilution) has changed significantly and modern practices have affected sewage characteristics

There are many redundant, conflicting industry standards, but there appears to be an increasing amount of cooperation and coordination among standards-setting efforts Industry standards and regulations are generally conservative and slow to change and stifle innovation

Typical Two-Compartment Tank

courtesy of Texas A&M University

Meander Tanks
Longitudinal baffle placement increases L:W Used in engineered systems, but limited comparative data

Courtesy of Bounds, T.R.

Closed Conduit Laminar Flow Tanks

Similar to meander tank, but with no headspace Being developed by Waterloo Biofilter; limited comparative data is promising
Airspace functionally has been questioned some believe it is necessary for surge storage and venting while others believe it is unnecessary and contributes to the formation of a nuisance scum layer.

Courtesy of Waterloo Biofilter (Jowett, 2006)

UASB-Septic Tanks
Also called Baffled Anaerobic Reactors Enhanced flocculation, solids retention and biological contact by passing wastewater through sludge blanket Popular in developing countries in tropical regions In cooler climates, gas can be collected and used to heat reactor
Biogas Recovery In Out

Sludge

Purpose of Septic Tank

Treatment
Solids removal (60-80%) BOD removal (50-60%) O&G removal (up to 80%) Limited removal of nutrients, pathogens, metals, etc.

Storage and digestion of solids/scum Conditioning of wastewater for further treatment Flow modulation Protection of drainfield/downstream components Advanced pretreatment system component (e.g., recirc.) Resource recovery (nutrients, biogas)

Ideal Settling Theory

Ideal settling theory affects design approach with regards to compartmentation and geometry

from: Seabloom, et al. (2004)

Ideal Settling Theory

If ideal discrete particle settling is applied to septic tank design, settling performance is a function of surface loading rate and hence, tank surface area However, have to consider storage required for sludge and scum, biological activity, inlet and outlet effects, etc.

from: Seabloom, et al. (1982)

Biological Model
Organic molecules are converted into more easily degradable simple sugars and organic acids (through hydrolysis) followed by further degradation by methane forming organisms Distinct layers of settled sludge, a clear zone and floating scum form Biogas bubbles rise from the sludge layer to seed the upper layers with microorganisms (and disrupt settling)

Performance Factors
Treatment (Removal) Efficacy BOD, TSS, FOG removal Limited nutrient removal; some uptake, but also resolubilization Limited info on other constituents: metals, VOCs, emerging contaminants, household chemicals & products Wastewater Source and Characteristics
STE BOD5 by Source (Lowe et al., 2007)

Almost all data is for residential; some clusters Very little published data for other facility types WERF 04-DEC-1 characterizing influent/effluent, mostly for single residential

Performance Factors
Geometry Shape doesnt appear as important as L:W, surface area and compartmentation Compartmentation restricts most digestion to the first compartment and mitigates interferences in the outlet zone
Two-compartment tanks have been shown to typically outperform single-compartment tanks

Connection between compartments likely important, but studies inconclusive Influent/Effluent Appurtenances Effluent screens and baffles help to prevent resuspended and neutral buoyancy solids from entering outlet devices Effects of specific devices difficult to isolate in experiments Minimal published data on effluent screens (there is an industry testing standard, NSF 46)

Performance Factors
Hydraulic Design
Hydraulic Considerations Surface loading rate Flow characteristics (short circuiting) Exit velocity Design Elements Surface area Influent flow modulation Compartmentation (intercompartment transfer device) Geometry Inlet design for flow dispersion Outlet sizing Effluent hydraulic control Surface area

25% of daily loading to septic tank occurs in one hour or less Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) can be used to hydraulically model septic tanks and grease traps

Performance Factors
Septic Tank Sizing Size has more of an impact on pumping frequency than settling: larger tanks have higher capital costs but require less frequent pumping and thus have lower operation and maintenance costs Larger tanks with less frequent pumping may take longer to reach biological maturity but are ultimately more efficient digesters

(Bounds, 1994)

Performance Factors
Seasonal Performance Better settling in cold conditions; better digestion in warm conditions Seasonal changes can result in solids burping For grease traps: likely better separation in cold conditions Septic Tank Monitoring and Maintenance At least 8 studies published on sludge/scum accumulation rates suggest that 35 year pumping frequency is generally conservative Base pump-out intervals for sludge and scum removal on reliable field measurements; overly frequent pumping can be detrimental to biological function, digestion efficiency and effluent quality Simple remote monitoring tools can be used to assess tank function on a realtime basis New techniques are evolving to diagnose tank performance by evaluating biological characteristics in the field and in the lab

Performance Factors
Water Softeners: Only two limited studies have been done to assess impacts on septic tanks US PHS found that salt accumulated at bottom of tank in colder weather Tyler, Corry and Olutu measured salt concentrations, SAR and osmotic potential households and compared that with literature on salt tolerance of bacteria Anecdotal reports of septic tank upsets on homes with water softeners NOWRA/WQA field survey in the works

Performance Factors
Grease Traps: Cool incoming food service wastewater for gravity separation and storage of FOG Very little has been verified (and published) about design factors affecting performance Large outdoor grease traps are needed for onsite systems Characteristics (including management and operating practices) of food service facilities are important Blackwater from toilets should only be co-mingled downflow of grease traps to assure the viability of rendering of accumulated materials Ongoing WERF project (03-CTS-16T)

Other Performance Topics

Garbage grinders/disposals Additives Blackwater/graywater Collection system type: grinder vs. conventional Construction materials and practices Watertightness Corrosion Accessibility Installation practices QA/QC and inspection Decommissioning/abandonment

Potential Research Needs

Complete NOWRA/IWA field survey to determine impacts of water softeners Assess the field performance of primary unit effluent devices Assess performance of septic tanks serving specific nonresidential facilities and conduct an engineering study on scientifically-defendable design modifications Study the performance of alternative septic tank designs, including meander tanks and UASB-septic tanks and their applicability for various types of systems and/or sites

Potential Research Needs

Study seasonal and regional differences in primary unit function and optimize design, operation and maintenance recommendations accordingly Study the evolution/maturation of septic tank biological function; develop solids pumping protocols with holistic understanding of biology Develop methods to better assess biology and septic tank function in the field and improve laboratory/microscopic techniques for diagnosing upsets Develop and calibrate CFD models and use in concert with pilot and full-scale testing, to evaluate potential primary treatment design enhancements

Potential Research Needs

Test grease trap performance versus sizing and design modifications, considering food service characteristics which are likely to be influential Develop and validate standard protocols for testing the safety/fate of household chemicals in septic tanks for adoption by the industry Develop and validate standard protocols for testing the effectiveness of septic tank additives for adoption by the industry Develop a model tank construction and installation QA/QC program that can be adopted and implemented by manufacturers, engineers and regulatory authorities Develop and validate standard methods for measuring and monitoring septic tank performance (e.g., influent and effluent sample collection and analysis) for use in future studies and in routine system monitoring efforts

Potential Research Needs

Develop and validate standard methods (manual and automatic) for measuring sludge and scum accumulations in septic tanks for use in future studies Generate a statistically-sufficient set of paired influent and effluent data for inservice septic tanks in various geographies and under different design and operating conditions to better assess performance under real-world conditions Further develop and test tank intercompartment connectors and inlet devices to optimize existing, common septic tank designs Evaluate viable energy efficiency and recovery strategies for primary treatment units Evaluate fate, occurrence and treatability of priority pollutants and contaminants of emerging concern in primary treatment units

Conclusions
Relatively little innovative research has been done; research tends to be more reactive to existing design practices than proactive Enhancements in design have typically been derived from convenience and perceived safety factors than from real analysis Efforts to minimize investment costs have resulted in expenditures toward research of little value Conducting studies which isolate independent performance factors can be difficult and costly Sampling frequency is often compromised and statistically insufficient to answer specific questions concerning system design

Conclusions
Different types of experimental approaches may be applicable including field surveys, controlled pilot tests, and laboratory testing A comprehensive research strategy and agenda should be developed to determine which research questions are worthy of further study relative to costs/benefits and risk management What information that is available in the decentralized wastewater arena could be better managed and distributed; some of the most useful and applicable data, particularly field survey and monitoring data, exists in quantity but is not accessible in a practical way

More Information
Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF): www.werf.org (WERF Project 04-DEC-7) The National Decentralized Water Resources Capacity Development Project (NDWRCDP): www.ndwrcdp.org Final products should be available summer 2007