Septic Tank

Why? (aren’t 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
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
Standard
Organization Number Standard Title
ASTM C890-06 Standard Practice for Minimum Structural Design Loading for Monolithic or Sectional
Precast Concrete Water and Wastewater Structures
ASTM C1227-05 Standard Specification for Precast Concrete Septic Tanks
ASTM C1644-06 Standard Specification for Resilient Connectors Between Reinforced Concrete On-Site
Wastewater Tanks and Pipes
ASTM C1613-06 Standard Specification for Precast Concrete Grease Interceptors
IAPMO PS 001-2006 Prefabricated Septic Tanks
IAPMO PS 080-2006 Grease Interceptors and Clarifiers
IAPMO Appendix H, UPC Recommended Procedures for Design, Construction and Installation of Commercial Kitchen
Grease Interceptors
CSA B66-05 Design, Material, and Manufacturing Requirements for Prefabricated Septic Tanks and
Sewage Holding Tanks
NSF/ANSI Standard 46 Evaluation of components and devices used in wastewater systems
ICC IPC International Plumbing Code
ICC International Private Sewage Disposal Code
UL UL 70 Septic Tanks, Bituminous-Coated Metal

AS-NZS 1546, Part 1 Septic Tanks (1998)
CEN EN 12566, Part 1 Prefabricated Septic Tank
CEN EN 12566, Part 4 Septic Tanks Built In Situ from Prefabricated Kits
Summary of Existing Standards
US PHS studies and the Design Manuals (PHS and EPA) are still
the dominant influence on today’s regulations and standards
– The proportion of onsite systems (new and existing) hasn’t 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
STE BOD5 by Source (Lowe et al., 2007)

Wastewater Source and Characteristics
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 doesn’t 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 out-
perform 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 Design Elements
Surface loading rate Surface area
Influent flow modulation
Flow characteristics (short circuiting) Compartmentation (intercompartment transfer device)
Geometry
Inlet design for flow dispersion
Exit velocity 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)

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Why? (aren’t septic tanks simple?

There is wide variability in performance among individual

There is disagreement about fundamental design and

There is a lot of very diffuse information that needs to be

Operation and maintenance

Tank construction and installation

More diffuse study specific to septic tanks since then

Objectives were to:

UL UL 70 Septic Tanks, Bituminous-Coated Metal

There are many redundant, conflicting industry standards, but

courtesy of Texas A&M University

Courtesy of Bounds, T.R.

Courtesy of Waterloo Biofilter (Jowett, 2006)

Advanced pretreatment system component (e.g., recirc.)

from: Seabloom, et al. (2004)

from: Seabloom, et al. (1982)

STE BOD5 by Source (Lowe et al., 2007)

25% of daily loading to septic tank occurs in one hour or less

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