Sewage

SEWAGE TREATMENT
PRANAV P
MSc Chemistry
Roll no:41
SEWAGE TREATMENT
• The waste water from bathrooms, kitchens, lavatories, etc. is called Domestic Sewage.
• The wastes disposed from factories, laundries, laboratories, business houses, schools,
hospitals, etc. Also results in Sewage.
• The spent water from the community as a whole is called Sanitary Sewage.
Sewage contains
• Organic impurities (eg. Urea (from urine) proteinaceous matters, detergents, biodegradable
faeces, animal wastes, fats, carbohydrates, etc.)
• Inorganic impurities (eg. nitrates, phosphates, detergents, surfactants, trace metals, other
anions and cations)
• Saprophytic bacteria which are harmless and feed upon organic matter.
• Pathogenic bacteria such as(i) Vibrio cholerae (which causes cholera)(i) Shigella dysenteria
(which causes bacillary desentry) (li) Salmonella typhi (which causes typhoid)
Industrial wastes, wherever applicable
From the point of view of public health, sewage has to be properly treated
Objectives of sewage treatment
• Stabilization: This is the process which involves breaking down of organic matter with the help of
bacteria into simple substances that to not decompose further. Stabilization can be accomplished
with the help of aerobic or anaerobic bacteria.
• To render the sewage in-offensive and devoid of its nuisance value.
• To prevent contamination of water supplies, thereby protecting aquatic life.

Sewage treatment methods
Sewage treatment methods:
• The extent of sewage treatment required mostly depends on the following two characteristics :
(1). The content of suspended solids
(2). The biological oxygen demand (BOD) of the sewage
The following major treatment methods are generally employed
Preliminary treatment: In this treatment, gross solids (eg., large floating and suspended solid matter,
grit, oil and grease) are removed by passing through screens, skimming tanks and grit chamber .
• Primary treatment :- This step is meant to remove the remaining suspended settleable solids, reduce the
strength of the waste and to facilitate subsequent secondary treatment. The processey employed include
sedimentation, mechanical flocculation and chemical coagulation. After this treatment, about 60% of the sus
pended solids, 30% COD, 35% BOD, 10% phosphorous and 20% total nitrogen, are generally reduced.
• Secondary treatment :- In this treatment step, the dissolved and colloidal organic matter present in the sewage
is removed by biological processes involving bacteria and other micro-organisms These processes may be
aerobic or anaerobic. They bring about the following sequential changes
(a) Coagulation and flocculation of colloidal matter
(b) Oxidation of dissolved organic matter to CO2
(c) Degradation of nitrogenous organic matter to ammonia, which is then converted into nitrite and
eventually to nitrate.
(d) Reduction of BOD.

• Tertiary treatment: This is the final treatment meant for “polishing the effluents from the
secondary treatment processes, to improve its quality further. The main objectives of
tertiary treatment processes are:
a) Removal of fine suspended solids
b) Removal of dissolved inorganic solids
c) Removal of final traces of organics, as desired
d) Removal of bacteria
e) Decrease the load of nitrogen and phosphorous in the effluents.
f) Further purification of wastewater to enable its reuse.

The various processes employed in tertiary treatment include.
a. Precipitation: Calcium compounds in the effluent from secondary treatment as calcium

phosphate by adding lime.
b. Nitrogen Stripping : Nitrogen is present in the effluent from secondary treatment in the form of
ammonia, nitrites and nitrates.Ammonia is toxic to aquatic biota. Nitrogen compounds enhance
eutrophication. Ammonia in the effluent is removed by trickling the effluent from the top of a
baffle tower while it meets the air coming upwards.
c. Chlorination: The residual microorganisms in the effluent are removed by chlorination before it is
discharged.
d. Adsorption: The undesirable tastes and odours are removed by adsorption on activated charcoal.
e. Coagulation and filtration: The residual solids in the effluent are coagulated and removed by
filtration.
f. Desalination: The residual dissolved inorganic impurities may be removed by ion-exchange,

reverse osmosis or electrodialysis
g. Oxidation ponds: Bacteria, particularly of faecal origin, can be removed by retaining the
effluents from the secondary biological treatment plants in maturation ponds or lagoons for
specific time periods.The final effluent which has very low BOD and very low suspended solids
may be chlorinated before final disposal.
h. Anaerobic digestion : Using digesters, septic tanks, Imhoff's tanks.

INDUSTRIAL WASTE WATER TREATMENT
Industrial wastewater treatment involves processes designed to remove contaminants and pollutants
from water that has been used in industrial processes before it is released back into the environment or
reused. Industrial wastewater may contain chemicals, heavy metals, organic matter, oils, and other
pollutants that can be harmful to ecosystems and human health.
Key Treatment Processes:
1. Physical Treatment:
• Screening: Removes large solids like plastics, paper, and rags.
• Sedimentation: Allows heavier particles to settle out from the water.
• Filtration: Traps finer particles using sand, membranes, or activated carbon
2. Chemical Treatment:
• Neutralization: Balances pH levels using acids or bases.
• Coagulation/ Flocculation: Chemicals like alum or ferric chloride are added to cause particles to
clump together, making them easier to remove.
• Precipitation: Converts dissolved pollutants into solid forms that can be separated from the water.
3. Biological Treatment:
• Aerobic Treatment (eg : Activated Sludge): Uses oxygen and microorganisms to break down organic
matter.
• Anaerobic Treatment: Breaks down pollutants without oxygen, often producing biogas as a by product
• Bioreactors: Special environments where microorganisms break down pollutants, often tailored to
specific waste types.
4. Sludge Management:
• The treatment of solid waste produce during water treatment, which may involve dewatering
• Thickening: Concentrates sludge by removing water.
• Stabilization: Reduces odor and pathogens, often through anaerobic digestion.
• Dewatering: Reduces water content, making sludge easier to handle and dispose of.
• Disposal: Treated sludge can be incinerated, landfilled, or used as fertilizer (if safe).
5. Effluent Disposal/Reuse
• Discharge to Surface Waters: Treated water is released into rivers, lakes, oroceans.
• Land Application: Reuse for irrigation or other purposes.
• Reuse in Industry: Treated water is recycled for industrial processes.

6. Preliminary Treatment
• Screening: Removes large solids (e.g., rags, sticks, plastics).
• Grit Removal: Eliminates sand, gravel, and other heavy solids.
• Oil and Grease Removal: Separates fats, oils, and grease using skimmers or dissolved air flotation (DAF).
i. Primary Treatment
• Sedimentation: Settles out suspended solids by gravity in primary clarifiers.
• Flotation: Lighter particles are removed by flotation methods.
ii. Secondary Treatment

• Biological Treatment: Uses microorganisms to degrade organic matter.
• Activated Sludge Process: Aerobic bacteria break down organic pollutants.
• Trickling Filters: Wastewater passes over a bed of media where microorganisms degrade organic matter.
• Anaerobic Treatment: Used for high-strength wastewater, often producing biogas.
• Secondary Clarification: Settles out biomass and other particulates after biological treatment.
iii. Tertiary Treatment
• Filtration: Sand, membrane, or other filtration methods remove residual solids.
• Disinfection: Kills remaining pathogens using chlorine, ozone, or ultraviolet light.
• Nutrient Removal: Removes excess nitrogen and phosphorus.
Objectives of industrial water treatment:

• Pollutant Removal: Reduce harmful substances to acceptable levels before discharge.
• Water Reuse: Treat wastewater to a quality suitable for reuse in industrial processes.
• Environmental Protection: Minimize the impact of discharged water on the environment, especially on
aquatic ecosystems.
• Regulatory Compliance: Meet local, national, or international discharge standards.
THANK YOU

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SEWAGE TREATMENT

Industrial wastes, wherever applicable

• To render the sewage in-offensive and devoid of its nuisance value.

• To prevent contamination of water supplies, thereby protecting aquatic life.

Sewage treatment methods:

(1). The content of suspended solids

(2). The biological oxygen demand (BOD) of the sewage

The following major treatment methods are generally employed

(a) Coagulation and flocculation of colloidal matter

(b) Oxidation of dissolved organic matter to CO2

(d) Reduction of BOD.

a) Removal of fine suspended solids

b) Removal of dissolved inorganic solids

c) Removal of final traces of organics, as desired

e) Decrease the load of nitrogen and phosphorous in the effluents.

f) Further purification of wastewater to enable its reuse.

a. Precipitation: Calcium compounds in the effluent from secondary treatment as calcium

f. Desalination: The residual dissolved inorganic impurities may be removed by ion-exchange,

h. Anaerobic digestion : Using digesters, septic tanks, Imhoff's tanks.

Key Treatment Processes:

• Reuse in Industry: Treated water is recycled for industrial processes.

ii. Secondary Treatment

Objectives of industrial water treatment:

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