Design of Sewers

The hydraulic design of sewers and drains, which means finding out their
sections and gradients, is generally carried out on the same lines as that of
the water supply pipes. However, there are two major differences between
characteristics of flows in sewers and water supply pipes. They are:

 The sewage contain particles in suspension, the heavier of which may

settle down at the bottom of the sewers, as and when the flow velocity
reduces, resulting in the clogging of sewers. To avoid silting of sewers,
it is necessary that the sewer pipes be laid at such a gradient, as to
generate self cleansing velocities at different possible discharges.
 The sewer pipes carry sewage as gravity conduits, and are therefore
laid at a continuous gradient in the downward direction upto the outfall
point, from where it will be lifted up, treated and disposed of.

Hazen-William's formula

U=0.85 C rH0.63S0.54

Manning's formula

U=1/n rH2/3S1/2

where, U= velocity, m/s; rH= hydraulic radius,m; S= slope, C= Hazen-

William's coefficient, and n = Manning's coefficient.

Darcy-Weisbach formula

hL=(fLU2)/(2gd)

Minimum Velocity

The flow velocity in the sewers should be such that the suspended materials
in sewage do not get silted up; i.e. the velocity should be such as to cause
automatic self-cleansing effect. The generation of such a minimum self
cleansing velocity in the sewer, atleast once a day, is important, because if
certain deposition takes place and is not removed, it will obstruct free flow,
causing further deposition and finally leading to the complete blocking of the
sewer.

Maximum Velocity
The smooth interior surface of a sewer pipe gets scoured due to continuous
abrasion caused by the suspended solids present in sewage. It is, therefore,
necessary to limit the maximum velocity in the sewer pipe. This limiting or
non-scouring velocity will mainly depend upon the material of the sewer.

Effects of Flow Variation on Velocity in a Sewer

Due to variation in discharge, the depth of flow varies, and hence the
hydraulic mean depth (r) varies. Due to the change in the hydraulic mean
depth, the flow velocity (which depends directly on r2/3) gets affected from
time to time. It is necessary to check the sewer for maintaining a minimum
velocity of about 0.45 m/s at the time of minimum flow (assumed to be
1/3rd of average flow). The designer should also ensure that a velocity of 0.9
m/s is developed atleast at the time of maximum flow and preferably during
the average flow periods also. Moreover, care should be taken to see that at
the time of maximum flow, the velocity generated does not exceed the
scouring value.

Design of Sewer System

DESIGN OF SEWER SYSTEM
INTRODUCTION
Design of Sewer System. Sewer system plays a vital role in the economic development of a country.
Sewers are must for the drainage of waste water. In order to have an effective sewage system the
sewers should be properly designed and more care should be taken in finding the invert levels
otherwise whole design may get wrong. Design of Sewer System. Sewers are designed for the
drainage of waste water coming from houses, industries, streets, runoff etc to protect the environment
and people from serious diseases, as more than 50 diseases spread from sewage. So for a good living,
the sewers should be properly designed and the sewage should be treated properly before discharging
it into the river. Design of Sewer System
Some of the important and relevant terms for sewer system are discussed below….

Sewage
It is Liquid Waste or Waste Water produce as a result of water use.Design of Sewer System
Sewer
It is the pipe or conduit for carrying sewage. It is generally closed and flow takes place undr gravity
(Atmospheric Pressure). Design of Sewer System
Sewerage
Sewerage is the system of collection of waste water and conveying it to a point of final disposal with
or without treatment. Design of Sewer System
Sources of waste water

Following are the principal sources of waste water

 Domestic
 Industrial
 Storm water
Domestic
It is the waste water from houses, offices, other buildings, hotels and institutions. Design of Sewer
System
Industrial
It is the liquid waste from the industrial places from their different industrial processes like dying,
paper matting, tanneries, chemical industries, etc. Design of Sewer System
Storm Water
It includes surface runoff generated from rainfall and the street wash. Design of Sewer System
Types of Sewer Systems
Following are the types of sewerage. Design of Sewer System

Separate System
It is the system in which storm water is carried separately from domestic and industrial waste water.
This system is preferred when

 There is an immediate need for collection of sanitary sewage but not for storm water
 When sanitary sewage needs treatment but the storm water does not. Design of Sewer System
Combined System
It is the type of system in which sewer carries both the sanitary and storm water. Combined system is
favored when

 Combined sewage can be disposed off without treatment

 Both sanitary and storm water need treatment
 Streets are narrow and two separate sewers can not be laid. Design of Sewer System

Types of Sewers Design of Sewer System

Sanitary Sewers
It carries sanitary sewage i.e. waste water from municipality including Domestic and Industrial
wastewaters. Design of Sewer System

Storm Sewer
It carries storm sewage including Surface Runoff and Street Wash. Design of Sewer System

Combined Sewer
It carries domestic, industrial and storm sewage. Design of Sewer System
House Sewer
It is the sewer conveying sewage from plumbing system of building to common/municipal sewers.

Lateral sewer
This sewer carries discharge from two or more house sewers. Design of Sewer System
Sub-Main Sewer
This sewer carries discharge from two or more laterals. Design of Sewer System
Main/ Trunk Sewer
It receives discharge from two or more sub-mains.

Outfall Sewer
It receives discharge from all collecting system and conveys it to the point of final disposal.
Sewage flow
It is flow derived from the sanitary and industrial sewage that is the raw water from these industries
and houses, so it means it has direct relation with the amount of water consumed.
Generally 80 to 90 % of the water consumption is taken as sewage or waste water flow. Design of
Sewer System
Variation in sewage flow
Like water supply, sewage flow varies from time to time. Since sewers must be able to accommodate
Maximum Rate of Flow, the variation in the sewage flow must be studied.
Generally Herman Formula is used to estimate the ratio of Maximum to Average Flow

P is population in thousands. Design of Sewer System

WASA Lahore Design Considers the following relationship for sewer design

Average Sewage Flow (m3 /day) Peak Factor

≤ 2500 4.0

2500 – 5000 3.4

5000 – 10000 3.1

10000 – 25000 2.7

25000 – 50000 2.5

50000 – 100000 2.3

100000 – 250000 2.15

250000 – 500000 2.08

> 500000 2.0

Infiltration
It is amount of water that enters into the sewers through poor joints, cracked pipes, walls and covers
of manholes. Design of Sewer System
 It is nonexistent during dry weather but increases during rainy season.
 Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Lahore uses the following infiltration rates for the design
of sewer system.
Sewer Diameter Infiltration

225 mm to 600 mm 5 % of Avg. Sewage Flow

> 600 mm 10 % of Avg. Sewage Flow

Design Period
Sewer System
Period of design is indefinite. The system is designed to take care for the maximum development of
the area. But we take design period of 20 years for our sewer system. Design of Sewer System
Sewer Pumping Station
 Design period is 10-years.
 Rate of Flow are average daily, peak and minimum flow including Infiltration.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The project is based on the design of Partially combined sewerage system of a community which is
having approximately a flat terrain because the difference in the reduce levels is very small. I have
designed the sewage pumping station along with the hydraulic statement and the required drawings
plus some extra drawings. I am confident that my design will work successfully and there will be not
any problems. The Layout of the community is given as under. Design of Sewer System
DESIGN CRITERIA
Design Flow
First of all calculate the average sewage flow on the basis of water consumption and the population at
the end of the design period. i.e at the full development of the area. Then the design flow for sanitary
sewer and partially combined sewers can by calculated by using the following formulae. Design of
Sewer System
 For Sanitary Sewer
Qdesign= Peak sewage flow + infiltration
 For partially combined sewer (WASA Criteria)
Qdesign = 2xPeak sewage flow + infiltration
Design Equation
Manning’s Equation is used for sewers flowing under gravity Design of Sewer System

Where
V = Velocity of flow in m/sec
R = Hydraulic mean depth (A/P) = D/4 when pipe is flowing full or half full
S = Slope of the sewer
n = Coefficient of roughness for pipes

Minimum (Self Cleansing) Velocity

Sewage should flow at all times with sufficient velocity to prevent the settlement of solid matter in
the sewer. Self Cleansing Velocity is the minimum velocity that ensures non settlement of suspended
matter in the sewer. Design of Sewer System
The following minimum velocities are generally employed

 Sanitary sewer = 0.6 m/sec

 Storm sewer = 1.0 m/sec
 Partially combined sewer = 0.7 m/sec
Maximum velocity
The maximum velocities in the sewer pipes should not exceed more than 2.4 m/sec. This max
velocity in the sewer should not exceed this limit of 2.4 m/sec. It is to avoid the excessive sewer
abrasion and also to avoid steep slopes. Design of Sewer System
Minimum Sewer Size
225mm is taken as the minimum sewer size. The reason being that, the choking does not take place
even with the bigger size particles, which are usually thrown into the sewer through
manholes. Design of Sewer System
Minimum Cover of Sewer
1m is taken as the minimum cover over the sewers to avoid damage from live loads coming on the
sewer. Design of Sewer System
Spacing of Manhole (WASA, Criteria)
For (Sewer Size) 225mm to 380mm spacing not more than 100m

For (Sewer Size) 460mm to 760mm spacing not more than 120m

For (Sewer Size) greater than 760mm spacing not more than 150m

Direction of Sewer Line

Sewer should flow, as for as possible the Natural Slope. Design of Sewer System
Design of Sewer
 Size of Sewer
Use the following relation to find the diameter of sewer
Qf = A x V
 Slope of Sewer
Select the minimum velocity value and use the Manning’s formula
Invert Level
The lowest inside level at any cross-section of a sewer pipe is known as Invert Level at that Cross-
section. Design of Sewer System
Invert Level = NGSL/Road Level – Depth of Sewer – Thickness of Sewer – Dia. of Sewer

Joints in Sewers
 Bell & Spigot Joint
 Tongue &Groove Joint
Manholes

These are provided for

 Cleaning
 inspection and
 house connection
At

 Change in Sewer direction

 Change in sewer diameter
 Change in slope
One man hole to be provided for 2-4 plots Design of Sewer System
Design of Sewer System
SEWERAGE DESIGN DATA
No of Plots = 281

No of Apartments = 3

No of Flats = 3

Design period = 20 years

POPULATION FORECAST

Present (2009) Design (2029)

Persons/plot 7 10

Persons/apartment 400 600

Persons/flat 200 400

POPULATION FORECASTING

Present Population Pp= 1) 281×7+400×3+200×3 = 3767

Design Population Pd= 2) 281×10+600×3+400×3 = 5810
Annual Growth Rate = 2.1% (For Pakistan, 2008 report)

Design Population Pd
Design of Sewer System
1) Pd = Pp x (1+2.1/100)20
Pd = 3767x(1+2.1/100)20 = 5709
Pd = 5810 ( From Table)
Per capita water consumption = 350 + 44= 394 lpcd (liters per capita per day)
Average Design flow = Pd x water consumption x 0.8 / 1000
(80% goes to sewers as waste water)
= (394 x 5810 x 0.8 ) / 1000
Qavg = 1831.312 m3/day
Peak factor = 4 (from WASA table)
To Check Infiltration rates
DESIGN OF WET WELL
Qmax = 14742.1m3/day = 10.237 m3/min
Pumping capacity
P = Qmax = 10.237 m3/min
Minimum cycle time Design of Sewer System
Minimum Cycle time must not be less than 5-minutes
For smaller pumps t min = 15 min
Volume = V = [P x t(min)]/4
Effective Volume = ( 10.237 x 15 ) / 4 = 38.39 m3 Design of Sewer System
DIMENSIONS OF WET WELL
Length = 3.6 m Design of Sewer System
Width = 3.6m
Height = 3 m
Volume = 3.6*3.6*3 = 38.88m3
Pump must run for at least 2 minutes
Check the cycle time , should be greater than 2 minutes
t = V/(P-Qmin) = 38.39 / (10.237 – 0.6358) = 3.99~=4
So 4 minutes is greater than 2 minutes ..( OK) Design of Sewer System
Cycle Time for Minimum and Average Flow
CYCLE TIME = t = (V/(P-Q))+(V/Q)

For Qmin = 38.39 / (10.237 – 0.6358) + 38.398/0.6358 = 64.391 min > 15min (OK)
For Qavg = 38.39 / (10.237 -1.271) + 38.39/1.271 = 34.48 min > 15min (OK)
MANHOLE
DROP MANHOLE
 SEWER
JOINTS
SEWER BEDDINGS
 COMMENTS
 This design is based on partially combined sewerage system thus is economic.
 All the necessary things are taken from the WASA tables and Minimum velocity is taken as 0.6
m/sec which is the self cleansing velocity and velocity must not be more than 2.4 m/sec.
 Minimum diameter of sewer is taken as 225 mm and other diameters are rounded to the locally
available in the market according to WASA standards.
 Minimum rate of sewage flow is taken as 50% of average sewage flow.
 Minimum clear cover of 1-m is provided above the sewer in order to avoid from impact of live
loading.
 Flush tanks are provided where velocity is less than 0.6 m/Sec. Design of Sewer System
RESULTS
 Diameters are less then 600mm so Infiltration rate used is 5% of average sewage flow.
 Bell & Spigot joints have been used as the diameters are less then 600mm.
 One Drop Manhole is coming at M15 as the vertical drop is more than 0.6m.
 In Sewers (M9-M8, M8-M11, M10-M11, M12-M13, M5-M18, M20-M21, M24-M21, M21-
M22, M25-M26), Velocity is less than the self cleansing velocity So, Flush tanks will be
provided here.
 Most of the diameters are of 225mm ensuring the economic side of the project.
 Wet well dimensions are 2.5×3.5×4.4.
 Cycle time of 15 minutes is satisfied ensuring the adaptability of small pumps so more economic.