NETAFIM TECHTALK

SEDIMENTATION RESERVOIR
The aim of this document is to provide the basic design criteria for sedimentation processes when using
surface water for irrigation systems, for small and medium scale farmers and flow rates.

Basic terminology:
Before beginning to describe how to define a sedimentation reservoir, we will present some technical terms which can be found
in this document.

Sedimentation - A process for removing suspended solids using gravity, by passing water slowly and evenly through a lagoon,
channel or tank to allow sediment to settle. Many different types of sedimentation systems exist. Accumulated solids are
removed periodically by appropriate mechanical or manual means.

TSS – Total Suspended Solids, the dry-weight of suspended particles, that are not dissolved, in a sample of water. Total
suspended solids (TSS) are the main cause of turbidity. The most common, and accurate, method of measuring suspended solids
is by weight. To measure TSS, a water sample is filtered, dried, and weighed.

Turbidity - An optical property of water. Turbidity is a relative measurement determined by measuring how much light can pass
through the water sample.
These solids are too small to sediment and are not light enough to float. These particles serve as a hiding place for
microorganisms. The less turbid the water, the less bacteria, viruses and less need for disinfectants. The higher the turbidity,
the less light will pass through the sample and the “cloudier” the water will appear. Higher turbidity levels are caused by
solid particles suspended in the water that scatter light rather than allow it to be transmitted through the water. Turbidity is
determined using a nephelometer and the results give a measure of the amount of particulate matter present.

Coagulation - A process for turbidity and color removal in which a coagulant (typically aluminum sulphate or ferric sulphate)
is added to the water, causing a reduction in the forces which tend to keep suspended particles apart. Colloidal turbidity-
causing material and dissolved colored substances agglomerate into a precipitate (‘flock’) which is subsequently removed by
sedimentation and/or filtration.
The chemical reaction between the coagulant and the particles in the water forms small flakes by rapid mixing. There is
immediate response time.

Colloid - A state of matter consisting of very finely divided (less than 1 micrometer) particles suspended in a fluid, e.g. water.
Although the particles are undissolved they are too small to settle at any meaningful rate. Particles (atoms or molecules) that do
not sink and do not float in a reasonable time.

Flocculation - A term often used interchangeably with coagulation, flocculation refers to the process by which particles are
agglomerated to form flocks. It is a process that allows contact between the small flakes to create heavier flakes by slow
mixing. Response time between 15 and 45 minutes. (According to the JAR TEST)

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In order to decide the best water treatment method the farmer will use, there must be 3 basic parameters:
1. Complete analysis of the water source (i.e., the most common water quality during the growing season). Chemical test,
biological but mainly physical test, suspended solids, turbidity, particle size distribution, % organic matter, mineral, sand, etc.
2. Flow rate needed for irrigation system (daily and hourly flow rate is required).
3. Water quality needed for irrigation

In general, most sedimentation plants consist of 3 stages:

(1) Pre-treatment > (2) Coarse filtration (screen) > (3) sedimentation, which includes:
• Coagulation/Flocculation (if it is needed)
• Sedimentation
• Sludge removal

Surface water is water that is open to the atmosphere and results in overland flow. Much of this water is the result of surface
runoff. Specific sources of supply include rivers, lakes, streams, springs, shallow wells and manmade reservoirs. Surface
water is easier to access compared to groundwater and so is more often polluted with harmful chemicals and pathogenic
microorganisms that cause disease in humans.
Its quantity can be unstable during droughts.
The turbidity of surface water often fluctuates relative to the amount of precipitation and this can increase treatment
requirements.
The temperature of surface water changes with the ambient temperature. This fluctuation in temperature impacts all chemical
and physical treatment processes and makes consistent water quality more difficult to achieve.
Decomposing plant and animal life (organics) are prevalent in surface water. Organics can affect the taste, odor and color of
water, and these organics have shown themselves to be precursors of disinfection by- products. Organics can also accelerate
corrosion rates and greatly increase treatment requirements and associated costs.
Water-quality problems, such as hardness, or iron and manganese discoloration because of dissolved minerals, occur
infrequently in surface water supplies, but can occasionally be problematic with some waters.
Because surface water supplies are so susceptible to pollution and pathogenic contamination, higher levels of treatment
includcoagulation, flocculation and filtration will likely be necessary.

Water Characteristics and Chemistry

One of the first things water treatment plant designers should learn is the source of the water entering their plant. The water
source affects both the quantity and quality of the raw water to be treated.
All irrigation water sources should be tested.

For a farmer’s purpose, to determine the need and configuration of the sedimentation treatment, the water analysis should
include the following physicochemical parameters:
• pH
• TS, TDS, TSS TVS and Turbidity
• PSD
• Rate Sedimentation

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Sedimentation reservoir design

Solid particles suspended in water can be divided into two sub-groups:
• Discrete particles that do not change their size, shape or specific mass in the trajectory.
• Flocculent particles that do change their size, shape or specific mass in the trajectory.

For the separation of the discrete particles, the following can be used:
• Sand / Gravel filters / Disc filters / Hydrocyclones able to trap or remove particles up to 0.1 mm (100 micron) diameter
• A simple sedimentation reservoir able to trap or remove particles up to 0.02 mm (20 micron) diameter (without the use of
coagulants and/or flocculants)

Sedimentation
A non-colloidal particle suspended in a liquid at rest and of less specific mass is accelerated by the action of gravity until the
forces of viscous resistance and thrust are equal to the resultant effective weight of the particle. From there, the descending
velocity is constant, and is called: Sedimentation speed.

Rest liquid

Solid particle

Fg particle weight - Gravity

Fe push buoyant force
Fd drag force - Friction force

Fd Re >3000 Turbulent regime. Gravitational forces predominate

Re < =2000 Laminar regime. Viscous forces predominate

Reynolds number = (Us * d) / v

v - is the kinematic viscosity of water at temperature TºC (cm2/s)
Us - sedimentation velocity (cm/s)
d - particle diameter (cm)

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Hazen model, hypothesis

• Sedimentation occurs without external interference to the phenomenon
• The runoff is continuous and not turbulent
• The particles are discrete with equal sedimentation velocity
• There is no interference from each particle on the sedimentation of the other
• There is no re-suspension of deposited particles

Areas that make an ideal sedimentation reservoir

Top view

Longitudinal cut

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Inlet area - the transition linking the channel or conduit that transports the raw water with the sedimentation zone.

Sedimentation area - a rectangular channel of horizontal runoff where the particles are separated.

Outlet area - in general an area with free discharge.

Mud area or receptor zone of deposited material - a hopper with slope towards the collector channel. It must have an exit gate
to an exterior chamber of the same section as the channel or sludge pump.

Sedimentation reservoirs examples

The following drawings are illustrations of sedimentation reservoirs. There are many other design possibilities. The important
thing is to understand the basic points to ensure their correct operation.

Inlet

Outlet

Top view
Drainage

Landfill to measure the inflow

Inlet

Outlet

Longitudinal
cut Recommended slope 10%
Drainage

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Other possibility:

Top view

Inlet Outlet

Longitudinal
cut Perforated screen Dump of excess

Inlet Outlet

Drainage Mud

Recommended slope 10%

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Before moving on to the next chapter in which we will present the formulas that will help us define the correct size for a
sedimentation reservoir, let's look at some recommendations that need to be taken into account:
• The entrance and exit of the water to the reservoir; effort must be made to locate these as far as possible from each other;
ideally the entrance of the water to the reservoir should be just opposite the exit. This will result in:
a) Greater efficiency of the reservoir, since the total available area will be used for sedimentation to occur.
b) The outlet or intake of clean water will be carried out without the influence of dirty water that enters the reservoir.

• Effort should be made so that the direction of the reservoir is parallel to that of the prevailing wind in the area, and that this
wind, when it blows, goes from the outlet side of the reservoir to the entrance area. In this way, if there is an accumulation
of dirt / plants / algae on the surface of the water, these are dragged as far as possible from the area in which the clean
water is taken from the reservoir.

• If it is expected, due to the components of the source water that supplies the reservoir, the formation of algae or plant
growth within it, the design of a floating water intake is very necessary (as we will see in the next chapter).

• In general, a battery of filters (sand, discs or mesh, according to the characteristics of the water) should be fitted at the
outlet of the water from the reservoir.

In many cases this filtration battery will be installed near the point of suction of the system.
A very common error is to connect the outlet of the back flush system of these filters (in order to make water use more
efficient and take advantage of it so that it returns to the reservoir in order to return it to the system) very near to the suction
point.
By designing the system this way, and since generally this filter battery will be located near the outlet of the reservoir,
we are adding very dirty water near the point of suction of the water outlet and thus actually converting this into a closed
circle where more dirt will be in suspension near the suction point, such that the filters will work harder and harder until
they collapse.
It is very important that in order to return the water from the back flush to the reservoir, we do it as far as possible from
the suction point.
In this case, the designer must be very attentive to the design of the pipe that will take this dirty water (the water from the
back flush of the filters) as far as possible from the suction point. Taking into account the flow rate that must flow through
it, the difference in height to the point of return to the reservoir and the possible loss of pressure due to friction within this
pipe. The diameter of this must be calculated in such a way that there is almost no pressure loss; if not, the flow of dirty
water through this pipe can cause internal pressures that will influence the correct washing of the filter battery.

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This next chapter presents how to define the parameters that must be taken into account when designing a sedimentation reservoir.
In Netafim's technical and engineering department we use the most advanced design programs to carry out these designs. It is
highly recommended to leave this work to experts.
Keys to good design:
• Size of the inorganic particle to be retained
• Sedimentation rate of the particles Us (cm/s)
• Horizontal runoff speed Uh, which will be a function of the drag limit speed Ua (cm/s)
• Speed of passage through the exit weir or hydraulic unit load qv (m3/s)
• Water temperature in cold periods T (ºC)

Size of the inorganic particles to be retained

Selected from the granulometric analysis of the suspended material that predominates
during most of the year. Take into consideration that: the smaller the particle size to retain,
the larger the sand reservoir separator, and the higher cost.

Sedimentation rate of the particles Us (cm/s) or the same reservoir size but with
the use of coagulants and flocculants.
Can be measured by doing a test with the sedimentation column, that checks the
sedimentation velocity over time.

Or by using empirical formulas, whereby the particles size to be retained and the cooler temperature during irrigation season
will be taken into consideration.

See example table:

D (MM) T (C0) RE US (CM/S) D (MM) T (C0) RE US (CM/S)

0.02 5 0.003 0.024 0.15 5 1.14 1.16

0.02 10 0.004 0.028 0.15 10 1.51 1.32
0.02 15 0.006 0.032 0.15 15 1.92 1.47
0.02 20 0.007 0.036 0.15 20 2.42 1.63
0.05 5 0.05 0.15 0.20 5 2.53 1.92
0.05 10 0.07 0.17 0.20 10 3.29 2.16
0.05 15 0.09 0.20 0.20 15 4.17 2.39
0.05 20 0.11 0.23 0.20 20 5.19 2.62
0.10 5 0.40 0.60 0.25 5 4.57 2.78
0.10 10 0.53 0.69 0.25 10 5.90 3.09
0.10 15 0.70 0.79 0.25 15 7.40 3.39
0.10 20 0.90 0.90 0.25 20 9.14 3.69

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Necessary surface area for sedimentation

A m2 = Q l/s / Us m/s = 200 / 3.6 / 0.00691 / 1000 = 8.04 m2

Calculation of width b and length L
Flow rate Q = 200 m3/h
Diameter of the particle d =100 micron

A=b*L
Is recommended: L ≥ 4 b

b = (A/4)0.5 = (8.04/4)0.5 = 1.41

L = b*4 = 1.41*4 = 5.64

To compensate for turbulence (Uh is never constant) a safety coefficient is adopted to define the actual length of the
sedimentation area: Cs = 1,25 a 1,50, therefore, if it will be take an CS = 1.40, the real minimum length required will be:
L*1.4 = 5.64*1.4 = 7.89 8.0 m

Adopted L = 8.0 m
Adopted b = 2.0 m
It means that the required area of this reservoir will be : 2*8 m = 16 m2

The height h
Theoretically: The depth of the sand trap does not influence the process.
Practically: A hmin value is required to achieve a Uh velocity that does not drag sediment particles.

Taking into account the size of the particles to be retained, the depth of these reservoirs can vary between 1.5 and 2.5 meters.
For our example, it will take the depth of: 1.5 m

Verification of the average horizontal speed

Uhm m/s = (Q l/s / 1000) / (adopted h * adopted b) = (55.6/1000) / (1.5*2.0) = 0.0185 m/s
Uhm cm/s = Uhm m/s*100 = 1.85 cm/s

Calculation of the permanence time

th = L / U hm = 8 m / 0.0185 m/s = 432 s = 432/60 = 7.2 min = 0.12 h
Recommendations, for 0.1 mm > d > 0.02 mm: th = 1 a 3 h

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Therefore, in this case, we must lengthen our reservoir at least 5 times in order to achieve a residence time of at least 1 hour.

See reservoirs sizes, for different flow rates, densities and particles sizes.

Example table:

DESCRIPTION SYMBOL DATA UNITS

FLOW RATE Q 200 / 600 M3/H

MINIMUM WATER TEMPERATURE T0 15 0C

DIAMETER OF THE PARTICLE THAT WILL BE RETAINED 100% D 25/50/100 MICRON

DENSITY OF THE PARTICLE TO SEDIMENT ρS 1300/2650 Kg/M3

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L (LENGTH) W (WIDTH) H (HEIGHT) T (TIME)

PARAMETERS VALUE
METER METER METER HOURS

FLOW RATE (M3/H) 200

DENSITY (Kg/M ) 3
2650 50 10.0 3.0 3.5
PARTICLE SIZE (MICRON) 25
FLOW RATE (M3/H) 600
DENSITY (Kg/M ) 3
2650 80 20.0 3.5 9.0
PARTICLE SIZE (MICRON) 25
FLOW RATE (M /H)
3
200
DENSITY (Kg/M3) 2650 32 8.0 3.0 3.8
PARTICLE SIZE (MICRON) 50
FLOW RATE (M /H)
3
600
DENSITY (Kg/M ) 3
2650 60 15.0 3.0 4.5
PARTICLE SIZE (MICRON) 50
FLOW RATE (M3/H) 200
DENSITY (Kg/M ) 3
2650 16 4.0 3.0 1.0
PARTICLE SIZE (MICRON) 100
FLOW RATE (M3/H) 600
DENSITY (Kg/M ) 3
2650 32 8.0 3.5 1.5
PARTICLE SIZE (MICRON) 100
FLOW RATE (M /H)
3
200
DENSITY (Kg/M3) 1300 80 15.0 4.0 24.0
PARTICLE SIZE (MICRON) 25
FLOW RATE (M /H)
3
600
DENSITY (Kg/M ) 3
1300 130 25.0 4.5 24.0
PARTICLE SIZE (MICRON) 25
FLOW RATE (M3/H) 200
DENSITY (Kg/M ) 3
1300 50 10.0 3.5 8.8
PARTICLE SIZE (MICRON) 50
FLOW RATE (M3/H) 600
DENSITY (Kg/M ) 3
1300 80 18.0 4.0 9.6
PARTICLE SIZE (MICRON) 50
FLOW RATE (M /H)
3
200
DENSITY (Kg/M3) 1300 20 5.0 3.0 1.5
PARTICLE SIZE (MICRON) 100
FLOW RATE (M /H)
3
600
DENSITY (Kg/M ) 3
1300 40 10.0 3.5 2.3
PARTICLE SIZE (MICRON) 100

*The table presented here only shows the results for two flow rates, two types (densities) of material to be sedimented and three sizes of particles to be
sedimented. The combinations between these three parameters can be many, so this table should be taken into account only as a demonstrative example.

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Outlet landfill

Hv = (Q l/s / 1000) / (1.84 * adopted b) 2/3 = 0.0556 / 3.682/3 = 0.061 m

Speed of passage through the exit weir or hydraulic unit load qv (m3/s)
Uv = (Q l/s / 1000) / (hv * b adopted) = 0.0556 / 0.122 = 0.456 m/s

To avoid turbulence and drag, hv < 1 m/s

Uv < 1 m/sec for d > 0.1 mm
Uv < 0.22 m/sec for d > 0.02 mm

Inlet area
It is very important that in the water inlet area the reservoir has a containment
wall where, with a hole or grooves on its surface, the water can be distributed
evenly.

The following are conceptual examples, they represent some of the possible
solutions, similar results can be obtained by other methods.

Screen for water entry

Uniform distribution of the flow across the width of the settler is achieved by placing holes or grooves in such a way that: A
orifices > A total / 10

Perforated screen Slotted screen

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Raw water input screen

D hole = 150 mm
A hole = 3.1416 * (D mm / 1000)2 / 4 = 0.0177 m2
Number of holes = 18

A orifices = A hole * 18 = 0.0177 * 18 = 0.3186 m2

Total area of the screen = 2.0 m width * 1.5 m depth = 3.0 m2
Verification; that A orifices > A total / 10
A orifices = 0.3186 m2 > A total = 3.0 m2 / 10

Outlet area
When there is high concentration of algae, it is highly recommended to design a floating suction point.
The following are conceptual examples that represent some of the possible solutions; similar results can be obtained by other
methods.

Clarified water

Submerged outlet

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Sludge removal

It is understood that, if the reservoir works correctly, over time the sedimentations corresponding to the particles that have
been made to precipitate will accumulate at the bottom; Therefore, once a year (or more, according to the quality of the water)
the reservoir should be drained and with the appropriate tools clean the entire base of it in order to have the corresponding
effective height.

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