Wastewater Treatment

Mathematical
Formulas
Second Edition

Fleming Training Center

Murfreesboro, TN
Updated January 13, 2011
 Index

Activated Sludge .................................................................... 11, 12

Area ....................................................................................... 4
Chlorination ............................................................................ 9
Conversion Factors ................................................................ 1, 2
Converting lbs/gal to mg/mL................................................... 2
Depth/Diameter Table ............................................................ 18
Dosage, general ..................................................................... 5
Flow ....................................................................................... 4
Flow Conversions Chart ......................................................... 3
Flow, Partially Full Pipe .......................................................... 18
Laboratory .............................................................................. 15, 16, 17
Metric Conversion .................................................................. 2
Pounds Formulas ................................................................... 5
Power ..................................................................................... 5
Preliminary Treatment ............................................................ 7
Pumps .................................................................................... 6, 7
Sedimentation ........................................................................ 8
Solution Preparation ............................................................... 7
Sludge, Dewatering and Disposal .......................................... 14
Sludge, Digestion ................................................................... 12, 13
Sludge, Production and Thickening ........................................ 13
Temperature........................................................................... 2 and 17
Trickling Filters ....................................................................... 9
Volume ................................................................................... 4
Waste Treatment Ponds......................................................... 14, 15
 Wastewater Treatment Math Formulas

Conversion Factors
Length
1 foot (ft) ................................................... 12 inches (in)
1 yard (yd) ....................................................... 3 feet (ft)
1 mile (mi) ................................................. 5,280 feet (ft)
Area
1 acre (ac) ................................. 43,560 square feet (ft2)
1 acre .............................................. 0.405 Hectare (Ha)
1 Hectare ....................................................... 2.47 acres
1 square foot (ft2) ....................... 144 square inches (in2)
Volume
1 cubic foot (ft3) .................................. 7.48 gallons (gal)
1 yd3 ...................................................................... 27 ft3
1 gallon ........................................ 231 cubic inches (in3)
1 gallon ........................................................... 0.1337 ft3
1 gallon .................................................. 3.785 Liters (L)
1 gallon ............................ 0.000001 Million Gallon (MG)
1 liter ...............................................1,000 milliliters (mL)
1 liter .............................................................. 0.2642 gal
1 acre/foot (ac-ft) ..........................43,560 cubic feet (ft3)
1 acre-foot (ac-ft) ....................... 325,828.8 gallons (gal)
Flow
1 cubic foot per second (ft3/sec) .................. 449 gal/min
1 cubic foot per second (ft3/sec) ................ 0.6463 MGD
1 gal/min .................................................. 0.00144 MGD
Weight and Mass
1 gallon of water ................................. 8.34 pounds (lbs)
1 cubic foot of water (ft3) .................................... 62.4 lbs
1 pound (lb) ......................................... 453.6 grams (g)
1 kilogram (kg) ...................................... 1,000 grams (g)
1 kilogram ..................................................... 2.2 pounds
1 gram ......................................... 1,000 milligrams (mg)
1% ............................. 10,000 milligrams per liter (mg/L)
1 mg/L ..................................... 0.0584 grains per gallon
1 grain per gallon ........................................ 17.118 mg/L

Wastewater Treatment Formulas 1

 Fleming Training Center
Pressure and Head
1 foot of head.............. 0.433 pounds per square in (psi)
1 pound per square inch (psi) .............. 2.31 feet of head
Temperature Conversions
C ............................................................ 0.556 (F-32)
F ............................................................... 1.8(C) + 32

Converting lbs/gal to mg/mL

lbs mg
453.6 gram 1000

gal mL
3.785 Liter 1000

To use this diagram: First, find the box that coincides with the beginning unit (i.e. mg/mL). Then
find the box that coincides with the desired ending units (i.e. lbs/gal). The numbers between the
starting point and ending point are the conversion factors. When moving from a smaller box to a
larger box, multiply by the factor between them. When moving from a larger box to a smaller
box, divide by the factor between them. For the final number, divide the top number by the
bottom number.

Metric Conversions

Primary Unit

mega . . . . kilo hecto deka no deci centi milli . . . . micro

(M) (k) (h) (da) prefix (d) (c) (m) (µ)
1 1 1 1
1,000,000 1,000 100 10 1 /10 /100 /1,000 /1,000,000


meter – linear measurement
liter – volume measurement
gram – weight measurement

2 Wastewater Treatment Formulas

 Wastewater Treatment Math Formulas

Flow Conversions
cfm
cfs cfd
60 1440

7.48 7.48 7.48

MGD

1,000,000

gps gpd
60 gpm 1440

8.34 8.34 8.34

60 lb/min 1440
lb/sec lb/day

cfs = cubic feet per second gps = gallons per second

cfm = cubic feet per minute gpm = gallons per minute
cfd = cubic feet per day gpd = gallons per day

To use this diagram: First, find the box that coincides with the beginning units (i.e. gpm). Then,
find the box that coincides with the desired ending units (i.e. cfs). The numbers between the
starting point and ending point are the conversion factors. When moving from a smaller box to a
larger box, multiply by the factor between them. When moving from a larger box to a smaller
box, divide by the factor between them.

Wastewater Treatment Formulas 3

 Fleming Training Center

Area
Rectangle: Area, ft 2  (Length, ft)(Width, ft)

Area, ft 2  (0.785) (Diameter, ft)

2
Circle:

Diameter, ft
Segment of a Circle, ft2 Volume, ft 3  1.333 (Height, ft) 2  0.608
Height, ft

Volume
3
Rectangle, ft : Volume, ft 3  (Length, ft)(Width, ft)(Depth, ft)
3 3
Volume, ft  (0.785) (Diameter, ft) (Depth or Length, ft)
2
Cylinder, ft :
2
3 3 (0.785) (Diameter, ft) (Depth, ft)
Cone, ft : Volume, ft 
3

3  Diameter, ft 
Volume, ft 3  1.333 (Height)  0.608  (Length, ft)
2
Segment of Cylinder, ft :
 Height, ft 
3 (Length, ft)(Width, ft)(Depth, ft)
Wedge, ft : Volume, ft 3 
2

Volume, gal  ( Volume, ft )(7.48gal/ft )

3 3
Volume, gallons =

Flow
Q  AV OR Q  (Area) (Velocity)

Q (Channel), ft3 / sec  (Width, ft)(Depth, ft)(Velocity, ft/sec)

Q (Pipeline), ft 3 / sec  (0.785) (Diameter, ft) (Velocity, ft/sec)

2

 Diameter, ft 
Partially Full Pipe = Flow, ft 3 /sec  1.333 (Height)  0.608  (Velocity, ft/sec)
2

 Height, ft 
Flow, ft 3 /sec
Velocity, ft/sec  2
(0.785) (Diameter, ft)
Distance, ft
Velocity, ft/sec 
Time, sec
Sum of All Daily Flows, MGD
Average Daily Flow, MGD 
Number of Daily Flows

Sum of All Monthly Av erage Daily Flows, MGD

Annual Average Daily Flow, MGD 
Number of Monthly Av erage Daily Flows

Water Used, gal/day

Daily Flow, gal/day/capita 
Total Number of People Served

4 Wastewater Treatment Formulas

 Wastewater Treatment Math Formulas

Dosage
Chemical Feed Rate, lbs/day
Dosage, mg/L 
(Flow, MGD) (8.34 lbs/gal)

(Chemical Feed Rate, lbs/day) (Chemical Purity, %, expressed as a decimal)

Dosage, mg/L 
(Flow, MGD) (8.34 lbs/gal)

(Feed Rate, grams/min) (1,000 mg/gram)

Dosage, mg/L 
(Flow, gal/min) (3.785 L/gal)

Pounds
Chemical Fed, lbs  (Dose, mg/L) (Volume, MG) (8.34 lbs/gal)

(Dose, mg/L) (Volume, MG) (8.34 lbs/gal)

Chemical Fed, lbs 
Chemical Purity, %, expressed as a decimal

Feed Rate, lbs/day  (Dose, mg/L) (Flow, MGD) (8.34 lbs/gal)

(Dose, mg/L) (Flow, MGD) (8.34 lbs/gal)

Feed Rate, lbs/day 
Chemical Purity, %, expressed as a decimal

(Concentra tion, mg/mL)(Vol ume Pumped, mL) (1,440 min/day)

Feed Rate, lbs/day 
(Time Pumped, min) (1,000 mg/g) (453.6 g/lb)

Loading, lbs/day  (Concentration, mg/L) (Flow, MGD) (8.34 lbs/gal)

Power
1 Horsepower = 746 watts or 0.746 kilowatts
Power, watts  (Volts) (Amps)

(746 watts/HP) (Horsepowe r)

Amps, single - phase 
(Volts) (Efficiency, %, as decimal) (Power Factor)

(746 watts/HP) (Horsepower)

Amps, three - phase 
(1.732)(Volts) (Efficiency, %, as decimal) (Power Factor)

(Volts )(Amps)
Horsepower 
(746 watts/HP)

(Volts) (Amps) (Power Factor)

Kilowatts, single - phase 
1,000 watts/kil owatt

(Volts) (Amps) (Power Factor) (1.732)

Kilowatts, three - phase 
1,000 watts/kilowatt

Watts
Power Factor 
(Volts)(Amps)

Wastewater Treatment Formulas 5

 Fleming Training Center

Pumps
Motor Pump
MHP BHP WHP

% motor eff
% pump eff
Volume, gal
Pumping Rate, gal/min 
Time, min

(Length, ft)(Width, ft)(Depth, ft)(7.48 gal/ ft3 )

Pumping Rate, gal/min 
Time, min
2
(0.785) (Diameter, ft) (Depth, ft)(7.48 gal/ ft 3 )
Pumping Rate, gal/min 
Time, min
Tank Volume, gal
Time to Fill, min 
Flow Rate, gal/min
(Flow, gal/min) (Head, ft)
Water HP 
3960
(Flow, gal/min) (Head, ft)
Brake HP 
(3960) (Pump Efficiency, %, expressed as a decimal)

(Flow, gal/min) (Head, ft)

Motor HP 
(3960) (Pump Eff., %, expressed as decimal) (Motor Eff., %, expressed as decimal)
(Water Horsepower )
Brake HP 
Pump Efficiency, %, expressed as a decimal

(Brake Horsepower )
Motor HP 
Motor Efficiency, %, expressed as a decimal

Brake Horsepower
Motor Efficiency, %  X 100%
Motor Horsepower
Water Horsepower
Pump Efficiency, %  X 100%
Brake Horsepower
Horsepower Output
Efficiency, %  X 100%
Horsepower Supplied
Water Horsepower
Overall Efficiency, %  X 100%
Motor Horsepower
Wire - to - Water Efficiency, %  (Pump Eff., %, as decimal) (Motor Eff., %, as decimal) (100%)

6 Wastewater Treatment Formulas

 Wastewater Treatment Math Formulas
Static Head, ft  Suction Lift, ft  Discharge Head, ft

Static Head, ft  Discharge Head, ft - Suction Head, ft

Friction Loss, ft  (0.1) (Static Head, ft) **use this formula in absence of other data

Total Dynamic Head, ft  Static Head, ft  Friction Losses, ft

Cost, $/hr  (Motor Horsepower) (0.746 kW/HP)(Cos t, $/kW - hr)

Solution Preparation
Weight of Chemical, lbs
Percent Strength, % (by weight)  X 100%
(Weight of Water, lbs  Weight of Chemical, lbs)

Concentrat ion, lbs/gal

Concentrat ion, %  X 100%
Density, lbs/gal

(Concentra tion1 ) (Volume 1 )  (Concentra tion 2 ) (Volume 2 )

(Normality1 ) (Volume1 )  (Normality 2 ) (Volume 2 )

(Water Volume, gal )( 8.34 lbs/gal) (Desired Concentrat ion, %)

Chemical, lbs 
(100% - Desired Concentrat ion, %)

(Chemical, lbs) (100% - Desired Concentrat ion, %)

Water Volume, gal 
(Desired Concentrat ion, %) (8.34 lbs/gal)

Preliminary Treatment
Screenings, ft 3
Screenings Removed, ft 3 /day 
Day

Screenings, ft 3
Screenings Removed, ft 3 /MG 
Flow, MG

Screening Pit Volume, ft 3

Screening Pit Capacity, days 
Screenings Removed, ft 3 /day

Grit Volume, ft 3
Grit Removal, ft /MG 
3

Flow, MG

Wastewater Treatment Formulas 7

 Fleming Training Center

Sedimentation
(Volume of Basin, gal) (24 hr/day)
Detention TIme, hrs 
Flow, gal/day

Flow, gal/day
Weir Overflow Rate, gal/day/ft 
Total Weir Length, ft

Weir Length, ft
 (2)(Length, ft)  (2)(Width, ft)
(rectangular basin)

Weir Length, ft
 (3.14)(Diameter, ft)
(circular basin)

Weir Overflow Rate, gal/day/ft Flow, gal/day


(rectangular basin) (2)(Length, ft)  (2)(Width, ft)

Weir Overflow Rate, gal/day/ft Flow, gal/day


(circular basin) (3.14)(Dia meter, ft)

Flow, gal/day
Surface Overflow Rate, gal/day/ft 2 
Surface Area, ft 2

Solids Applied, lbs/day

Solids Loading Rate, lbs/day/ft 2 
Surface Area, ft 2

Solids Loading Rate, lbs/day/ft 2 Solids Applied, lbs/day


(rectangula r basin) (Basin Length, ft) (Basin Width, ft)

Solids Loading Rate, lbs/day/ft 2 Solids Applied, lbs/day


(circular basin) (0.785) (Basin Diameter, ft) 2

BOD Removed, lbs/day  (BOD Removed, mg/L) (Flow, MGD) (8.34 lbs/gal)

Suspended Solids Removed, lbs/day  (Suspended Solids Removed, mg/L) (Flow, MGD) (8.34 lbs/gal)

In - Out
Efficiency, %  X 100%
In

8 Wastewater Treatment Formulas

 Wastewater Treatment Math Formulas

Chlorination
Chlorine Demand, mg/L  Chlorine Dose, mg/L - Chlorine Residual, mg/L

(Dosage, mg/L) (Flow, MGD) (8.34 lbs/gal)

Chlorine Feed Rate, lbs/day 
Chemical Purity, %, expressed as a decimal

(Chlorine Feed Rate, lbs/day)(Chemical Purity, %, expressed as a decimal)

Chlorine Dosage, mg/L 
(Flow, MGD)(8.34 lbs/gal)
Bleach
(Bleach Fed, gal/day) (Available Chlorine, %, expressed as a decimal)
Bleach Chlorine Dose, mg/L 
Flow, MGD
(Chlorine Dose, mg/L) (Flow, MGD)
Hypochlorite Feed Rate, gal/day 
Available Chlorine, %, expressed as a decimal

 Desired Available Chlorine Concentration,  Desired 

  
Bleach Volume, gal (dilution) 
 %, expressed as a decimal  Volume, gal 
Bleach Available Chlorine, %, expressed as a decimal
HTH
(Dosage, mg/L) (Flow, MGD) (8.34 lbs/gal)
HTH Feed Rate, lbs/day 
Chemical Purity, %, expressed as a decimal

HTH, lbs (Desired Available Chlorine, %, expressed as decimal) (Desired Volume, gal) (8.34 lb/gal)

(solution mix) HTH Available Chlorine, % expressed as a decimal

Trickling Filters
Flow Rate, gal/day
Hydraulic Loading Rate, gal/day/ft 2 
Surface Area, ft 2

Primary Effluent Flow Rate, gal/day  Recirculated Flow Rate, gal/day

Hydraulic Loading Rate, gal/day/ft 2 
Surface Area, ft 2
BOD Applied, lbs/day
Organic (BOD) Loading, lbs/day/1,000ft 3 
Volume of Media, 1,000 ft 3
BOD, lbs/day  (BOD, mg/L) (Flow, MGD) (8.34 lbs/gal)

(0.785) (Trickling Filter Diameter, ft) 2 (Media Depth, ft)

Volume of Media, 1,000ft 3 
1,000
Recirculated Flow, MGD
Recirculation Ratio 
Flow, MGD
In - Out
Efficiency, %  X 100%
In
BOD Removed, lbs/day  (BOD Removed, mg/L) (Flow, MGD) (8.34 lbs/gal)
Suspended Solids Removed, lbs/day  (Suspended Solids Removed, mg/L) (Flow, MGD) (8.34 lbs/gal)
Wastewater Treatment Formulas 9
 Fleming Training Center

Activated Sludge
BOD Loading, lbs/day  (BOD, mg/L)(Flow , MGD)(8.34 lbs/gal)

COD Loading, lbs/day  (COD, mg/L)(Flow, MGD)(8.34 lbs/gal)

MLSS, lbs  (MLSS, mg/L)(Aerator Volume, MG)(8.34 lbs/gal)

MLVSS, lbs  (MLSS, mg/L)(Aera tor Volume, MG)(8.34 lbs/gal)(Volatile Solids, %, expressed as a decimal)

Food to Microorganism (F/M) Ratio

BOD or COD, lbs/day
F/M Ratio 
Mixed Liquor Volatile Suspended Solids, lbs

BOD or COD, lbs/day

F/M Ratio 
(MLSS, lbs)(Volatile Solids, %, expressed as a decimal)

(BOD or COD, mg/L) (Flow, MGD) (8.34 lbs/gal)

F/M Ratio 
(MLVSS, mg/L)(Aera tor Volume, MG)(8.34 lbs/gal)

(BOD or COD, mg/L) (Flow, MGD) (8.34 lbs/gal)

F/M Ratio 
(MLSS, mg/L)(Vola tile Solids, %, expressed as a decimal)(Aerator Volume, MG)(8.34 lbs/gal)

BOD or COD, lbs/day

Desired MLVSS, lbs 
Desired F/M Ratio

Desired MLVSS, lbs

Desired MLSS, lbs 
Volatile Solids, %, expressed as decimal

Return Activated Sludge

Settled Sludge Volume, mL
Return Sludge Flow, %  X 100%
1,000 mL - Settled Sludge Volume, mL

Return Activated Sludge Flow, MGD

Return Activated Sludge Flow, %  X 100%
Influent Flow, MGD

Return Sludge Flow, gal/day  (Return Sludge Flow, %, expressed as a decimal) (Flow, gal/day)

(Aerator Influent Flow, gal/day) (MLSS, mg/L)

Return Sludge Flow, gal/day 
Return Sludge Concentrat ion, mg/L - MLSS, mg/L

1,000,000
Return Sludge Concentrat ion, mg/L  (SVI calculations are in Laboratory section)
SVI

10 Wastewater Treatment Formulas

 Wastewater Treatment Math Formulas
Mean Cell Residence Time (MCRT) also called Solids Retention Time (SRT)

Actual MLSS, lbs  (Actual MLSS, mg/L) (Aerator Volume, MG) (8.34 lbs/gal)

Suspended Solids in System, lbs

MCRT, days 
Suspended Solids Leaving System, lbs/day

Suspended Solids in System, lbs

MCRT, days 
Waste Activated Sludge SS, lbs/day  Secondary Effluent SS, lbs/day

MCRT, days (MLSS, mg/L)(Aerator Volume, MG)(8.34 lbs/dal)


no clarifier info ( WAS SS, mg/L)(WAS Flow, MGD)(8.34 lbs/gal)  (S. E. SS, mg/L)(Plant Flow, MGD)(8.34 lbs/gal)

MCRT, days
(MLSS, mg/L)(Aera tor Volume, MG  Final Clarifier Volume, MG)(8.34 lbs/dal)
given final clarifier 
( WAS SS, mg/L)(WAS Flow, MGD)(8.34 lbs/gal)  (S. E. SS, mg/L)(Plan t Flow, MGD)(8.34 lbs/gal)
volume, but no CCSS

MCRT, days
(MLSS, mg/L)(Aera tor Vol., MG)(8.34 lbs/gal)  (CCSS, mg/L)(Fina l Clarifier Vol., MG)(8.34 lbs/dal)
given CCSS and final 
( WAS SS, mg/L)(WAS Flow, MGD)(8.34 lbs/gal)  (S. E. SS, mg/L)(Plan t Flow, MGD)(8.34 lbs/gal)
clarifier volume

 (MLSS, mg/L)(Aera tor Vol., MG)(8.34 lbs/gal) 

WAS, lbs/day     (S.E. SS, mg/L)(Plan t Flow, MGD)(8.34 lbs/gal)
 MCRT, days 
MLSS, lbs to waste
MLSS, gal to waste  X 1,000,000
(Return Activated Sludge Concentrat ion, mg/L) (8.34 lbs/gal)

MLSS, gal to waste

Minutes to Waste Sludge 
Waste Sludge Pump Capacity, gal/min

Minutes per Day to Waste Sludge

Minutes per Hour to Waste Sludge 
24 hr/day

*****Note: CCSS = Clarifier Core Suspended Solids*****

Wastewater Treatment Formulas 11

 Fleming Training Center

Sludge Digestion
Solids Added, lbs  (Flow, gal/day) (8.34 lbs/gal) (Total Solids Conc., %, as a decimal)

 Volatile Solids Feed Rate, lbs/day 

Volatile Solids Concentrat ion, %    X 100%
 Total Solids Feed Rate, lbs/day 

Volatile Solids Feed Rate, lbs/day   Total Solids Feed  

Volatile Solids Concentrat ion, % 

 Rate, lbs/day   as a decimal 

 Sludge Feed   Solids Concentration,   Volatile Solids Concentration, 

Volatile Solids Feed Rate, lbs/day     
 Rate, lbs/day   %, as a decimal   %, as a decimal 
 Seed Sludge Volume, gal 
Seed Sludge Concentrat ion, %    X 100%
 Total Digester Capacity, gal 

 Sludge Loading Rate,   Solids Concentration,   Volatile Solids Conc., 

   
Digester Loading, lbs/day/ft 
3  lbs/day   %, as a decimal   %, as a decimal 
2
(0.785) (Diameter, ft) (Water Depth, ft)

Volatile Acids Concentrat ion, mg/L

Volatile Acids/Alk alinity Ratio 
Total Alkalinity, mg/L as CaCO 3

Volatile Acids, lbs  (Volatile Acids Concentration, mg/L) (Digester Volume, MG) (8.34 lbs/gal)

*****Note: Volatile Acids, lbs = Lime Required, lbs****

 Volatile Solids Reduced, lbs 

Volatile Solids Reduction, %    X 100%
 Total Volatile Solids Entering, lbs 
 
 VS Concentrat ion In, % - VS Concentrat ion Out, %

Volatile Solids Reduction, %    X 100%
 VS Concentration  VS Concentration   VS Concentration  
 -   
 In, %  In, %, as decimal   Out, %, as decimal  

 In - Out 
Volatile Solids Reduction, %    X 100%
 In - (In)(Out) 
Volatile Solids Destroyed, lbs/day
Volatile Solids Destroyed, lbs/day/ft 3 
Digester Volume, ft 3

 Solids Conc.,   VS Conc.,   VS Reduced, 

(Sludge, gal/day)(8.34 lbs/gal)    
Volatile Solids Destroyed,

 % as decimal   % as decimal   % as decimal 
lbs/day/ ft3 (0.785)(Diameter, ft) 2 (depth, ft)

12 Wastewater Treatment Formulas

 Wastewater Treatment Math Formulas
Gas Produced, ft 3
Gas Produced, ft 3 /lb VS Destroyed 
Volatile Solids Destroyed, lbs

Gas Produced, ft 3 /day

Digester Gas Production , ft 3 /lb VS Destroyed 
(VS to Digester, lbs/day) (VS Reduction, % as decimal)
Digester Volume, gal
Digestion Time, days 
Sludge Flow Rate, gal/day

(0.785) (Diameter, ft) 2 (depth, ft) (7.48 gal/ft 3 )

Digestion Time, days 
Sludge Flow Rate, gal/day
Lime or Caustic, lbs  (Lime or Caustic, mg/L) (Digester Volume, MG) (8.34 lbs/gal)

Sludge Production and Thickening

 Solids Loading Rate, lbs/day 
Solids Concentrat ion, %    X 100%
 Sludge Production Rate, lbs/day 

Solids Loading Rate, lbs/day

Sludge Production Rate, lbs/day 
Solids Concentrat ion, %, expressed as a decimal

Total Flow, gal/day

Hydraulic Loading Rate, gal/day/ft 2 
Area, ft 2

Solids Loading Rate, lbs/day

Solids Loading Rate, lbs/day/ft 2 
Area, ft 2

(Sludge, gal/day) (8.34 lbs/gal) (Solids Concentrat ion, %, as a decimal)

Solids Loading Rate, lbs/day/ft 2 
Area, ft 2
Sludge Blanket Volume, gal
Sludge Detention Time, days 
Sludge Pumping Rate from Thickener, gal/day

(0.785) (Diameter, ft) 2 (Sludge Blanket Depth, ft) (7.48 gal/ft 3 )

Sludge Detention Time, days 
Sludge Pumping Rate from Thickener, gal/day

Wastewater Treatment Formulas 13

 Fleming Training Center

Sludge Dewatering and Disposal

Filter Press Dewatering (Plate-and-Frame)
Sludge Feed Rate, lbs/hr
Solids Loading Rate, lbs/hr/ft 2 
Plate Area, ft 2

Solids Loading Rate, (Sludge Feed Rate, gal/hr) (8.34 lbs/gal) (Solids Concentrat ion, %, as a decimal)
2

lbs/hr/ ft Plate Area, ft 2

Belt Press Dewatering

Flow, gal/min
Hydraulic Loading Rate, gal/min/ft 
Belt Width, ft

Sludge to be Dewatered, lbs/day

Sludge Feed Rate, lbs/hr 
Operating Time, hr/day

Vacuum Filter Dewatering

Solids to Filter, lbs/hr
Filter Loading, lbs/hr/ft 2 
Surface Area, ft 2

 Solids to Filter, lbs/day 

 Filter Operations, hr/day 
Filter Loading, lbs/hr/ ft 2 
 
(3.14) (Diameter, ft) (Width, ft)

Sand Drying Beds

Total Sludge Applied, gal  (Length, ft) (Width, ft) (Depth, ft) (7.48 gal/ft 3 )

Wastewater Treatment Ponds

Population Served, persons
Population Loading, persons/ac re 
Pond Area, acres

Pond Volume, ac - ft  (Area, acres) (Depth, ft)

(Length, ft) (Width, ft) (Depth, ft)

Pond Volume, ac - ft 
43,560 ft 2 /ac

Pond Volume, gal  (Volume, ac - ft) (43,560 ft 2 /ac) (7.48 gal/ft 3 )

(Length, ft) (Width, ft)

Pond Area, ac 
43,560 ft 2 /ac

14 Wastewater Treatment Formulas

 Wastewater Treatment Math Formulas
Flow, gal/day
Flow, acre - feet/day 
(7.48 gal/ft 3 )(43,560 ft 2 /ac)

Volume, gal
Detention Time, days 
Flow, gal/day

Volume, acre - ft
Detention Time, days 
Flow, acre - ft/day

BOD Loading, lbs/day  (BOD, mg/L) (Flow, MGD) (8.34 lbs/gal)

Influent BOD, lbs/day

Organic Loading Rate, lbs/day/acre 
Pond Areas, acres

(BOD, mg/L) (Flow, MGD) (8.34, lbs/gal)

Organic Loading Rate, lbs/day/acre 
Pond Areas, acres

 BOD Removed, mg/L 

BOD Removal Efficiency, %    X 100%
 BOD Total, mg/L 

 Flow, gal/day 
 (7.48 gal/ft 3 ) (43,560 ft 2 /acre) 
Hydraulic Loading Rate, inches/day 
  X 12 in/ft
Pond Area, acres

 Flow, acre - ft/day 

Hydraulic Loading Rate, inches/day    X 12 in/ft
 Pond Area, acres 

Laboratory
Activated Sludge
(Wet Settled Sludge Volume, mL)(1,000)
Sludge Volume Index (SVI), mL/g 
Dried Sludge Solids Mass, mg

(Settleable Solids Concentration, %, expressed as a decimal) (1,000,000 )

SVI, mL/g 
Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids, mg/L
(Settled Sludge Volume, mL/L) (1,000)
SVI, mL/g 
Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids, mg/L

100
Sludge Density Index (SDI) 
SVI

Wastewater Treatment Formulas 15

 Fleming Training Center
Alkalinity
(B) (N) (50,000)
Total Alkalinity, mg/L as CaCO 3 
Sample Volume, mL
Where: B = Volume of Titrant Used, mL
N = Normality of Sulfuric Acid

Bacteriological
Sum of Items or Values
Mean 
Number of Items or Values

Geometric Mean  (X1) (X 2 ) (X 3 )...(Xn )1/n

Geometric Mean  n (X1)(X 2 )(X 3 )...(X n )

(Number of Colonies Counted) (100)

Bacteriological Colonies/1 00 mL 
Sample Volume Filtered, mL
BOD
D - D2
BOD 5 , mg/L  1
P
(D1 - D 2 ) - (B1 - B 2 )f
BOD 5 , mg/L 
P
Where: D1 = Initial Dissolved Oxygen Concentration in Sample, mg/L
D2 = Final Dissolved Oxygen Concentration in Sample, mg/L
B1 = Initial Dissolved Oxygen Concentration in Seed Control, mg/L
B2 = Final Dissolved Oxygen Concentration in Seed Control, mg/L
P = Sample Concentration, % (expressed as a decimal)
Seed in Sample, %
f =
Seed in Seed Control, %
Oxygen Uptake Rate
Oxygen Uptake Rate, mg/L/hr
Respiratio n Rate, mg/g/hr 
Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids, grams/L

 Starting DO, mg/L - Ending DO, mg/L 

Oxygen Uptake Rate, mg/L/hr    X 60 min/hr
 Elasped Time, min 
Fed Oxygen Uptake Rate, mg/L/hr
Load Index 
Unfed Oxygen Uptake Rate, mg/L/hr

(Oxygen Uptake Rate, mg/L/hr)(1 000 mg/gram)

SOUR, mg O2 /hr/gm 
Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids, mg/L

16 Wastewater Treatment Formulas

 Wastewater Treatment Math Formulas
Solids
(A - B) (1,000,000 )
Suspended Solids, mg/L 
Sample Volume, mL
Where: A = Final Weight of Pan, Filter, and Residue in grams
B = Weight of Prepared Filter and Pan in grams
(A - B) (1,000,000 )
Total Solids, mg/L 
Sample Volume, mL
Where: A = Weight of Dish and Dried Solids in grams
B = Weight of Dish in grams
(A - B) (1,000,000 )
Volatile Solids, mg/L 
Sample Volume, mL
Where: A = Weight of Dish and Dried Solids in grams
B = Weight of Dish and Ash in grams
(B - C ) (1,000,000 )
Fixed Solids, mg/L 
Sample Volume, mg/L
Where: B = Weight of Dish and Ash in grams
C = Weight of Dish in grams
Volatile Solids, mg/L
Volatile Solids, %  X 100%
Total Solids, mg/L

Solutions
(C1) ( V1)  (C2 ) ( V 2)
Where C1 = Concentration of Solution 1
C2 = Concentration of Solution 2
V1 = Volume of Solution 1
V2 = Volume of Solution 2

Temperature
Temperature, C  0.556 (F - 32)

Temperature, F  1.8 (C)  32

Wastewater Treatment Formulas 17

 Fleming Training Center

Flow Through a Partially Full Pipe

Diam, ft d Velocity, ft/time

Q, cfs = A, ft2 V, fps

Q, cfs = (factor from d/D table)(D, ft)2 (Vel, fps)

d, in / D, in Factor d, in / D, in Factor d, in / D, in Factor d, in / D, in Factor

0.01 0.0013 0.26 0.1623 0.51 0.4027 0.76 0.6404

0.02 0.0037 0.27 0.1711 0.52 0.4127 0.77 0.6489
0.03 0.0069 0.28 0.1800 0.53 0.4227 0.78 0.6573
0.04 0.0105 0.29 0.1890 0.54 0.4327 0.79 0.6655
0.05 0.0147 0.30 0.1982 0.55 0.4426 0.80 0.6736

0.06 0.0192 0.31 0.2074 0.56 0.4526 0.81 0.6813

0.07 0.0242 0.32 0.2167 0.57 0.4625 0.82 0.6893
0.08 0.0294 0.33 0.2260 0.58 0.4724 0.83 0.6969
0.09 0.0350 0.34 0.2355 0.59 0.4822 0.84 0.7043
0.10 0.0409 0.35 0.2450 0.60 0.4920 0.85 0.7115

0.11 0.0470 0.36 0.2546 0.61 0.5018 0.86 0.7186

0.12 0.0534 0.37 0.2642 0.62 0.5118 0.87 0.7254
0.13 0.0600 0.38 0.2739 0.63 0.5212 0.88 0.7320
0.14 0.0668 0.39 0.2836 0.64 0.5308 0.89 0.7384
0.15 0.0739 0.40 0.2934 0.65 0.5404 0.90 0.7445

0.16 0.0811 0.41 0.3032 0.66 0.5499 0.91 0.7504

0.17 0.0885 0.42 0.3130 0.67 0.5594 0.92 0.7560
0.18 0.0961 0.43 0.3229 0.68 0.5687 0.93 0.7612
0.19 0.1039 0.44 0.3328 0.69 0.5780 0.94 0.7662
0.20 0.1118 0.45 0.3428 0.70 0.5872 0.95 0.7707

0.21 0.1199 0.46 0.3527 0.71 0.5964 0.96 0.7749

0.22 0.1281 0.47 0.3627 0.72 0.6054 0.97 0.7785
0.23 0.1365 0.48 0.3727 0.73 0.6143 0.98 0.7816
0.24 0.1449 0.49 0.3827 0.74 0.6231 0.99 0.7841
0.25 0.1535 0.50 0.3927 0.75 0.6318 1.00 0.7854

18 Wastewater Treatment Formulas