WASTEWATER TECHNOLOGY

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 LECTURE OUTCOMES
Evaluation of wastewater; sewage strength and analysis of
wastewater
Physical characteristics – pH, solids in wastewater, odor,
temperature and colour
Chemical characteristics – dissolved oxygen, oxygen demand
(BOD and COD), organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus
Able to recognize and define the physical and chemical
characteristics of wastewaters, their concentrations and
significance
Able to measure, determine and monitor selected parameters
of effluents by conducting proper sampling, applying standard
wastewater laboratory methods, analysis procedure and tests,
and evaluate regulatory requirements in order to monitor
wastewater for compliance and treatment plant process
control

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 Wastewater characteristics
must be known and understood in order to
design and operate a wastewater
treatment plant (WWTP).

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 Chemical -Inorganic
Inorganic minerals, metals, and compounds,
such as sodium, potassium, calcium,
magnesium, cadmium, copper, lead, nickel,
and zinc.
originate from a variety of sources in the
community including industrial and commercial
sources, stormwater, and inflow and infiltration
from cracked pipes and leaky manhole covers.
Large amounts of many inorganic substances
can contaminate soil and water. Some are toxic
to animals and humans and may accumulate in
the environment.

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 Chemical – Heavy metal
released by a number of industrial processes- cobalt,
copper, nickel, chromium and zinc are detected in the
waste streams from mining operations, tanneries,
electronics, electroplating and petrochemical industries,
as well as in textile mill products.
The important toxic metals i.e. lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd),
zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) find its way to the water
bodies through wastewaters.
 the standard B discharge limit of these metals under the
Malaysian-Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Sewage and
Industrial Effluents) 1979 are kept below 1.0 mg/L (MDC,
1997). The maximum limit under the standard is 0.02
mg/L for Cd, 0.50 mg/L for Pb, and 1.0 mg/L each for Zn,
Ni, Cu and Cr (III).
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 Chemical - nutrients
Wastewater often contains large amounts of
nitrogen and phosphorus in the form of nitrate
and phosphate, respectively -- nutrients that
promote plant growth
excess of available nutrients in treated
wastewater can result in eutrophication,
The dissolved oxygen in the water body
becomes depleted when the aquatic plants
die, fall to the bottom, and are decomposed
by aerobic bacteria. The oxygen depletion can
reduce the populations of indigenous fish and
other oxygen-consuming organisms.
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 Chemical – oil and grease
Oil and grease- the combination of fats, oils, waxes,
found in ww. Fatty organic materials from animals,
vegetables, and petroleum are not quickly broken
down by bacteria and can cause pollution in
receiving environments.
Impacts: When large amounts of oils and greases are
discharged to receiving waters; increase BOD levels,
may float to the surface and harden, causing
aesthetically unpleasing conditions, can trap trash,
plants, and other materials causing foul odors and
attracting flies and mosquitoes and other disease
vectors, too much oil and grease causes septic
conditions in ponds and lakes by preventing oxygen
from the atmosphere from reaching the water.
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 Chemical – organic matter
Organic materials in ww originate from plants,
animals, or synthetic organic compounds, and
enter wastewater in human wastes, paper
products, detergents, cosmetics, foods, and from
agricultural, commercial, and industrial sources
Many organics are proteins, carbohydrates, or
fats and are biodegradable, which means they
can be consumed and broken down by
organisms. However, even biodegradable
materials can cause pollution. In fact, too much
organic matter in ww can be devastating to
receiving waters- high BOD, deplete DO

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 Physical- Solids
Solid materials in - consist of organic
and/or inorganic materials and organisms.
The solids must be significantly reduced by
treatment or they can increase BOD levels
when discharged to receiving waters
Proper solids analysis is important for the
control of biological and physical ww
treatment processes and assess
compliance with effluent quality limits.
total solids – the residue left after
evaporation; it includes the total
suspended soilds and total dissolved solids.
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 Physical- Solids
suspended solids – The portion of ww that, when
passed through a filter, remains on the filter,
- reduce the effectiveness of disinfection systems.
- estimating the amount of SS in ww helps to
complete an overall picture of how much
secondary treatment is likely to be required. It
also indicates ww clarity and is important for
assessing the potential impact of ww on the
environment.
Effect of TSS
Increases turbidity:
Less light
Increases silting: require more desludging

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 Physical- Solids
dissolved solids – The portion of
wastewater that, when passed through a
filter, does not remain on the filter.
fixed solids - the residue (total,
suspended, or dissolved) that is left after
igniting a dried sample. The weight loss
on ignition is called Volatile suspended
solid VSS -The filtrate is taken from the
105 degree C oven and then placed in a
600 degree C oven where the organic
materials burn and the left over inorganic
materials are weighed.
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 Physical pH
Acids, cleaning agents, and other
substances that alter pH can
inactivate treatment processes when
they enter ww.
Effect of pH
Organisms are very susceptible to
acids and bases
Recommended to have near neutral
conditions (6.5 - 8.5) to protect
beneficial organisms
NOTE: pH in some books is under
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chemical characteristic
 Physical - T
Ww T is important for 2 reasons:
(1) biological processes are temperature dependent and
(2) chemical reactions and reaction rates and aquatic
life are all temperature sensitive.
The best T for WWT range from 25 to 35 °C. In
general, biological treatment activity accelerates in
warm Ts and slows in cool Ts but extreme hot or cold
can stop treatment processes altogether
Ww T also affects receiving waters. Hot water, for
example, which is a byproduct of many manufacturing
processes, can be a pollutant. When discharged in
large quantities, it can raise the T of receiving
streams locally and disrupt the natural balance of
aquatic life.

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 Physical – colour and odor
Colour - compared with standards
Light brown - indicates young, few hours old
wastewater
Light-medium grey - old wastewater
Dark grey- black - septic, bacterial composition,
anaerobic conditions (due to ferrous sulphide mainly)
Odour -Young wastewater not too offensive
Decomposition under aerobic conditions create bad
smell Hydrogen sulphide (smell of rotten eggs)
Indol, skatol, cadaverin, mercaptan

Methane gas, for example, is a byproduct of

anaerobic biological treatment (found in septic
tanks) and is highly combustible

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 Biological - microorganisms
Many different types of organisms live in ww and some
are essential contributors to treatment. A variety of
bacteria, protozoa, and worms work to break down
certain C-based (organic) pollutants in ww by
consuming them. Through this process, organisms turn
wastes into carbon dioxide, water, or new cell growth.
Many disease-causing viruses, parasites, and bacteria -
pathogens often originate from people and animals who
are infected with or are carriers of a disease.
For example, graywater and blackwater from typical
homes contain enough pathogens to pose a risk to
public health.
Other sources include hospitals, schools, farms, and
food processing plants.

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 REFERENCES
1. http://water.me.vccs.edu/courses/env108/le
sson1_2.htm
2. http://www.google.com.my/search?hl=en&c
lient=firefox-a&hs=Okr&rls=org.mozilla%
3Aen-US%3Aofficial&channel=s&q=componen
ts+of+screens+%28wastewater+treatment%2
9&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai
3. http://water.epa.gov/aboutow/owm/upload/20
04_07_07_septics_final_sgrit_removal.pdf

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