SEWAGE TREATMENT

Wastewater and sewage is treated in three phases: primary (solid removal), secondary (bacterial
decomposition), and tertiary (extra filtration).

Sewage is generated by residential and industrial establishments. It includes household waste

liquid from toilets, baths, showers, kitchens, sinks, and so forth that is disposed of via sewers. In
many areas, sewage also includes liquid waste from industry and commerce. The separation and
draining of household waste into greywater and blackwater is becoming more common in the
developed world. Greywater is water generated from domestic activities such as laundry,
dishwashing, and bathing, and can be reused more readily. Blackwater comes from toilets and
contains human waste.

Primary Treatment
In primary treatment, sewage is stored in a basin where solids (sludge) can settle to the bottom
and oil and lighter substances can rise to the top. These layers are then removed and then the
remaining liquid can be sent to secondary treatment. Sewage sludge is treated in a separate
process called sludge digestion.

Secondary Treatment
Secondary treatment removes dissolved and suspended biological matter, often using
microorganisms in a controlled environment. Most secondary treatment systems use aerobic
bacteria, which consume the organic components of the sewage (sugar, fat, and so on). Some
systems use fixed film systems, where the bacteria grow on filters, and the water passes through
them. Suspended growth systems use “activated” sludge, where decomposing bacteria are mixed
directly into the sewage. Because oxygen is critical to bacterial growth, the sewage is often
mixed with air to facilitate decomposition.

Tertiary Treatment
Tertiary treatment (sometimes called “effluent polishing”) is used to further clean water when it
is being discharged into a sensitive ecosystem.

Several methods can be used to further disinfect and purify sewage beyond primary and
secondary treatment.

Sand filtration, where water is passed through a sand filter, can be used to remove particulate
matter.

Wastewater may still have high levels of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. These can
disrupt the nutrient balance of aquatic ecosystems and cause algae blooms and excessive weed
growth. Phosphorus can be removed biologically in a process called enhanced biological
phosphorus removal. In this process, specific bacteria, called polyphosphate accumulate
organisms that store phosphate in their tissue. When the biomass accumulated in these bacteria is
separated from the treated water, these biosolids have a high fertilizer value. Nitrogen can also
be removed using nitrifying bacteria.

Lagooning is another method for removing nutrients and waste from sewage. Water is stored in
a lagoon and native plants, bacteria, algae, and small zooplankton filter nutrients and small
particles from the water.

Treatment by activated carbon is mostly due to adsorption or absorption. When a chemical

species is adhered to the surface of a solid, it is an adssorption. When partial chemical bonds are
formed between adsorbed species or when the absorbate got into the channels of the solids, we
call it absorption. However, these two terms are often used to mean the same, because to
distinguish one from type from the other is very difficult.

Application of activated charcoal for the removal of undesirable order and taste in drinking water
has been recognized at the dawn of civilization. Using bone char and charred vegetation, gravel,
and sand for the filtration of water for domestic application has been practised for thousands of
years. Charcoal absorbs many substances, ranging from colored organic particulates to inorganic
metal ions. Charcoal has been used to remove the colour of raw sugar from various sources.

Filtration is the process of removing solids from a fluid by passing it through a porous medium.
Coarse, medium, and fine porous media have been used depending on the requirement. The filter
media are artificial membranes, nets, sand filter, and high technological filter systems. The
choice of filters depends on the required filtering speed and the cleanness requirement. The flow
required for filtration can be achieved using gravity or pressure. In pressure filtration, one side of
the filter medium is at higher pressure than that of the other so that the filter plane has a pressure
drop. Some portion of this filter type must be enclosed in a container.

Uses of Reclaimed Wastewater

Water reclamation (also called wastewater reuse) is the process of converting wastewater into
water that can be reused for other purposes. Reuse may include irrigation of gardens and
agricultural fields or replenishing surface water and groundwater (i.e., groundwater recharge).
Reused water may also be directed toward fulfilling certain needs in residences (e.g. toilet
flushing), businesses, and industry, and could even be treated to reach drinking water standards.
This last option is called either "direct potable reuse" or "indirect potable" reuse, depending on
the approach used.

Reclaiming water for reuse applications instead of using freshwater supplies can be a water-
saving measure. When used water is eventually discharged back into natural water sources, it can
still have benefits to ecosystems, improving streamflow, nourishing plant life and recharging
aquifers, as part of the natural water cycle.

Wastewater reuse is a long-established practice used for irrigation, especially in arid countries.
Reusing wastewater as part of sustainable water management allows water to remain as an
alternative water source for human activities. This can reduce scarcity and alleviate pressures on
groundwater and other natural water bodies. Another potentially positive aspect is the nutrient
content in the wastewater, which might reduce the need of other fertilizers.

Method of Treatment-

Aerobic

Aerobic-Sewage treatment in the presence of Oxygen-MBBR, SBR-where aerators/blowers

aerators/blowers are installed-generally no smell during treatment.

Anaerobic

• Anaerobic-Sewage treatment in the absence of Oxygen-UASB-No aerators/blowers are

required-foul smell during treatment.

Advantages:

• Requires less power than aerobic processes

• Biogas generated can be used as fuel or electricity.

Disadvantages:

• UASB alone does not treat the sewage to desirable limits, therefore downstream aerobic
treatment is compulsory

• Requires very large space due to post treatment

• Recovery of biogas is not sufficient to produce substantial electricity in case of municipal

OTHER OPTIONS FOR DISINFECTION

• Chlorine produces carcinogenic disinfection byproducts that are harmful to human and aquatic
life.

• It is banned in developed countries.

• Still used in India as it is cheap

• Other options are;

• Ultra Violet (UV) - like Aquaguard

• Ozone