TUASTOMBAN, JOLO T.

NOVEMBER 06, 2023

DCET-3 EA 112

ON-SITE SEWAGE TREATMENT (OSST)

In locations that do not have a nearby communal wastewater treatment facility, individual
sewage treatment systems are utilized. These systems, commonly referred to as septic systems, consist
of a septic tank connected to the building's plumbing system. From there, a distribution box disperses
the liquid waste (effluent) into a designated area for drainage or disposal.

TYPES OF SEPTIC SYSTEMS

Due to a variety of circumstances, septic system size and design can differ significantly, both
within your neighbourhood and nationwide. The size of the home, the kind of soil, the slope of the site,
the size of the lot, the closeness to delicate water bodies, the weather, and even local regulations are
some examples of these variables.

10 OF THE MOST COMMON TYPES OF SEPTIC SYSTEMS USED.

1. Septic Tank
2. Conventional System
3. Chamber System
4. Drip Distribution System
5. Aerobic Treatment Unit
6. Mound Systems
7. Recirculating Sand Filter System
8. Evapotranspiration System
9. Constructed Wetland System
10. Cluster / Community System
 1. Septic Tank
A septic tank is a large underground tank that is designed to treat and dispose of
household wastewater. It is typically made of concrete or fiberglass and is installed on the
property of a home or building that is not connected to a municipal sewer system. The tank
collects the wastewater from toilets, showers, sinks, and other household drains. Inside the
tank, solids settle to the bottom and are broken down by bacteria, while water and lighter
materials (such as grease) float to the top. The treated water, also known as effluent, then
flows out of the tank and into a drain field or leach field, where it is further filtered as it
percolates through layers of soil.

Your household liquid waste flows from the house into the septic tank where the sewage undergoes a
settlement process and is partially treated by bacteria.

This partially treated waste then travels from the tank to a disposal or absorption field, where it is
further broken down by natural processes. The type of disposal field depends on soil type, the slope of
the section, vegetation and underlying rock.

Your septic system is a living ecosystem where bacteria do the work of digesting and treating waste.

The septic tank retains fats and solids and releases the liquid portion of the waste. This liquid effluent
flows into the disposal field and is further treated by the soil.

A healthy septic tank is a well-balanced ecosystem where good bacteria thrive in the right amounts to
digest waste and treat the effluent water.
2. Conventional Septic System

A conventional septic system is a type of on-site wastewater treatment system that consists of
a septic tank and a drain field. It is the most common and traditional system used in residential areas,
particularly in rural or suburban locations where access to a municipal sewer system is not available.
In a conventional system, wastewater from the household flows into a septic tank where solids settle to
the bottom and are decomposed by bacteria. The treated water then passes through a distribution box
and is evenly dispersed into the drain field through a network of perforated pipes buried in the ground.
The drain field further filters and disperses the effluent into the underlying soil.

How it works?
A septic system works by allowing waste water to separate into layers and begin the process of
decomposition while being contained within the septic tank. Bacteria, which are naturally present in all septic
systems, begin to digest the solids that have settled to the bottom of the tank, transforming up to 50 percent of
these solids into liquids and gases. When liquids within the tank rise to the level of the outflow pipe, they enter
the drainage system. This outflow, or effluent, is then distributed throughout the drain field through a series of
subsurface pipes. Final treatment of the effluent occurs here as the soil absorbs and filters the liquid and
microbes break down the rest of the waste.

Septic systems cannot dispose of all the material that enters the system. Solids that are not broken
down by bacteria begin to accumulate in the septic tank and eventually need to be removed. The most
common reason for system failure is not having these solids removed on a regular basis. When the
holing tank is not pumped out frequently enough, the solids can enter the pipes leading to and from
the tank. This can cause sewage to back up into the house or cause the drainage system to fail as the
pipes and soil become congested. These problems are often costly to fix, pose a danger to public
health, and are a significant source of water pollution. Seepage from inadequate or failing septic
systems can contaminate both ground and surface waters. The industry recommends having a licensed
company clean your septic tank on a regular basis as preventative maintenance.
3. Chamber System

A chamber system, also known as a mound system or an elevated sand mound system, is a
type of septic system that is designed for sites with limited or unsuitable soil conditions. It is often
used in areas with high water tables, shallow bedrock, clay soils, or other conditions that impede the
proper function of a conventional septic system. In a chamber system, wastewater from the home first
enters a septic tank for primary treatment. The partially treated effluent then flows into a dosing tank
or pump chamber, which periodically pumps the effluent into a series of sand-filled chambers or
trenches located above the natural soil. The sand-filled chambers provide additional treatment and
dispersal of the effluent before it enters the natural soil. The elevated sand mound helps to ensure
proper filtration and prevents untreated wastewater from reaching the groundwater.

How it works?

Septic tanks work by allowing waste to separate into three layers: solids, effluent and scum (see
illustration above). The solids settle to the bottom, where microorganisms decompose them. The
middle layer of effluent exits the tank and travels through underground perforated pipes into the
drainage field.

In 2 chamber septic tank, the wastewater enters the first chamber of the tank, allowing solids to settle
and scum to float. The settled solids are anaerobically digested, reducing the volume of solids. The
liquid component flows through the dividing wall into the second chamber, where further settlement
takes place.

The SEPTIC tank three chambers RS works by gravity of foams and fats (lighter) and sludge. The
incoming wastewater pass through three different rooms and while within lightest materials date back
to flotation and heavier materials fall on the bottom of the tank.
4. Drip Distribution System

A drip distribution system is a type of wastewater disposal system that is used to distribute
the treated effluent from a septic tank or other wastewater treatment system. It involves the use of a
network of pipes with small holes or emitters, placed at regular intervals, that allow the effluent to be
slowly and evenly distributed over a designated area. The effluent is then absorbed into the soil and
treated naturally through biological processes.

How it works?

A subsurface drip distribution system distributes wastewater through a system of tubing with flow
regulating emitters. The tubing can be installed at various depths below the ground surface.

The pump tank stores the treated wastewater until it is dosed. A high-head pump delivers the water
from the pump tank through the filtering device to the drip distribution system.

A control system regulates dosing to the drip fields. Most systems utilize a control panel to implement
time-dosing to the fields. This allows effluent to be distributed throughout the day in even doses.
Control panels can also control automatic filter backwashing and field flushing. Some systems use
demand-dosing to the drip fields with a manual filter and field flushing, but this is not recommended.

The filtering device can be a sand filter, disk filter, or screen filter. Its main purpose is to remove
larger particles from the wastewater so they do not plug the drip emitters. Depending on the system
design, the filter may have an automatic backwash for the filter devices that can be activated by
pressure differentials before and after the filter or on a predetermined frequency. The system can also
have automatic, manual, and continuous field flushing
5. Aerobic Treatment Unit
Aerobic Treatment Units (ATUs) An aerobic treatment unit is a type of wastewater
treatment system that uses oxygen to facilitate the breakdown of organic matter and the removal of
contaminants from wastewater. It typically consists of a tank or chamber where the wastewater is
aerated and mixed with microorganisms that break down and treat the waste. This process helps to
minimize odors and produce treated effluent that can be safely discharged or reused.

The benefits of this system are that it can be used in homes with smaller lots, inadequate
soil conditions, in areas where the water table is too high, or for homes close to a surface water
body sensitive to contamination by nutrients contained in wastewater effluent. Regular life-time
maintenance should be expected for ATUs.

How it works?

ATUs use biological processes to transform both dissolved and solid constituents into gases, cell mass,
and non-degradable material. An important feature of the biological process is the synthesis and
separation of microbial cells from the treated effluent.

The treatment process involves a variety of aerobic and facultative microorganisms living together
that can decompose a broad range of materials. The organisms live in an aerobic environment where
free oxygen is available for their respiration. ATUs can be used to remove substantial amounts of
BOD5 and TSS that are not removed by simple sedimentation in a conventional septic system.

The biological process also involves the nitrification of ammonia in the wastewater and the reduction
of pathogenic organisms. Nitrification is the breakdown of ammonia (NH3+) to nitrate (NO3-) by
microorganisms in aerobic conditions.

ATUs, which are certified as Class I aerobic systems, treat wastewater well enough to be used in
conjunction with spray systems, which distribute treated wastewater over lawns. Combined with
disinfection, they are the most common way to treat wastewater for spray systems.
6. Mound Systems
Mound systems are an alternative method of wastewater treatment and disposal that is used when
the soil conditions are not suitable for traditional septic systems. They involve building an artificial elevated
mound or bed of sand, gravel, and soil above the natural soil surface. The wastewater from a septic tank or
other treatment system is then pumped or gravity-fed to the mound, where it is filtered and treated as it
percolates through the mound. The treated effluent can then be dispersed into the underlying natural soil or
used for irrigation. Mound systems are commonly used in areas with high water tables, shallow soil depth, or
poor soil drainage.

How it works?

The mound system includes a septic tank, a dosing chamber, and a mound. Wastes from homes are
sent to the septic tank where the solid portion sinks to the bottom of the tank. Effluents are sent to a
second tank called a dosing chamber, from which they are distributed to the mound at a metered rate
(in doses). Wastewater is partially treated as it moves through the mound sand. Final treatment and
disposal occur in the soil beneath the mound. The mound system does not allow all the effluent to
enter the mound at once, accordingly allowing it to clean the effluent more effectively and helping
keep the system from failing.
7. Recirculating Sand Filter System

This is a type of wastewater treatment system that uses sand and gravel beds to filter
and treat the wastewater. The system includes a recirculation tank where the wastewater is
collected and then pumped through the sand and gravel beds. The filter media helps to remove
solid particles and biological contaminants, while microbial activity in the filter breaks down
organic matter and nutrients.

How it works?

Sand filter systems can be constructed above or below ground. Effluent flows from the septic tank to a
pump chamber. It is then pumped to the sand filter. The sand filter is often PVC-lined or a concrete
box filled with a sand material. Effluent is pumped under low pressure through the pipes at the top of
the filter. The effluent leaves the pipes and is treated as it filters through the sand. The treated
wastewater is then discharged to the drain field.

8. Evapotranspiration System

This system uses plants and soils to treat wastewater through a natural process called
evapotranspiration. Wastewater is distributed over a vegetative cover, such as grass or other
plants, and as the plants take up water from the soil and release it into the atmosphere through
transpiration, the wastewater is naturally treated and evaporated. The system relies on the
combined processes of evaporation and transpiration to remove contaminants from the
wastewater.
How it works?

Septic tank systems usually consist of septic tanks, which has a baffle dividing the tank, this baffle
will hold back the solids, allowing for the settling of the solids which form a sludge layer on the
bottom of the tank and floatation of fats and greases which form a scum layer on the surface. The
settling process takes about 24 hours; the natural bacteria in the septic tank begin to breakdown and
digest the organic material found in the wastewater. Only the primary treated liquid (effluent) found
in the centre level of the tank, flows out of the septic tank into an absorption field. The sludge and
scum remain in the septic tank and must be periodically removed to ensure that the system operates
properly.

9. Constructed Wetland System

Constructed wetlands are engineered systems that use natural functions vegetation, soil, and
organisms to treat wastewater. Depending on the type of wastewater the design of the constructed
wetland has to be adjusted accordingly.

How it works?

Wastewater flows from the septic tank and enters the wetland cell. The wastewater then passes
through the media and is treated by microbes, plants, and other media that remove pathogens and
nutrients. The wetland cell typically consists of an impermeable liner, and gravel and sand fill, along
with the appropriate wetland plants, which must be able to survive in a perpetually saturated
environment. A wetland system can work via either gravity flow or pressure distribution. As
wastewater flows through the wetland, it may exit the wetland and flow into a drainfield for further
wastewater treatment into the soil.
10. Cluster / Community System

This refers to a centralized wastewater treatment system that serves a group of buildings or a
community, rather than individual homes or facilities. In this system, wastewater from different
sources is collected and treated in a central treatment plant. The system may include various treatment
processes, such as primary sedimentation, biological treatment, and disinfection, to remove pollutants
and contaminants from the wastewater before it is discharged or reused. Cluster/community systems
are often more cost-effective and efficient than individual treatment systems for each building in a
community.

How it works?

Cluster Community septic system uses individual septic tanks at each residence that remove solids and
grease and collects wastewater from two or more dwellings or buildings and conveys it to a treatment
and dispersal system and finally to a drainfield for soil-based treatment.
 PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 856, s. 1975

CODE ON SANITATION OF THE PHILIPPINES

CHAPTER XVII

Sewage Collection and Disposal, Excreta Disposal and Drainage

SECTION 73. Operation of Sewage Treatment Works. – Private or public sewerage systems shall:

a. Provide laboratory facilities for control tests and other examinations needed;

b. Forward to the local health authority operating data, control tests and such other records and
information as may be required;

c. Inform the local health authority in case of break-down or improper functioning of the sewage
treatment works; and

d. Provide for the treatment of all sewage entering the treatment plant.

SECTION 74. Requirements in the Operation of Sewerage Works and Sewage Treatment Plants. –
The following are required for sewerage works and sewage treatment plants.

a. All houses covered by the system shall be connected to the sewer in areas where a sewerage
system is available.

b. Outfalls discharging effluent from a treatment plant shall be carried to the channel of the
stream or to deep water where the outlet is discharged.

c. Storm water shall be discharged to a storm sewer, sanitary sewage shall be discharged to a
sewerage system carrying sanitary sewage only; but this should not prevent the installation of a
combined system.

d. Properly designed grease traps shall be provided for sewers from restaurants or other
establishments where the sewage carries a large amount of grease.

SECTION 75. Septic tanks. – Where a public sewerage system is not available, sewer outfalls from
residences, schools, and other buildings shall be discharged into a septic tank to be constructed in
accordance with the following minimum requirements:

a. It shall be generally rectangular in shape. When a number of compartments are used, the first
compartment shall have the capacity from one-half to two-thirds of the total volume of the tank.
b. It shall be built of concrete, whether pre-cast or poured in place. Brick, concrete blocks or adobe
may be used.

c. It shall not be constructed under any building and within 25 meters from any source of water supply.

SECTION 76. Disposal of Septic Tank Effluent. – The effluent from septic tanks shall be discharged
into a sub-surface soil, absorption field where applicable or shall be treated with some type of a
purification device. The treated effluent may be discharged into a stream or body of water if it
conforms to the quality standards prescribe by the National Water and Air Pollution Control
Commission.

SECTION 77. Determination of Septic Tank Capacity. – The septic tank capacity may be determined
from the estimated unit flow contained in Table I “Quantities of Sewage Flow,” based on adequate
detention time interval resulting in efficient sedimentation. Daily flow from mattered results, may be
used as estimated flow when available. For edifices with occupants, the number of persons to be
served shall be computed on the number of rooms with each room considered as occupied by two
persons or on the basis of the actual number of persons served by the tank, whichever is greater.

SECTION 78. Sanitary Privies. – The privy recommended for use is the sanitary privy. It shall
conform with the following minimum requirements:

a. It shall consist of an earthen pit, a floor covering the pit, and a water-sealed bowl. It shall be so
constructed in order that fecal matter and urine will be deposited into the earthen pit which shall be
completely fly-proof.

b. The pit shall be at least one meter square.

c. The floor should cover the pit tightly to prevent the entrance of flies. It shall be constructed of
concrete or other impervious material.

d. The water-sealed bowl shall be joined to the floor so as to form a water-tight and insect proof joint.

e. A suitable building, shall be constructed to provide comfort and privacy for the users of the privy.

f. Wooden floors and seat risers shall not be used.