Chapter 4

Design and Construction of Septic

Tank and Waste Management
Considerations

Mr. Haile Belete (M.sc)

 Properly Designed Septic Tank Should
Provide For The Following:

(a) Space for sewage retention to allow

sedimentation;
(b) Space for digestion of settled sludge;
and
(c) Space for storage of digested sludge
and scum accumulating in between
successive cleanings or sludge
withdrawals at intervals varying from 6
 SEPTIC TANK DESIGN
SEWAGE FLOW:-

 The maximum flow to the tank is based on number of plumbing fixtures discharging
simultaneously .
 Various sanitation facilities are equated in terms of fixtures unit. Fixtures equivalent
are given in Table 1.
 Probable discharge from each fixtures is taken as 9.0 liter /minute.

PEAK DISCHARGE:-

 Estimated peak discharge for small tank up to 20 users is given in table 2.

 Estimated peak discharge for residential colonies is given in Table 3.
 Estimated peak discharge for hostels and boarding school is given in Table 4.
 TABLE 3: ESTIMATED PEAK DISCHARGE FOR RESIDENTIAL
COLONIES

No Of Users No Of Households No. Of Fixture Probable Peak

Units Discharge (lpm)
(1) (2) (3) (4)

50 10 20 108
100 20 40 216
150 30 60 324
200 40 80 432
300 60 120 648

 Note 1-probable peak discharge is based on 60 percent fixtures units discharging

simultaneously.
 Note 2- Each household consisting of 5 persons may have 1 WC, 1 bath and 1 wash basin/
kitchen sink.
 TABLE 4 : ESTIMATED PEAK DISCHARGE FOR HOSTELS AND
BOARDING SCHOOL

No of users W.C Bath Wash No of Probable

Basin/ Fixture Peak
Kitchen Units Discharge
Sink (lpm)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

50 6 6 6 12 76

100 12 12 12 24 130

150 19 19 19 38 205

200 25 25 25 50 270

300 37 37 37 74 400

 NOTE – Probable peak discharge is based on 70 percent of fixture units discharging

simultaneously.
 TANK CAPACITY
The capacity of a septic tank may be determined by the
following methods-

A. Rational method
B. Detention Period Method

A. Rational Method:
In this method the capacity of septic tank is determined on
the basis of space required for sedimentation, sludge
digestion and storage of digested sludge as indicated
below:
Rational Method Con’t.
Thus for example the total capacity of a septic
tank to be provided for 10 persons will be as
follows:
(i) Sedimentation:
Peak flow for 10 persons will be 18 1pm (see
Table 17.2), and hence the required surface area
of the tank = (0.92/10) x 18 = 1.656 m2. Keeping
a depth of 30 cm for sedimentation, volume =
(1.656 x 0.3) m3 = 0.4968 m3 ≃ 0.50 m3
Rational Method con’t.
(ii) Sludge Digestion:
Volume required for sludge digestion =
(0.033 x 10) m3 = 0.33 m3
(iii) Storage of Digested Sludge:
For an interval of 1 year between successive
cleanings, the volume required for storage
of digested sludge = (0.00021 x 10 x 365)
m3 = 0.77 m3
Rational Method con’t.
(iv) Free Board:
Volume corresponding to free board = (1.656 x 0.3)
m3 = 0.4968 m3 ≃ 0.50 m3.
∴ Total capacity of the septic tank to be provided for
10 persons
= (0.50 + 0.33 +0.77 + 0.50) m3
= 2.10m3
TABLE 5- RECOMMENDED SIZES OF SEPTIC TANK FOR 20 USERS

No of users Length Breadth Liquid Depth

(Cleaning
Interval Of)
1 year 2 year

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

m m m m
5 1.5 0.75 1 1.05
10 2.0 0.90 1 1.40
15 2.0 0.90 1.3 2.00
20 2.3 1.10 1.3 1.80

 Note 1- The capacities are recommended on the assumption that discharge from only WC will
be treated in the septic tank.
 Note 2- A provision of 300 mm should be made for free board.
 Note 3- The sizes of septic tank are based on certain assumptions while choosing the size of
septic tank exact calculations shall be made.
TABLE 6- RECOMMENDED SIZES OF SEPTIC TANK FOR RESIDENTIAL
COLONIES

No of users Length Breadth Liquid Depth

(Cleaning
Interval Of)
1 year 2 year

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

m m m m
50 5 2.0 1 1.24
100 7.5 2.65 1 1.24
150 10 3.0 1 1.24
200 12 3.3 1 1.24
300 15 4.0 1 1.24
 Note 1- A provision of 300 mm should be made for free board.
 Note 2- The sizes of septic tank are based on certain assumptions while choosing the size of
septic tank exact calculations shall be made.
 Note 3- For Population over 100 the tank nay be divided into independent parallel chambers
for easy of maintenance and cleaning.
 TABLE 7- RECOMMENDED SIZES OF SEPTIC TANK FOR
HOSTELS AND BOARDING SCHOOLS

NO OF USERS LENGTH BREADTH LIQUID DEPTH

(L) (B) (CLEANING
INTERVAL OF)
ONCE IN ONCE IN
A YEAR A 2 YEAR

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

m m m m
50 5 1.6 1.3 1.4
100 5.7 2.1 1.4 1.7
150 7.7 2.4 1.4 1.7
200 8.9 2.7 1.4 1.7
300 10.7 3.3 1.4 1.7

 Note 1- A provision of 300 mm should be made for free board.

 Note 2- The sizes of septic tank are based on certain assumptions while choosing the size of
septic tank exact calculations shall be made.
 Note 3- For Population over 100 the tank nay be divided into independent parallel chambers
for easy of maintenance and cleaning.
For secondary treatment of septic tank effluent the
following two methods are adopted, which are described
below (CONT.)
The unit has several advantages viz.:
(a) A high degree of stabilization;
(b) Little sludge production;
(c) Low operating and capital cost; and
(d) Low loss of head in the filter
(about 10 to 15 cm) in normal
operation.
END OF CHAPTER 4

Thank you!