Septic Tank

Septic Tanks
• In order to provide satisfactory disposal of
sewage received from isolated buildings, small
institutions, big hotels, camps, etc; septic tanks
may be adopted.
• Thus they are suitable for isolated areas of the
locality where sewers are not laid.
 Theory
• Septic tank is just like a plain sedimentation
tank.
• But in septic tank, the biochemical reactions
by anaerobic bacteria. take place as in case of
sludge digestion tanks.
• During the detention period, sewage is purified
and the effluent is taken to soak pits for
disposal.
• Bad smells occur during the digestion period
of sludge and hence, the septic tanks are
provided with cover at top.
Constructional features of Septic Tank
 Construction aspects of a septic tank
• Following points should be noted in connection with
the construction aspects of a septic tank:
• Septic tanks should be constructed of materials which
are resistant to corrosion.
• The tanks are constructed watertight.
• Construction of septic tank should be such that direct
currents are not established between the inlet and
outlet. This is achieved by using submerged pipe tees as
shown in figure or by baffle walls near the inlet and
outlet ends.
• Scum boards may be provided near the inlet and outlet
ends to prevent the escape of scum.
• Level of outlet is about 15 cm lower than that of inlet
level.
 Construction aspects of a septic tank

• Septic tank should be properly ventilated by

the provision of air vent pipes.
• Top cover of septic tank is usually made of
R.C.C. and a manhole is provided in R.C.C.
slab for the purpose of inspection and cleaning
of the tank.
• If necessary, cast-iron steps may be provided
in the tank to facilitate descent in the tank.
 Construction aspects of a septic tank
• Sludge is allowed to be accumulated at the
bottom of tank and it is removed at intervals
either by manual labour or by pumping.
• For large septic tanks, sludge removal pipe is
provided and it leads the sludge to the nearby
sump from where it is periodically pumped
and removed.
• Sludge, thus removed, should be disposed off
in a sanitary manner, preferably after drying it.
 Construction aspects of a septic tank
• Tank should be filled with water at the time of
putting it into working condition.
• Effluent of tank should be properly disposed
off.
• The direct discharge of such effluent into
natural waters should be discouraged.
• Septic tanks may be constructed in series to act
like two-stage sludge digestion tanks. But
single-stage septic tanks are very popular.
 Construction aspects of a septic tank
• A septic tank thus combines the functions of a
sedimentation tank, a sludge digestion tank
and a sludge storage tank.
• Accumulation of sludge at the bottom of tank
decreases its storing capacity and hence, the
septic tanks should be cleaned every 6 to 12
months. But this period should not exceed 3
years in any case.
 Design Aspects of Septic Tank
• Capacity
Volume of septic tank is decided by taking into
consideration the quantity of flow and the detention
period.
It can also be designed on per capita basis which
varies from 60 to 110 litres per person to be served
by the septic tank.
The space for sludge is kept usually at the rate of 15
to 45 litres per capita per year.
 Design Aspects of Septic Tank
• Detention period
The detention period varies from 12 to 72 hours,
the common being 24 hours.
• Freeboard:
This should be about 40 cm to 60 cm.
• Shape
Septic tanks are generally rectangular in shape.
The ratio of length to width is about 2 to 4.
 Methods of Disposal of effluent
• The effluent of septic tanks is highly odorous
and it should therefore be carefully discharged.
Following are the methods of its disposal:
 Absorption trenches
• Trenches should be sufficient in size.
• At the bottom of trenches, a layer of broken
stones is laid.
• Effluent of septic tank, when placed in
absorption trenches, is absorbed by the ground.
 Gardening
• Effluent of septic tank can be used for the
purpose of gardening also.
• But when this method of disposal is to be
adopted, possible danger on health of nearby
residents should be seriously considered.
 Natural waters
• Effluent can be disposed off in the natural
waters provided these waters are in sufficient
magnitude to dilute the septic tank effluent.
 Soak pits
• A soak pit is a hollow circular or rectangular
pit. It is lined with masonry having open joints.
• The depth of soak pit varies from 120 cm to
180 cm.
• Effluent falls in the pit and it is allowed to be
absorbed into the surrounding soil.
• The pits may be kept empty or filled with
brickbats or broken stones.
 Soak wells
• A soak well is similar to a soak pit except that
it is large in size.
• The depth of a soak well is about 3 m or so.
• This is the popular method of disposal of
septic tank effluent.
 Sub-surface irrigation
• This method of disposal of septic tank effluent
is useful when porous soil is available.
• The effluent is conveyed and discharged
through underground drains with open joints.
 Surface irrigation
• Effluent of a septic tank has some fertilizing
value and it may be utilised by diverting it to
sewage farms.
 How to improve quality of effluent

• To improve the quality of effluent of septic

tank, it is allowed to pass through trickling
filters before its final disposal.
• The aerobic bacteria act on the effluent and
convert it into harmless liquid.
• Such effluent can then be directly discharged
into natural waters or can be applied to land
without any serious trouble.
 Advantages
(1) It does not practically require any special attention or skilled
supervision. It can be constructed easily.

(2) Cost is reasonable as compared to the advantages it offers.

(3) Performance of a properly constructed septic tank is very good.

It can remove about 90 per cent of B.O.D. and about 80 percent of
suspended solids.

(4) There is absence of any moving (mechanical) parts.

(5) There is reduction in the volume of sludge. As compared to

sludge of plain sedimentation tank, it is about 60 per cent less in
volume and about 30 per cent less in weight.

(6) Sludge, effluent and scum obtained from the septic tanks can
be disposed off easily without causing serious nuisance.
 Disadvantages
(1) If the tank is not properly functioning, the effluent is
dark and foul-smelling. It is even worse than the
influent.

(2) It requires excessive large size for serving more

persons.

(3) Leakage of gases through the top of septic tanks leads

to air pollution.

(4) Occasional removal of sludge adds to its maintenance

cost and it is a very tedious job.

(5) Working of septic tank is unpredictable and non

uniform.
 Use

• Septic tanks at present are not generally recommended

for treating sewage on a large scale.
• They however are still useful for isolated structures or
localities where drainage connection to municipal
sewers is not possible.
• Problem 32-3.
Design a septic tank for a small residential
colony having a population of
500 persons. The rate of water supply is
150 litres per head per day.
What would be the size of soak well, if the
effluent from the septic tank is to
be discharged in it?
Thanks