ENGINEERING UTILITIES 2

PLUMBING DESIGN 4
SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM
THE SEWAGE AND ITS DISPOSAL 1. CESSPOOL

The collection and safe disposal of human - is a hole in the ground curbed with stones ,
wastes are among the most critical problems of bricks , concrete hollow blocks , or other
environmental health . Recent statistical reports materials laid in such a manner as to allow raw
revealed that most of the water borne diseases contaminated sewage to leach into the soil . The
such as dysentery , typhoid , diarrhea and other organic wastes accumulate and finally disposed
intestinal disorders are prevalent in areas where of by disintegration process .
there is NO proper and scientific Sewage
Disposal System. It is therefore important not
only to know the different types of sewage
disposal systems , but also to understand the
scientific value of the system .

TYPE OF SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM

1. CESSPOOL
2. PRIVY
3. SEPTIC TANK
4. PUBLIC SEWER LINE
SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM
2. PRIVY 3. SEPTIC TANK

-is a concrete sealed vault with a wooden shelter - is a device or receptacle used to expedite the
constructed for the collection of raw sewage. The decomposition of the elements contained in a
disintegration of excrement is accomplished in raw sewage waste . Raw sewage consists of
the same manner as in a cesspool . It is water , and settleable solid called organic
objectionable because of the danger of materials that can be precipitated in a septic
contaminating the source of water supply . tank in a very short time.
SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM
4. PUBLIC SEWER LINE

is a public sewage system , operated

and maintained by the government
consisting of a sewage treatment
plant that conveys the raw sewage
from buildings and houses to a
disposal system.

Of these four types of sewage

disposal , the cesspool and the privy
are already obsolete . The prevailing
types recommended by the sanitary
authorities are the Public Sewer line
and the Septic Tank .
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CLASSIFICATIONS OF PUBLIC SEWER LINE TWO TYPES OF SANITARY SEWER

1. COMBINATION PUBLIC SEWER 1. Intercepting or Trunk Line Sewer

2. SANITARY SEWER 2. Tributary or Contributing Sewer
3. STORM DRAIN
✓ Intercepting Sewer is a sanitary sewer that
➢ COMBINATION PUBLIC SEWER conveys sanitary waste to a dispersal plant . It is
commonly made of concrete pipe that varies in
- is the oldest type of public sewer that conveys sizes from 0.60 to 3.00 meters in diameter . The
both storm water and sanitary wastes . This pipes are laid underground to a minimum depth
type of public sewer is already obsolete and of about 3 meters , depending upon the natural
no longer allowed by sanitary authorities . contour of the ground .

➢ SANITARY SEWER ✓ Tributary Sewer is classified as an intercepting

sewer branch . The pipe is made of either vitrified
- is a public sewer facility that carries regular clay or concrete pipe laid in an open trench . It is
sanitary wastes only . It terminates in a generally smaller in diameter installed not more
modern sewage dispersal plant . Rainwater is than 3 meters below the street grade and
not permitted to enter into this type of public terminate into the intercepting sewer .
sewer .
SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM
➢ STORM DRAIN

- is another kind of public sewer line that

carries Storm Water . It terminates in a
natural drain such as canals , lakes or
rivers . Manhole is classified as a device of
the main and storm sewer . It serves as
man's access for inspection , cleaning and
repair . It is constructed out of bricks ,
stone , adobe or concrete at an interval
distance from 75 to 150 meters . The
manhole diameter varies from 90 to 120
centimeters provided with iron rungs to
serve as ladder for the maintenance crew
to reach the bottom . It is provided with a
well - fitted cover on top , leveled with the
road surface .
SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM
SEWAGE EJECTOR

- refers to the pump that will

discharge waste in the sump and
transfer it to the house drain in stalled
overhead . Sewage ejector is necessary
when the public sewer line was
installed at a depth from 2 to 4 meters
below the street level . Large buildings
with basement may have a deeper
excavation making it difficult to drain
its waste towards the main sewer by
means of gravity .
SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM

SEPTIC TANK

Septic Tank is a receptacle or vault used to collect organic waste discharged from the house sewer.
The main function of a septic tank is to liquefy and precipitate solid waste purifying odorous
materials. Sewage that was discharged into the tank is retained. And during its retention period ,
about 60 % to 70 % of the suspended solid of the sewage is removed largely by sedimentation to
form a semi - liquid substance called sludge .

The sludge accumulates at the bottom of the septic tank. Parts of the solids are formed into floating
scum. Both the scum and the sludge are processed by anaerobic bacteria and transforming them into
liquid and gases. This process is called , digestion. The solid matter is reduced in sizes and
consequently changed in character. The septic tank therefore, combines two processes ;
sedimentation in the upper portion of the tank and anaerobic decomposition of the accumulated
sludge at the bottom .
SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM

DECOMPOSITION OF ORGANIC MATTER FROM HUMAN WASTE IS A BACTERIOLOGICAL PROCESS

CAUSED BY :

1. Aerobic bacteria called aerobes

2. Anaerobic bacteria called anaerobes
3. Facultative bacteria

These three types of bacteria have no relation to disease. They thrive naturally in sewage, and will
function when conditions are favorable in terms of :

1. Food Supply
2. Temperature
3. Moisture
SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM

LEACHING
DIGESTIVE CHAMBER
CHAMBER
Effluent
Effluent
SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM

4” Clean-out
Cap

4 x 4 PVC Tee
Pipe Extension 4 x 4 PVC Tee
Pipe Extension
SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM
SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM
CONSTRUCTION OF THE SEPTIC TANK

Septic Tank is constructed from either of the 2. Septic tanks design shall be such as to
following materials : produce a clarified effluent consistent with
accepted standards and shall provide
1. REINFORCED CONCRETE adequate space for sludge and scum
2. PLASTERED CONCRETE HOLLOW BLOCKS accumulations.
3. PREFABRICATED ASBESTOS
4. THIN METAL AND PLASTIC 3. Septic tanks shall be constructed of solid
durable materials, not subject to excessive
corrosion or decay and shall be watertight.
GENERAL CONDITIONS IN CONSTRUCTING A
SEPTIC TANK 4. Septic tanks shall have a minimum of two (2)
compartments. The inlet compartment
1. The concrete or masonry septic tank is usually (digestive chamber) of any septic tank shall
constructed in a rectangular form . not be less than two-thirds (2/3) of the total
capacity of the tank, nor less than 2 cu.m.
liquid capacity, and shall be at least 0.90 m in
width and 1.5 m in length.
SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM

5. Liquid depth shall be not less than 0.60 m nor more than 1.80 m. The secondary compartment
(leaching chamber) of any septic tank shall have a minimum capacity of 1 cu.m. and a maximum
capacity of one-third (1/3) of the total capacity of such tank. In septic tanks having over 6 cu.m.
capacity, the secondary compartment may be not less than 1.5 m in length.

6. Access to each septic tank shall be provided by at least two (2) manholes 508 mm in minimum
dimension or by an equivalent removable cover slab. Wherever a first compartment exceeds 3.7 m
in length, an additional manhole shall be provided over the baffle wall.

7. The inlet and outlet pipe openings shall be not less in size than the connecting sewer pipe. The
vertical leg of a round inlet and outlet fittings shall not be less in size than the connecting sewer
pipe nor less than 104.6 mm.
SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM

Where large amount of water waste is IN SUMMARY:

coming from the shower bath , laundry
and others , it is not advisable to Minimum Width = 90 cm
permit entry of these waters into the Minimum Length = 150 cm
septic tank . Likewise , all downspout Minimum Depth = 150 cm
collecting water from the roof , should Manhole = 508 mm x 508 mm
not be allowed to terminate into the Pipe Size = 104.60 mm (4”)
septic tank . Rainwater should be
conveyed to the Storm Drain.
SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM
LOCATION OF SEPTIC TANK REQUIREMENTS FOR A SATISFACTORY
DISPOSAL OF HUMAN WASTE
Location of the septic tank shall observe
the following considerations : 1. There should be no contamination of ground
surface that may enter into the spring or wells.
1. The septic tank may be located closer to
the building it will serve , providing a 2. There should be no contamination of surface
minimum distance of 2 meters from the water.
outside wall.
3. The surface soil should not be contaminated.
2. As much as possible , the septic tank
should not be located closer to the 4. Excreta should not be accessible to animals ,
doors or windows. flies , cockroaches , vermin and the like.

3. Septic tank should be at least 15 meters 5. There should be no odor and unsightly
away from any source of water supply . conditions.
The farther the better . If not possible, it
is permitted to 7.6 m. 6. The methods used should be simple and
economical in terms of construction operation .
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SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

In most cases septic tanks are poorly aerated or When repair work or cleaning is to be made ,
ventilated. It lacks free oxygen . Under this be sure that the septic tank is well ventilated ,
condition , an individual entering into a septic by removing the manhole cover few days in
tank for making repairs or cleaning purposes , advance of the work . Another precaution is
may meet almost instant death. Septic tank may to supply fresh air inside the tank , while work
contain harmful and dangerous gases. is being done .

• METHANE GAS ( CH4 ) Remember that the tank may contain

• CARBON DIOXIDE ( CO₂ ) inflammable gases that might be ignited to
• CARBON MONOXIDE ( CO ) cause a terrific explosion. If light is needed to
• HYDROGEN ( H₂ ) work in the dark , an electric emergency light
• HYDROGEN SULFIDE ( H₂S ) with properly insulated cord should be used .
• SULFUR DIOXIDE ( HO₂ ) In the absence of electric supply , a flashlight
powered by dry cell battery is equally safe .
SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM
SEWAGE TREATMENT

The effluent removed from the septic tank is still But in passing , it is worth mentioning that
in the stage of objectionable matter . Although the treatment of municipal sewage is a
these organic matters have been removed , and complex problem involving scientific aspects
many of the objectionable gases have been outside the sphere of plumbing .
eliminated , still it contain countless number of
harmful anaerobic bacteria and objectionable The design and construction of a modern
chemical compounds in solution that must be sewage disposal plant requires engineering
disposed of . training in all the phases of natural science .
Civil works for the design and construction of
There are several methods and processes the structure , mechanical for the
wherein sewages may be treated . And those construction of equipment plus an extended
that are most commonly used are the activated knowledge of chemistry , physics and
sludge process , and the trickling or sprinkling bacteriology.
filter processes . The detailed scientific analysis
of sewage treatment is beyond the scope of this
subject in plumbing .
SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM
SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT
SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM

MIDTERM REQUIREMENTS
TO BE SUBMITTED A WEEK BEFORE MIDTERM EXAM!

1.SEPTIC TANK PLAN (Scale 1:50 to1:70)

2.SEPTIC TANK SECTION (Scale 1:50 to1:70)

ON A4 SIZE PAPER (WITH TEMPLATE)

PRINT SEPARATELY!