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Chapter I

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

FS Lubiano is engaged in general construction services of land development and house

constructions which was founded recently, May 2015. It also deals with projects related to Engineering

art works and structural designs. One of the ongoing project of the company is the Liora Homes

Subdivision in Open Canal Rd, General Trias, Cavite. It offers an affordable yet rewarding residential

community that holds 1300 units and uses plastic septic tank as a small-scale sewage treatment system.

According to the contractor of the company common problems in the septic tank may occur if improper

maintenance continues such as clogging in the house sewer line, failure in the septic tank system, and

septic tank odor.

A septic tank is where sewage is collected and allowed to decompose through bacterial activity

before draining by means of a leaching field. It consists of one or more tanks, one end is connected to

an inlet wastewater pipe and the other to a specific drain field (Geogi, 2012). It could be constructed

as concrete, fiber glass or PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Both are working fine if proper installation was

done. However, PVC septic tanks will be the focus of this study.

Sewage is the liquid waste from toilets, baths, showers, kitchens, etc, that is disposed of via

sewers. In many areas sewage also includes some liquid waste from industry and commerce.

Municipal wastewater therefore includes residential, commercial, and industrial liquid waste

discharges, and may include water runoff (Tchobanoglous, G., Burton, 2003). Subdivisions have

accelerated the emission of various wastes.

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1.2 Statement of the Problem

How to lessen the possible blockages in pipes of a drainage system?

What specific materials will be needed for filtering medium in septic tank?

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study is to improve the design of a PVC septic tank by adding

alternative medium to the filtration system in order to lessen the possible blockages that leads to more

efficient maintenance that is highly needed to ensure the system is functioning properly. Specifically,

it aims to provide a prototype of a septic tank with knitted plastic mesh as filtering medium.

1.4 Significance of the Study

Engineering students and other researchers. The proposed study will help student as their reference

and guide regarding the waste water treatment.

Owner of the House. The proposed study could help the owner of the residential unit to save money

on the maintenance and for further repair of septic tank.

1.5 Scope and Delimitations

This study will contain research concerning the materials that will be used in designing the

septic tanks. It will focus on adding the knitted plastic mesh as a filtration medium for the septic tanks.

The study will improve the design of the PVC septic tank's filtration system to further diminish the

blockage.

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The study is based in the septic tanks in the households of Liora Homes only. The researchers

study will not be held liable for long term damages to the PVC septic tank. Water treatment and its

effect on the environment will not be included in this study.

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Chapter II

LITERATURE REVIEW

This chapter includes relevant ideas, studies and other related articles and information. Those

that were included in this chapter helps in familiarizing information that are relevant and similar to the

present study.

2.1 Wastewater Treatment

Many of our daily chores such as bathing, doing laundry, flushing toilets, preparing meals,

washing dishes and other activities generate wastewater. Few people give thought to where wastewater

goes after it disappears down the drain. Domestic wastewater (i.e. sewage) must be properly treated

because it contains excessive nutrients, harmful bacteria/viruses and household chemicals that may

contaminate the land and waters of our state and threaten public health.

In heavily populated areas both domestic and commercial wastewater is treated using a central

collection and treatment system. Individual residences, subdivisions and even entire cities and towns

use this type of wastewater collection and treatment system. The wastewater is transported, via a

collection system, from its origin to a central location where it is treated and disposed of in compliance

with state and federal regulations. Central collection and treatment can be cost prohibitive in rural

and/or less populated areas. In these areas, individual on-site sewage disposal systems are commonly

used to treat and dispose of household wastewater.

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Primary treatment is the initial process in which the solids are removed from the liquids

through settling. Septic tanks are the most common primary treatment method used for onsite sewage

disposal systems. The septic tank receives household wastewater and helps the liquid wastes to

separate from the solid wastes. The heavier solids settle to the bottom while the lighter solids (greases,

etc.) float to the surface of the tank.

2.2 Foreign Literature of Septic Tank

According to A.V. Nguyen (2003), the decentralized wastewater management approach has a

true potential in Vietnam, also in urban and peri-urban areas where centralized wastewater collection

and treatment systems are often not affordable. In urban areas of Vietnam, the conventional septic tank

is the most common on-site wastewater treatment facility. However, the system has a limited treatment

performance, and cannot provide the treatment required to reach national effluent standards and to

avoid water pollution. This paper presents an innovative way to improve the treatment efficiency of

septic tanks.

The Improved Septic Tank, also known as Baffled Septic Tank with or without Anaerobic

Filter (BAST or BASTAF), developed and studied at the Centre for Environmental Engineering of

Towns and Industrial areas (CEETIA), Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, represents a valuable

and promising alternative to the conventional septic tank. Results of laboratory- and pilot-scale

research on BAST and BASTAF systems show that at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 2 days, the

BAST(AF) significantly increased the removal efficiencies in terms of BOD, COD and TSS compared

with a conventional septic tank without any significant increase in construction expenses. The results

indicated that a reactor combining one sedimentation/equalizing chamber followed by

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two up-flow chambers could efficiently treat domestic toilet wastewater. Average treatment

efficiencies of 8090% in terms of BOD, COD and TSS could be achieved. The addition of an

anaerobic filtration chamber filled with charcoal or local-made recycled plastic balls (VABCO-K)

could further increase removal efficiencies by 10% and prevent sludge wash out. Despite its virtues,

5 wastewater discharge standards of Vietnam.

the BAST(AF) system was not able to reach the strict

2.3 Local Literature of Septic Tank

According to City Environment and Natural Resources Office of the City of San Fernando,

La Union (2011), low income areas of Southeast Asia and elsewhere, effective sanitation solutions are

difficult to come by. These areas are often largely subserviced by sewerage systems and the residents

may not have had the income available during their homes construction to install a proper septic tank.

Even if they did, unless a subsidized tank desludging program exists in the area, it is likely that the

septic tanks in these areas have rarely, if ever, been desludged. Their correspondingly dangerous

effluent therefore pollutes the groundwater or discharges into a nearby drainage canal. Other, even

poorer, residents often rely on unsanitary methods instead, such as defecation into a nearby waterway,

either directly or via the flying saucer technique of defecating into a plastic bag that is then thrown

into the waterway.

The project sites selected were the riverside slum communities in Barangays Catbangen and

Poro, as well as the oceanfront beach shed area of Barangay San Francisco. The former two sites lie

near the ocean on either side of the Catbangen Creek. These sites consist of informal settlers / squatters

who are living densely in small homes that lack any regulatory oversight on private land owned by the

national Philippine National Railway Company (there was, many years ago, a rail line

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passing through SFLU). The homes there mainly have some form of septic tank likely of bottomless

construction though most have not been desludged, with effluent pipes emptying into the main

drainage canals that run into the river. A few of the residents still engage in the flying saucer practice,

6 side of the river flowed all of the wastewater

however. From the main drainage canal on either

generated in these households, along with lots of solid waste, due to the open nature of the canals

along much of their length. The creek, in part due to these discharges (but also due to similar discharges

along its length), was correspondingly filthy. Some open space was present at the riverside areas where

these two canals discharged, so it was proposed that, instead of attempting to improve the households

septic tanks or install sewer lines to each, these two canals could simply be re-routed into the two Eco

Tanks that could be placed in the open areas.

2.4 Synthesis

The researcher's study is based in the literature stated above in the foreign and local literature.

The literature is relevant to the present study conducted by the researchers. One objective is to discover

the basic fundamentals of a septic tank and what causes the blockage in the water lines which in turn,

is the main source of the problem which started the study. The researchers used the literature to further

develop and to find innovative way to improve the septic tank to avoid and to minimize the problems

caused for the homeowners.

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CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

This chapter shows the data gathering that includes the materials used in the study and its

methods, and the simulation of pre-treatment system processes, also presents the analysis of result,

data analysis.

3.1 DATA GATHERING

The researcher accumulated all the data that will be needed to be able to conduct the study. These

data were risky in producing effective design of the filtration system. Below are the data and

knowledge gathered.

Prototype Material:

Charcoal it is a form of carbon processed to have a small, low-volume pores that increase the surface

area available for adsorption or chemical reaction. It is widely used to adsorb odorous or colored

substances from gases or liquid.

Knitted Plastic Mesh use to collect organic waste and its primary function is to liquefy and precipitate

solid wastes. It is made of UV stabilized high density polyethylene monofilament yarn. It is

lightweight and easy to install.

Empty Paint Bucket serves as the septic tank.

Pipe serve as the inlet and outlet of the septic tank.

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Actual Material:

Plastic Tank used as a septic tank in a residential8area.

Detachable Filtering Chamber a screening device that is installed in the septic tank. It prevents solid

and particulate matter from leaving and clogging. Where the filtering medium is place such as charcoal

and knitted plastic mesh.

Water Pipe is a pipe or tube, usually made of plastic or metal, that carries pressurized and treated

water to a household.

Prototype Procedure

Collect two containers with different sizes to serve as the septic tank and the chamber.

Make holes for the inlet and outlet provided that the inlet should be higher than the outlet.

Provide small openings on the bottom of the chamber allowing water to pass through.

Connect the pipes to the holes. Attach the inlet pipe and insert the outlet pipe to the chamber.

Place activated carbon and knitted plastic mesh inside the chamber.

Filtering Procedure

Gather sample specimen from the septic tank.

Pour the wastewater to the inlet pipe.

Let the sample flow up until it reaches the outlet pipe. The charcoal and fishnet will serve as

the filtering medium.

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3.2 Simulation Filtration System

The procedure included in the filtration system was resembled in a simulation test. These procedures

involved in the test were charcoal and fishnet. The whole simulation was established for the future

related study.

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CHAPTER IV

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

4.1 Presentation of Data

Filter Gravel is an extremely effective filter media because of its ability to hold back

precipitates containing impurities. The septic tank used in Liora Homes according to Engr. Frank

Lubiano utilized gravel and charcoal.

Water flows relatively fast (5 to 30 meters per hour) through the layer of gravel. Filtered water is

then collected in a pipe, and passed on to the next treatment process.

Gravel traps:

Suspended dirt

Any large particle in the water

Particles of floc formed by coagulation

Granular activated carbon traps some particles, but works primarily through adsorption - a

process in which the organic matter present in water "sticks" to the carbon granules. This helps to

eliminate color, taste, odor, and other organic matter problems. The irregular, creviced surface of one

gram of carbon has a surface area of about 600 to 1000 m2. Microorganisms flourish inside these

crevices, feeding on the nutrients in the water and the particles that stick to the carbon.

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The researchers came up with the idea of altering the present filtering medium used in Liora

Homes with knitted plastic mesh. Plastic mesh has been widely used in separation of particles from a

substance. Suitable for almost any air, liquid or gas separation and filtration application, these products

are easily fabricated and converted to customized components conveniently and economically. Plastic

mesh offers strong yet lightweight parts that have excellent resistance to chemicals and corrosion, are

non-conductive, and have good response to temperature changes.

The present septic tank in Liora Homes utilizes gravel and charcoal as a filtering medium

located in the chamber. In any case, the inlet pipe must be placed higher than the outlet pipe. The

standard specifications of the septic tank used in Liora Homes are shown in the figure below.

Figure 4.1 Actual Septic Tank Specifications

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The conventional chamber contains 3 layers; 2 layers of gravel (top and bottom) and 1 layer of

charcoal (middle). The researchers propose an alternative medium for gravel. The layers of gravel will

be replaced by the knitted plastic mesh as shown in figure 4.2

Conventional Chamber Proposed Chamber

Figure 4.2 Design of Filtration Chamber

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The simulation of filtering process using gravel and plastic mesh as a filtering medium is shown in

Figure 4.3. As a result of the test, gravel comes out to be more effective compared to knitted plastic

mesh based on the collected data.

Figure 4.3 Filtered Sample using Gravel (Left) and Mesh (Right)

Figure 4.4 Filtered (1 and 1.5 liter) and Unfiltered Sample (2 gallons)

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The provided prototype was made to test the effectiveness of knitted plastic mesh as a filtering

medium located within the chamber. The data gathered through experimentation are presented in

tabular form.

Table 4.1. Sample

MATERIAL UNIT QUANTITY

Wastewater Liter 2.84

Solid Waste Grams 25

Table 4.2. Present Filtering Medium

MATERIAL UNIT QUANTITY

Charcoal Grams 453.59

Gravel Grams 907.18

Table 4.3 Proposed Filtering Medium

MATERIAL UNIT QUANTITY

Charcoal Grams
25

Mesh Square Meter 2.84

4.1.1 Cost Analysis

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Liora Homes allotted one plastic septic tank per residential unit. The cost of the materials was

gathered by the researchers in order to determine the amount of money needed for overall expenses.

Table 4.4 Conventional Chamber (Gravel)

MATERIAL UNIT QUANTITY COST

Plastic Septic
Pcs 1 3200
Tank

Charcoal 0.002 30.00

m3

Gravel m3 0.006 75.00

Total Cost P 3305

Table 4.5 Proposed Chamber (Plastic Mesh)

UNIT QUANTITY COST

Plastic septic
Pcs 1 3200.00
Tank

m2 1.74 20.00
Plastic Mesh

m3 0.002 30.00
Charcoal

Total Cost P 3250

Table 4.6 and 4.7 shows the cost of septic tank used in Liora Homes. Conventional plastic

septic tank comes out to be more expensive compared to the proposed plastic septic tank.

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Table 4.6 Cost of Septic Tank per Residential Unit in Liora Homes

Conventional P 4,296,500.00

Proposed P 2,225,000.00

Difference P 71, 500.00

Table 4.7 Cost of Septic Tank for 1300 Residential Units in Liora Homes

Conventional P 3,305.00

Proposed P 3,250.00

Difference P 55.00

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CHAPTER V

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Summary

The overriding purpose of this study was to develop a new design of septic tank with a filtration

using knitted plastic mesh. The researchers conducted a simulation of filtration process that resembles

proposed new medium which includes the process of gravel filtration, charcoal filtration, and knitted

plastic mesh filtration. A three-fourth gallon of wastewater sample was tested in the provided prototype.

5.2 Conclusion

The researchers concluded that knitted plastic mesh can be an alternative for gravel in a septic

tank since it can act as a filtering medium. Plastic mesh is more economical than the other medium.

Based on the experimentation, it did not filter much solid wastes compared to the gravel.

5.3 Recommendation

Based on the study, the proposed chamber does not meet standard of the conventional chamber

using knitted plastic mesh as the filtration medium, thus, the researchers do not recommend it in Liora

Homes Subdivision. The can only be used as an alternative medium due to its non-corrosive property,

chemical resistance, and a good response in temperature change. According to the result of the study,

and knitted plastic mesh is more economical but less efficient and less effective compared to the gravel.

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APPENDICES

Wastewater sample

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Simulation of Filtration Process

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