2.

SEPTIC SYSTEM
3.1 Septic Tank System

The design of a septic tank mainly depends on the number of users, the amount
of water used per capita, the dislodging frequency and the characteristics of the
wastewater. Generally, the chambers are all of the same depth (between 1.5 to
2.5 m), but sometimes the first chamber is made deeper as the others.
Approximately 80 to 100L should be provided per domestic user. The retention
time should be 48 hours to achieve moderate treatment.

One of the difficulties with septic tanks is that when the tank is almost full of solids,
the inflow scours a channel through the sludge and passes through the tank in a
matter of minutes rather than remaining in the tank for the required retention time
(SASSE 1998).

Over time, indigenous bacteria and microorganisms start to digest the settled
sludge anaerobically, transforming it into carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane or
natural gas (CH4) and some heat. Optimal physical treatment by sedimentation
takes place when the flow is smooth and undisturbed. Biological treatment by
anaerobic digestion is optimized by a quick and intensive contact between the
new inflow and old sludge, particularly when the flow is turbulent. Depending on
the way the new influent flows through the tank, different treatment effect
predominates. With a turbulent flow, the degradation of suspended and
dissolved solids starts more quickly; however, more suspended solids are
discharged with the effluent. This leads to bad odors, as active solids that are not
completely fermented leave the tank.
3.2 Septic Tank Effluents

Septic tank effluent will vary in quality according to the characteristics of the
wastewater and condition of the tank. Effluent leaving a conventional septic tank
(one not equipped with an effluent filter) typically has concentration of 150 to 250
mg/L for BOD5, 40 to 140 mg/L for TSS and 20-50 mg/L for FOG (Crites and
Tchobanoglous, 1998). Septic tank effluent from a tank with an effluent filter has
different characteristics from unfiltered effluent. Typical effluent concentrations
from septic tanks equipped with effluent filters range from 100 to 140 mg/L for
BOD5, 20 to 55 mg/L for TSS, and 10 to 20 mg/L for FOG (Crites and
Tchobanoglous, 1998; Stuth, 2004). Numerous studies have shown that septic tank
effluent concentrations of organic material and solids of restaurants and similar
commercial establishments are significantly higher than those of residential septic
tank effluent (Siegrist et al. 1984; Stuth and Guichard, 1989; Stuth and Garrison,
1995; Matejcek et al. 2000). A Wisconsin study compared the concentrations of
restaurant and domestic effluent quality (Siegrist et al. 1984). Ranges for domestic
effluent concentration for BOD5 (118 to 189 mg/L), TSS (41-50 mg/L) and O&G (16
to 45 mg/L) were reported as average for three small communities. Ranges for
restaurant effluent concentrations for BOD5 (101 to 800 mg/L), TSS (44 to 372 mg/L)
and O&G (24-144 mg/L) were reported.