Secondary/Biological

Treatment
 Introduction

The effluent that is coming out from primary clarifies contains 45 to 50

percent of the unstable or organic matter originally present in the sewage.

The main function of the secondary treatment of sewage is to convert the

remaining organic matter into stable form.
 Methods used
Biological treatment
activated sludge
trickling filter
oxidation ponds
Septic tank

A disinfection step is usually included at the end of the

biological treatment
chlorination
 Activated Sludge Process:

The term activated sludge is used to indicate the sludge which is obtained
by settling sewage in presence of abundant oxygen. The activated sludge is
biologically active and it contains a great number of aerobic bacteria and
other micro-organisms which have got an unusual property to oxidize the
organic matter.
Primary wastewater mixed with bacteria-rich (activated) sludge and air
or oxygen is pumped into the mixture
Promotes bacterial growth and decomposition of organic matter
 Activated Sludge Process:
BOD removal is approximately 85%
Microbial removal by activated sludge are
80-99% removal of bacteria (sunlight, temperature, competition from
other bacteria, adsorption to sludge solids)
90-99% removal of viruses (mostly through solids settling, but also
bacterial antiviral products and predation)
 Trickling filters :
Trickling filters are beds of stones or corrugated plastic.
The primary
wastewater is sprayed over the filter and microbes decompose organic
material aerobically.

Low pathogen removal

- Bacteria, 20-90%
- Viruses, 50-90%
 Trickling filters :
Rotating distribution arm sprays primary effluent over circular bed of
rock or other coarse media
Air circulates in pores between rocks
Biofilm develops on rocks and micro-organisms degrade waste
materials as they flow past
Organisms slough off in clumps when film gets too thick
Not a true filtering or sieving process
Material only provides surface on which bacteria to grow
Can use plastic media
lighter - can get deeper beds (up to 12 m)
reduced space requirement
trickling filter :
 Oxidation Ponds:
An artificial pond of shallow depth formed for the retention of sewage for
sufficient time is known as an oxidation pond. These ponds are used to
treat raw sewage or partially treated sewage.
ACTION: The oxidation ponds purify the sewage by dual action of
aerobic bacteria and algae. The aerobic bacteria obtain from the
atmosphere and use it in the decomposition of organic matter of sewage.
The carbon dioxide produced in the decomposition of sewage is broken up
by algae by the process of photosynthesis into carbon and oxygen. The
carbon is used in producing more carbohydrates and the released oxygen
keeps the dissolved oxygen content of water at high level.
 Oxidation Ponds:

CONSTRUCTION: The oxidation ponds are constructed with shallow depths

of about 900 to 1500mm, which permits the sunlight to penetrate into the body
of sewage for the growth of algae. It is desirable to provide a free board of
about one meter or so.

DESIGN ASPECTS: The detention period of 2 to 6 weeks should be provided

for proper development of algae.
 Oxidation Ponds:

ADVANTAGES:
Cost of treatment in oxidation ponds is low
Maintenance and operation of oxidation ponds are simple and easy
These are highly efficient in removal of B.O.D (90%)
The oxidation ponds prove economical where land is cheaply available
and suitable dry climate exists
DISADVATAGES:
These may give objectionable odors and cause the nuisance of
mosquitoes. Hence they constructed away from the residential locality
These oxidation ponds may sometimes become septic due to overloading
or unfavorable badly season
 Septic Tank
In order to provide satisfactory disposal of sewage received or obtained
from isolated buildings, small institutions, big hotels camps etc or
undeveloped areas of the locality where municipal sewers are not laid,
the septic tanks may be adopted.
THEORY:
The septic tank is just like a plain sedimentation tank but in septic tank,
bio-chemical reactions by anaerobic bacteria take place. During the
detention period, the sewage is purified and the effluent is taken to soak
pits for disposal. The septic tank is provided with cover at top for
avoiding the bad smells occur during the digestion period of sludge.
 DESIGN ASPECTS:
1. CAPACITY: The volume of septic tank is decided by taking the
consideration of quantity of flow and detention period. It is also designed
based 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.

2. DETENSION PERIOD: The detension period varies from 12 to 72 hours

commonly being 24 hours.

3. FREE BOARD: This should be about 400 to 600 mm.

4. SHAPE: The shape is generally rectangular with length breadth ratio 2:4.